Three days of family fun, rare exhibits, and educational opportunities highlight one of the hobby’s premier events.
Hands-on family activities, once-in-a-lifetime displays of rare money, and exclusive buying and selling opportunities filled three days of numismatic discovery at the National Money Show. The American Numismatic Association (ANA) presented the event at the Savannah Convention Center in Savannah, February 26–28.
The show attracted more than 2,800 registrants. Collectors, dealers, and history enthusiasts traveled from across the United States to attend.
Visitors explored rare exhibits, attended educational sessions, and participated in family-friendly activities. Meanwhile, dealers actively bought and sold coins, paper money, and related collectibles across the bourse floor.
ANA Leaders Open the Event
The show marked the first time the National Money Show took place in Savannah.
“Collectors, dealers, and families all gathered for the first National Money Show in Savannah,” said Kim Kiick, executive director of the ANA.
“Watching so many enthusiastic collectors dive into the hobby with such energy and passion emphasizes how important numismatics is, and how far its impact can reach.”
During the opening ceremony, Mark Lighterman welcomed attendees. He joined Paul Hollis, who helped officially open the show.
Kiick, Hollis, and Lighterman then cut the ceremonial ribbon to begin the event.
U.S. Mint Releases Special 2026 Coins
The United States Mint released two products during the show.
The first product was the 2026 American Eagle Silver Proof Coin, which features the dual date “1776–2026.” The coin also includes a Liberty Bell privy mark with the number “250.”
The Mint also issued the 2026 Congratulations Set, another collector-focused release tied to the show.
Collectors lined up throughout the event to secure these limited offerings.
[IMAGE PLACEHOLDER – 2026 American Eagle Silver Proof Coin]
Hundreds of Dealers Fill the Bourse
The show featured 624 dealers across more than 200 booths.
Dealers bought and sold:
- Rare coins
- Paper money
- Tokens and medals
- Numismatic supplies
Collectors explored a vibrant marketplace. Many attendees also connected directly with experts, dealers, and fellow hobbyists.
At the same time, the ANA hosted in-depth educational sessions led by respected numismatic specialists.
Families also visited a special arcade-style zone for K–12 collectors.
Museum Showcase Highlights Legendary Rarities
The Museum Showcase presented some of the most famous pieces in American numismatics.
Highlights included:
- 1804 Silver Dollar
- 1933 Eagle $10 Gold Coin
- 1913 Liberty Head Nickel
Each coin carries a fascinating history. The 1913 Liberty Head nickel, for example, remains one of the most mysterious coins ever struck.
The showcase also displayed Bank of the United States obsolete notes donated by John Wilson and Nancy Wilson.
Additional highlights included:
- Rare Georgia Civil War Treasury notes and certificates
- Southern gold coins from the Charlotte Mint and Dahlonega Mint
- Silver coins that circulated through Savannah’s busy ports during the golden age of piracy
These exhibits combined private collections with objects from the Edward C. Rochette Money Museum.
Georgia Civil War Currency on Display
One special exhibit focused on Civil War-era currency issued by the state of Georgia.
Georgia produced 39 types of Treasury notes and certificates during the Civil War. The exhibit displayed 11 of the rarest examples.
Collector Claybourne Barrineau generously loaned the pieces for the showcase.
Collector Exhibits Draw Strong Interest
The show featured more than 20 collector exhibits.
Visitors voted for their favorite displays. Simcha Kuritzky won the People’s Choice Award for “The Isle of Man Cat Bullion Coins.”
Meanwhile, Michael Kodysz captured Best of Show for “Zeppelins and the Great War: A Medallic History of German Military Airships in World War I.”
The ANA presented exhibit awards during a reception on Saturday afternoon.
The Short Snorter Project Reveals Historic Autographs
Collectors also viewed fascinating artifacts from The Short Snorter Project, founded by Thomas Sparks.
A short snorter is a bank note signed by travelers who journey together or commemorate a special event.
Sparks displayed several newly acquired examples. One note connected directly to the famed P-51 Mustang Little One III, now preserved at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force.
Another note featured an extraordinary pair of autographs:
- Clark Gable, Hollywood actor and WWII veteran
- George Preddy
Educational Programs Cover Numismatic Topics
Education remains a cornerstone of ANA events. The Savannah show offered multiple learning opportunities.
Collectors attended technical seminars on:
- U.S. coin grading
- Counterfeit detection
The popular Money Talks presentations also returned. Seven numismatic experts discussed specialized topics, including:
- U.S. exonumia
- Civil War alternative money
- So-called dollars struck in 1826
These presentations provided collectors with deeper insight into the hobby’s history and scholarship.
Young Collectors Enjoy Hands-On Activities
Families and children flocked to Ernie’s Treasure Treehouse, named after the ANA’s mascot Ernie the Education Owl.
The area catered specifically to collectors in grades K–12.
Activities included:
- Coin-collecting Plinko
- Designing a commemorative coin
Participants earned “Hoot Loot.” These arcade-style tickets allowed young collectors to redeem coin-related prizes.
Treasure Trivia Engages Young Numismatists
The Treasure Trivia program proved extremely popular.
The ANA welcomed 87 young collectors, who explored the show floor while answering trivia questions about coins and history.
The Young Collectors Corner, led by Christian Strayhorn, introduced beginners to the fundamentals of coin collecting.
During the workshop, U.S. Mint Director Paul Hollis made a special appearance. He answered questions and helped guide the young collectors.
[IMAGE PLACEHOLDER – Young collectors learning from a dealer]
Sponsors Support the National Money Show
Sponsors played a major role in the event’s success.
Corporate Sponsors
- GreatCollections
- Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC)
- Paper Money Guaranty
Title Sponsor
- Witter Coin
Additional Sponsors
- Angel Dee’s Coins and Collectibles
- Classical Numismatic Group
- Coleman Foster Rare Coins
- Leaphart Supply
- Patriot Coins and Precious Metals
- U.S. Coins & Jewelry
- West Coast Coins
Future ANA Shows Announced
During the ANA Board of Governors Open Session on February 27, members voted overwhelmingly to host the 2027 National Money Show in Virginia Beach.
The ANA will announce official convention dates soon.
Meanwhile, collectors can look ahead to the next major ANA convention: the World’s Fair of Money.
The 2026 show will take place August 25–29 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.
