2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar

[KME]

First US coin with readable Braille unveiled
DALLAS - Officials unveiled the prototype of the first U.S. coin with readable Braille characters on Wednesday — a silver dollar commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille, the creator of the alphabet for the blind.

The coin's display opened the National Federation of the Blind's annual convention in Dallas.

"This is going to put Braille in front of people in a very dramatic way," said Chris Danielson, a federation spokesman.

U.S. Mint director Ed Moy, federation president Marc Maurer and U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions revealed the design of the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar in front of about 1,000 people at an outdoor plaza.

The heads side of the silver dollar depicts Louis Braille with the word "Liberty" above it.

On the back of the coin, the Braille code for the word Braille — or "Brl" — is inscribed, above a depiction of a school-age boy reading a Braille book with a cane resting on his arm. Behind him is a bookshelf bearing the word "Independence."

"It really expresses the hopes, the dreams and the independent spirit," NFB Executive Director Mark Riccobono said of the design.

While all coins distributed by the U.S. Mint are distinguishable to the blind by their size and weight, the Braille silver dollar is the first to have Braille characters that can be read, Moy said.

The commemorative 1-ounce coin will be available in spring 2009, the 200th anniversary of Louis Braille's birth. The U.S. Mint will produce 400,000 of the coins. Braille was born in France in 1809.

A $10 surcharge will be added to each coin, with money from the coin sales going to support programs to help the blind.

The group is launching one of the largest campaigns to boost Braille literacy by doubling the number of young Braille readers by 2015. Fewer than 10 percent of blind children are learning Braille, NFB officials said.

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On the Net:

U.S. Mint, http://www.usmint.gov" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

National Federation of the Blind, http://nfb.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

VS presenteren eerste braillemunt
In de VS is de eerste munt met leesbaar brailleschrift gepresenteerd. De munt wordt volgend jaar uitgegeven. Het is in 2009 tweehonderd jaar geleden dat Louis Braille, de uitvinder van het blindenschrift, werd geboren.
De 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar werd gepresenteerd door de directeur van de US Mint Ed Moy op een bijeenkomst van de Nationale Blinden Federatie.
Op de voorzijde van de zilveren dollar is het portret van Louis Braille te zien. Op de keerzijde is een schooljongen die een brailleboek leest afgebeeld, en is in brailleschrift het woord braille te lezen.
De 1 ounce (31,1 gram) wegende munt wordt in het voorjaar van 2009 uitgegeven in een oplage van 400.000 stuks. Op elke munt zit een toeslag van 10 dollar ten bate van onderwijsprogramma's voor blinden.

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WASHINGTON - United States Mint Director Ed Moy unveiled the design for the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar at the National Federation of the Blind’s annual convention in Dallas, Texas, during the March for Independence on July 2, 2008.

“The United States Mint is proud to present the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar coin design. It will be the first coin ever minted in the history of our country to contain readable Braille characters,” said Director Moy. “I am looking forward to presenting the design for this unprecedented coin, and I am pleased that the United States Mint is playing a role in the cause of bringing literacy to all blind and visually impaired Americans.”


A prototype was displayed at the convention for the attendees to examine and experience the Braille on the coin prior to being available for purchase.

The coin will go on sale in the spring of 2009, the bicentennial anniversary of Louis Braille’s birth.

In addition to commemorating the life and work of Louis Braille-the inventor of the Braille reading and writing system-surcharges from the sale of the coin are authorized to be paid to the National Federation of the Blind to help fund Braille literacy initiatives. Braille did not become the official method of reading and writing for the blind in the United States until the 20th century.

Previously, the Alabama commemorative quarter-dollar, one of the coins in the United States Mint’s popular 50 State Quarters® Program, used Braille in the image honoring Helen Keller. The 1995 and 1996 Paralympic Silver Dollars, minted to commemorate the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, also featured Braille. The Braille on those coins was too small to be read by the visually impaired.

Besides the readable Braille on the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar, the coin has distinguishing features apparent to the visually impaired community, such as size, weight and reeded edges, as do all coins issued by the United States Mint.

[KME]

2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar Program
Year: 2009
Public Law: 109-247
Obverse
Designer: Joel Iskowitz
Engraver: Phebe Hemphill
Description: An image of Louis Braille.
Reverse
Designer: Susan Gamble
Engraver: Joseph Menna
Description: A child reading a book in Braille. The word Braille (in Braille code) is depicted in a tactile representation.

[dbl]

Louis Braille Bicentennial--Braille Literacy Commemorative Coin Act

The Bill passed onto Law on July 27 2006 and The U.S. Mint can issue this coin until end of 1- year period beginning on January 1 2009.
And the law.
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin ... 47.109.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;"

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Issue date March 26 2009.

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And the coins in proof and uncirculated version.

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First Coin with Readable Braille Launches on March 26


United States Mint Director Ed Moy will present the Nation's first coin with readable Braille at 10:00 a.m. on March 26, at the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. NFB President Marc Maurer will join in the presentation of the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar, along with invited guests that include mathematician and inventor Abraham Nemeth; and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Administrator Joyce Winterton. NFB first Vice President Frederic Schroeder will serve as the event's Master of Ceremonies. The presentation includes a special videotaped message from U.S. Senator Christopher J. Dodd, one of the sponsors of Public Law 109-247-the Louis Braille Bicentennial-Braille Literacy Commemorative Coin Act.

The United States Mint, authorized by Public Law 109-247, is issuing the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar to honor the life and work of the man who invented the Braille method of reading and writing by the blind that has allowed millions of blind people to be literate participants in their societies. The Public Law also provides that a portion of the proceeds from the sales of the commemorative coins is authorized to be paid to the NFB to further its programs to promote Braille literacy.

The 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar features a portrait of Louis Braille on the obverse (heads side). The reverse (tails side) design depicts a child reading a Braille book. The word INDEPENDENCE is displayed on a bookshelf behind the child and the word Braille, abbreviated BRL in Braille code, is featured in the upper field.

[dbl]

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2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar Coin Available March 26

First Coin in the History of United States Coinage to Feature Readable Braille

WASHINGTON - The United States Mint will begin accepting orders for the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar at noon Eastern Time (ET) on March 26, 2009. It is the first coin in the history of United States coinage to feature readable Braille.

The Louis Braille Bicentennial-Braille Literacy Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 109-247) authorizes the United States Mint to mint and issue $1 silver coins to commemorate the 200th birthday, life and legacy of Louis Braille, inventor of the Braille system of reading and writing used today by the blind. Surcharges from sales of the coins are authorized to be paid to the National Federation of the Blind to further its programs to promote Braille literacy.

Mintage of the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar is set at 400,000 coins across all product options. The coin, struck in 90 percent silver, is available in both proof and uncirculated versions. A special set containing an uncirculated coin is expected to be available later this year. Mintage of the special set is limited to 25,000 coins.

Pricing for the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar coins is listed below. The introductory sales period ends April 27, 2009, at 5 p.m. (ET), after which regular prices will go into effect.

BR1 - Proof Silver Dollar
Introductory Price: $37.95
Regular Price: $41.95

BR2 - Uncirculated Silver Dollar
Introductory Price: $31.95
Regular Price: $33.95

BR3 - Uncirculated Silver Dollar in Easy-Open Capsule (for those who wish to feel the tactile features of the coin)
Introductory Price: $31.95
Regular Price: $33.95

[bingo]

Die Münze kann man seit gestern (in allen drei Varianten) im Shop der U.S. Mint bestellen.

[Kai]

Oder ab heute in proof bei mir im Shop

[dbl]

United States Mint Braille Education Set goes on sale at noon ET on October 8.

United States Mint Braille Education Set (BR4)

Price: $44.95

For the first time in history, the United States Mint has produced a collectible package with genuine Braille text. This United States Mint Braille Education Set features an uncirculated 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar coin, educational information and readable Braille.

This beautiful uncirculated 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar commemorates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille, inventor of the Braille system used by the blind to read and write. This uncirculated coin, struck on specially burnished blanks, features a soft, satin-like finish. The obverse (heads side) of the coin features a portrait of Louis Braille. The reverse (tails side) shows a child reading a book in Braille with the word BRAILLE (abbreviated BRL in Braille code) above him. The word INDEPENDENCE is featured on a bookshelf behind the child.

Ordering Limits:

To ensure the broadest and most fair access to the United States Mint Braille Education Set, a limit of one (1) unit per household is in effect for this product during the first 30 days of its release. At the end of the initial 30-day period, and each 30-day period thereafter, the United States Mint will re-evaluate this limit and either extend, adjust or remove it.

Surcharges from the sale of this coin are authorized to be paid to the National Federation of the Blind to further its programs to promote Braille literacy.

Production Limits:

The 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar is limited to a production total of 400,000 coins across all product options. The Braille Education Set is limited to a production total of 25,000.

Program Information:

For the first time in history, a United States coin features readable Braille. The 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar commemorates the 200th birthday, life and legacy of Louis Braille, inventor of the Braille system of reading and writing used by the blind today.

Authorized by Public Law 109-247, the obverse of the coin features a portrait of Louis Braille. The reverse shows a child reading a book in Braille with the word BRAILLE (abbreviated BRL in Braille code) above him. The word INDEPENDENCE is featured on a bookshelf behind the child. It is also inscribed with LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, LOUIS BRAILLE, 1809 and 2009. In addition to readable Braille, the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar has other distinguishing features apparent to the blind community, including its size and reeded edge.

The 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar commemorates the pioneering contributions of a man whose efforts have led to independence and increased quality of life for millions.