(NAPSA)—The newsthat the U.S. Mint has struck a new American Buffalo Commemorative Coin is expected to produce a stampede of interest across the nation. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO)struck thefirst coin at the U.S. Mint in Denver. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the American Buffalo Commemorative Coin will help fund the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, scheduled to open in 2004. The one-dollar silver commemorative coin is based on the celebrated Buffalo nickel, designed by James Earle Fraser and minted from 1913 through 1938. Three different American Indians, Chief Iron Tail, Chief Big Tree and Chief Two Moons, who were performers in Wild West Shows in New York City, modeled for Fraser. The buffalo model for the coin came from New York’s Central Park Zoo. The obverse of the American Buffalo Commemorative Coin fea- tures a prominent American Indian profile and the reverse features an American buffalo. The coin is legal tender and struck from 26.73 grams of 90 percent silver. The uncirculated coin is being minted in Denver, Colorado and the proof coin is being minted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The uncirculated coin is now on sale at a pre-issue price of $30 through July 25, and for $32 thereafter. The proof coin is avail- able for $33 through July 25, and for $37 thereafter. Collectors may call 1-800-USA-MINTto order by telephone. Operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Customers may also order by mail by sending a check or money order to United States Mint, P.O. Box 382601, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-8601. Allow four to six weeks for delivery. To order online, or for more information, visit the United States Mint’s Web site at www.usmint.gov.
