It Won't Cost a Cent to See $1 Billion in Portland A multi-million dollar nickel, a legendary penny and $100,000 bills will be among the many rarities to see at the free National Money Show in Portland, Oregon, March 13 - 15, 2009.
(Portland, Oregon) -- A famous multi-million dollar rare nickel, a silver dollar specially made for President Andrew Jackson and a $1 billion U.S. Treasury Department display featuring $100,000 bills will be among the eye-opening exhibits at the American Numismatic Association National Money Show™ in the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, March 13 - 15, 2009.
But it won't cost a cent to see a billion bucks. The three-day educational, family event will be free and open to the public.
Special exhibits include one of the five known 1913 Liberty Head nickels that is insured for $3 million, the legendary "Portland Penny" that was flipped in 1845 to determine the city's name and the first Portland display of a famous silver dollar stolen from the collection of prominent chemical manufacturer heir and investor, Willis H. duPont, in Florida in 1967 and recovered in 1993.
Although dated 1804, the coin actually was struck around 1835 for President Andrew Jackson to give as a diplomatic gift to an Asian head of state. One of only seven known of its type and insured for $3.5 million, this is its first public appearance outside the American Numismatic Association's Money Museum in Colorado since the historic coin was recovered by the association 16 years ago.
A colorful $1 billion U.S. Treasury Bureau of Engraving and Printing display will feature two dozen $100,000 bills, the highest denomination paper money ever made by the U.S. government. Visitors also can watch an engraver at work, and see demonstrations of a 144-year old, hand-turned money printing press and how early coins were struck one-at-a-time by hand over the centuries.
Many of the 500 professional coin and currency dealers attending the show will provide free, informal appraisals for visitors who bring in their old coins and paper money.
"Money is history you can hold in your hands," said Larry Shepherd, Executive Director of the American Numismatic Association (www.money.org). "We'll have thousands of collectors and dealers from around the country buying and selling items ranging in value from a few cents each to $1 million. There will be educational seminars, exhibits and a children's treasure hunt trivia game with free prizes. You can see everything from a half-cent to a $100,000 bill, and it’s free."
Bowers and Merena Auctions of Irvine, California will conduct a major auction of coins and currency in conjunction with the show.
The show is hosted by the Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association, the Willamette Coin Club and the Salem Numismatic Society.
The National Money Show will be held at the Oregon Convention Center, Hall C, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Portland, Oregon. Public hours are Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14, from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For additional information, visit the American Numismatic Association web site, www.money.org, or call (719) 482-9857.
