National Coin Week’s 2012 theme decided

National Coin Week’s theme in 2012 will be “Change in Money: Cowries to Credit Cards.” The special week will begin April 15 and end April 21.

The American Numismatic Association made the announcement of its theme choice Nov. 16.

To celebrate the congressionally sanctioned week, the ANA will host a variety of fun, education-based activities online and at the Edward C. Rochette Money Museum in Colorado Springs, Colo., the organization said. Events and activities will focus on how money has changed and the innovations that have allowed those changes to occur.

“Money has gone through some amazing changes in its history,” said Andy Dickes, ANA National Coin Week coordinator. “Where we exchanged cowry shells for goods and services thousands of years ago, today we swipe a plastic card or use PayPal. From the first coins and paper money to the steam coin press and polymer notes, the transformation of money is a fascinating journey.”

Learn how to grade your U.S. coins quickly and accurately.

Activities and resources for the 89th annual National Coin Week include a video scavenger hunt for gold coins and other prizes, a club trivia challenge where ANA member clubs compete for prizes and bragging rights, a promotional kit for clubs, the opening of a new museum exhibit, “The History of Money,” on April 12 and an open house at the Money Museum, scheduled for April 20, which will include free admission, activities for children and adults and the minting of the 2012 National Coin Week medallette in the museum’s Mini-Mint.

For more information, or to request club promotional materials, visit www.money.org, email ncw@money.org, or call (719) 482-9814.