WASHINGTON - The United States Mint announced today that the Secretary of the Treasury has reappointed Mitchell Sanders as the Chairperson of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) for a one-year term effective October 1, 2007.

Dr. Sanders of Rochester, New York, was first appointed as a CCAC member in 2003 to represent the interests of the general public.  He has served as its Chairperson since 2005.  

Dr. Sanders, a research scientist, holds a B.A. in Political Science and Mathematics from Duke University and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Rochester.  He is a member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), the American Numismatic Society, the Rochester (NY) Numismatic Association, the Latin American Paper Money Society and the U.S. Mexican Numismatic Association.  Dr. Sanders has written a column for beginning coin collectors in the ANA's Numismatist since 2003.

The CCAC was established in 2003 by Public Law 108-15 to advise the Secretary on theme and design proposals relating to circulating coinage, bullion coinage, Congressional Gold Medals, and national and other medals produced by the United States Mint.  The CCAC also makes recommendations to the Secretary on the events, persons or places commemorated on, as well as the mintage levels for, commemorative coins.  The CCAC submits a report annually to Congress and the Secretary describing its activities and providing its recommendations.

The Congressional leadership recommends candidates for four of the CCAC member positions to the Secretary of the Treasury.  The Secretary, who exercises direction and authority over the CCAC, fills seven additional positions through an open application process.  The United States Mint is responsible for providing the necessary administrative support, technical services and advice to the CCAC.