Lake Tahoe Commemorative Coin
SOLD OUT. Thank you to all the donors for making this a successful fundraising campaign. A total of $106,005 was raised.
The Lake Tahoe Commemorative Coin Environmental Education Fund in partnership with the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation to support environmental education programs at Lake Tahoe. In our efforts to deepen people’s knowledge of environmental stewardship at Lake Tahoe, we have partnered with Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation to create an environmental education fund you can support with your donations.
Proceeds from your donation benefit regional environmental education programs including:
- Tahoe In Depth environmental newspaper – TRPA’s biannual publication tells stories of the Lake Tahoe environment to help people understand the work behind restoring Tahoe’s clarity and the role they can play.
- League to Save Lake Tahoe’s Eyes on the Lake program – A volunteer citizen science program that helps prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species at Lake Tahoe and surrounding waters.
- Take Care Tahoe – A lighthearted environmental education campaign with bold signature visuals; it’s a collaborative effort by over 50 organizations, including the Tahoe Fund.
- Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California – Support cultural programs such as the Wa She Shu It’ Deh Native American Arts Festival.
- Nevada State Museum – Support cultural, science, and environmental education programs for school-age children.
Tom Rogers, former U.S. Mint sculptor and engraver and award-winning coin and medal designer, created the plaster model for the coin. South Lake Tahoe artist Eleanor Bonbon designed the coin artwork and local artisan Adam Carlson provided supporting materials.
About the Nevada State Museum and Carson City U.S. Mint
The Mint in Carson City, Nevada was established by Congress on March 3, 1863, to serve the coinage needs brought about by the nearby Comstock Lode, the largest silver strike in the nation’s history. It opened its doors in 1870, making 2020 the mint’s 150th anniversary. Prior to the mint’s opening, silver and gold ore mined in the Nevada territory was shipped to San Francisco for processing. However, the costs of shipping and the risk of theft required a branch in the territory.
The mint’s formal status was withdrawn in 1899 due to the drastic decline in mining on the Comstock. The facility continued to function as an assay office until it closed in 1933, and was sold to the state of Nevada in 1939. Today, it functions as the Nevada State Museum. Read More About the Mint.
The Lake Tahoe Commemorative Coin Environmental Education Fund, in partnership with Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation
Parasol is the Tahoe Region’s oldest and largest community foundation dedicated to enhancing and preserving the quality of life at Tahoe through community philanthropy.
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency is honored to have the partnership of the Carson City Mint at Nevada State Museum in the limited minting of the Lake Tahoe Commemorative Coin. Special thanks to Shelly Aldean, Carson City representative on the TRPA Governing Board, for her assistance creating the coin. Coin artwork by Eleanor Bonbon, supporting materials by Adam Carlson. Coin Casting by veteran U.S. Mint sculptor and engraver Tom Rogers. Coin Die by BEX Engravers.