Money Talks at This Upcoming Numismatic Fair

PHOTO BY DONN PEARLMAN | MORE THAN 500 DEALERS WILL BE BUYING AND SELLING RARE COINS, PAPER MONEY, GOLD AND SILVER WITH THE PUBLIC AT THE PITTSBURGH WORLD’S FAIR OF MONEY, AUG. 25-29 IN THE DAVID L. LAWRENCE CONVENTION CENTER

Ever wanted to see a dime worth $3 million? What about the U.S. Mint’s first-ever circulating coin? 

Pittsburghers will have the chance to do exactly that at the World’s Fair of Money from Aug. 25-29. To be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, the annual coin convention is sponsored by the nonprofit American Numismatic Association; it will feature more than 500 coin dealers buying and selling numismatic bits and bobs, as well as educational seminars and a children’s treasure trivia game.

Additionally, attendees will be able to see more than $100 million of historic, rare coins and currency, plus diverse treasures highlighting America’s independence, including colonial-era and early American money.

“There will be a remarkable variety of coins, tokens, medals and paper currency that circulated throughout the American colonies and the young Republic on display, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the commerce, politics, and daily life of early America,” says Mark Lighterman, president of the American Numismatic Association.

Among the many items on display will be an example of a silver 1792-dated half disme — not a typo, but rather an early spelling of the word “dime.” It is one of the first coins struck by the young United States Mint. 

There will also be one of the five known 1913 Liberty Head nickels, valued at $3 million, and a $4 million 1804-dated silver dollar. 

Other exhibits include beautiful ancient Greek coins and emergency money issued in Hawaii during World War II. 

There will also be a rare print of the Declaration of Independence, published in 1848, and a reproduction of Thomas Jefferson’s first draft of the document.

On Friday, Aug. 28, the United States Mint will have a one-day-only display of 11 confiscated 1933 Double Eagle gold coins and host an educational program about the rare pieces. Although 445,500 1933-dated $20 denomination gold coins were struck, only one example was authorized for release in 1944. It sold at auction for nearly $18.9 million in 2021. Unauthorized examples were confiscated over the years, and this will be the first time 11 of the infamous, seized 1933 Double Eagles will be publicly displayed together.

“This will be an opportunity to see these important items together at one time during the Pittsburgh convention,” Lighterman adds.

Seminars will also be offered on a range of coin-related topics, including detecting counterfeits and a special “Striking Independence: 250 Years of American Numismatics” lecture to honor the nation’s semiquincentennial.

Public admission is $10 daily, Tuesday through Friday, Aug. 25-28, and $25 for a weekly pass. Admission is free for everyone on Saturday, Aug. 29. The show will be open from 1 to 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 25; 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Aug. 26-27; and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 28.

To register, click here.