World-Class Exhibits, Educational Programs Highlight Phoenix National Money Show
The American Numismatic Association’s 2008 National Money Show™ gives visitors the opportunity to see rare coins and paper notes worth millions of dollars and learn from some of the world’s foremost numismatists. The show, held March 7-9 at the Phoenix Convention Center, West Building, will feature marquee and collector exhibits, educational presentations, and hundreds of the nation’s top coin dealers.
“Money is history you can hold in your hands, depicting important people, places and events. At the National Money Show you can see everything from a half-cent to a $100,000 bill, and it’s free,” said ANA President Barry Stuppler.
The convention’s exhibits are highlighted by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s (BEP) eye-opening “Billion Dollar Display” of high denomination money. The National Money Show marks the first time these stunning and valuable specimens of paper money have been showcased in Arizona. The display includes demonstrations of an antique, one-ton, handoperated printing press to show how money was made more than a century ago.
“A total of 42,000 Series 1934 $100,000 Gold Certificates were printed, but only a small number survive today. They were intended only for use between banks. Our educational exhibit also includes a $500-million Treasury Note and examples of the new $5 bill that will be going into circulation March 13,” said Kevin Brown, BEP Marketing Manager.
Other fascinating exhibits include the multi-million dollar 1913 Liberty Head nickel and the ANA’s new four-case traveling exhibit, “Victory at All Costs: Money of World War II.” The 1913 Liberty Head nickel displayed at the ANA Money Museum is one of only five known, and one of the world’s most famous coins. This is the first time it will be shown in Arizona.
The Collector Gallery is a highlight of every ANA convention, and gives members the chance to share their collections and creativity with fellow hobbyists. Collector exhibits are presented in three categories: competitive, non-competitive and marquee. Awards for competitive exhibits will be presented in six classes; Best in Show, National Coin Week and People’s Choice awards will also be presented. Collector exhibits this year include “The Birds of Africa,” “1940 Arizona Movie Scrip” and “German City Talers, 1600-1699.”
Many educational opportunities await convention attendees. The ANA School of Numismatics is offering technical and collector series courses, including “Coin Conservation, Authentication and Grading,” “Collecting United States National Bank Notes, with an Emphasis on Arizona Notes,” “Arizona Mining Stocks, Ingots and Pioneer Minor Coinage” and “Coins in the Classroom.” In addition, visitors can attend free workshops such as “18th Century American Colonial Numismatics,” “So-Called Dollars” and “Coin Collecting Basics” (registration requested; visit www.money.org or call 719-482-9857).
Other educational activities include Treasure Trivia, a game where young visitors are challenged to answer numismatic questions for a prize; a Boy Scout coin collecting merit badge workshop; a Girl Scout “Fun with Money” patch workshop; and a Boy Scout merit badge trainer’s session. The Scout workshops are free, but registration is requested. Numismatic Theatre is held throughout the show, and gives collectors the opportunity to learn from expert numismatists. This year’s presentations include “Dyeing in Kingly Fashion” and “Collecting and Enjoying U.S. Type Coins.”
The bourse area at the Phoenix National Money Show boasts more than 240 booths, and features some of the country’s most well-respected numismatic dealers, publishers and supply companies. Many of the 600 dealers attending will provide free, informal appraisals for visitors who bring in their old coins and paper money.
Heritage Auction Galleries is conducting the official auction of the Phoenix National Money Show, held March 7-8 during the first two days of the show. Online bidding begins Feb. 17; preview auction lots by visiting www.ha.com.
“This will be the ANA’s first convention in Phoenix since 1951, and we’re excited to be back,” said ANA Acting Executive Director Ken Hallenbeck. “The city’s weather, local attractions and strong numismatic tradition make it the ideal place for a great show.”
The National Money Show is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.
James Mann is the event’s general chairman, and Alan Herbert is the honorary chairman. The Phoenix Coin Club and the Mesa Coin Club are the host clubs. The honorary host clubs include the Arizona Territorial Coin Club and the Fountain Hills Coin Club. For more information on the National Money Show, call 719-482-9857 or visit www.money.org (select “National Money Show” from the “Numismatic Events” dropdown menu).
Originally Release Date: February 5, 2008
ANA Contacts: Phone: 719-482-9814
Email: pr@money.org