Some of the world’s most famous and valuable coins and paper money, including a multimillion dollar nickel, rare $20 gold pieces and $100,000 bills, will be on display at the 2010 ANA National Money Show™, March 25 – 27 at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
The event offers great exhibits, a wide range of educational programs and activities for every age and collecting interest, and more than 500 numismatic dealers with some of the best inventory available in the Southwest.
The ANA Museum Showcase will make its National Money Show debut and features the Smithsonian Institution’s exhibit, "Good as Gold: America’s Double Eagles," which tells the story of the $20 gold coin. It includes the unique, first-such-coin struck in 1849 — valued today at $15 million, according to some experts — and an example of another of the world’s most valuable coins, a 1933-dated double eagle.
The Showcase will include three examples of the extremely rare 1879 Quintuple Stella, including the two finest gold examples known. The three pattern coins are exhibited courtesy of the BRS Legacy Collection. Visitors also will see one of the five known multimillion dollar 1913 Liberty Head nickels, a rare coin publicized by legendary Fort Worth coin dealer B. Max Mehl during the Great Depression.
The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing will have a "Billion Dollar Display" of high denomination U.S. paper money at its booth, as well as demonstrations of a 144-year-old, hand-operated "spider" printing press.
"This collection of rare, beautiful and historically significant pieces is truly something special," said ANA Executive Director Larry Shepherd. "It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many people to see these treasures in person."
The Collector Exhibit area is a popular tradition at every ANA convention. Members create displays on a wide range of subjects, showcasing their collections, research and creativity. Competitive exhibits are judged for several awards, and many exhibits at the Fort Worth show will highlight the fascinating and complex history of Texas.
The ANA’s Florence Schook School of Numismatics is offering two seminars: "Coin Conservation, Authentication and Grading" is offered March 22-24; and "When Texas Was Tejas: Money Before the Alamo" is offered March 27. To register, call 719-482-9857.
Many free educational opportunities await attendees. The workshop "Coin Collecting Basics" is offered March 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (registration required). Numismatic Theatre is held throughout the show, and consists of half-hour presentations by ANA members on a variety of topics. Activities for children include Treasure Trivia, a game where young visitors are challenged to answer numismatic questions for a prize; and coin collecting workshops for Boy and Girl Scouts (Scout workshops are held on March 27 at 9 and 9:30 a.m. Registration required).
Heritage Auction Galleries of Dallas (www.HA.com) will conduct a major public auction of rare coins and paper money in conjunction with the show. The National Money Show is open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday. Dealer set-up will be from noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24. Admission is $6 for adults, and free for ANA members and children 12 and under. For visitors who are not ANA members, a Basic Membership, with an online subscription to The Numismatist, will be available for $18 — $10 off the regular price. All new members receive a free commemorative medal.
John Post is the event’s general chairman. The Fort Worth Coin Club, Northeast Tarrant Coin Club and Texas Numismatic Association are the host clubs, and the Dallas Coin Club and Mid Cities Coin Club are the honorary host clubs. Heritage Auction Galleries is the official auction company. For more information on all of the show highlights, call 719-482-9857 or visit www.nationalmoneyshow.com.
About American Numismatic Association
The American Numismatic Association is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to encouraging people to study and collect money and related items. The ANA helps its 32,000 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.
