“Steady” was the most common word dealers used to describe business at the re¬cent American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money in Milwaukee Aug. 8 to 11. Business exceeded expectations for most dealers, and the official ANA auction, conducted by Heritage Auction Galleries, was very strong in overall sales volume and individual prices realized.

Much of the business at today’s coin shows is wholesale, or on a dealer-to-dealer basis, but many collectors attended the ANA convention and auction sessions. However, a few collectors who regularly attend shows and auctions around the country were noticeably absent in person. But that doesn’t mean they weren’t represented at the show by dealers.

For the first time, a redesigned denomination of U.S. currency will be digitally unveiled when a new $5 bill design is revealed on September 20, 2007.

In relying on digital communications channels for the “Wi-5″ unveiling event, the government will serve two purposes: first, echo its approach to staying ahead of counterfeiters by using the latest advances in technology to enhance the bill’s security; and second, allow for the unveiling of the new $5 bill design to be widely accessible.

“A digital unveiling for the redesigned $5 bill provides a new opportunity to engage people in the public education process,” said Dawn Haley, Chief of the Office of External Relations at the Treasury’s Bureau of Engraving and Printing, “We hope that the ‘Wi-5′ theme will get consumers excited about the new bill and encourage them to use the resources on our Web site to learn about its security features and protect their hard-earned money.”

The government offers public education and training materials to inform the public about the latest currency designs. These materials are available to order or download at www.moneyfactory.gov/newmoney. The site has received over 222 million hits since its launch in May 2003 and gets about 280,000 unique visitors each month.

President and Master of the Austrian Mint Dietmar Spranz was given a Numismatic News Numismatic Ambassador Award Aug. 8 during a dinner sponsored by the mint at the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money in Milwaukee, Wis. Making the presentation was editor David C. Harper. Spranz began collecting coins when he was 12 years old and took a job at the Central Bank of Austria when he was 14, continuing to study as he worked.

California gold did well in Heritage Auction Galleries’ Aug. 8-10 sale at the Milwaukee, Wis., American Numismatic Association convention. A Humbert octagonal gold $50 slug, 880 THOUS variety with 50 on the reverse and lettered edge, Kagin 1, graded MS-62 by Numismatic Guaranty Corp., was top lot of the sale. It sold for $287,500 to a floor bidder. A second octagonal Humbert $50 slug, 880 THOUS variety without 50 on the reverse, K-2, graded NGC MS-63, brought $264,500. An Internet bidder won the lot.