Commemorative medallions minted Thursday

The leaders of Nevada's Senate and Assembly will mint two special commemorative medallions on Thursday.

The face of the legislative coin will feature Nevada's state animal, the Desert Bighorn. The reverse bears the seal of the state of Nevada.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, and Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, will strike the medallions on historic Press No. 1 in the Carson City Mint, now the state museum, just after noon Thursday.

The coins are special, according to state officials, because only two will be minted in gold - 99.99 percent pure and weighing 2 ounces apiece. One will be sold at silent auction to the highest bidder with all proceeds going to the buyer's favorite charity.

The other will be raffled off at $5 per ticket with all proceeds going to the Carson Advocates for Cancer Care.

For those wishing to purchase a slightly less expensive version of the medallion, a limited edition of numbered silver medallions will also be produced by the mint. They will each weigh 1 ounce, are the same diameter as the gold coins and will sell for $25 apiece.

Bronze medallions will be produced and sold for $3.50 apiece.

For the gold coins, all entries in the drawing or bids for the silent auction must be received by 5 p.m. March 22. Call the Legislative Gift Shop for details: 684-6835.

Orders for silver and bronze medallions may be placed at the same number by phone or by following the link to the gift shop at nevadalegislature.com.