Celebrate National Coin Week – April 17-23 2016

Face it, April is a really bad month for holidays. Since Opening Day of the baseball season isn’t a national holiday (though it really should be), the biggest one in April is Administrative Professionals Day (formerly Secretary’s Day) and frankly, it isn’t all that big, is it? But don’t despair because there’s occasion for a week-long party—National Coin Week is April 17-23 this year!

In 1983 President Reagan declared the third week of April to be National Coin Week, although the American Numismatic Association’s website claims this is the 93rd one. But why let a mere 60-year discrepancy stand in the way of a good time?

Theme: “Portraits of Liberty: Icon of Freedom”

The theme for this year is “Portraits of Liberty: Icon of Freedom” and it commemorates the 100th anniversary of the issue of three popular U.S. Liberty coins—the Winged Liberty (Mercury) dime, the Standing Liberty quarter and the Walking Liberty half dollar.

ANA National Coin Week Activities

To celebrate, the American Numismatic Association (ANA) is sponsoring a number of Coin Week activities including:

  • Daily Online Video Quiz: April 18th - 22nd. A video clue will be released each day on the ANA website and the ANA's YouTube page.
  • Annual Coin Club Trivia Challenge: ANA member clubs test their numismatic knowledge and compete for prizes.
  • Open House at the Money Museum in Colorado Springs: April 23rd. Includes free admission, activities for children and adults, and the minting of the 2016 National Coin Week medallette in the museum's Mini-Mint.

U.S. Mint Coin Week Activities

If that’s not enough merriment, the U.S. Mint is joining the party, too. They’ve tailored lesson plans based around this year’s Liberty theme to fit all grade levels from K-12. They include age-appropriate activities and games with descriptions of the skills they address and connections to subject areas. You can get details on the Mint’s Coin Week webpage.

Learn and Explore through Coin Collecting

All kidding aside, coin collecting is a great way to learn about a wide variety of subjects. Exploring the stories behind the coins and the people, events, places and ideas they commemorate can be both fascinating and fun. National Coin Week is a great excuse to start. So get ready to celebrate and party on!

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just getting started, be sure to browse the selection of U.S. and foreign coins and banknotes available online from The Great American Coin Company®. Our inventory is constantly changing, so be sure to check back often.

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