Followers of the U.S. Mint may have read the announcement that the launch launch of the 2011 Gettysburg National Military Park quarter will be held Tuesday, January 25 at 11:00 A.M (Eastern Time) at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center. The public event will include a cash exchange for $10 rolls of the new quarters. Attendees 18 years old and younger will receive a free quarter to commemorate the event.
After the launch ceremony, the U.S. Mint will host a forum where the public will have an opportunity to ask questions and share their ideas about the future of the Nation’s coinage. The forum will be held Monday, January 24 at 5:30 p.m. ET in the Ford Motor Company Fund Education Center at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center. No word as to whether someone from the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee will be at this forum.
What the announcement did not include was that B. B. Craig, the Associate Director of Sales and Marketing for the U.S. Mint, will be the Mint’s representative at these events. In checking the 2008 Plum Book, the Associate Director of Sales and Marketing is not listed as a policy or supporting position. Thus, Mr. Craig may be a career professional stepping up to represent the U.S. Mint. Regardless of what you read in the press or hear from politicians, government career professionals are hard working citizens doing the jobs prescribed by the laws passed by congress on behalf of the American people. I wish Mr. Craig well in his appearance!