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

[Fred]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Public Relations Specialist

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

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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