5 novelty coins mark Snohomish’s past

SNOHOMISH — As Snoho­mish prepares for its 150th anniversary celebration next year, organizers are trying to pique the interest of collectors.

They are selling commemorative brass coins to fund celebration events such as a birthday bash for the community. A set of five coins is on sale. All the coins have the same front that incorporates the city’s logo. On the back, they have five different designs: a steam boat, steam engine, airplane, automobile and the picture of Emory C. Ferguson, Snohomish’s founding settler.

“It’s something that will last forever,” said Todd Elvig of Snohomish, who designed the five coins.

People don’t need to buy a set of the five coins, but everyone who’s placed an order is purchasing the set, said Elvig, a graphic designer. The coin designs reflect simple themes tied to Snohomish. For example, an airplane represents Harvey Field, the town’s local airport.

In 1859, white settlers came up the Snohomish River and built homes on both banks, hoping to capitalize on a new road planned for the area. The road was never built. Nonetheless, the year marked the founding of Snohomish as a community. It would serve as a county seat for 36 years before it lost to Everett in 1897. Snohomish was incorporated as a city in 1890.

The city has set up a committee of about 25 volunteers to prepare for the next year’s celebration, said Debbie Emge, the city’s economic development manager. A Web site has been built for the project, and a big reunion for all Snohomish High School classes also is being planned.

“It’s going well,” Emge said. “People are very excited that the celebration is coming, and folks would like to be involved.”

The city plans to sell up to 150 sets of the commemorative coins, which will be made by a Virginia company in early 2009, Emge said.

Mayor Randy Hamlin already ordered a set for himself.

“I think it’s a good idea,” Hamlin said. “It’s a good way to celebrate the heritage of the city. It’s something you can have for the rest of your life.”