2026 ANA WFOM COLLECTOR EXHIBITS

Recent E-Sylum issues have covered many aspects of the upcoming World's Fair of Money -- here are details on a traditional and popular feature, the Collector Exhibit Area.

An online guide to the Collector Exhibit Area at the August 25-29 World's Fair of Money will be updated during the show, to list only the present exhibits. It is available at:
http://www.chicagocoinclub.org/events/2026/ana/ex/all_by_cl.html
(This groups the exhibits by Exhibit Class.)

The Collector Exhibits are no longer listed in the Show Guide. The ANA website has an ungrouped listing of exhibits at:
https://www.money.org/wfm-exhibits/
(This lists all exhibits for which an application was received.)

Visit a page before you arrive at the convention center to determine your must-see exhibits, or visit a page to help you remember that exhibit you want to see again! The online guide will be updated during the convention, to list just the exhibits which are present, and to reflect if an exhibit has been changed to a different Class.

There are three exhibits in the Numismatic Literature class, and we expect 69 exhibits covering a wide range of material. Look for your favorite topics, or look for something new to collect.

For this WFoM, the Collector Exhibit Area is located far to the left as you enter the bourse hall (near the Short Snorter Project table and the SS Central America exhibit). On Wednesday through Saturday mornings, you can enter the Collector Exhibit Area as soon as you can enter the bourse hall. Refer to the schedule for the staggered opening times for: dealers, ANA members, and the public.

A Monumental Change in American Silver Coinage
To exhibit selected specimens of US Pattern Coins from the 1964 to 1965 transition change in American silver coinage to finally using nickel-clad planchets. Many rare experimental pieces are shown from the 3 finalists in producing planchets: International Nickel, E. I. Du Pont, and the US Mint. Also the official government-issued final experiments report book and a contemporary coin operated vending machine coin acceptor/rejector. Plus metal bars and other related specimens.

U-Boats in America: Karl Goetz's K-185 Medal
This exhibit explores Germany's dramatic 1916 U-boat visit to Newport, Rhode Island, and the attacks on Allied shipping that followed. Centered on a satirical medal by German artist Karl Goetz, it examines the visit itself, the American and German reactions, shifting public opinion, and the growing strain placed on US neutrality during World War I.

Medals of the Hall of Fame for Great Americans at New York University
This exhibit demonstrates the New York University's recognition of great Americans in Medallic Art.

Remembering the Gentleman in the Blue Blazer
This exhibit remembers the gentleman Ray Dillard. It explains a brief history of Mr. Dillard's life and his accomplishments in the numismatic community.

A Selection of Ancient Minting Errors, Oddities, and Curiosities
The viewer will learn about the various types of errors that occurred during the ancient minting process. There are examples of brockages (both obverse and reverse), dramatic double strikes, flip over strikes, blank obverse or reverse, etc. While all of these may have happened accidentally, there are a few pieces that defy logic and may have been aided by the mint workers. This is an ongoing project first started in 1983, with close to a dozen coins having been added since 2024.

The Anatomy of US Error Notes: A BEP Production-Stage Collection
This exhibit explains how US paper money errors originate by following the Bureau of Engraving and Printing's production sequence from raw substrate through final cutting. Each production stage introduces specific mechanical and procedural risks that can generate distinct, diagnosable error types.

By arranging error notes according to the stage in which each flaw occurred, the exhibit shows why particular failures happen, how to identify them correctly, and what they reveal about BEP processes. Through representative examples across all six major production stages, the exhibit aims to educate viewers about both the technical foundations and the numismatic significance of US error notes.

Celebrating Clifford Mishler: 70 Years As an ANA Member
This exhibit features a collection of items relating to Clifford Mishler, to celebrate his 70th year as a member of the Association.

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