Yogi Berra may have said, “A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore,” but at the 2014 Carson City Mint Coin Show and Fair, the value is in the eye of the beholder. Sharp-skilled dealers will buy, sell, trade, and offer their expertise with free appraisals during the two-day event Aug. 22-23. Held this year at both the Nevada State Museum and the Carson Nugget, the fair includes activities for children, prize drawings, lectures, coin sales and free appraisals with admission.

As the site of the former U.S. Mint, the museum has a long history in coins. Guests are invited to share the heritage, or visit workshops about the mint, Civil War tokens, coin grading and more, according to Jim Barmore, museum director. The museum’s new exhibit “Finding Fremont: Pathfinder of the West” is included in admission to the fair.

“We are so excited to have the Fremont exhibit in celebration of Nevada’s Sesquicentennial,” Barmore said. “We will also be minting special John C. Fremont commemorative medallions on the original historic Coin Press No. 1 at the museum.” Dealers will be at the Carson Nugget where rarities and famous coins that circulate the country will be shown and sold.

The 2014 show and fair also offers mine tours, a rock and mineral lab, a treasure chest of foreign coins for children and stories of the first coins of the Americas.

The annual raffle supports programs of the museum throughout the year. Grand prize for 2014 is a custom-made knife valued at $1,000 and donated by John and Becky Etten. Designed by master Navajo silversmith David Yellowhorse especially for the event, it will be awarded at 3 p.m. Saturday.

“We sell the $1 tickets in advance, even by mail, and people donate some great stuff. This year we have coin watches, Morgan silver dollars, a peace dollar and other rare collectibles,” Barmore said. More than $4,000 in prizes will be awarded.

If you go…

What: Carson City Mint Coin Show and Fair

Where: Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson St. and the Nugget ballroom, 507 N. Carson St.

When: Friday, Aug. 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 23 from 9:30 a.m to 4 p.m.

How much: Admission is $4 and one ticket will admit guests to both sites for one day. Museum members and ages 17 and younger are always free.  at

Minimum $10 raffle ticket orders can be sent to Deborah Stevenson, Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson St, Carson City, NV 89701. Winners need not be present so contact information is important. For more information, contact Deborah Stevenson at [email protected] or (775) 687-4810 ext. 237.