ANA Eagle to Debut in Rosemont

The American Numismatic Association and Minted Assets have joined forces to create a special program: the first-ever decimalized legal-tender coins issued to mark the Chicago ANA World’s Fair of Money® (WFM)! The coins also honor Chicago, the place where the ANA was born in 1891 and the host city for many conventions.

First ANA Show Eagle

For decades, the ANA has issued special Panda show medals to mark ANA conventions, which are popular collectibles. Collectors will have the opportunity to purchase the first ANA show eagles at the next WFM in Rosemont, Illinois (August 6-10, 2024). On both sides, they sport stunning, original designs by acclaimed American coin designer Joel Iskowitz. They will be available in silver, gold, and silver-plated versions with limited mintages.

The 2024 Ascension Island coins depict a proud American bald eagle flying over Chicago’s Cloud Gate sculpture (also known as “The Bean”) on the reverse. As Minted Assets notes, “The majestic eagle is shown holding a rose in its talons, which symbolizes the City of Rosemont.” An image of an ANA medal depicting its founder, Dr. George F. Heath, appears in front of Cloud Gate. 

Dr. Heath organized the first ANA convention, which was held in Chicago in 1891. Former U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber created the image of him on the coin for a galvano in the early 1900s. The image was later used to develop the ANA medal.

Nomisma

The obverse features an allegorical figure called Nomisma, the Greek word for money, seated facing left and holding the WFM logo that features the reverse of a Fugio cent superimposed on the world. E PLURIBUS UNUM (“Out of Many, One”) is inscribed above. A small coat of arms of Ascension Islands appears within a second circle that includes the weight, metal purity, country, and year of issue. NOMISMA and the denomination appears in the lower left portion.

The inscription E PLURIBUS UNUM captures the ANA and WFM; the longstanding goal is to unite collectors. Dr. Heath founded the ANA and organized the first major convention to facilitate communication between collectors in different parts of the country and world at a time when that was difficult.

The 2024 ANA World’s Fair of Money Eagle

Minted Assets will issue three versions of the coins:

• A $1 silver-plated base-metal coin with a reverse-proof finish, a mintage of 1,000 coins, a weight of approximately 25g, and a diameter of 38.6mm. The Osborne Mint, the oldest private mint in the United States, struck these coins, which will be housed in a coin card. The first 200 people who visit Table 730 at the show each day will receive a free example of this version. A strict limit of one coin per person will be in effect.
• A $5 .999-fine silver proof, with a mintage of 600 coins, a weight of 1 ounce, and a diameter of 38.6mm, is priced at $129.
• A $100 .999-fine gold proof with a mintage of 120, weight of 1 ounce, and a diameter of 32mm. These are priced at $3,925.

The UK’s Commonwealth Mint struck both proof versions. They also come in a special package with a reversible insert that can hold a graded example.  If your coin is graded at the show, Numismatic Guaranty Company will provide you with a unique label.

During the show, the coin’s designer, Joel Iskowitz, will be at Minted Asset’s Table 730 to sign certificates of authenticity. ANA President Thomas J. Uram and Minted Assets President Chang Bullock will join him as their schedules allow. 

“Classic art is not confined to the past; it is timeless.”

An Inspiring Design

Iskowitz gave me a fascinating look at how he created these designs. His widely admired motifs for the United States Mint and other mints often feature goddesses such as Liberty and Columbia.

For the ANA eagle, he developed a new goddess called Nomisma, who makes her first appearance on these pieces. He had planned to call her Numa (the goddess of numismatics) but changed the name at Bullock’s suggestion. Joel said goddesses are essential figures that bridge cultures and time, representing universal ideals and aspirations. He tries to make them universally appealing and beautiful. He says, “Classic art is not confined to the past; it is timeless.”

Iskowitz used the same model he’s utilized on prior goddess motifs. He combined her facial features and poses with motifs inspired by photos and drawings of antique and classic sculptures. He seeks to “bridge classic motifs with elements of modernity that blend seamlessly.” 

Joel also stressed how instrumental Uram and Bullock were in developing the design concepts. Uram and Chang agreed that the reverse must include specific motifs, including an eagle, Chicago, and The Bean. Chang suggested adding the rose to represent Rosemont and removing a reflection of the Chicago skyline from The Bean on the reverse because it made the design too detailed. 

The final product is an impressive work of numismatic art and a unique memento of the 2024 Chicago WFM.