PokerStars Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press/Analyst contact
Craig Sinel / Scott Womer
The Bohle Group
310.785.0515 Ext. 211/216
craig@bohle.com / scott@bohle.com
For Coin Collectors and Poker Fans: Limited-Edition Silver Medallions Released by PokerStars.com
2003 world poker champion Chris Moneymaker to be the first on a series of six commemorative coins
Oct. 27, 2005 - Los Angeles, CA -- PokerStars.com is releasing a special commemorative coin honoring the 2003 world poker champion, Chris Moneymaker. This is the first in a series of six special-issue coins which will interest coin collectors and poker players alike.
Chris Moneymaker revolutionized America's most popular card game by winning the 2003 World Series of Poker. He qualified to play in poker's premier tournament by winning a satellite tournament at PokerStars.com, the world's top tournament poker site. Moneymaker turned his $39 entry at PokerStars.com into $2.5 million in prize money. Since his victory, Moneymaker has become one of the game's most recognizable figures.
Each special commemorative coin consists of one ounce of .999 percent pure silver. The limited-edition coin is numbered at 2,000 units. These medallions are not for sale and can only be obtained by redeeming Frequent Player Points (FPPs) at PokerStars.com.
PokerStars.com has over four million registered users. Therefore, orders will be limited to five medallions per account and will be available on a first-come first-served basis. Chris Moneymaker will be given one medallion, making 1,999 available to the general public.
Lee Jones, PokerStars Card Room Manager stated, "I think players and collectors alike will really enjoy these medallions. I was personally struck by the quality of the medallions themselves; most seem to have virtually mark-free surfaces. I won't be surprised to see a player using a holder-protected medallion as a card cover in the near future."
Each medallion will be individually numbered from 1 to 2,000 to insure consumers the integrity of this mintage. Numbers will be randomly distributed. Additionally, each Medallion will be certified and displayed in tamper-evident hologram holders as authentic (and redundantly numbered) by internationally known third-party coin certification company Independent Coin Grading (ICG) of Englewood, CO.
The Moneymaker Medallion is the first of its kind. Current plans are for six medallions to be issued per year commemorating poker's most popular players. Collectors are advised to contact PokerStars.com for information about future releases or obtaining a complete set.
Nolan Dalla, Media Director of the World Series of Poker stated, "Chris Moneymaker absolutely revolutionized the game of poker with his 2003 WSOP win. It was the sonic boom of poker heard around the world. Today, he is perhaps the most recognized person in the poker industry. When I heard PokerStars.com will be issuing these medallions, my first reaction was 'this will be a huge hit with poker players."
Keith Love, CEO of ICG offered his assessment: "Although ICG's business is third-party certification and not evaluation, it would not surprise me to see these commemorative medallions trading on internet sites such as eBay. If a collectible is sold-out, then the market will determine its price and value."
Item Description:
Moneymaker 2003 WSOP Main Event Champion Commemorative Medallion These .999 fine silver limited-edition commemoratives (Mintage 2,000 - individually numbered) are only available at the FPP store. Each piece comes in certified authentic ICG holder as well as a plush, black, wood presentation box. Visit www.pokerstars.com to learn more.
About PokerStars
PokerStars (www.pokerstars.com), is the world's most innovative online poker site. PokerStars was the first site to introduce features that became industry standard such as sophisticated multi-table tournaments, integrated game statistics, players' notes, personalized images, time bank for tournaments and big bet ring games, satellite tournaments, multi-table sit and go tournaments, and much more.
To date, PokerStars has dealt over two billion hands and run more than ten million poker tournaments, awarding over $1 billion in prize money. PokerStars' support team is truly unique, as help and assistance is available around the clock from people who know and understand the game of poker and the importance of impeccable customer service.
The PokerStars.com site is also one of the most secure. PokerStars uses industry-leading security software to ensure the integrity of the system, including encryption, card shuffle randomness and preventative measures against cheating and collusion. Money covering player's balances is held in segregated accounts managed by the Royal Bank of Scotland, ensuring that PokerStars can fulfill its obligations to players at all times.
PokerStars an official member of the World Poker Tour, and the title sponsor of the European Poker Tour (EPT) and the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure. PokerStars is the site where the 2003 and 2004 World Champions of Poker won entries into the World Series of Poker, thus earning the trademark, "Where Poker Players Become World Champions."
