"THE STEAL PENNY"
U.S.
MINT TO BEGIN PRODUCTION OF GEORGE W.
BUSH COIN
LONG BEACH
(gorewon2000.net) January 31, 2001 -- Jay W. Johnson, Director of the United
States Mint, announced today that production is set to begin on the new George
W. Bush cent. "The Steal
Penny" is the newest U.S. Mint issue since the Golden Dollar and 50 State
Quarters releases.
"Through
Congressional authorization, the United States Mint is responsible for the
production of coins that typically celebrate and honor American people,
places, events, and institutions," Director Johnson said, "so this
is something of a break from tradition for the organization." Johnson, who took over the Director's
Office in March of 2000, said that he considers the striking of this most
recent coin "the most politically significant mint release since the 1943
zinc-coated steel Lincoln cent.“
(Read full
coverage of the press conference here HERE.)