Nov 19 , 2008
For Immediate Release:
A Chance to Be Part of History
Tane S. Danger
E-mail: tane@mn150years.orgSnail:
C/o Sesquicentennial Commission
240 Summit Ave
St. Paul, MN 5510
(651)-296-1870 (office)
(507)-469-1433 (cell)
Three very special medallions commemorating next year's 150th anniversary of statehood are being auctioned off. These one-of-a-kind, silver, first-strikes of the Minnesota Sesquicentennial medallions are the ultimate collectable from the state's historic birthday.
Starting tomorrow, the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission puts three unique medallions up for auction on their website. Cast in silver, the first-strikes of the three official Sesquicentennial medallions are one-of-a-kind collectors items. Each comes complete with a certificate of authenticity and a keep-sake wooden box.
The medallions all feature the official state sesquicentennial logo on one side. The reverse of each medallion is pictured above;
1. The official Minnesota quarter-dollar design.
2. The Minnesota Historical Society's MN150 exhibit logo.
3. The Great Seal of the State of Minnesota.
The auction opens tomorrow at 12 noon with the online auction closing at 12 midnight on December 17. Visit the Sesquicentennial Commission's website, www.mn150years.org to see the medallions and place a bid.
Another 150 silver medallions (75 of the "Great Seal" and 75 of the "Minnesota Quarter") will be on sale at the Commission's website for $150 a piece. These medallions will be numbered from 1858 (the first year of Minnesota's statehood) through 2008.
"We're imagining individuals might want to get the medallion with their birthday or wedding anniversary year on it," explained the Sesquicentennial's executive director Jane Leonard, "or other significant dates in their family history."
All the medallion designs are available in bronze for $5 a piece at the Sesquicentennial's website, www.mn150years.org.
The medallions were created by Wendell's Inc. The 125 year-old Minnesota company will be working with the Sesquicentennial and its partners throughout 2008 on these and other medallions for the state's sesquicentennial. If you are interested in creating a customized Sesquicentennial medallion for your community, organization, or business, please visit the Sesquicentennial medallion site at http://www.wendellsinc.com/mn150/index.html
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the sesquicentennial medallions goes to the Sesquicentennial Commission's work creating and supporting commemorative events across the state in 2008. "This is a great way to support the state's 150th commemoration activities and get a permanent keepsake from this once-in-a-lifetime event that you'll have for your family to share with future generations," said Leonard.
For more information and to see more views of the medallions, visit www.mn150years.org.
Beginning in January 2008, the Sesquicentennial will be a yearlong, statewide commemoration and a catalyst, to learn from our past and connect all Minnesotans in creating a thriving, innovative future.
The Minnesota Statehood Sesquicentennial Commission, created by the Legislature in 2005, has selected four major theme areas for the 150th observances: Education, Innovation, Arts & Cultures, and Health & Wellness. In addition, they will be shining the spotlight on Minnesota's natural resources and our great outdoors heritage.
The Commission is joined in this effort by the Minnesota Historical Society, the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota State College and University System as key players, along with Explore Minnesota Tourism and other state agencies and private and non-profit partners, in organizing Minnesota's 150th anniversary.
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