Nostalgia & History > V & T commemorative coin

I saw this press release about the V&T and I thought others on this board might be interested.

V&T COMMEMORATIVE COIN TO BE MINTED ON NEVADA DAY

Silver Medallion Is First Coin In Series To Raise Funds To Rebuild Historic Railway

(CARSON CITY, Nev.) – The public is invited to view the historic mint production of special silver medallions commemorating the Virginia & Truckee Railway, Friday, October 31, 11am at the Carson City Mint in the state’s capital. Silver built the original V&T and 150 years later, it’s rebuilding the historic short line with proceeds from sales benefiting the reconstruction of its original route between Carson City and Virginia City.

The first 350 of 5,000 pure silver medallions (.999) will be struck on Nevada Day, the state’s 164th birthday, with the “CC” marking, indicating the Carson City mint. A $5 entry fee will allow visitors to observe history in the making as well as tour the State Museum.. The medallion, which will be minted on the original No. 1 press once used to produce coins in Carson City in the 1800’s, is the first in a series of five to be produced over the next few years.

A press conference for the media is scheduled at 2 pm with Lorraine Hunt, Nevada’s Lt. Governor and Ray Masayko, Chairman of the Nevada Commission for the Reconstruction of the V&T Railway and Carson City Mayor as part of the holiday festivities.

The first 350-minted coins have already been reserved and sold for $100 each. The coin features the No. 22 INYO Engine on one side and Nevada’s state seal on the other. The coins will be mounted in card stock dated and hand numbered and will include a certificate signed by Mayor Masayko and Lt. Governor Lorraine Hunt.

The balance of the coins will be minted each month and will be sold for $48 plus $4.25 for shipping & handling. To-date, over $45,000 has been raised through coin sales and other contributions. Persons interested in purchasing a V&T coin can send a check for $52.25 per order to V&T Railway, 1900 S. Carson Street, Suite 100, Carson City, Nevada 89702. Coins will be shipped as ordered and minted.

The V&T, completed in 1872, originally supplied Virginia City’s mines with raw materials and lumber and transported ore to the mills in the valley below. It’s been more than 60 years since the V&T last ran the 17-mile route between Virginia City and Carson City. It was recognized as the only railroad ever to carry its entire weight of locomotives, track and equipment in silver.

For more information, call Kevin Ray, project coordinator at 775-352-3845 or stop by the Carson City Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1900 S. Carson Street. Visit on line at www.vtrr.org.