WILMINGTON, DE | December 1, 2006 - Delaware Congressman Mike Castle today visited East Dover Elementary School to once again push the educational aspects of the new Presidential Dollar Coin and give students a first hand glimpse of what the new coins will look like.  Castle was the sponsor of the 'Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005' which created a design-changing series for the Golden Dollar Coin, honoring each U.S. President on the front and the Statue of Liberty on the coin's reverse.  The legislation was born out of the success of the 50-State Quarter Program, which Castle created and which has saved close to $6 billion for the federal government since it began in 1999.

"It is wonderful to be here at East Dover Elementary with you to discuss the Presidents and the new dollar coin on which they'll appear.  The designs of the Presidents you see in front of you will appear on the first four coins that will begin to be minted in February 2007, starting with George Washington. As with the 50-state quarters, I hope that you collect these coins in your home or use them in stores or vending machines to make purchases.  I also hope the coins will encourage you, along with your parents, to learn all about each President when their respective coin is released!" Castle said to East Dover's fourth grade students. 

"The changing designs will create demand, keeping these coins in circulation and will be valuable to collectors, businesses, and consumers.  Based on the success of the 50-state quarter program, I am confident that this program will help to once again, produce revenue for the federal government and provide educational benefits for parents, teachers and children," Castle said. 

Starting in February 2007, the bill creates a circulating one-dollar coin program with a regularly changing design, featuring the Presidents of the United States in the order in which they served, with a new design every three months. The reverse of the coin will feature a dramatic image of the Statue of Liberty. Importantly, the Sacagawea design coin will continue to be produced and remain available throughout the life of the Presidential Dollar program. The bill also has a number of provisions aimed at removing barriers to the circulation of the one-dollar coin.