Go under the Big Top and see the World’s Fair of Money!

Step right up and see the World’s Fair of Money! An annual event, this year the fair is taking place in Rosemont, Illinois from August 6-10. While you may not see big cats or aerialists performing dazzling feats, you will find five full days of coins and paper money.  

Organized by the American Numismatic Association, this yearly event sees collectors from around the world. Whether you’re looking to grow your collection, join some seminars or attend a club meeting, there is something for everyone.

Here at Littleton, we’re partial to the Sundman Lecture Series. Named after our founder Maynard Sundman, the theme for this year’s series is “A Century of Change; 1924 to 2024”. Step back in time with us and see how two of America’s favorite denominations have evolved over the last one hundred years.

Change, change and more change

Every year we excitedly await the new reverses on our quarters. But in 1924, the United States Mint was in year eight of a fourteen-year series that featured the same reverse year in and year out. Running from 1916-1930, the Standing Liberty quarter represented American pride and was the quarter of the Greatest Generation’s youth. These coins were struck during the first World War, throughout the Roaring Twenties and into the beginning of the Great Depression.

Ahead of George Washington‘s bicentennial birthday, a committee was formed with the purpose of creating a new quarter design. Two contestants rose to the occasion: John Flanagan and Laura Gardin Fraser. A close competition, Flanagan’s portrait of Washington ran from 1932-1998 and became the Washington quarter series we know today.

At the end of the 20th century, the United States Mint hoped to renew interest in coin collecting by changing America’s twenty-five cent piece:

• Beginning with the Statehood quarter series from 1999-2008, these quarters celebrated the country’s 50 states. The program was so well received that, in 2009, the U.S. Mint issued six additional quarters honoring Washington D.C. and the five U.S. territories. 
• The National Park quarter series followed the Statehood quarters. Issued from 2010-2021, this eleven-year program introduced collectors to the beauty of America’s national parks and historic sites.
• The Washington Crossing the Delaware quarter, issued for one-year-only in 2021, features General Washington leading soldiers across the Delaware River to the Battle of Trenton.
• Today’s quarters proudly display American women who have helped shaped the United States. Beginning in 2022 and running through 2025, five quarters have been released each year celebrating various American women’s achievements.

Another day, another dollar

For many collectors, the dollars of the 20th and 21st centuries are staples in their collections. From the end of the Morgan dollars in 1921 to the Peace dollars of the 1920’s and the silver dollar anniversary coins, this denomination has not only seen different designs but also sizes!

The last large-size dollar to be struck, the Eisenhower dollar was issued from 1971-1978. These dollars honored President Dwight D. Eisenhower – a member of the Greatest Generation who served as the Supreme Allied Commander during World War II – and man’s landing on the Moon in 1969.

Following hot on the Eisenhower dollar’s heels, was the Susan B. Anthony dollar! A short-lived coin series, the Anthony dollar was the first small-size dollar ever issued in the U.S. Struck from 1979-1981 and then again in 1999, this series was created to honor a pioneer in women’s rights.

As the 21st century began, so too did a new generation of dollars:

• Issued for the first time in 2000, the Sacagawea dollar took its place on the shelves of coin collectors new and old alike! Eight years later, these coins evolved into the Native American dollars. Celebrating different aspects of Native American contributions, these manganese-brass coins have earned their spot as a collector favorite.  
• The Presidential dollar series ran from 2007-2016 & 2020. Following the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005, in order for a president to be depicted on a coin, they must be deceased for two years before a coin can be issued! With six living presidents, this has left holes in collections. But don’t worry – here at Littleton Coin Company, we’ve got you covered. Our exclusive Modern Presidents dollar series was created to fill in those blank spots.
• And last – but not least! – we have the American Innovation dollar series. First struck in 2018, these dollar coins will be issued through 2032. This innovative series celebrates the inventions and accomplishments from each of the 50 states, territories and Washington D.C.

Catch up with us!

If you have a chance to make it to the World’s Fair of Money this year – and we certainly hope you do – if you see us, make sure to say “hi”! We’d love to meet you and hear about your collection.

Have you ever been to the World’s Fair of Money? Will you be attending this year? What has been your favorite coin series from the last century? Tell us in the comments below!