The largest bourse and best numismatic inventory in American Numismatic Association history awaits attendees of the ANA World’s Fair of Money, Aug. 16-20 in Chicago.
The country’s premier coin show and convention, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, will also feature spectacular educational programs and exhibits as well as the most stunning collection of numismatic rarities ever assembled for the ANA’s signature Museum Showcase.
Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Admission is free for ANA members and $6 for nonmembers. Children aged 12 and under are admitted free.
“Everyone who attends this World’s Fair of Money will have the numismatic experience of a lifetime,” said ANA Executive Director Larry Shepherd. “Our bourse is more than twice the size of our 2010 show in Boston and the largest of any in ANA history. Plus, I guarantee that our Museum Showcase will feature the most extensive presentation of numismatic rarities ever displayed in one place.”
The Museum Showcase, front and center on the floor, includes the best-known 1793 Ameri. large cent and an incredible collection of Gobrecht dollars (courtesy of Bob R. Simpson); the exhibit “Good as Gold: America’s Double Eagles” (courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution); the first U.S. commemorative coin struck – an 1892 Columbian Exposition half-dollar (courtesy of the Field Museum); the Nathaniel Greene Society of Cincinnati medal (courtesy of Brian Hendelson); a collection of rare Spanish Colonial medals (courtesy of Banco de México); and a complete display of Chicago bank notes.
Treasures from the ANA’s collection include the Idler/Bebee specimen 1804 dollar, the McDermott/ Bebee specimen 1913 Liberty Head nickel, and a selection of National Bank notes from the ANA’s Bebee Collection of U.S. paper money.
In addition, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (Booth 121) will bring its “Billion Dollar Display” of high-denomination money plus give regularly scheduled demonstrations of its Civil War era, one-ton, hand-turned money printing press. The United States Mint will be at Booth 1777, where it will sell a number of current Mint products.
The 220,000 square-foot bourse has 15 percent more floor space than a super Wal-Mart. The floor, which is nearly sold out, also includes special sections for U.S., world and ancient coins as well as paper money. The Mint Promenade will feature 18 mints from four continents. As always, visitors can purchase a World Mint Passport at the front entrance and collect coins from participating mints. Some mints will also discuss new issues during World Mint Theatre presentations on the World Mint Stage, located on the bourse floor.
The ever-popular Collector Exhibits area gives ANA members the opportunity to share their collections and research with fellow hobbyists. Several dozen competitive and noncompetitive exhibits will be displayed this year on a wide range of topics.
Stack’s Bowers Galleries is the official auction company for both the World’s Fair of Money and the Official ANA/PNG Pre-Show, Aug. 13-15 in the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Sales begin at the Pre-Show on Saturday, Aug. 13, and continue through Saturday, Aug. 20. A special Rarities Night Auction on Aug. 18 is a “must” for convention attendees, as well as for telephone and Internet bidders from around the globe.
Many educational opportunities await visitors. The Maynard Sundman/Littleton Coin Company Lecture Series, presented Aug. 18, features original numismatic research on “Numismatists Celebrating Human Achievement.” Presentations include “Coins of the Two Jewish Wars,” by David Hendin; “Marijuana and Oil: Roads to the Highs of California National Banking, 1880-1924,” by Peter Huntoon; “America’s Currency of Fame: Our 19th Century Bank Notes,” by Richard Doty; and “Capping Liberty: The Development of the Numismatic Iconography of the New Republic,” by Alan M. Stahl.
Numismatic Theatre, held Aug. 16, 17, 19 and 20, lets ANA members discuss their research and ideas in lecture format. Talks range from ancient coins and Mexican numismatics to obsolete currency and presentations with a Chicago-area numismatic flavor.
Three fee-based convention seminars will be offered. Professional numismatic photographer Todd Pollock will teach “Fundamentals of Digital Photography” Aug. 14-15; “Coin Grading, Problem Coins & Conservation” will be taught by Brian Silliman Aug. 14-15; and “Overview of Post-Civil War Tokens” will be taught by David Schenkman Aug. 19-20.
“Coin Collecting 101,” an informal 30-minute presentation for numismatic newcomers, will be held at various times on the World Mint Stage. The ANA will offer Boy Scout Coin Collecting Merit Badge and Girl Scout Fun With Money Patch workshops on Aug. 20 (registration required). The new Kids Zone along with Treasure Trivia highlights family activities that provide children with a variety of activities and chances to win valuable prizes.
Many of the more than 1,000 numismatic dealers attending the show will provide free, informal appraisals for visitors who bring in their old coins and paper money.
The World’s Fair of Money is the nation’s premier money show, featuring the most expansive educational programs and best numismatic inventory of any summer show. This year’s show marks the ANA’s 120th anniversary. Robert Leonard is the event’s general chair and Mark Wieclaw is the assistant chair. The Chicago Coin Club is the host club. For more information on the show, call 719- 482-9857 or visit www.worldsfairofmoney.com.
The American Numismatic Association is a congressionally chartered nonprofit educational organization dedicated to encouraging people to study and collect money and related items. The ANA helps its members and the public discover and explore the world of money through its vast array of education and outreach programs, as well as its museum, library, publications, conventions and seminars. For more information, call 719-632-2646 or visit www.money.org.
