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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, October 30, 2009

Euro coin honors St. Damien


By Mary Vorsino
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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A 20 Euro coin, minted to commemorate St. Damien's canonization, will go on sale tomorrow.

About 300 of the collectors' coins will be sold for $75 each at the 46th annual Hawaii State Numismatic Association's coin show at the Hawai'i Convention Center, which runs through Sunday.

The Royal Belgian Mint minted 15,000 of the coins. At least 10,000 of the coins will be sold in Belgium.

The Royal Belgian Mint created the coin to celebrate the canonization of its native son, Father Damien de Veuster. Damien ministered to Hansen's disease patients in Kalaupapa, Moloka'i, until his death from the disease in 1889. He was elevated to sainthood on Oct. 11 by Pope Benedict XVI.

Though it is legal tender, the coin will likely largely be purchased by collectors.

Vince Vento, owner of Ali'i Coin and Currency, will be selling the coins this weekend.

He said he expects high interest in the coins, and is limiting sales to one per collector.

"I think they're going to sell rapidly," he said.

The coin depicts Saint Damien with the words "Tremelo," his birthplace, and Moloka'i.

Reach Mary Vorsino at 754-8286.