It has come to the attention of the United States Mint that several private businesses are offering to sell George Washington Presidential $1 Coins prior to the official public release date on Thursday, February 15, 2007. The United States Mint wants to make consumers who are considering the purchase of these products aware of certain facts.

* The United States Mint has issued George Washington Presidential $1 Coins only to the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve has made arrangements with banks and other financial institutions to ensure that these coins are in their inventories up to two weeks prior to the official public release date, February 15, 2007.

* George Washington Presidential $1 Coins will be available for purchase at face value to all members of the public at their local financial institutions beginning on February 15, 2007. The banks and other financial institutions that have entered into such arrangements have agreed not to distribute George Washington Presidential $1 Coins before this official public release date.

* The Presidential $1 Coins currently being offered for sale by private businesses, often with a considerable mark-up, are the same circulating quality coins that will be available to all members of the public from their local banks and other financial institutions on February 15, 2007. These are not the proof or uncirculated quality coins that are found in United States Mint proof and uncirculated coin sets, nor are they official "early releases" or "first strikes."

* For more information on the Presidential $1 Coin Program go to www.usmint.gov/$1coin.