San Francisco Mint honored

SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco’s Old Mint will be honored next year when special coins are issued to celebrate the historic landmark’s role in the city’s recovery from the 1906 earthquake, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi’s office this week.

Pelosi’s bill, the San Francisco Old Mint Commemorative Coin Act, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill authorizes the issuance of commemorative coins in 2006, marking the 100th anniversary of the great earthquake and fire of 1906, according to Pelosi’s office.

When the bill was first proposed, it allowed for 100,000 $5 gold coins and 500,000 $1 silver coins to be minted and issued. Proceeds from the sale of the coins are slated to go toward the restoration of the 135-year-old building on the corner of Fifth and Mission streets in San Francisco.

The Old Mint, known as the “Granite Lady,” is the oldest stone structure in San Francisco, according to Pelosi’s office.

Designed by Alfred Mullet, the building was constructed in 1869 in the Greek Revival style. The Old Mint is a designated National Historic Landmark and is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

In October, Mayor Gavin Newsom presided over the groundbreaking for the new museum complex that will be built at the Old Mint. The site will include San Francisco’s first city history museum and a coin and Gold Rush museum, said Pelosi’s office.

The bill, H.R. 1953, received bipartisan support from Reps. Barney Frank, D-Mass. and Michael Oxley, R-Ohio, according to Pelosi’s office.

Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer introduced the bill into the U.S. Senate, where it needs to pass before President Bush signs it into law, Pelosi’s office reported.

(via ktvu.com)