To commemorate the 100th birthday of the first teddy bear, proof Ten Dollar face value coins, containing 1/10 oz. of pure gold, have been issued. While they are dated 2002, they were not released until April, 2003. The delightful design by award-winning artist Alex Shagin, shows a teddy bear wearing a party hat and holding a birthday cake. These are made in the USA as authorized by the Republic of Liberia.

The Teddy Bear anniversary gold coin is available for collectors at the official issue price of $69 from the exclusive distributor PandaAmerica, 3460 Torrance Blvd., Suite 100, Torrance, CA 90503. The coin is also available as a pendant, mounted in a 14kt gold diamond cut bezel, for $109. Credit card orders can be placed by calling (800) 4-PANDAS or e-mailing info@pandamerica.com. Add $5.50 per order for shipping and handling.

The teddy bear got its start with a cartoon that showed President Theodore Roosevelt refusing to shoot a baby bear (while hunting in Mississippi). The cartoon, drawn by Clifford Berryman, appeared in The Washington Post on November 16, 1902. It inspired Morris and Rose Michtom of Brooklyn, New York, to make a bear in honor of the president's actions. The Michtoms named their bear "Teddy's Bear" and placed it in the window of their candy and stationery store. The demand was so strong that the Michtoms founded the first teddy bear manufacturer in the United States, the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company.

Prepared by Mel Wacks