Collectors heading to Pittsburgh for the 2026 American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money will have a chance to take home something far more meaningful than the usual convention souvenir.
They can get a coin designed by Joel Iskowitz during the final chapter of one of modern numismatics’ most distinguished artistic careers.
The American Numismatic Association (ANA) and Minted Assets will give away approximately 250 one-ounce copper coins each day during the August 25-29 convention. Collectors can find the giveaway at Minted Assets tables 1230, 1232, and 1234. The ANA says distribution starts at noon Tuesday and 11 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Each person can receive one coin while supplies last.
More importantly, the 2026 issue tells several stories at once. It marks the end of circulating Lincoln cent production. It celebrates America’s 250th anniversary. It connects Pittsburgh to Victor David Brenner. And, finally, it pays tribute to two prominent members of the numismatic community who died in 2026.
A Copper Coin for the End of the Lincoln Cent Era
The new coin marks the third issue in the ANA-Minted Assets convention series and the first struck in copper. Joel Iskowitz designed all three issues. The ANA identifies the 2026 coin as the final coin design of his career.
Copper carries special meaning this year.
The United States Mint ended regular production of the circulating one-cent coin in November 2025 after a 232-year run. However, the Mint continues to strike limited numbers of cents for collector products, including its special 2026 annual sets.
Iskowitz died on April 23, 2026, at age 79. During his long career, he created 54 designs for the United States Mint through its Artistic Infusion Program. His work appeared on circulating coins, commemoratives, bullion coins, and Congressional Gold Medals. He also produced thousands of designs for coins, medals, stamps, and other projects around the world.
That history gives the Pittsburgh coin an emotional weight that few modern convention issues can match.
Nomisma Returns for Pittsburgh
Iskowitz placed Nomisma, his allegorical representation of money, on the obverse. The name comes from the Greek word for money.
Nomisma holds the reverse of the 2025 American Platinum Eagle, which forms part of the official logo for the 2026 World’s Fair of Money. The inscription E PLURIBUS UNUM reinforces the theme of collectors coming together through the hobby.
Iskowitz had already used Nomisma on earlier ANA World’s Fair of Money issues. In fact, the figure became one of his recognizable modern numismatic creations.
The reverse, however, belongs unmistakably to Pittsburgh.
Victor David Brenner Connects Pittsburgh to the Lincoln Cent
For the reverse, Iskowitz drew inspiration from Victor David Brenner’s monumental Pittsburgh sculpture A Song to Nature.
Brenner, of course, occupies a permanent place in American numismatic history as the designer of the Lincoln cent introduced in 1909. His Pittsburgh sculpture therefore creates a striking bridge between the city hosting the convention and the coin whose circulating production ended after more than a century.
The design includes Brenner’s portrait along with imagery drawn from the sculpture. Above the scene, an eagle carries a ribbon displaying 1776-2026, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Then Iskowitz added another, much more personal element.
The “PEM” Privy Mark Remembers Patrick McBride
A Benjamin Franklin hat privy mark and the initials PEM honor Patrick Emmett McBride, the longtime Pennsylvania numismatist known to generations of collectors for portraying Benjamin Franklin at coin shows and educational events.
McBride also served as president of the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists. His living-history portrayal made Franklin a familiar presence at major hobby events, especially for younger collectors. McBride died earlier this year.
The tribute runs deeper than a set of initials.
During a June 24 first-strike ceremony, former ANA President Thomas Uram struck the first 2026 coin in McBride’s honor. Minted Assets President Chang Bullock then struck the second coin in memory of Iskowitz.
Thus, the finished coin became both a convention collectible and a memorial to two men whose work helped bring numismatics to a wider audience.
Copper, Silver and Gold Versions
Osborne Mint struck the 2026 issue as an Ascension Island $5 legal-tender coin.
According to Osborne Mint, production includes 1,300 one-ounce copper coins, 500 one-ounce silver coins, and 100 one-ounce gold coins.
Collectors can purchase Proof silver and gold examples from Minted Assets during the convention. Both graded and ungraded versions will appear at the company’s tables. NGC, the ANA’s official grading company, will encapsulate certified examples with special Joel Iskowitz signature labels.
Meet the Artists Behind Modern Coins
Minted Assets will also put the spotlight on the people who create numismatic art.
The official World’s Fair of Money Show Guide includes a two-page section where attendees can collect signatures from participating artists. Nine artists will take part during the convention. Collectors can also meet participating artists at the Minted Assets tables at 2 p.m. Friday, August 28.
Bullock said the effort seeks to build stronger connections between collectors and the artists behind their coins. In addition, Minted Assets wants to raise awareness of the designers and engravers whose work often receives less attention than the finished coins themselves.
2026 World’s Fair of Money Returns to Pittsburgh
The 2026 World’s Fair of Money runs August 25-29 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. More than 500 dealers from the United States and overseas will buy and sell rare coins, vintage paper money, medals, tokens, gold, and silver across a sold-out bourse floor. Attendees can also seek informal evaluations of coins and paper money from numismatic experts.
The ANA will offer educational seminars, presentations, exhibits, children’s activities, and other family-oriented programs throughout the convention.
According to the ANA’s current convention schedule, public hours run from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday; 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
Daily admission costs $10, while a weekly pass costs $25. ANA members and children under 12 receive free admission. In addition, everyone enters free on Saturday, August 29.
The American Numismatic Association operates as a nonprofit educational organization devoted to numismatic study and collecting. Its programs include educational initiatives, conventions, publications, museum resources, library services, and online learning opportunities.
For collectors in Pittsburgh, however, the copper Iskowitz coin could become one of the show’s most sought-after souvenirs. Only a few hundred will reach collectors each day.
And behind every example sits a story unusually rich even by numismatic standards: the end of the circulating Lincoln cent, Brenner’s connection to Pittsburgh, America’s 250th birthday, and the final coin design of Joel Iskowitz.
