Carson City coin press to stamp Health Care Heroes medallion for a final time Jan. 30

CARSON CITY — Historic Coin Press No. 1 at the Nevada State Museum, Carson City, will mint the special Health Care Heroes medallion for a final time from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 30. The design of the Nevada Health Care Heroes medallion is based on an image of a health care worker at one of the COVID-19 testing stations set up by the Nevada National Guard. Museum visitors can view the coin press stamping medallions as they pass through the exhibition gallery.

Since October 2020, the museum has minted the special medallion to raise money for COVID-19 Relief Fund administered by the Community Foundation of Western Nevada. Interested people can purchase a .999 fine silver planchet and watch as it is minted on the press. Cost for a planchet is $100; a portion of the proceeds goes to the relief fund.

“Nevada has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and our front-line health care workers are among the hardest hit,” Myron Freedman, Nevada State Museum, Carson City director, said. “The museum is glad to offer this opportunity to honor their contributions and give back to the men and women who work so hard to protect the community’s health.”

Coin Press No. 1 was the first coin press to operate at the Carson City Mint. A former U.S. Branch Mint, the Carson City Mint was in operation from 1870 to 1893. Today, the old mint building is incorporated into the museum.

The museum, 600 N. Carson St. in Carson City, is open at 25% capacity from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is $8, free for children ages 17 and younger. Visitors must wear face coverings and practice social distancing. For more, visit CarsonNVMuseum.org.

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The Nevada State Museum, Carson City engages diverse audiences in understanding and celebrating Nevada’s natural and cultural heritage. The museum is one of seven state museums that make up the Nevada Division of Museums and History.