National Coin Week 2017 | American Numismatic Association

2017 marks the 100th anniversary of United States involvement in World War I. To honor the connection between numismatics and the military throughout history, “Conflict and Courage: Money and the Military” is the theme for the 94th annual National Coin Week, April 16-22. The ANA is offering a variety of activities and educational resources, including downloadable exhibits, articles from The Numismatist, a youth activity and more (see below).

Thank you to everyone who participated in 2017 National Coin Week! The winners of the Online Trivia Challenge and Club Trivia Challenge are listed below. 2018 National Coin Week is April 15-21!

Online Trivia Challenge
1st place: ANA member Maria Rickert-Kittell
2nd place: ANA member Carol West
3rd place:ANA member Cole Hendrickson

Club Trivia Challenge
1st place: Northwest Detroit Coin Club
2nd place: Madison County Coin Club (AL)
3rd place: Metro East Coin Club (IL)
Other clubs to achieve a perfect score include the Dallas Coin Club, the Tidewater Coin Club, the Central Arkansas Coin Club, the Georgia Numismatic Association, the Metropolitan Coin Club of Atlanta, the Capital City Coin Club (TX), the South Brevard Coin Club (FL), the Cincinnati Numismatic Association, the Raleigh Coin Club, the Nashua Coin Club (NH) and the Ozarks Coin Club (MO).

Question #1 | April 18
Money and the military have been connected since ancient times. A well-known issue of military-themed coins was produced by a famous Roman general to pay his troops before a battle in which he was notoriously defeated, eventually leading to the formation of the Roman Empire. These coins featured a galley (war ship) on one side, and a Roman standard (Aquila, an eagle) on the other.

Name this general, the coins’ most common denomination, and the battle that lead to the general’s downfall.

ANSWER: Mark Antony, denarius, Battle of Actium (31 BC). Octavian's (later Caesar Augustus) victory in this naval battle set in motion end of the Roman Republic and beginning of the Roman Empire.

Question #2 | April 19
Money of the United States was changed forever by the American Civil War (1861-1865). Federal paper money and fractional currency were issued for the first time, a wide range of tokens and scrip was created, and the new 2-cent piece became the first U.S. coin to feature the motto "In God We Trust."

When the war began five U.S. mints produced federal coinage. Three were captured by the Confederacy and eventually ceased operation (one reopened as a U.S. mint well after the war).

Name these three former U.S. mints.
To find this answer and learn more about the ANA collection, visit our Virtual Exhibits page.

ANSWER: Charlotte, North Carolina; Dahlonega, Georgia; New Orleans, Louisiana. The New Orleans Mint reopened in 1879 and produced coins until 1909.

Question #3 | April 20

"You call these baubles, well, it is with baubles that men are led... Do you think that you would be able to make men fight by reasoning? Never. That is good only for the scholar in his study. The soldier needs glory, distinctions, and rewards." -- Napoleon Bonaparte

Millions of military decoration medals were awarded honoring service during World War I. Every combatant nation had medals for acts of heroism and achievements, outstanding service, and participation in specific battles, campaigns or theaters.

France created a military decoration in 1915 to recognize French and allied soldiers for valorous service during World War I (and later during World War II and other conflicts). It was awarded to individuals, military units, and cities or towns that were destroyed or attacked. This medal became the third ranking French military decoration after the Légion d'honneur (highest civil and military award) and the Médaille militaire (highest military-only decoration).

What is the name of this military decoration medal (pictured)?

ANSWER: The Croix de guerre. This medal was awarded to soldiers from all Allied nations, including the famous U.S. "Harlem Hellfighters."

Question #4 | April 21

One fascinating way to learn about the impact of World War I is through the medallic art it inspired. Medals were created by artists from every combatant nation to commemorate battles, military leaders, casualties and destruction. Political messages were also a popular subject, as artists used stark imagery or humor to criticize different aspects of the war.

One organization with a huge impact on World War I was the subject of a large number of medals. Founded in 1863, during the war it arranged for the exchange of over 200,000 prisoners of war; transferred mail, money and aid packages to soldiers on both sides; gathered records that enabled over two million soldiers to be reunited with their displaced families; and sent delegates to inspect more than 500 prisoner-or-war camps.

What is the name of this still-relevant organization?

ANSWER: The International Committee of the Red Cross. The organization was awarded Nobel Peace Prizes in 1917, 1944 and 1963.

Question #5 | April 22

World War II was the most costly and destructive war in history. More than 60 million people perished as the world's political, economic and social framework was forever changed.

The war saw new issues of coins, paper money, tokens and scrip, and since the war ended in 1945 thousands of commemorative coins and medals have been created.

The United States Government altered the design on certain silver certificates and Federal Reserve notes during World War II. In the event these special notes were captured by German or Japanese forces, they would be demonetized by the U.S., making them useless to the enemy.

Name the two geographic locations these altered notes were distributed.

Explore the ANA's collection here.

ANSWER: Hawaii and North Africa. The Hawaii overprint Federal Reserve notes were issued by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and the North Africa silver certificates (pictured) featured a yellow seal.

Medallic Remembrances of World War I

World War I (1914-1918), also called “The Great War,” or “the War to End all Wars,” forever changed history. Unprecedented bloodshed on the battlefield was accompanied by social upheaval and revolution as ancient empires toppled and new nations were founded.

One of the most illuminating windows into understanding this period is through medallic art. Medals have been a popular form of artistic, commemorative and historical expression since the 15th century, so naturally they became important for expressing the events and emotions of World War I: patriotism, triumph, outrage, horror, loss, nostalgia and defeat. Medals were produced by all combatant nations during and after the war. There are several iconic medals remembered today, such as the iconic Lusitania medal, but the vast majority have been forgotten. This page presents many of these medals and gives a sense of what artists felt about the terrible calamity they experienced.

Click here to read the full article on our blog.

WWI Articles from The Numismatist

two foreign coins on top of a black and white photo

The Guns of August

Money Museum displays will be incorporated into a large World War I exhibit

READ ARTICLE

World War I Siberian Prisoner-of-War Camp Paper Money, 1914-1920

READ ARTICLE

Felix Schlag and the Great War

Historic documents shed light on the World War I service of the Jefferson nickel designer

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Tools of Propaganda and Power

During the First World War, Germany used coins and paper money to curry favor and secure control of Poland

READ ARTICLE

Family Feud

How World War I changed the crowns of eleven royal relatives

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The Medallion That Fueled a War

A German medal satirizing the 1915 sinking of the British ship Lusitania backfired

READ ARTICLE

Armentières and Its Mademoiselle

A simple tune from World War i pays tribute to a French town's most popular resident

READ ARTICLE

black and white photo of soldier with foreign paper money on top

Money Museum Celebrates National Coin Week -- Free Event April 22!

The American Numismatic Association (ANA) and its Money Museum will celebrate National Coin Week, April 16-22, with an array of activities, including an open house with free admission and special events on Saturday, April 22 from 10:30 am to 5 p.m.

Free admission to the Money Museum, located at 818 N. Cascade Ave, adjacent to Colorado College and the Fine Arts Center. The museum's four galleries include the most complete collection of U.S. gold coins ever assembled; an exhibit dedicated to the history of money, including examples from ancient times; an exhibit focused on the history, ideals and pageantry of the Olympics; and a kid’s zone.
Mini-Mint demonstrations throughout the day. All attendees can receive a freshly-minted National Coin Week medalette.
Attendees will be challenged to answer numismatic questions 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.