Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint John Mercanti will give a talk to Young Numismatists at 2 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists convention to be held at the Monroeville Convention Center in suburban Pittsburgh.
His career at the Mint spans 35 years and he has designed some of the most interesting coins of the modern era, including the Olympic $10 gold piece of 1984, which was the first U.S. gold coin struck by the United States in 51 years. Its popularity helped open the door to further gold issues by the U.S. Mint.
Mercanti will show those in attendance how coins are designed.
Some lucky Young Numismatists present will receive coins that he has designed, PAN President Kathy Sarosi says.
Bourse chairman John Paul Sarosi expects 125 dealers to set up tables at the three-day show, Oct. 23-25.
He notes that the main entrance to the south wing of the convention center is a covered drop-off.
Admission is free and there is free parking.
Public attendance is expected to be over 3,200 people. A raffle will be held. Raffle tickets will be available next to the registration table. Top prize will be a one-ounce gold American Eagle now worth over $1,000.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to acquire an elongated done by Ray Dillard, with a design based on the current wooden nickel.
Young Numismatist highlights include the Coins 4 Kids program at 2-4 p.m. Oct. 24 and an auction using PAN money during that time. The opportunity to fill coin albums from piles on tables will be open on both Saturday and Sunday at the PAN Kid Zone. Any YN who brings a 1941-1974 Lincoln album completed at prior shows will be given a Jefferson nickel album to start filling at this show, Kathy Sarosi says.
Meetings will be held Oct. 24 by the Pennsylvania Area Token Collectors Organization at 10:30 a.m. and Early American Coppers members will gather at 4 p.m.
Mercanti will be the guest speaker at a 7 p.m. dinner Oct. 24 at the nearby Holiday Inn on Mosside Boulevard.
Fractional gold American Eagle coins will be prizes for exhibit winners and recipients of the Clarion Literary Award.
For more information, contact John Paul Sarosi at 106 Market St., Johnstown, PA 15901. Telephone number is (814) 535-5766. Visit the Web site at www.pancoins.org.
