The New Mexico Route 66 Association on Tuesday announced the release of a special, limited-edition collector coin to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66.
This memento is being produced in a run of only 250.
Each coin comes accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Additionally, purchasers will receive a copy of the dated press release, further documenting the coin and the centennial celebration.
“The centennial is an opportunity to not only celebrate the history of Route 66, but also to recognize the iconic small businesses, historic sites and roadside attractions that give the road its spirit,” said Melissa Beasley-Lee of the New Mexico Route 66 Association.
“This coin is a lasting tribute to the Route 66 communities, and the people and places that have kept this spirit of the Mother Road alive for a century, giving enthusiasts a beautiful, tangible piece of New Mexico history to cherish for the next 100 years.”
Vietnam veteran Dale Punch provided assistance in creating the coin.
The Route 66 centennial side of the coin features a logo designed exclusively for the association by New Mexico artist Darryl Willison. It incorporates symbols such as the state bird, cactus and the state shield, alongside the Route 66 shield and imagery of the road. Eight stars are included as a tribute to the nation’s 250th anniversary and to honor U.S. military personnel.
The opposite side displays the official logo of the New Mexico Route 66 Association and the organization’s founding year, 1989. The side features eight U.S. highway shields to acknowledge the eight state Route 66 associations that collaborated through the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership for the past decade to make the centennial celebrations possible.
Additionally, the beveled shield edge pays tribute to nine Native American nations that Route 66 traverses in New Mexico.
The centennial coin will be available exclusively at participating Association Business Member locations and directly through the New Mexico Route 66 Association. Buyers can find a list of participating businesses on the retail page of the association’s website at RT66NM.org.
All proceeds from sales will go toward supporting the association’s mission, including the education, promotion and preservation of the New Mexico Historic Route 66 Scenic Byway.
(Courtesy image of the New Mexico Route 66 Association centennial coin)