Sammy Luckey has combined his loves.
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Sammy Luckey shows off the coins.
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Mr. Luckey, an avid coin collector and a mason since 1970, designed a coin dedicated to the A.J. Miller Masonic Lodge #204 and the City of Thomson.
The front of the coin bears the lodge emblem in honor of their 150 year anniversary. On the back is a camellia fashioned from a print by local artist Jack Cheatham, along with the inscription, "Camellia City of the South - 2006"
"I know of no other place I'd rather live than right here in McDuffie County," Mr. Luckey said. "As far as I know, there's never been a coin struck with the City of Thomson on it."
There are two coins in the set, one is brushed nickel and the other is brushed bronze, Mr. Luckey said. The masons had 250 sets of 500 coins struck. Mr. Luckey said half have already been sold - one to a lady from Utah, whose relative used to be a leader with the local lodge.
Mr. Luckey, who has been treasurer for the lodge for 15 years, recently presented framed coins to the Thomson City Council and the McDuffie County Board of Education.
"We hope it will become a part of this community," he said. "...It's a privilege to be part of this community."
School Superintendent Mark Petersen said the coins would be placed in a "prominent place" in the central offices of the board of education.
Thomson Mayor Bob Knox commended the group on their 150 years of service in the area.
"This (coin) is a great way to remember that, and remember (Thomson)," he said.
The coins are available for the public to purchase at Luckey Printing, 440 E. Hill Street in Thomson. The set sells for $15. A single coin can be purchased for $10.
"It did turn out to be a real nice coin," Mr. Luckey said. "We sell them individually, but the set makes a nicer presentation."
