Thanks to everyone who participated in this year's National Coin Week activities! Find results below.
ANA Design Activity
Club Trivia Challenge
Daily Online Trivia Challenge
For more information, email ncw@money.org or call (719) 482-9814
Read Related Articles from The Numismatist
A Stellar Type Set
Money and medals with celestial themes are universally popular.
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The Final Frontier
Space exploration offers collectors a theme that is out of this world.
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Hi-Flying Collection
Pieces assembled by an aviation pioneer find a home at the ANA Money Museum.
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Mechanized Coinage
A businessman and engineer in Birmingham, England, revolutionized manufacturing and minting with the steam engine.
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Homage to Gutenberg
Johannes Gutenberg (c. 1397-1468), the inventor of the revolutionary printing press, is honored on coins and paper money.
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Numismatic Recognition of the New World
Coins and medals around the world commemorate Columbus and other explorers in the Age of Discovery.
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Coins and the Seafaring Tradition
Since ancient times, coins have celebrated discovery on the high seas.
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Striking Display
The U.S. Mint's first steam coin press has an impressive provenance.
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Turks and Caicos Islands, 5 crowns, 1994
In 1994 the Turks and Caicos Islands released this collector coin celebrating the American Numismatic Association, coin collecting and the 25th anniversary of the first lunar landing. In May 1961 President John F. Kennedy made a commitment to landing a man of the moon before the end of the decade.
United States, $10 half ounce gold commemorative coin, First Flight Centennial, 2003
In 1903 near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, brothers Orville (1871-1948) and Wilber Wright (1867-1912) built and flew the world’s first successful airplane. In 2003 the U.S. Mint issued a series of commemorative coins honoring the 100th anniversary of this important invention. The Wright brothers are also featured on the North Carolina State Quarter and referenced on the Ohio State Quarter.
Bank of England, Series D 1978 1 pound note and Israel, Series 1968 5 pound banknote
Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) and Albert Einstein (1879-1955) are arguably the two most influential physicists in history. Newton’s work on the laws of motion and gravity were the guiding force behind theoretical physics until Einstein proposed his theory of relativity. Both men have been honored on a wide range of money and medals.
United States, $1 silver commemorative coin, Leif Ericson Millennium, 2000
Norse Icelandic explorer Leif Ericson (c. 970-c.1020) was the first known European to set foot on continental North America. He founded a settlement on the coast of the modern-day island of Newfoundland, Canada. In 2000 the U.S. Mint partnered with the Central Bank of Iceland to create a 2-coin set honoring the 1,000th anniversary of Ericson’s discovery (the Icelandic coin is a 1,000 kronur piece). This was the first time modern legal tender silver commemorative coins were released jointly by the United States and another country.
The Great American Coin Hunt
To celebrate National Coin Week (April 21-27), more than 200 members of the group Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers will place thousands of old coins — from century-old Indian Head and early Lincoln cents to vintage silver dimes and quarters and older paper money — into circulation.
To learn more, visit www.greatamericancoinhunt.com or search #GreatAmericanCoinHunt on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program
In 2019, the U.S. Mint is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 mission by producing and selling commemorative coins: a curved $5 gold coin, a curved $1 silver coin, a curved half-dollar clad coin, and a curved 5 ounce $1 silver proof coin.
The History of National Coin Week
The history of National Coin Week began in 1923, when American Numismatic Association Governor Julius Guttag suggested to the association's President, Moritz Wormser, that a week-long event should be established “to attract the general public to our hobby and consequently increase our membership, and aid in our science.” That December, the first announcement of a “Coin Week” was made in The Numismatist and scheduled for the week of February 9-16, 1924.
The first National Coin Week was a success, and discussion ensued in 1924 about establishing an annual event. The following year, the name was changed to “Old Coin Week,” and the event was planned for February 15-21. In 1925 Wormser said, “Let us all work together for the accomplishments of the principles for which the American Numismatic Association was founded: To disperse numismatic knowledge . . . to demonstrate that numismatics is an educational and entertaining pursuit . . . and to imbue other collectors with your own enthusiasm and love for the subject.”
Coin Week enjoyed successful observances in 1926 and 1927 under President H.H. Yawger. But, from 1928 to 1938, the association did not actively promote the event, and it existed in name only. In 1939 member Lee Hewitt of Chicago proposed that the American Numismatic Association reinstate Coin Week as “National Coin Week.” President J. Henri Ripstra confirmed a new March date and announced that prizes would be given to clubs and individuals who accomplished the most during the week. In 1942 the observance was moved to the third full week of April, where it has remained ever since.
About the American Numismatic Association
Our Mission
The American Numismatic Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and encouraging people to study and collect coins and related items. The Association serves the academic community, collectors and the general public with an interest in numismatics.
The ANA helps all people discover and explore the world of money through its vast array of educational programs including its museum, library, publications, conventions and seminars.
Online Trivia Challenge Results
April 27 | Trivia Question #7: This physicist and engineer was one of the greatest minds in history, creating machines and mathematic principles that influenced scientific thought for the next 2,000 years. His theorems are used today to determine surface area and volume, while his engineering is seen on modern lifting and water transfer systems. Name the ancient inventor and mathematician, featured on the obverse of this coin.
Answer: Archimedes. A native of the city of Syracuse on the island of Sicily (then part of “Magna Graecia), he is famous today for his accurate calculation of pi (π, 3.14…the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter) and for the “Archimedes screw,” a machine used to pump water to a higher location for irrigation. Archimedes was killed in 212 BC by the Roman army during the Siege of Syracuse. Coin: 2015 commemorative silver 10 euro, Greece.
Day seven winner is Shelby Catino!
April 26 | Trivia Question #6: This botanist, professor and environmentalist invented more than 400 plant-based products and improved the economy of the American South. Born into slavery, he toured the country teaching the importance of agricultural innovation. Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge and Franklin D. Roosevelt – as well as Mahatma Gandhi – sought his expertise. Name the inventor – featured on the obverse of this coin.
Answer: George Washington Carver. In 1896 Tuskegee Institute founder Booker T. Washington invited Carver to lead the school’s agriculture department. There he conducted groundbreaking research on soil improvement and alternative crops – most famously the peanut, from which he invented more than 300 products. His testimony before U.S. Congress made him a household name. Coin: 1952 Carver/Washington commemorative silver half dollar.
Day six winner is Morgan Sieloff!
April 25 | Trivia Question #5: This explorer served as an air force navigator during World War II. He later became the first documented person (along with a companion) to make it to one of the world’s most remote and least-accessible places. Name the explorer – featured on the front of this banknote – and the place he famously visited.
Answer: Sir Edmund Hillary, summit of Mount Everest. On May 29, 1953, the New Zealander and Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of the world’s highest mountain. Hillary later reached the North and South Poles, becoming the first person to visit all three places. Upon his death in 2008, New Zealand issued gold and silver proof coins in his honor. Note: 1999 $5 polymer banknote, New Zealand. The back features a hoiho or yellow-eyed penguin.
Day five winner is Daniel Orrock!
April 24 | Trivia Question #4: This inventor enjoyed a career as one of Hollywood’s leading ladies of the late-1930s and 1940s. At the onset of World War II she developed a torpedo guidance system designed to combat Nazi jamming efforts. Her work is now featured in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technology. Name the inventor and actress — featured on this medal.
Answer: Hedy Lamarr. Born in Austria, her films include Boom Town and Samson and Delilah. Her patented “Secret Communications System” was not used during the war, but its frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology was rediscovered in the 1960s. Medal: 2018 bronze commemorative medal, Jewish-American Hall of Fame. Artist: Eugene Daub.
Day four winner is Holly Dokey!
April 23 | Trivia Question #3: Banknotes were invented in China around the 10th century AD. Europeans marveled at the confidence with which this currency was used in commerce. The most famous of these accounts was provided by what famous explorer – featured on the front of this banknote?
Answer: Marco Polo. In his The Travels of Marco Polo, he writes, “wheresoever a person may go throughout the Great Kaan's dominions he shall find these pieces of paper current, and shall be able to transact all sales and purchases of goods by means of them just as well as if they were coins of pure gold.” Note: 1982 1000 Lire, Banca D'Italia
Day three winner is Maria Matys!
April 22 | Trivia Question #2: The mid-15th century saw the invention of a device that drastically improved the spread of information throughout the world. It is considered one of the first gateways to the modern world. Name the device and its inventor – featured on the reverse of this coin.
Answer: Printing press and Johannes Gutenberg. His invention caused a sharp increase in literacy in Europe. The famous Gutenberg Bible was one of the first books released using movable type.
Day two winner is Dylan Taylor!
April 21 | Trivia Question #1: President Franklin D. Roosevelt suffered from a disease that permanently paralyzed his legs. In 1938 he founded the March of Dimes, an organization focused on fighting this terrible illness. Name the disease and the virologist who invented its first vaccine – featured on the obverse of this coin.
Answer: Polio and Jonas Salk. The American’s vaccine was introduced in 1955. The March of Dimes now focuses on the health of mothers and babies. Coin: 2015 March of Dimes commemorative silver dollar.
Day one winner is Janet Smith!
Club Trivia Challenge Results
First Prize: Apollo 11 50th Anniversary 2019 Five Ounce Proof Silver Dollar, Honolulu Coin Club
Second Prize: Apollo 11 50th Anniversary 2019 Proof Silver Dollar, Cincinnati Numismatic Association
Third Prize: Apollo 11 50th Anniversary 2019 Proof Clad Half Dollar, Ozarks Coin Club
Other perfect scores:
| Tucson Coin Club |
Central Arkansas Coin Club |
| Northeast Tarrant Coin Club | Honolulu Coin Club |
| Wisconsin Valley Coin Club | Dallas Coin Club |
| Georgia Numismatic Association | Northwest Detroit Coin Club |
| Metropolitan Coin Club of Atlanta | Albuquerque Coin Club |
| Nashua Coin Club | Greater Port Arthur Coin Club |
| Madison County Coin Club | Will County Coin Club |
| Colorado Springs Coin Club | Greater Houston Coin Club |
Design Activity Winners
First Prize: Apollo 11 50th Anniversary 2019 Five Ounce Proof Silver Dollar, YN Jeremy Sheng
Second Prize: Apollo 11 50th Anniversary 2019 Proof Silver Dollar, YN Adam Ostrander
Third Prize: Apollo 11 50th Anniversary 2019 Proof Clad Half Dollar, YN Paige Price
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