World's Fair of Money Comes to Los Angeles Some of the world's most famous, historic rare coins and currency will be publicly exhibited by the Smithsonian Institution and other sources at the World's Fair of Money in LA, August 5 - 9, 2009.
News-Antique.com - Aug 02,2009 - (Los Angeles, California) -- Seldom-seen national treasures from the Smithsonian Institution will be displayed for the first time in California at the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money in the Los Angeles Convention Center West Hall A, August 5 - 9, 2009. The five-day educational, family event showcasing some of the world's most famous rare coins and paper money will be open to the public.
Items displayed from The Smithsonian's National Numismatic Collection include a unique, Gold Rush-era 1849 "Double Eagle" ($20 denomination gold coin, pictured above) and historic coins given to President Teddy Roosevelt. Among the many other eye-opening exhibits will be the U.S. Treasury Department Bureau of Engraving and Printing's "Billion Dollar Display" that includes $100,000 bills; the legendary 1787 Brasher Doubloon, America's first gold coin that was hand-struck by George Washington's neighbor; the 1794 silver dollar believed by many experts to be the very first one struck by the United States Mint; and four of the five known, famous multi-million dollar 1913 Liberty Head nickels, including one that was the centerpiece of a 1972 episode of the popular TV series, "Hawaii Five-O."
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many people to see these historic, valuable treasures in person," said Larry Shepherd, Executive Director of the nonprofit, 32,000-member American Numismatic Association.
Many of the 1,000 professional coin and currency dealers attending the show will provide free, informal appraisals for visitors who bring in their old coins and paper money. The United States Mint and representatives of 15 mints from around the world will showcase their products for collectors.
"Money is history you can hold in your hands," said American Numismatic Association President Barry Stuppler of Woodland Hills. "You can see everything from a half-cent to a $100,000 bill. We'll have thousands of collectors and dealers from around the country buying and selling items ranging in value from a few cents each to $1 million. There will be educational seminars, exhibits and a children's treasure hunt trivia game with free prizes."
The colorful $1 billion U.S. Treasury Bureau of Engraving and Printing display will feature two dozen $100,000 bills, the highest denomination paper money ever made by the U.S. government. Visitors also can watch an engraver at work and see demonstrations of a 147-year old, hand-turned money printing press.
Bowers and Merena Auctions of Irvine will conduct a major auction of coins and currency in conjunction with the show.
The World's Fair of Money will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in West Hall A, 1201 S. Figueroa St. Public hours are Wednesday through Saturday, August 5 - 9, from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. General admission is $6. Children 12 and under are admitted free.
For additional information, visit the American Numismatic Association web site, www.WorldsFairofMoney.com, or call (719) 482-9857.
