World’s Fair of Money Convention Medal 2023
The American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) World’s Fair of Money is being hosted at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA, August 8-12, 2023. The show brings coin collectors together from all over the world, featuring hundreds of dealers, auctions, displays of rare treasures, educational opportunities and more.
The ANA commemorates the 2023 World’s Fair of Money with a special Convention Medal.
To commemorate this year’s show, medallic artist Jamie Franki has designed a medal with the theme “The City of Bridges.” Situated at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers, Pittsburgh’s unique geographic location earned it the distinction of having more bridges than any other city in the world – 446 to be exact.
The Convention Medal is available in bronze and silver.
The obverse of the World’s Fair of Money medal features a stylized rendering of Pittsburgh’s iconic Andy Warhol Bridge as a backdrop to a flock of birds in flight. Symbolizing our freedom to convene together in a group, the flock breathes life into and adds additional depth and movement to the static and geometric depiction of the bridge. The reverse features a “circle of bridges” motif containing the AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION and the customary information about the convention and event dates. The names of Pittsburgh’s three rivers are included as an important educational element.
An emeritus associate professor of illustration at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Franki has enjoyed a long consultative relationship with the ANA, for whom he has designed and sculpted several World’s Fair of Money and National Money Show medals. He says that each time he collaborates on a piece, he strives “to research and develop a beautiful keepsake about the convention host city as a handheld history lesson.”
Franki got his start in numismatic art as a designer in the United States Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program. In 2005, his American Bison nickel reverse design was selected for a six-month minting. This nickel garnered a COTY (Coin of the Year Award) as the Most Popular World Coin of 2005. In January of 2006, his Jefferson 1800 nickel obverse design began its long-term run gracing America’s new and historic forward-facing circulation coin.
Medals are available to purchase in bronze, 1.5″ with black and gold drape for $22.50, 2.75″ medal for $70; or as a two-medal set, 1.5″ bronze medal and 1.5″ silver medal, for $155. To order a medal visit the ANA Website. For large quantity orders, call (800) 514-2646. Collectible pre-orders are not available for pickup at the show. Collectibles will be mailed after August 30, 2023.
