Coin a bicentennial keepsake

It was then the hardy settlers who had established homes in this beautiful and pristine countryside decided to formally establish a county, at a point when Tennessee had only been a state for a just over a decade, having been created June 1, 1796.

So it’s only fitting the event should feature a way for local residents to obtain a enduring keepsake to mark this momentous occasion. That’s why the county is proud to announce the creation of a bicentennial coin for just that purpose.

The official Warren County Bicentennial Commemorative Coin will be available for purchase beginning this Monday, Aug. 6. The coins will be offered for $10 each, and can be purchased at any of the following banks: Beacon Federal, Citizens Tri-County Bank, First National Bank, Homeland Community Bank, Regions Bank, and Security Federal Savings Bank.

County Executive John Pelham said he is pleased the county will be able to offer the commemorative coins as a permanent remembrance of this occasion.

‘We are fortunate to have the opportunity to celebrate and preserve our 200-year legacy and to build upon its foundation while we begin a new chapter in Warren County history,’ Pelham said. ‘I am very excited about our bicentennial coins which beautifully commemorate our heritage and our home. We want to thank our local banks for their generous participation in this special coin offering.’

The coins are minted in pewter with a beautiful antique finish, and feature a historic view of the Warren County Courthouse on the front of the coin surrounded by a listing of all the incorporated towns in Warren County, which are McMinnville, Morrison, Viola and Centertown.

The back of the coin denotes the Warren County bicentennial and dates. An outline of the county appears around the birthing tree which is a part of the official bicentennial logo. These coins are presented in a protective case.

The proceeds from the sale of the coin will go toward funding the several bicentennial signature events that will be occurring later this year and into 2008.

James Dillon, official county historian and chairman of the Bicentennial Steering Committee, says these coins will be a keepsake that families and individuals will be able to cherish and pass down to their descendants, while at the same time providing support for the bicentennial celebration.

‘These bicentennial coins are treasures that may be handed down to future generations,’ Dillon said. ‘We will have other commemorative pieces that will be available during the bicentennial celebration, but this coin is certainly a piece that most everyone can afford and a keepsake that will likely grow in historical value as the years come and go.’

Bicentennial T-shirts, golf shirts, caps and totes are also now available. Order forms for these items can be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce, the county executive’s office in the administration building on Locust Street, McMinnville Electric System, and Ben Lomand Telephone Cooperative.