The American Numismatic Association and the coin collecting community will celebrate the 85th annual National Coin Week, April 20-26, with the theme, “Money Makes the World Go Round,” a tribute to numismatics, youth and world unity.

The ANA has created a National Treasure Hunt built around this year’s theme to help attract new collectors. Special bookmarks and buttons have been developed to help generate interest and enthusiasm for the event. More than 50 member clubs are distributing the bookmarks at dozens of schools, libraries and other community organizations across the country. The bookmarks list the five objects needed to complete the treasure hunt:

• A coin with an animal
• The oldest coin you can find
• A coin from a different place (country or state)
• A coin from the year you were born
• A coin that’s not a coin (token, medal, etc.)

Treasure hunters have until April 26 to contact clubs or the ANA with their coins. Each person who completes the treasure hunt wins a world coin and is entered in a local grand prize drawing for a 2008 State Quarter Proof Set. Everyone across the country who completes the treasure hunt is entered in the ANA’s national grand prize drawing for a half-ounce gold coin and other prizes.

Every year the ANA holds a National Coin Week Theme Contest, and this year marked the first time a winning theme was submitted in the form of a song. “Money Makes the World Go Round,” a song written, performed and produced by member Mark Keefner and Alan O’Day, conveys an inspiring message about the role of numismatics in achieving world unity. Everyone is able to listen to the song by visiting www.money.org.

The Edward C. Rochette Money Museum staff has created a two-panel exhibit, “Money Makes the World Go Round,” which explores different types of modern currency used across the globe. The exhibit will be featured at the Money Museum and at Penrose Library in Colorado Springs, 20 N. Cascade Ave., throughout April, after which the exhibit will be available through the Money Museum’s traveling exhibit program. Members can request a copy of the exhibit on CD with panels in PDF format.

The ANA has developed several resources on www.money.org, including a sample press release, proclamation, interactive flyer to promote activities, and suggestions for clubs. The ANA is scheduled to receive a proclamation and personal message from President George W. Bush sending best wishes for a successful week.

“National Coin Week is a great opportunity to reach out in the community and spread the joys of coin collecting,” said ANA Executive Director Larry Shepherd. “My hope this year is that new collectors across the country become more involved in the hobby and with their local club.”

Each year during the third week of April, the American Numismatic Association celebrates National Coin Week with exhibits, presentations and other activities at civic centers, libraries and schools to let the world know about the joys of collecting and studying coins, paper notes and other forms of money. For more information on National Coin Week, call 719-482- 9814, e-mail ncw@money.org or visit www.money.org (select “National Coin Week” from the “Numismatic Events” dropdown menu).

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