New coins could boost tourism

Gold-coloured coins may help to encourage more visitors to visit Central Virginia, claim local tourist executives.

The US Mint will produce a set of $1 (£0.50) coins depicting each deceased president, beginning with George Washington, reports the Daily Progress.

On the reverse of the coins there will be an image of the Statue of Liberty, accompanied with the year of the production and the phrase E Pluribus Unum, one out of many and In God We Trust.

The coins could revive interest in a number of historic sites in the Central Virginia linked with the founding fathers.

It is expected that by the end of 2007, a total of three more of the gold coins will have been produced depicting John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The first 2008 coin will feature James Monroe and the final four coins of the set will be released in 2016.

"They'll be for collecting and for circulation," said Michael White, a US Mint spokesman.

"We're expecting many people to collect them all," he added.

The US mint is also planning to release $10 24-carat coins depicting the corresponding first lady.