ANA Show Makes Successful Comeback

Author:
Maggie Pahl
Publish date:
Aug 27, 2021

A total of 7,255 people attended the 2021 ANA World’s Fair of Money, held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill., a suburb of Chicago.

For more photos, check out the gallery at the end of this article.

Everyone loves a good comeback story, and it’s safe to say the 2021 American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money in Chicago was just that. After a 2020 hiatus due to COVID, the show, held Aug. 10-14 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, was by all accounts a success.

A glance around the bourse confirmed that things were different this year. Booths were more spread-out, many dealers and attendees were wearing masks, and there was a noticeable absence of international mints and dealers, as well as the U.S. Mint.

However, those looking to buy and sell were not deterred. In fact, it was quite the opposite. All reports from dealers were positive, with a few even commenting that it was the best show they’ve ever had. The only complaint was that dealers’ inventories were running low, causing a scramble to buy more.

Show organizers echoed the positive reports.

“We were pleased with the event and the attendance, especially considering international collectors and mints were unable to attend due to COVID travel restrictions,” said Deborah Muehleisen, ANA marketing and communications director. “Numismatists were happy to be able to gather in-person again, and dealers seemed especially pleased with the brisk business.”

Total show attendance was 7,255 people. The bourse consisted of 317 companies, 25 clubs, 400 booths and 1,073 dealers and assistants.

Beyond the brisk buying and selling, show activities abounded. Featured exhibits included the mammoth Tyrant Collection, the 1933 double eagle display and the “Ship of Gold” bell display. All were popular attractions for show-goers.

U.S. Mint Emily Damstra, the artist behind the new Type II silver American Eagle reverse design, was in attendance. She signed a 30-by-42-inch canvas print of her work – an eagle in flight and an eagle perched – and donated it to the ANA. Damstra has designed more than 40 coins and medals for the U.S. Mint and the Royal Canadian Mint.

An entire space was dedicated to competitive exhibits, and attendees could be seen taking their time to read and admire the wide variety of topics and displays.

The official auctioneers of the show were Heritage Auctions and Stack’s Bowers Galleries. While auction lot viewing took place on-site, the auctions themselves were held by the firms after the show.

For more recap details, visit www.money.org/worldsfairofmoney.

2021 Chicago World's Fair of Money

The jaw-dropping Tyrant Collection of all U.S. types and sub-types of circulation and proof strikes from 1793-1964 – and valued at $100 million – was a must-see for many ANA attendees.

A steady flow of visitors of all ages eagerly viewed the extraordinary Tyrant Collection of U.S. Type Coins exhibit at the World’s Fair of Money. (Image courtesy Donn Pearlman.)

Los Angeles dealer Ira Goldberg (left), who has assisted the anonymous collector who owns the extensive Tyrant Collection, shows some of the highlights to reporter Burt Constable of the Daily Herald newspaper during the set-up of the $100 million U.S. Type Coins exhibit Aug. 9, the eve of the Chicago World’s Fair of Money. (Image courtesy Donn Pearlman.)

Numismatic News Associate Editor Sophia Mattimiro on the bourse of the 2021 World’s Fair of Money in Chicago – her first coin show.

Scientist Bob Evans, a key member of the missions that found and recovered the sunken treasure from the fabled “Ship of Gold,” the SS Central America, rang the retrieved 268-pound ship’s bell twice a day at the 2021 Chicago World’s Fair of Money in honor of the 425 passengers and crew who died when the ship sank in a hurricane in 1857. (Image courtesy Donn Pearlman.)

The Numismatic Guaranty Corporation booth was a popular stop for show attendees. NGC and its paper money counterpart, PMG, offered grading services throughout the show. Professional Coin Grading Service was also in attendance with on-site grading specials.

Tables lined with display cases offered exhibits that were equal parts dazzling and educational. An exhibit titled “2019 Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Coins” includes the Coin of the Year award-winning 5-ounce proof silver dollar commemorating the lunar landing.

American Eagle coin designer Emily Damstra signs a canvas print of her artwork and donates it to the American Numismatic Association.

Receiving the canvas print signed by Emily Damstra are (from left) Col. Steve Ellsworth, outgoing ANA president; Damstra; Kim Kiick, ANA executive director; and Dr. Ralph Ross, newly elected ANA president. (Image courtesy Donn Pearlman.)