The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 39, September 30, 2007, Article 21

ARTICLE PROFILES MINTER KEN HOPPLE OF RENO'S HAMILTON COMPANY

"The first medallion Ken Hopple pressed at the Nevada State Museum
was a commemorative medallion for former Nevada Speaker of the
Assembly Joe Dini in the fall of 2002.

"He's also pressed medallions for most Nevada towns, the Nevada
Legislature, and requests from special-interest groups.

"'We use different metals to press the medallions,' Hopple said.
'Brass, copper, silver - I have done gold for the Nevada
Legislature - silver clad and nickel.'

"Hopple, 61, was pressing a brass medallion recently for Nevada's
74th State Legislature - 2007. The front of the coin shows a tule
duck decoy, and the Nevada State Seal on the back.

"'I'm a tool and die maker by trade,' said Hopple, a senior tool
maker for the Hamilton Co. in Reno. His profession is called a
numismatist.

"Ken's wife, Karen, 53, does research work at home on the computer
and helps design medallions.

"'I make my own hours and do my own thing,' Karen said, as she
cleaned the plastic medallion cases while wearing white gloves.

"The Hopples have been volunteers at the Nevada State Museum for
about five years. Married 29 years, they have lived in Golden
Valley for 27.

"'Imagine meeting this guy and listening to what he does and
had done,' Karen Hopple said. 'He took me to see the King Tut
exhibit on our honeymoon.'

"Ken started out as a volunteer in the anthropology department.
He made a part for the coin press and, according to Karen, 'he
was stolen from the anthropology department to be a volunteer
on the coin press.'

"Now, the Hopples are at the museum the fourth Friday of each
month operating the press and talking with visitors to the
museum about the history of the press, coins and medallions."

To read the complete article, see: Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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