To celebrate the Chicago World's Fair of Money, the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and Minted Assets will provide the first ever decimal denominated legal tender coin during the show. Attendees that visit booth 730 on the bourse floor can receive a free base metal commemorative coin (limited quantity) with designs reflecting this year's convention. About 200 coins will be handed out per day (around 1,000 total), from August 6-10.

The obverse design on the commemorative coin shows an allegorical figure of NOMISMA, which is the Greek word for "money." She is shown holding the World's Fair of Money logo. E Pluribus Unum graces the legend as a tribute to the show's mission of bringing people in the hobby together for the convention.

The reverse depicts a proud American bald eagle in flight over Cloud Gate, also known as "The Bean." The eagle is shown holding a rose in its talons which symbolizes the city of Rosemont where the convention is held. An image of Dr. George F. Heath can be seen in front of Cloud Gate. Dr. Heath was the founder of the ANA and held the very first convention in the city of Chicago in 1891. Charles E. Barber originally created this image on a Galvano in the early 1900s. The image was later turned into a medal for the ANA.

The ANA World's Fair of Money (WorldsFairOfMoney.com) is being hosted at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. The show brings coin collectors together from all over the world, featuring hundreds of dealers, displays of rare treasures, educational opportunities, family activities and more.

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.

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.

To read the complete article, see:
ANA Eagle to Debut in Rosemont(https://readingroom.money.org/ana-eagle-to-debut-in-rosemont/)