Lake Tahoe, CA/NV…A first glimpse was unveiled today of a Lake Tahoe commemorative coin being minted in Carson City as one of the ways individuals can take part in the protection and restoration of Lake Tahoe, according to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA). The agency has opened a sign up page at www.trpa.org/coin for people interested in purchasing one of a limited number of the coins being minted at the historic U.S. Mint in the Nevada State Museum in Carson City, Nevada.

The coin will be engraved in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the bi-state partnership between Nevada and California that formed the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency in 1969 and that spurred the cooperative effort to preserve and restore Lake Tahoe’s singular environment.

“Five decades ago, two states came together to forge an historic partnership to protect this irreplaceable natural resource from harm,” TRPA Executive Director Joanne S. Marchetta said. “This coin is symbolic of the enduring strength of the cooperative spirit that formed TRPA and of the legacy that we leave behind.”

Proceeds from commemorative coin purchases will benefit environmental education work through the Lake Tahoe Commemorative Coin Education Fund managed in partnership with Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation. Projects include the Tahoe In Depth environmental newspaper, Take Care Tahoe, the League to Save Lake Tahoe’s Eyes on the Lake project, Washoe Tribe initiatives, and the Nevada State Museum, according to TRPA.

“Today, the lake faces age-old challenges as well as new threats,” Marchetta said. “Deepening the public’s knowledge and understanding of environmental stewardship is as necessary today as it has ever been.”

Only 1,645 coins will be minted, a tip of the hat to Lake Tahoe’s deepest point in feet, the agency said. The coin will be available as a single collector’s item or as a desktop display with prices beginning around $125. Minting is expected to begin in November and coins will be shipped as they become available.

This year is also the 150th anniversary of the Carson City U.S. Mint, which opened in 1870 to serve the coinage needs of the largest silver strike in the nation’s history, the nearby Comstock Lode. In the early 20th century, the mint became the Nevada State Museum where the historic coin press is still in operation for specialty minting, according to the Museum.

People can view the engraving, get more information about the limited commemorative coin, and register for pre-sales at www.trpa.org/coin.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency leads the cooperative effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region, while improving local communities, and people’s interactions with our irreplaceable environment.

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