Nearly 10,000 Attend Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money®
Philadelphia’s reputation as the “City of Brotherly Love” was unmistakable at the 2018 World’s Fair of Money®. The American Numismatic Association-sponsored event welcomed 9,939 people at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Aug. 14-18, and by all accounts the show was one of the most successful in recent memory.
“Philadelphia, birthplace of our Constitution and coinage, lived up to all expectations,” says ANA President Gary Adkins. “We had record crowds. The bourse and auctions were very lively, and the many seminars, talks and meetings held during the convention were extremely well attended. I think you can safely say the City of Brotherly Love proved a great backdrop for what might well have been our best World’s Fair of Money in the last few years.”
The event featured displays by government and private mints from around the world; expansive educational forums led by notable speakers sharing their numismatic expertise; exhibits of rare treasures from private collectors and the American Numismatic Association’s Money Museum; hundreds of dealers buying and selling coins, currency and related items in all price ranges; and major auctions by Heritage Auctions and Stack’s Bowers Galleries.
The show created an international buzz with the sale of the finest-known example of the 1913 Liberty Head nickel, which was conducted by Stack’s Bowers Galleries before a standing-room only crowd for $4.56 million – becoming one of the five most valuable coins sold at auction. The Proof 66 specimen is one of five known pieces, all of which were struck without authorization at the Philadelphia Mint. Of the other four known examples, one was on display in the show’s Museum Showcase from the ANA’s Edward C. Rochette Money Museum in Colorado Springs, Colo.
A recently discovered fourth example of an 1854-S Coronet “No Motto” gold $5 (half eagle) realized $2.16 million during a Heritage Auctions session. The piece reportedly was in the possession of an unnamed New England collector whose numismatic acquaintances believed the coin had to be counterfeit because of the rarity of genuine examples. Numismatic Guaranty Corp., the ANA’s official grading service, certified the find as genuine and graded it Extremely Fine-45.
The United States Mint displayed three 1933 double eagle $20 gold coins. The display featured two of the ten pieces recovered by the government in 2004, which were the subject of 11 years of litigation. Also on display was a previously undisclosed specimen that was voluntarily surrendered to the government by a private citizen. The only 1933-dated double eagles to leave the Mint lawfully are two specimens provided to the Smithsonian Institution for preservation in the National Numismatic Collection.
The Museum Showcase spotlighted several spectacular specimens, including an 1861 Confederate half dollar, historical documents signed by Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, and one of two known 1861-P Paquet double eagles. The Collector Exhibits area, always popular with show attendees, featured 53 competitive and non-competitive numismatic displays. “We’re thankful to the U.S. Mint, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and those collectors who shared their rare and historic numismatic treasures by displaying these items at the World’s Fair of Money,” says Adkins. “The exhibits always are a huge draw and collectors and the public alike love them.”
ANA President Adkins officiated at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday morning, Aug. 14, and welcomed special guests U.S. Mint Director David Ryder and Bureau of Engraving and Printing Director Leonard Olijar. Opening day festivities were made even more memorable by a kick-off event that evening at the Museum of the American Revolution, which welcomed a crowd of more than 300. “The kick-off celebration at the museum set the tone for the entire week,” says ANA Executive Director Kim Kiick. “It was a stellar event and the amazing immersive experiences were enjoyed by all.”
Attendance at the show was strongest on Saturday, Aug. 5, when 1,955 people turned out for free family day admission. Hundreds of young people converged on the Kids Zone, where they could see their faces on a $100,000 bill, design their own coin or note, make an elongated coin, spin a wheel for a chance to win numismatic prizes or grab some high-flying bucks inside the “Cash Tornado.” ANA Education Director Rod Gillis reported that nearly 200 kids participated in the Treasure Trivia game as they explored the bourse floor in search of answers to trivia questions. “Coin Collecting 101,” a free class for those interested in numismatics, attracted dozens of attendees, as did Gillis’ “Money Talks” presentation, “Strategies to Dispose of Your Collection.”
Complete Attendance Totals for the 2018 World’s Fair of Money
- Total attendance: 9,939
- General public: 4,742
- ANA members: 3,743
- Table-holders/dealers: 1,373
- Staff, volunteers and pages: 81
Total daily attendance
- Tuesday: 3,259 (returning visitors such as table-holders, staff, volunteers and weekly pass holders are counted in first-day attendance only)
- Wednesday: 1,444
- Thursday: 1,640
- Friday: 1,641
- Saturday: 1,955
The 2019 World’s Fair of Money will be held in Rosemont, Ill. (Chicago), Aug. 13-17, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
Bureau of Engraving and Printing and United States Mint Merge E-Commerce Solutions for Better Customer Experience
WASHINGTON, DC – The two U.S. currency titans, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) and the United States Mint, have formed a strategic alliance to sell BEP products through the Mint’s e-commerce system beginning this fall. This collaboration will offer collectors, gift-givers, and other customers a better experience and greater variety of numismatic currency products.
Effective Monday, October 1, 2018, BEP products will only be available for online purchase through the Mint’s online store at https://catalog.usmint.gov or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing and speech impaired customers with TTY equipment may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468). BEP products will still be available at the BEP Washington, DC and Ft. Worth, Texas visitor center gift shops; some BEP products will also be available at Mint retail locations. BEP bulk sales customers should continue to place orders through the BEP at 1-800-456-3408.
Please note that BEP online customer accounts will not be automatically transferred to the Mint. BEP customers are encouraged to set up new accounts on the Mint’s website to take advantage of the Mint’s loyalty program, to track purchases of BEP products, and to receive BEP and Mint product and promotion notifications.
As of Monday, September 17, 2018, online orders will not be accepted through BEP’s online store, https://moneyfactorystore.gov, or telephone sales department in preparation for the transition; messaging to that effect will be posted. Beginning October 1 at 8:00 a.m. (ET), the moneyfactorystore.gov website will no longer be accessible, and all BEP online and social media sales traffic will be redirected to the U.S. Mint’s website.
The BEP and U.S. Mint are very excited about this new partnership and look forward to providing their global customers with a unique selection of products and continued excellence in customer service.
Questions regarding this transition or BEP product orders placed prior to September 17, 2018, may be directed to BEP’s Mail Order Sales Department by telephone at 1-800-456-3408. For additional information about BEP or currency production, please visit and follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @USMoneyfactory. For questions regarding orders placed on the Mint’s website, call 1-800-872-6468.
United States Mint Announces Call for Artists
Artistic Infusion Program Invites Artists to Design Nation’s Coins and Medals
WASHINGTON – The United States Mint (Mint) is pleased to announce a call for artists to participate in its Artistic Infusion Program (AIP). Established in 2003, the AIP serves to enrich and invigorate the design of United States coins and medals by developing a pool of outside artists in graphic design, sculpture, engraving, drawing, painting, and other visual arts. These artists work closely with the United States Mint’s staff, including Sculptor-Engravers, to create and submit new designs for selected coin and medal programs throughout the year. Interested artists are invited to submit applications for consideration.
The designs of AIP artists adorn many United States coins and medals, such as America the Beautiful Quarters® Coins, Native American $1 Coins, Commemorative Coins, Platinum Proof Coins, Congressional Gold Medals, American Liberty Gold Coins, and various silver and bronze medals.
Artists who join the AIP work under a task order contract from their own studios across America, providing candidate designs in the form of finished drawings. Artists are paid $2,000 to $3,000 per assignment and are awarded a $5,000 bonus if the Secretary of the Treasury selects their design for a coin or medal. In addition to the bonus, the artist’s information is included in historical documents, Certificates of Authenticity, and promotional materials. In most cases, the artist’s initials appear on the final coins or medals along with the initials of the Sculptor-Engraver who sculpted the selected design.
The United States Mint will be accepting applications for the program beginning September 3, 2018. Applicants must fill out an application form and submit five to 10 images of work from their portfolio. Artists may also be asked to provide a resume. Once reviewed, the Mint will invite selected artists to participate in a further evaluation round, which will require the development and submission of a demonstration design for which each selected artist will be paid a fee of $1,500.
The Mint is especially interested in artists who will bring innovative perspectives and utilize symbolism in their work to clearly and evocatively convey subjects and themes. From portraits and landscapes to depictions of notable achievements in American history, coin and medal designs require rendering a range of subjects and themes on a small space.
To apply for the AIP, artists must be U.S. citizens who are established professional artists, defined as one who meets all of the following criteria:
- Has at least five years of relevant work experience or has received specialized training in his or her artistic field, such as a degree or certification
- Derives a portion of his or her individual earned income from his or her art or areas related to his or her art
- Has experience in digital art techniques such as use of Photoshop, Illustrator, Wacom tablets, or similar technology
- Has a professional portfolio that includes published or publicly displayed art
To be considered, artists must register online at www.usmint.gov/callforartists and submit their application, including images, by October 29, 2018, at 11:59 a.m. Eastern Time (ET).
Sales Open for America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin Honoring Cumberland Island National Seashore on August 30
WASHINGTON – The United States Mint (Mint) will release the America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin™ – Cumberland Island National Seashore (product code 18AM) on August 30 at noon Eastern Time (ET). This coin is priced at $154.95.
The Philadelphia Mint produces America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coins™ in .999 fine silver. These coins measure three inches in diameter. The reverse (tails) design for the Cumberland Island National Seashore coin depicts a snowy egret perched on a branch on the edge of a salt marsh, ready for flight. Inscriptions are “CUMBERLAND ISLAND,” “GEORGIA,” “2018,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” The obverse (heads) features a 1932 restored portrait of George Washington by John Flanagan.
Each encapsulated legal tender coin arrives in an attractive presentation case with a Certificate of Authenticity.
The Mint accepts orders at catalog.usmint.gov/ and 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468). Information on shipping options is available at catalog.usmint.gov/customer-service/shipping.html.
The Mint also accept orders for this product through its Product Enrollment Program. Details about the program are available at catalog.usmint.gov/shop/product-enrollments/.
The maximum mintage for the America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin honoring Cumberland Island National Seashore is set at 20,000 units.
NGC U.S. Coins Top Heritage ANA Sale
Two coins certified by NGC broke the $1 million barrier at Heritage Auctions’ Platinum Night sale at the ANA World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia on August 16.
A recently discovered 1854-S $5, graded NGC XF 45, realized $2.16 million. The New England resident who owned the coin was initially told it was counterfeit, before NGC confirmed that it was genuine and only the fourth known example.
A 1792 Washington President Pattern Gold Eagle, graded NGC XF 45★, realized $1.74 million. It was the coin most cherished by renowned numismatist Eric P. Newman, who passed away last year at age 106.
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