Belgian Congo – Congo – Zaire 1887–1999

This is one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of the Belgian Congo coinage, and some interesting or important medals, that I know to exist. Many of the coins and medals here are the finest graded and some are extremely rare to possibly unique.

Trajan’s Coins

To show the different denominations of the Roman coins of the Emperor Trajan.

Celebrating Clifford Mishler: 70 Years As an ANA Member

This exhibit will feature a collection of items relating to Clifford Mishler to celebrate his 70th year as a member of the Association.

Of the Greatest of Emperors, Here Is All That Remains

Satirical Medals of Napoleon III, 1870–1871.

National Bank Medals

National bank collectors are familiar with the hometown notes and the varied bank title layouts on the $5 Brown Back, or the coveted red seal notes issued by the National banks. What is not widely known is the national banks also issued medals. The medals issued by the banks were self-promoting and celebrated various milestone achievements by the banks, such as hundred-year bank anniversaries or a new branch or bank location. The medals selected in this exhibit were picked for their unique design, quality and bank theme.

Isle of Man Cat Bullion Coins

The Pobjoy Mint issued cat bullion coins for the Isle of Man from 1988 to 2016, and each year sported a different design and breed of house cat. This exhibit shows the width and breadth of the series, using four different type sets: one of each obverse portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, one of each finish, one of each denomination, and one of each year/design/breed.

A 1918 $2 STAR Battleship Note – From the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

The viewer will learn some history about the purpose of the Battleship note, and why the note is rare.

National Personifications in Numismatics

For over 2,000 years, nations have created allegorical persons to represent them. A “national personification” typically shows how a nation sees itself and how it wants other nations to see it. A national personification can also serve as a unifying symbol for its people, particularly during times of national crisis. There are also instances of one nation adopting a personification created for it by another nation. How a nation adopts a personification created for it by another nation can tell us much about its national identity and its perception of itself. Many national personifications have been immortalized on coins, paper money, tokens, and medals. The numismatic record not only depicts many of these personifications, but it also shows how they changed over the years. This exhibit presents a numismatic gallery of four national personifications, describing the origins of those personifications and how they have evolved over time.

24 Centuries of the Denarius and Its Legacy

The coin known as the denarius served as the foundation of Roman economic power for more than 450 years. Rome abandoned the coin more than 17 centuries ago, but the denarius lives on in our cultural memory. Over the centuries many nations have minted “denarial” coins—coins based on the denarius but which were known to users in their own languages by a name that came directly from “denarius.”

Numismatic Stories of Peace and Treaties

When given the opportunity to choose, most people would choose to live in peace rather than otherwise. All too often, however, those in charge who actually have the power to make and enforce such choices will, instead, choose “otherwise.” But when peace does come at last, it is nearly always cause for celebration. This exhibit presents a curated selection of the 16 coins and medals that tell different stories of peace and of the treaties that (sometimes) bring about peace.

A Library of the Works of David R. Sear

For over 60 years, collectors of the ancient coins have looked to British numismatist David R. Sear for education and guidance in building their collections. Sear’s books on Roman, Greek and Byzantine coins have made what was once a “hobby of kings” accessible to commoners. A key feature in his work is the way in which he enriches the basic numismatic information he provides by placing each coin in its historical and cultural context. This exhibit is intended as a tribute to Sear and his work, and displays a copy of each numismatic book he has written or co-authored.

Inspiring a Revolution through Money: A Selection of Continental Currency

This exhibit explores how Continental Currency helped finance the American Revolution while also communicating ideas that inspired and unified the colonies. Through symbolic imagery and Latin mottos, these notes conveyed messages of perseverance, justice, unity, and resistance at a pivotal moment in American history. This is presented in recognition of the United States Semiquincentennial celebration.

U-Boats in America: Karl Goetz’s K-185 Medal

This exhibit explores Germany’s dramatic 1916 U-boat visit to Newport, Rhode Island, and the attacks on allied shipping that followed. Centered on a satirical medal by German artist Karl Goetz, it examines the visit itself, and the American and German reactions, shifting public opinion, and growing strain placed on U.S. neutrality during World War I.

1826–2026: The Numismatic Bicentennial of the Completion of the Erie Canal

Examples of all known types of medals in all metals, including original boxes; other ephemera; and exonumia associated with the completion events.

Mary, the Divine Protector of Constantinople as Seen on Six Byzantine Coins

This exhibit will show how Byzantine coinage promoted the divine importance of Mary as a protector and intercessor.

Coins: A Link to Historic Literature

This exhibit will show coins featuring several mythological and historical people and their relationship to significant literature.

Thirteen Denominations of Bronze Coins from Ancient Egypt

Ptolemy II (reigned 282–246 BC) reformed the bronze weight system and began the process of moving the Egyptian economy to a bronze monetary system by minting a large range of bronze coin denominations. His successor, Ptolemy III (reigned 246–222 BC), continued the process, minting additional denominations.

The New Zealand Coinage of King George the V

A focus on establishing New Zealand’s own coinage.

Elongated Coins of Crawford County Ohio

To showcase the elongated coins and corresponding tourist attractions in Crawford County, Ohio.

Mary Ellen Withrow Change Maker

Highlight of the career of Mary Ellen Withrow, 40th Treasurer of the United States.

Coinage of The Irish Free State

A new symbol for a newly free nation. Showcasing the Barnyard design on the new coinage.

The King as Hero: The Heroic Bust Tetradrachm of Eukratides I of Baktria

The powerful Greek king of Baktria, Eukratides I, expanded his realm by crossing the Hindu Kush and conquering other Greek territorial possessions in India. Following these victories, he introduced new coin portrait types. The most dramatic of these depictions shows the king’s bust heroically nude from behind. This exhibit examines this rare coin in detail, the first coin to depict a king in this guise, and places it in its historical context.

Exploring the Pittsburgh Zoo Through Elongated Penny Machines

Pittsburgh is one of six major zoo and aquarium hybrids in the United States. I feel it would be such a great knowledge to share this with every visitor in Pittsburgh, residents and visitors. Honestly, I did not even know that there were zoo and aquarium combinations. And then I looked into my collection, as I was there in the last coin show in Pittsburgh and, voila, I had few sets of the current elongated coins and 1 retired coin. So putting together the exhibition with material what I had and some what I would gather, makes me so excited.

Minting Her Presence: Women and the Symbolism of Indian Coinage

I wanted to honor women and their accomplishments on Indian coins. I had earlier tried to add Ancient, Medieval, Colonial and Modern all in one exhibit. This time I would like to focus and resubmit my research only on Modern coins. There have been significant women who had stood for rights, power and has been in authority. Over the time, watching them being honored gave me immense pride and joy. As recent as in May 2025, the PM of India had announced recognition to a female figure. It would be a great honor to present to the collectors my research and display.

The Ducat of Venice

In the Middle Ages, Venice created a gold coin, the ducat, to facilitate trade throughout its maritime empire. So successful was this coin that it was struck, with essentially the same design, for over five centuries. This exhibit traces the history of that coin and of the Republic of Venice. It presents one coin from each of the six centuries in which it was minted to illustrate the rising and falling fortunes of the ducat and its parent city.

From Design to Celebration: Congressional Gold Medals (CGMs)

Congressional Gold Medals (CGMs) have been issued for over 250 years. Yet, CGMs are not well understood by the public and many in the numismatic community. Focusing on two CGMs, involving the Harlem Hellfighters of World War I and the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion of World War II, this presentation will provide the historical background, the design process, and celebration involving the descendants of these heroes. Ultimately, this exhibit provides support that CGMs are among the most important vehicles to share phenomenal achievements by individuals, groups, or unforgettable historic events.

“This Do in Remembrance of Me” Communion Tokens: Tickets to the Lord’s Supper

This exhibit will explore the little-known practice of issuing (mostly) metal tokens as tickets to the Protestant sacrament of communion. It will provide historical data on the use, manufacture, and style of this now mostly bygone custom. It will include dozens of actual tokens, as well as token moulds, photographic reprints, and extensive informational descriptions and narrative.

Several Congressional Medals Awarded to Military Heroes of the American Revolution

The exhibit will display and describe several Congressional Medals awarded to American Revolutionary War heroes.

Bay State Mining Company – A 30-Year Census

One of many challenges for those who exhibit obsolete notes, or mining scrip, is to confirm and report the rarity of items presented. Unlike national currency or coinage, mintage statistics were not kept in government records. Perhaps such numbers existed in the respective company records but archival retrieval of such data from mid-19th century operations is improbable if not impossible.

The results of a personal challenge to identify the rarity of Bay State Mining Company scrip remaining from their Civil War era distribution are presented in this exhibit. As Bay State Mining Company scrip were found at shows, in collections, while doing publication research or simply searching the internet, the data was recorded. The summary census spreadsheet is presented with trends and various information discovered during this detailed scrip study of an Eagle River, Michigan copper mining company.

Rarities are presented for each of the 20 varieties printed and confirmed by the specific line-item data.

Thomas Macdonough – Hero of the War of 1812

Illustrates the commemoration of the heroics of Thomas Macdonough, whose victory at the Battle of Lake Champlain (Plattsburgh) on September 11, 1814 brought an end to the War of 1812, through medals and obsolete currency from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Southern Africa Currency – 1999

The exhibit displays currency from the eight southern-most African countries. The exhibitor spent 1999 working in those countries and these were the notes in circulation that year.

Get Your Kicks – A Numismatic Cruise on the Mother Road – U.S. Highway Route 66

U.S. Highway Route 66 is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026. For almost a century, Route 66 has been an important part of American history. This exhibit features a collection of coins, medals, tokens, awards and other exonumia associated with the “Mother Road” and the many attractions along the route. No other road has captured the American spirit of US Route 66.

A Selected Numismatic Literature Collection

The United States Government first took over production of American paper money for just a brief time near the end of the Revolutionary War. Fortunately, things worked out and we won. But large unsatisfied debts remained owed, to many very loyal American Patriots, and government paper money was not trusted.

Then, Americans did willingly accept government issued coinage with intrinsic value from gold and silver content. But, that left a wide open private paper money market for about 80 years until the huge expenses of the Civil War once again required that the government issue paper money.

The selections shown highlight some of the more interesting and unusual examples of “The Literature causing paper money or the paper money causing Literature to be written.” Then, in 1861, private paper money ended.

In Honor of America 250, a Collection of Flags on Elongated Coins

This exhibit is in honor of America 250 or the 2026 Semiquincentennial, which commemorates and celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The journey to nationhood began with the 13 original colonies but the union grew to include 50 states, the District of Columbia and the territory of Puerto Rico. It is a collection of 52 elongated coins, each showing an image of one of the 50 states, the DC Federal District and the territory of Puerto Rico.

A Monumental Change in American Silver Coinage

To exhibit selected specimens of U.S. Pattern Coins from the 1964 to 1965 transition change in American silver coinage to finally using nickel clad planchets. Many rare experimental pieces are shown from the 3 finalists in producing planchets: International Nickel, E. I. Du Pont and the U.S. Mint. Also the official government issued final experiments report book and a contemporary coin operated vending machine coin acceptor/rejector. Plus metal bars and other related specimens.

Native American Peace Treaties in Numismatics

This exhibit will showcase a few coins that commemorate historical peace treaties between Native American tribes and the United States government.

Letters From 1909 Sent by Mint Headquarters to Miscellaneous Recipients

In 1909 the Director of the United States Mint issued responses by letter to miscellaneous recipients from the office at the Bureau of the Mint Headquarters in Washington, D.C., all of which are preserved in the National Archives. This presentation walks the viewer through the numismatic history of the United States in the early 20th century through a selection of informative, prescient and sometimes amusing letters extracted from the over one-thousand responses issued in the year 1909.

Coins in Film and Television

This exhibit walks the viewer through the use of coins in film and television through the years, with emphasis on coins that serve to advance the plot or which have served as plot devices in and of themselves.

The 1705 “Beard” Tax Tokens of Peter I, The Great

After visiting London in 1698, Peter the Great of Russia was impressed by the clean shaven men there. Upon his return, he tried to force the men of Russia to shave their beards. When the majority of the men refused, Peter then enacted a tax on men with facial hair. The tax varied depending on the status of each person.

A copper token was issued to those being taxed and it was to be carried with them at all times. Failure to produce the token if stopped resulted in a fine and/or arrest. Several attempts were made to enforce this tax between 1698 and 1724. However, only the tax of 1705 and its tokens was fairly successful.

Viewers of this exhibit will see two original tax tokens, one regular and the other gold plated. Additionally, a rare copper novodel (official copy) and an extremely rare silver novodel will be featured.

“Our Lives, Our Fortunes and Our Sacred Honor”

As many know, on July 4th, 1776, 56 extremely brave men signed our final founding document, the Declaration of Independence. The 13 American Colonies were now united, if only on paper, and went on to successfully become the United States of America.

With much popular interest in the approaching 1976 Bicentennial, the exhibitor began collecting Revolutionary War numismatic material, documents and related items. Now, with 50+ years of collecting, this exhibit presents seldom seen Colonial and Continental currency, documents, newspapers, relics, coins and medals to help teach viewers real and important American history.

Even a 13 Colony collection of Colonial Currency is still possible since wartime depreciation left much numismatic material near worthless, but much still was saved for historic reasons.

The Irish Gun Money of James II, 1689–1690

When James II, King of England, was forcibly removed from the throne in 1689, he was determined to regain his crown. He sought help first from Louis XIV of France and then the people of Ireland, who still supported him.

A Cabinet Member of James suggested issuing a non-precious metal coin to be later redeemed, with interest, in silver following his victory. The metal chosen to be used was brass, obtained mostly from melting old pots and church bells. Additionally, some decommissioned cannons were melted. Thus the term “Gun Money.”

On display in this exhibit are the six types of coins issued. In addition to the Sixpence and Crown, there were Shillings and Half-Crowns, both issued in large and small sizes.

Although James never regained the throne and the coins were never redeemed, they were the first form of IOU to be used. Something still used in the 21st century.

A Selection of Ancient Minting Errors, Oddities, and Curiosities

In this exhibit, the viewer will learn about the various types of errors that occurred during the ancient minting process. There are examples of brockages (both obverse and reverse), dramatic double strikes, flip over strikes, blank obverse or reverse, etc.

While all of these may have happened accidentally, there are a few pieces that defy logic and may have been aided by the mint workers. Each of these coins is unique for sure.

This is an ongoing project first started in 1983, with close to a dozen coins having been added since 2024.

American Grown with Polish Roots

Polish heritage through elongated coins.

Celebrating America through Elongates

Elongated coins created in celebration of America’s Bicentennial and Semiquincentennial.

Capturing Diana

To demonstrate the challenges of engraving the likeness of the late Princess Diana with fidelity.

U.S. Presidents on U.S. Coins

This exhibit presents U.S. Presidents that are on U.S. coins. It includes the first time a President was displayed on the penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half dollar, and dollar coins. It also includes the entire Presidential Dollar Series.

Yesterday’s Allegheny County Pennsylvania Elongated Coins

To present all elongated coins attributed to Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in the catalog “Yesterday’s Elongateds.”

Celebrating Freedom and Independence – Remembering the Bicentennial

As our nation celebrates 250 years of Freedom and Independence, this exhibit examines United States coinage issued for the American Bicentennial anniversary in 1976. To celebrate the nation’s two hundredth birthday, the United States Mint produced a series of popular circulating and collector coins. One of the most visible and lasting legacies of the 1976 Bicentennial celebration came in the form of pocket change.

Celebrating Freedom and Independence – The Centennial Celebration

In 1876, the United States hosted the country’s first World’s Fair to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of the nation. Held in Philadelphia, the anniversary event was known as “The Philadelphia Centennial Celebration.” This exhibit explores the national event and focuses on the large (57 mm) 1876 US Mint Centennial Commemorative Medal.

Liberty Centennial Gold

In 2016 the United States Mint celebrated the 100th anniversary of three famous silver coins with the release of three gold coins. The Liberty Centennial Gold Coin Program used the artistry, designs, and approximate dimensions of the United States silver coins that were first issued in 1916: the Winged Liberty or “Mercury” dime, the Standing Liberty quarter, and the Walking Liberty half dollar.

First Wife: A Standard Set of Denarii Struck for Empress Julia Cornelia Paula

This exhibit examines how Julia Paula’s silver denarii functioned as imperial propaganda during her short marriage to Roman emperor Elagabalus. Although historical sources provide limited information about her life, the coins themselves serve as primary evidence of her public role as empress. Their portraiture and reverse imagery project ideals of legitimacy, harmony, and dynastic continuity central to the Severan court.

Last Years of Caracalla: Numismatic Propaganda and the Path to the East

This exhibit explores the final years of Roman Emperor Caracalla through the lens of imperial coinage. Using imperial and provincial coins as primary historical evidence, it examines how Caracalla employed evolving portraiture and divine imagery to project strength and legitimize his rule during his campaigns in the East.

Classic Silver Commemoratives 1892–1954

The purpose of this exhibit is to share the rich historical appeal that commemorative coins possess. They have been issued to honor a broad cross-section of the people, places and events that have shaped our nation’s history.

Medals of the Hall of Fame for Great Americans at New York University

The purpose of this exhibit is to demonstrate the New York University recognition of great Americans in medallic art.

The Kings and Queens of England through Maundy Money

The purpose of this exhibit is to demonstrate the uniquely British ceremony of Maundy which is held each year on Holy Thursday, thus Maundy Thursday. Charles II, in 1660 begins the tradition. Follow the kings and queens from then even till today with King Charles.

When Art and Numismatics Collide

The purpose of this exhibit is to demonstrate that art and numismatics are related. This exhibit shows local Pittsburgh artist Andy Warhol with his famous two dollar bill, as well as artist Peter Max working to save the Statue of Liberty. This as we celebrate 250 years.

An Overview of the Liberty Seated Coinage

The Liberty Seated design was used on almost all US silver coins from 1837–1891. It saw us from the time when the US was backward compared to Europe, to being an economic colossus. It saw us through the Mexican-American and Civil Wars. It saw us through the age of invention. In short, it was in everyone’s pockets through a truly transformative time in our history.

The coins shown here are from the exhibitor’s US type set, which he assembled over the span of twelve years. The series is so complex that by itself it makes a third of the exhibitor’s copper/nickel/silver type set running from 1800–1964. Walk with me as we explore that complexity and gain a deeper appreciation of US monetary history.

In Loving Memory: Death of the Cent

Commemorating the US Cent coin.

An Incredible Collection of Seated Liberty Dime Die Caps from the Carson City Mint

This is an amazing mint error discovery from the Carson City mint. Unbelievably, four Liberty Seated dime die caps escaped the mint together! There are three obverse die caps and one reverse die cap. It is very likely that one of the three obverse die caps fits together with the reverse die cap, creating a mated pair.

Major mint errors from Carson City are extremely rare and these four die caps rank among the finest known mint errors in the Seated Dime series and from the Carson City mint! I wanted to share this important numismatic discovery with the attendees of the ANA convention.

The Story of the Forty and Eight Gratitude Train Told in Medals

To tell the story of the Gratitude Trains following WWII.

Imperial Achaemenid Coinage: The Dawn of Bi-Metallic Numismatics

The Achaemenid Empire (circa 550–330 BCE) stands as a pivotal civilization in the history of ancient coinage. After acquiring monetary expertise upon conquering Lydia, the Achaemenids established the world’s first systematic bi-metallic currency and pioneered what would become the most prolific mass-production coinage operation in the ancient world through their parallel minting of silver sigloi and gold Darics.

This exhibition presents the complete chronological arc of imperial Achaemenid coinage in unprecedented detail, allowing visitors to witness the full evolution of this Persian monetary system from its inception through the fall of the empire. Every Carradice type in silver is represented alongside nearly every known type in gold, creating a visual and historical narrative never before assembled in one place, with rarities not even available in the collections of the Smithsonian or British Museum.

Many of the coins on display are plate coins featured in an upcoming Classical Numismatic Group (“CNG”) publication and have undergone the first-ever comprehensive scientific analysis of Achaemenid Imperial coinage, conducted at Argonne National Laboratory through a $1.5 million U.S. Department of Energy grant—revealing previously unknown metallurgical insights into composition, production techniques, and the administrative control of precious metals across the far-flung Persian empire. This exhibition offers historians, numismatists, and the general public a transformative perspective on how one of history’s greatest civilizations shaped ancient commerce and power through coinage.

One Thing Led to Another …

Seeing that there are numerous firms that slab and/or authenticate and/or grade coins, I intend to show that there is quite a wide variety of different coin slabs and show the attendees a variety of these different types.

Fayette County Pennsylvania National Bank Currency

To educate the public on national currency from Fayette County, Pennsylvania. To give a background on county history, through the lens of the currency that circulated in 1935 and before. To depict old checks, bank bags, etc., that bear the names of the bank institutions they came from.

The Anatomy of U.S. Error Notes: A BEP Production-Stage Collection

This exhibit explains how U.S. paper money errors originate by following the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s production sequence from raw substrate through final cutting. Each production stage introduces specific mechanical and procedural risks that can generate distinct, diagnosable error types.

By arranging error notes according to the stage in which each flaw occurred, the exhibit shows why particular failures happen, how to identify them correctly, and what they reveal about BEP processes. Through representative examples across all six major production stages, the exhibit aims to educate viewers about both the technical foundations and the numismatic significance of U.S. error notes.

The Shawmut Bank and the Boston Bank Consolidations of 1898

The Shawmut Bank consolidation of ten national banks in Boston was the largest and most significant event of the time and a precursor of the merger mania that followed in the new century. The exhibit will focus on the Shawmut National Bank and the successor National Shawmut Bank.

Included in the exhibit are the highest gem graded $5 Brown Backs from both Shawmut National Bank charters. Also, in addition to the notes, a history of the bank and its presidents, and bank ephemera including the bank’s iconic Shawmut Indian that was a symbol of the bank for over 100 years, first appearing on a Shawmut Bank $1 obsolete bank note from 1850. The historic bank interior was featured and filmed in the classic 1968 crime thriller “The Thomas Crown Affair” starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway, all adding to a bank with a rich and storied history.

Remembering the Gentleman in the Blue Blazer

This exhibit remembers the gentleman Ray Dillard. It explains a brief history of Mr. Dillard’s life and his accomplishments in the numismatic community.

Monograph of Charles T. Steigerwalt

This exhibit shows Mr. Steigerwalt as a numismatist. He was a dealer, publisher of various papers and booklets, and also an auctioneer. He was also a researcher and the authenticator of coins for the American Numismatic Association.

The Shaday Amulet

This exhibit shows a selection of Jewish amulets whose inscriptions include, often in their entirety, the Hebrew name of Shaday for God. Most of these inscriptions are engraved, on a coin or blank.

Feline Elongated Type Set

Elongated coins sport myriads of different designs. Zoos and wildlife parks frequently sell elongateds with wildlife themes as inexpensive souvenirs. This exhibit shows more than two dozen such elongateds portraying felines. It shows one of each identifiable species, subspecies, and genetic variation, explaining the feline portrayed as well as exploring the history of the issuer as it relates to felines, and describing the coin itself.

Expo ’70 Fair in Osaka, Japan: Progress and Harmony for Mankind

This exhibit describes the historical significance of Asia’s first world’s fair, Expo ’70 in Osaka, Japan, and shows and describes a variety of artifacts from the fair or commemorating the fair.