Show News Updates; New Acquisitions; Continuing the Battle Against Fake Bullion

The 2020 World’s Fair of Money®, slated to take place Aug. 4-8 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is suspended, the American Numismatic Association (ANA) announced June 17.

- Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez

The decision comes on the heels of extensive research, discussion, and deliberation, by the ANA Board of Governors, about the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the show and the safety of attendees. As of press time of this issue, the ANA Board of Governors is considering alternate sites and dates to host the five-day World’s Fair of Money.

According to Jennifer Ackerman, ANA conventions director, because of Pennsylvania’s current restrictions on indoor gatherings (maximum of 250 people at any one time), “none of the usual World’s Fair of Money offerings would be possible at the Pittsburgh show. No exhibits, no educational programming, no Kids Zone, no club meetings, no banquet, and a significantly reduced bourse.”

Ackerman added, “Our team has been in nearly daily conversations with the convention center, but it’s become evident that they are unable to fulfill their contractual obligations.”

The World’s Fair of Money typically attracts upward of 10,000 people during the five-day event, including many people traveling to the United States from foreign countries. Since 1891, there have been only two cancelations of the American Numismatic Association’s convention; in 1918 during the flu pandemic and in 1945, amidst World War II.

“The decision to postpone the World’s Fair of Money was very emotional and extremely difficult,” said ANA President Steve Ellsworth. “The convention staff and the Pittsburgh organizing committee worked hard to make the show a reality. PAN went beyond all expectations to deliver what would have been a fantastic event, and I’m deeply disappointed that the collecting community won’t be able to experience the results of their efforts.