ANA to Debut Museum Showcase in Los Angeles

The American Numismatic Association will introduce its inaugural Museum Showcase, featuring rarely seen numismatic treasures from the Smithsonian Institution, the ANA Edward C. Rochette Money Museum and private collectors, at the 2009 Los Angeles World’s Fair of Money®, Aug. 5-9 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The Museum Showcase will be located on the bourse in a separate location from the Collector Gallery and Mint Promenade, and will feature museum-quality exhibits.

Among the rarities on display will be 20 coins from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Numismatic Collection, including the first (1849 pattern) and last (1933) double eagles ever produced as well as a 1907 Saint-Gaudens ultra high relief pattern that President Theodore Roosevelt gave his daughter Ethel as a Christmas gift in 1907.

Also featured from the Edward C. Rochette Money Museum and private collections are the finest known – and possibly first minted – 1794 silver dollar; America’s first gold coin, the EB on breast Brasher Doubloon; three of the five known Liberty Head nickels and a rare, 490-year-old original copy of the first illustrated, printed numismatic book, Illustrium Imagines (“Images of the Illustrious”).

“Our new Museum Showcase is one way we will use our conventions to pay something back to our members,” said Executive Director Larry Shepherd. “The ANA is in a unique position to share numismatic treasures because of who we are, because of our museum and because of our connections. We want our Museum Showcase to become a unique draw for our shows – and we’ll enhance your experience by ensuring the stories and history of each object are told in an informative and entertaining way.

The Museum Showcase will feature informative displays set in special lighting. Informal discussions led by noted numismatic scholars also will be scheduled throughout the show.

The World’s Fair of Money is the largest coin show in the country, and features more than 1,100 ANA-member dealers, a wide array of educational programs, a Collector Gallery featuring fascinating exhibits created by ANA members, a Mint Promenade with mints from throughout the world, a $1 billion display by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and a special exhibit presented by the United States Mint. For more information, visit www.worldsfairofmoney.com or call 719-482-9857. The show is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $6 ($20 for a five-day pass), and free for ANA members and children 12 and under.

G. Lee Kuntz is the event’s General Chairman and Bill Grant is the Honorary Chairman. The California State Numismatic Association, Numismatic Association of Southern California and Verdugo Hills Coin Club are the event’s host clubs. The Glendale Coin Club, Long Beach Coin Club and Unrecognized States Numismatic Society are the event’s honorary host clubs. Bowers and Merena Auctions is the official auction company.

The American Numismatic Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and 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 programs including its education and outreach programs, museum, library, publications, conventions and seminars. For more information, call 719-632-2646 or visit www.money.org.