To honor the role of numismatics in building bridges and promoting unity and reconciliation, "Connecting Cultures: From Many, One" is the theme for the 95th annual National Coin Week, April 15-21, 2018. Check back soon for updates on contests and activities.
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Articles from The Numismatist
These articles from The Numismatist embody this year's National Coin Week theme, Connecting Cultures: From Many, One.
Read on and discover fascinating historical examples of numismatics promoting unity.
Faster, Higher, Stronger: Coins & Medals of the Olympics
The Olympics are always a unifying world event. Learn about the coins and medals that honor these games.
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Spanning the Ages: The Brooklyn Bridge
Completed in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge has been honored on a variety of medals and tokens.
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Peace Dollars: Icons of Post World War I
The ANA spearheaded the creation of a $1 coin commemorating peace following World War I.
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E Pluribus Unum
Meaning "From Many, One," this iconic Latin phrase has long been used by the United States to convey unity. Learn about its history on our coins.
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The Euro Story
The euro was introduced in 2002, but its origins can be traced to ancient times.
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Bridging Art & Numismatics: Michigan Avenue Bridge
Sculptures featured on Chicago's Michigan Avenue Bridge were created by two prominent coin designers.
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Peace Through War: An Ancient Delusion
Did the Roman Empire achieve "Peace Through War"? An interesting article from the Nov. 1916 The Numismatist.
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Made for Trade: The Stella
The U.S. considered producing a $4 gold coin to become part of the Latin Monetary Union. The patterns are rare and cherished.
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1787 Fugio cent
The 13 linked rings represent the new United States.
2002 20€ note, reverse
The bridge is a unifying theme on euro notes. Initially a fictional bridge, it was later built near Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Karl Goetz' 1918
Karl Goetz' 1918 "Christmas at Home" medal celebrates a holiday of peace after four years consumed by war.
2012 10 rand note
This beautiful note features anti-apartheid revolutionary and president of South Africa (1994-1999) Nelson Mandela.
Song: Money Makes the World Go Round
"Money Makes the World Go Round", written and performed by Mark Keefner and Alan O'Day, focuses on money as a way to find common ground and achieve unity.
LISTEN NOW
50 States Quarters Program
The U.S. Mint's 50 State Quarters Program brought together a nation of collectors. Explore the coins celebrating each state in our union.
Money Makes the World Go Round
Money forms a bond that allows societies to function and interact globally. Learn about the last 50 years of monetary evolution.
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.
National Coin Week Activities
Writing Contest
A contest where members write about how numismatics creates unity. Topics can be historical/research based, or personal experiences about people coming together through coin club meetings, conventions, Summer Seminar, etc. Essays should be 350 words max, with images encouraged. Winning and high-quality entries will be featured on the American Numismatic Association National Coin Week blog. Prizes include:
1st place: U.S. Mint 2018 American Eagle one-tenth ounce gold proof coin
2nd place: U.S. Mint 2018 World War I centennial proof silver dollar and 2018 silver proof set
3rd place: U.S. Mint 2018 silver proof set
*Other prizes, including 2018 proof sets, will be awarded
Send your writing and images to ncw@money.org. Entries must be received by May 4.
Youth Matching Activity: Close-Up Images of Bridges on Coins
Anyone 17 or under who successfully completes the activity will win a professionally graded state quarter and be entered in a prize drawing for a 1974 Eisenhower proof silver dollar. Answers must be received by May 11.
Online Trivia Challenge
Day #7 (4/21): Founded in 1891, the American Numismatic Association brings together its members and the public through National Coin Week, conventions, publications, education programs and more. In what year did the first ANA "Coin Week" take place?
Day #6 (4/20): Many countries produced coins commemorating the "International Year
of Peace," recognized by the United Nations and the Red Cross. What
nation minted the coin shown here, and in what year did it first
circulate? (Winner: Sam Verdoni; Answer: the Soviet Union, in 1986.)
Day #5 (4/19): In 2010 the U.S. Mint released a one dollar coin honoring the long-held oral constitution of a group of Native American peoples. What is this constitution called, and what is the group of Native American peoples? (Winner: Mike Seyfried; Answer:The Great Law of Peace, constitution of the Iroquois)
Day #4 (4/18): Euro coins and banknotes were released for circulation in the European Union beginning in 2002. Each issue of banknotes (€5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500) celebrates a prominent style of European architecture. What architectural style is featured on the 2002 €10 note (pictured)? (Winner: Ryan Cerny; Answer: Romanesque architecture.)
Day #3 (4/17): The Latin virtue of equality, fairness and justice was represented as a female personification on many coins of the Roman Empire, including this denarius featuring the Emperor Nerva. What is the Latin name of this virtue and personification? (Winner: Jonas Denenberg, Answer: Aequitas)
Day #2 (4/16): The first circulating coin produced by the United States Mint was the Flowing Hair Chain cent, made in 1793. Its design featured a circular chain around the denomination. How many links were included in this chain, and what did the links represent? (Image courtesy of the National Numismatic Collection, Winner: Sam Kaufmann, Answer: 15 links representing the 15 U.S. states in 1793)
Day #1 (4/15): The Latin phrase “E Pluribus Unum” (From Many,
One) has long been a mainstay on United States coins. In what year did
the phrase first appear on federal coins produced by the U.S. Mint, and
on what denomination coin? (Winner: Christopher Blackington, answer: 1795 $5 gold piece (half eagle))
Money Museum Celebrates National Coin Week — Free Event Saturday, April 21!
The American Numismatic Association (ANA) and its Money Museum will celebrate National Coin Week, April 15-21, with an array of activities, including an open house with free admission and special events on Saturday, April 21 from 10:30 am to 5 p.m.
- Free admission to the Money Museum for visitors young and old.
- Mini-Mint demonstrations throughout the day. All attendees can receive a freshly-minted National Coin Week medalette.
- A fun 5-question quiz throughout the museum about money and unity. All participants win a prize.
- A numismatic trivia challenge for a chance to win silver coins.
- The Prize Wheel, where every child can spin to win a prize.
- A raffle drawing to win 30 seconds in the Cash Cube, where the winner gets to keep all the cash he or she can grab.
Club Trivia Challenge
Participating clubs answer 15 questions pertaining to the theme. Clubs that achieve the high score are entered in a drawing for an assortment of grand prizes, including:
1st place: U.S. Mint 2018 American Eagle one-tenth ounce gold proof coin
2nd place: U.S. Mint 2018 World War I centennial proof silver dollar and 2018 silver proof set
3rd place: U.S. Mint 2018 silver proof set
*Other prizes, including 2018 proof sets, will be awarded
Download National Coin Week Club Resources Below
Join a Coin Club
SEARCH CLUB DIRECTORY
Resources for Clubs
VISIT CLUB SECTION
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.
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