It’s a special holiday season for Mandeville resident, former state lawmaker and BESE member Paul Hollis, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 41st director of the U.S. Mint. Hollis, who has been involved in million-dollar sales of rare coins, has been an avid coin collector since he was a child when he was gifted a Peace Dollar.
“One of my earliest memories was when I was just a little kid. My grandmother from Monroe, Louisiana gave me a silver dollar, and I just wouldn’t stop staring at it. Thought it was the coolest thing in the world, and been into coins ever since,” Hollis explained.
Hollis will oversee the production of nickels, dimes and quarters at facilities in Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco and West Point, New York. He says special coins will be produced to commemorate America’s 250th birthday.
“We’re going to have a whole lot of new coins for collectors. I hope that we can create new collectors and sell a massive number of United States Mint products,” Hollis said.
The 53-year-old LSU graduate and coin expert is the first U.S. Mint director from Louisiana. He calls this a dream job and plans to represent the state well.
“To have a person from Louisiana, lead the Mint, I think it’s pretty awesome. And I just couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity that’s been afforded to me,” Hollis said.
Hollis expects to be sworn in next month, possibly during Washington, DC, Mardi Gras. His favorite coin is a 1925 U.S. Indian Head Quarter Eagle. He has it in his pocket for every special occasion in his life.