[Blindtlk] National Federation of the Blind Brings Braille Silver Dollar to the Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention

[Freeh, Jessica]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Public Relations Specialist

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org




National Federation of the Blind Brings Braille Silver Dollar
to the Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention



Baltimore, Maryland (November 5, 2008): The 
National Federation of the Blind (NFB)–the 
country’s leading promoter of Braille 
literacy–has announced the most significant 
initiative ever launched to support literacy for 
the blind.  The Braille Readers Are Leaders 
campaign (www.braille.org) will raise $8 million 
for Braille literacy programs. The initiative is 
based on sales of the Louis Braille commemorative 
silver dollar (to be issued by the U.S. Mint in 
spring 2009) plus matching fundraising.



The National Federation of the Blind has 
partnered with Whitman Coin and Collectibles 
Conventions (www.whitmanexpo.com) to promote this 
initiative among coin collectors.  The Baltimore 
Coin and Currency Convention is one of the 
nation’s premier collectibles shows, open to the 
public and attracting more than 10,000 visitors 
three times per year.  Whitman also runs a show each Fall in Atlanta.



Visitors to the November 20–22 show at the 
Baltimore Convention Center will be greeted by 
large posters featuring the Braille dollar’s 
design. The coin has a portrait of Louis Braille, 
who invented the reading and writing system that 
bears his name, and a scene of a blind child 
reading a book.  The word “Braille” is actually 
embossed on the coin in Braille.



The National Federation of the Blind will have a 
booth at the convention.  Collectors can learn 
more about this special silver dollar, which is 
limited to a 400,000 mintage of coins.  NFB 
volunteers will introduce the organization to 
coin collectors with programs including a Braille 
reading demonstration.  Visitors can sign up for 
updates about the coin and the Braille Readers 
Are Leaders campaign and to learn more about how 
they can support the NFB’s mission.



Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National 
Federation of the Blind said, “We are pleased to 
be presenting a preview of the Louis Braille 
commemorative coin at the Whitman Baltimore Coin 
and Currency Convention.  The convention offers 
us a valuable opportunity to share our knowledge 
about Braille literacy and information about the 
first-ever readable Braille coin.”



The November 20–22 Whitman Baltimore Coin and 
Currency Convention has free admission and free 
educational forums.  Members of hobby clubs such 
as the Baltimore Coin Club, the Maryland State 
Numismatic Association, and the federally 
chartered American Numismatic Association will be 
at the show.  Friendly coin dealers are ready to 
answer questions, so visitors can bring in their 
coins and paper money and seek free 
appraisals.  “Kid’s Korner” activities for young 
collectors start at 10 a.m. on Friday and 
Saturday; children age six to fourteen who attend 
will go home with free coins and prizes.



The show hours are 2–6 p.m. on Thursday, and 10–6 
p.m. on Friday and Saturday.  For more 
information on Baltimore Coin and Currency 
Convention activities, please visit 
WhitmanExpo.com.  For more information on the 
NFB’s Braille Readers Are Leaders program, please visit www.braille.org.


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