The designs of the Ronald Reagan Presidential $1 Coin and Nancy Reagan First Spouse Coin were unveiled at a ceremony at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum marking the 105th anniversary of his birth.
Reagan was born in Feb. 6, 1911 in Tampico, Illinois.
The Reagan coins will begin being sold by the U.S. Mint this year. They complete a program begun in 2007 of $1 coins bearing the likeness of each president and uncirculated 24-karat gold coins of the wife of each president.
Saturday’s ceremony in Simi Valley also included speeches by Marlin Fitzwater, the assistant to the president for press relations during the final two years of Reagan’s presidency, and Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Edward D. Banta, the commanding general at Camp Pendleton, a performance by the Camp Pendleton Marine Division Band, the placing of an official White House wreath on Reagan’s grave site and a 21-gun salute.
A nearly 11-foot statue of Reagan astride his favorite horse, El Alamein, was unveiled following a birthday lunch.
The heads side of the Ronald Reagan Presidential $1 Coin features a forward-facing portrait of Reagan with the inscriptions “Ronald Reagan,” “In God We Trust,” “40th President” and “1981-1989.”
The tails side features a rendition of the Statue of Liberty with the inscriptions “$1” and “United States of America.” The year of minting, the mint mark and “E Pluribus Unum” are incused on the coin’s edge.
The heads side was designed by U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist Richard Masters and sculpted by U.S. Mint sculptor-engraver Joseph Menna. The tails side was designed and sculpted by U.S. Mint sculptor-engraver Don Everhart.
The heads side of the Nancy Reagan First Spouse Coin features a portrait of her with the inscriptions “Nancy Reagan,” “In God We Trust,” “Liberty,” “40th” and “1981-1989.”
The tails side depicts Reagan with her arms around two children during her anti-drug abuse “Just Say No” campaign with the inscriptions “United States of America,” “E Pluribus Unum,” “$10,” “1/2 Oz.” and “.9999 Fine Gold.”
The heads side was designed by U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist Benjamin Sowards and sculpted by Menna. The tails side was designed by U.S. Mint sculptor-engraver Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Everhart.
A bill signed into law by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2010 designates each Feb. 6 as Ronald Reagan Day, a day of “special significance,” when all public schools and educational institutions are encouraged to conduct exercises remembering Reagan’s life recognizing his accomplishments and familiarize students with the contributions he made to the state.
Reagan, a former sportscaster who went on to appear in 53 films, served as governor of California from 1967 to 1975. He was succeed by the state’s current governor, Jerry Brown, whose father, former governor Edmund G. “Pat” Brown, he defeated in 1966.
“It’s important for Californians to have an appreciation for some of the leadership and heritage we have,” said State Board of Equalization member George Runner, who as a state senator introduced the bill designating Feb. 6 as Ronald Reagan Day.
“Ronald Reagan, as a Hollywood figure, governor and president is very important for folks to have an appreciation and knowledge of.”
In his proclamation declaring Saturday Ronald Reagan Day, Brown wrote, “From his humble Midwestern origins, through a successful career in Hollywood, and on to the highest offices in his state and country, Ronald Reagan lived the California dream.
“On this 105th anniversary of his birth, we remember not only his most celebrated achievements — his successful diplomacy with Mikhail Gorbachev and the economic recovery that occurred under his presidency — we also remember the turbulent years of his governorship, during which he proved his ability to manage the affairs of the state, and earlier, the talent and the skill he brought to his work in one of our state’s most renowned and beloved industries.
“Above all, we remember the man: his irresistible optimism, faith, and good humor.”
Brown recommended that to honor Reagan, Californians should “give as generously as they can to the Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute.”
The institute was established by the Reagans in 1995 to “accelerate information exchange among researchers.” The affiliate of the National Alzheimer’s Association is credited with largely introducing the biological segment of research into the disease.
Reagan revealed in 1994 that he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He died at age 93 on June 5, 2004.
“Ronald Reagan created a great deal of inspiration for America,” Runner told City News Service.
“There was a hopefulness, a desire that America was indeed special and had a place in leadership in the world. That’s the legacy we have from Ronald Reagan as president and we as Californians need to appreciate that.”
