THE 2026 PITTSBURGH ANA MEDAL

 

The American Numismatic Association has invited celebrated medallic artists Jamie Franki and Heidi Wastweet to collaborate on designing and sculpting the official 2026 World's Fair of Money® convention medal for the annual convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This marks the dynamic duo's third major design partnership for the ANA, following their highly successful collaborations for Philadelphia in 2018 and Oklahoma City in 2025.

This year's keepsake honors a monumental turning point in numismatic history while celebrating the industrial spirit of the "Steel City." Following the United States Mint's decision to stop striking the one-cent coin for circulation, the 2026 medal recognizes the legacy of the historic 1943 steel cent, originally struck to conserve copper for military equipment during World War II. The medal masterfully reimagines Victor David Brenner's classic cent composition to showcase quintessential landmarks of Pittsburgh.

Medal Details
The Obverse: Depicts industrial steelworkers constructing a giant penny made of riveted sheet metal. Behind their work-in-progress, stylized elements of Pittsburgh's iconic skyline rise into view, seamlessly blending Brenner's classic framework with the city's manufacturing heritage.

The Reverse: Features one of Pittsburgh's famous Duquesne Incline railcars, artfully occupying the exact position held by the Lincoln Memorial on the traditional cent. The design honors the historic 1877 funicular, a cable-driven, counterbalanced railway system that still lifts passengers 400 feet up Mount Washington for iconic views of the city's skyline and three rivers.

About the Artists
Both Heidi and Jamie are elite alumni of the United States Mint's Artistic Infusion Program and bring a wealth of master craftsmanship to this year's convention release:

Jamie Franki is one of the most prolific designers in the history of the ANA's World's Fair of Money medals program. He is widely celebrated as the designer of the 2005 Buffalo nickel reverse and the 2006/Beyond Jefferson nickel obverse.

Heidi Wastweet has sculpted and designed thousands of coins and medals over the span of a long, impactful career in the medallic arts. She is a past president of the American Medallic Sculpture Association, a former member of the Citizens' Coinage Advisory Committee, and was selected as the winner of the prestigious 2024 ANA Numismatic Art Award for Excellence in Medallic Sculpture.

For more information, or to order, see:
Commemorate the 2026 World's Fair of Money® with Convention Medals & Collectibles (https://www.money.org/worldsfairofmoney-collectibles/)

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