The American Numismatic Association’s 2010 Boston World’s Fair of Money offers some of the world’s most beautiful and famous coins, the nation’s top numismatists and a venue in the heart of one of America’s most historic cities.
Held Aug. 10-14 at the Hynes Convention Center, the show features a spectacular Museum Showcase, the famous Ship of Gold display, more than 1,100 dealers and vendors, 18 mints from around the world, and educational programs for experts, casual collectors and numismatic newcomers.
The ANA Museum Showcase is a dazzling display of numismatic rarities. Highlights include:
- a selection of beautiful specimens from the ANA Bebee Collection of U.S. Paper Money;
- a complete set of 1874 Bickford pattern coins, courtesy of Bob R. Simpson; and
- the Smithsonian Institution exhibit "Gold as Gold: America’s Double Eagles," including the first (1849 pattern) and last (1933) double eagles produced.
The showcase also includes:
- "Mexico, 1810 and 1910: Coins of the War of Independence and the Revolution," a special display courtesy of Banco De México;
- exceedingly rare 1861 Paquet reverse and 1921 proof double eagles, courtesy of Brian Hendelson;
- a display of pre-federal issues from the Colonial Coin Collectors Club; and
- a preview of the upcoming ANA Edward C. Rochette Money Museum exhibit, "The History of Money."
The 1861 Philadelphia Mint “Paquet Reverse” gold $20, graded NGC MS67, was formerly in the famous Farouk and Norweb collections. Not known to exist until 2006, the gem proof 1921 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, graded NGC SP64, is insured for $8 million. Both rare coins will be displayed at the ANA World’s Fair of Money in Boston courtesy of Brian Hendelson of Classic Coin Co. (Photos courtesy of Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.) – Click image to enlarge
The Ship of Gold exhibit displaying Gold Rush-era sunken treasure from the 1857 shipwreck of the SS Central America will be in Boston courtesy of Monaco Rare Coins.
Highlights include a Kellogg & Humbert ingot — the largest surviving gold ingot of the California Gold Rush, 13 octagonal $50 gold pieces produced by the U. S. Assay Office of San Francisco and remains of a wooden cargo box still containing approximately 110 double eagles.
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE: The remains of a wooden cargo box with approximately 110 gold coins as they were found on the ocean floor will be among the more than $10 million of recovered California Gold Rush-era sunken treasure from the SS Central America that will be publicly displayed in a “Ship of Gold” exhibit. (Photo credit: Monaco Rare Coins)
Other exhibits include the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s "Billion Dollar Display" of high denomination money at Booth 1626 and a display from the United States Mint at Booth 117. Located three blocks from the convention at 1154 Boylston Street, the Massachusetts Historical Society presents "Precious Metals: From AU to ZN" in conjunction with the show.
The popular Collector Exhibits area gives ANA members the opportunity to share their collections and research with fellow hobbyists. More than 60 competitive and noncompetitive exhibits will be displayed this year on a wide range of topics. Exhibit highlights include "Medals from the American Medallic Sculpture Association" and "Early Paper Money of Massachusetts and Her Neighbors."
The Mint Promenade will feature mints from around the globe. Visitors can purchase a World Mints Passport at the front entrance to explore the area and collect world coins. Attendees can learn more by attending "World Mint Theatre" presentations Aug. 11-14 on the World Money stage near the entrance to the show. During these 30-minute presentations, mint representatives will discuss upcoming products, new ideas and current trends.
Many educational opportunities await visitors. The Maynard Sundman/Littleton Coin Company Lecture Series, held Aug. 12, features original academic research; the topic this year is "New England Numismatics and Numismatists: Then and Now." Presentations include "Colonial Edward H.R. Green, Collector Extraordinaire" by Peter Huntoon, "It May Prove a Drugg in Time: The Rise and Fall of Wampum in 17th Century Massachusetts" by Max B. Spiegel, "Making Money in Massachusetts" by Dr. Richard Doty and "Military Medals of the Colonial Wars" by Erik Goldstein.
Numismatic Theatre, held throughout the show, lets ANA members discuss their research and ideas in lecture format. Many talks focus on the convention’s host region. This year’s presentations include "Engraver and Patriot: Paul Revere, the Man and the Medallion" by convention medal artist Jamie Franki; and an early U. S. minting technology panel discussion with Dr. Richard Doty, Brad Karoleff, R.W. Julian and Douglas Mudd.
A variety of pre-convention seminars are offered, including
- "Detecting Counterfeit and Altered United States Coins," Aug. 8-9 with NGC grader Brian Silliman;
- "Grading Modern Coins," Aug. 8-9 with NGC coin grader John L. Schuch II; and
- "Numismatics of Colonial America," Aug. 13-14 with numismatic curator Erik Goldstein.
Tours and events exploring Boston, featuring a convention kickoff cruise Aug. 10, also are available. Registration is required for seminars and tours; visit www.worldsfairofmoney.com for more information.
"Coin Collecting 101," an informal 30-minute presentation for numismatic newcomers, will be held at various times on the World Money Stage. The ANA will offer Boy Scout Coin Collecting Merit Badge and Girl Scout "Fun With Money" Patch workshops on Aug. 14 (registration required). "Treasure Trivia" is available throughout the convention, and is a fun way for children to explore the show, learn interesting facts and win great prizes.
Heritage Auction Galleries is the official auction company for the 2010 World’s Fair of Money and will conduct three live multi-session auctions: United States coins, world and ancient coins, and paper money. Internet and mail bid auctions are also taking place. Lot viewings are scheduled Aug. 8-14 in Room 210. For more information, visit www.ha.com.
Many professional coin and paper money dealers attending the show will provide free, informal appraisals for visitors who bring in their old coins and paper money. The annual ANA Awards Banquet will be at 8 p.m. August 14 at the Sheraton Boston.
The World’s Fair of Money is the nation’s premiere money show. Show hours are 1-5:30 p.m. August 10, and 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. August 11-14. Dealer set-up is 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesday, August 10. Admission is $6 for adults, and free for ANA members and children 12 and under. A basic ANA membership, with an online subscription to The Numismatist, will be available for $18 — $10 off the regular price.
Prue Morgan Fitts is the event’s general chair and Robert Fritsch is the assistant chair. The Boston Numismatic Society is the host club. For more information on all of the show highlights, call 719-482-9857 or visit www.worldsfairofmoney.com.
About the ANA
The American Numismatic Association is a nonprofit congressionally chartered 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.
