Collector's Guide  ·  Show Coverage  ·  Updated August 2026

ANA World's Fair of Money 2026: A Collector's Guide to the Pittsburgh Show

The biggest money show in America lands at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center August 25–29. Here's everything a banknote collector needs to know before walking the bourse floor — dates, hours, admission, headline exhibits, and the paper-money stops worth planning your day around.

When and where is the ANA World's Fair of Money 2026?

The American Numismatic Association's flagship convention comes to Pittsburgh for five days in late August. The venue is the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, right on the Allegheny riverfront downtown — walkable from most Golden Triangle hotels and a short ride from Pittsburgh International Airport.

How much does the World's Fair of Money cost to attend?

Daily admission is $10, and a full-week pass is $25. ANA members and children under 12 always enter free, and the ANA opens the doors to the general public at no charge on Saturday. If you're planning two or more days on the bourse — and with hundreds of dealer tables, you should — the weekly pass pays for itself immediately. Registering in advance at events.money.org/wfm-2026 gets your badge printed ahead of time so you can skip the on-site lines.

What are the headline exhibits at the 2026 show?

This is the strongest exhibit slate the World's Fair of Money has assembled in years. The showpiece: all eleven government-owned 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles, displayed together for the first time in history. The 1933 Double Eagle is arguably the most storied coin in American numismatics — seeing the entire government holding in one case is a genuine once-in-a-lifetime viewing.

Beyond that, plan time for these:

What should a paper money collector see at the World's Fair of Money?

The World's Fair of Money reads coin-first on paper, but it is quietly one of the best banknote events on the calendar. Three moves worth making:

Start at the Short Snorter Project (Booth 96). More than 1,300 signed WWII-era notes in one place — short snorters are banknotes signed by servicemembers and travelers as keepsakes, and this collection includes a note autographed by actor and B-24 squadron commander James Stewart, destined for the Jimmy Stewart Museum in nearby Indiana, Pennsylvania. It's the single most concentrated dose of paper money history on the floor.

Work the world paper tables methodically. Among hundreds of dealers, a meaningful fraction carry world banknotes, hyperinflation notes, and graded paper. Bring a want list organized by country and Pick number — the bourse floor rewards collectors who know exactly what gap they're filling. If you collect German Notgeld or Zimbabwe Agro Cheques, shows like this are where raw examples surface at fair prices.

Use the grading services while you're there. Major third-party graders regularly attend the World's Fair of Money and accept on-site submissions — often with show-only specials. If you've been sitting on raw notes worth slabbing, hand-delivering them at the show saves shipping risk in both directions. Check the current exhibitor list at money.org before you go.

The bourse floor rewards collectors who know exactly what gap they're filling — bring a want list, not a wish.

What lectures and events are scheduled?

The Maynard Sundman Lecture Series presents "Striking Independence: 250 Years of American Numismatics" on Wednesday, August 26 — fitting for the America 250 semiquincentennial year. (For the deeper story of American money across those two and a half centuries, see our companion piece, Money Through America's 250 Years.) Free Money Talks lectures run Thursday and Friday, a live early-cents auction fires Thursday at 5 p.m., and Saturday morning brings the Young Collectors Corner for ages 7–17 — the right way to hook the next generation before free-admission Saturday crowds arrive.

Practical tips for attending the Pittsburgh show

Book lodging early — a five-day national convention downtown will tighten hotel inventory near the convention center. The venue sits at 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd. on the Allegheny River, with parking garages within a few blocks and the Cultural District's restaurants next door. Wear comfortable shoes; the bourse floor is measured in acres, not aisles. Bring a loupe, your want list, and cash or a checkbook — many dealers discount for cash. And if you buy raw notes on the floor, protect them immediately: our guide to storing and preserving banknotes covers sleeves and holders that belong in your show bag, not just your safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the ANA World's Fair of Money 2026?

August 25–29, 2026 — Tuesday through Saturday — at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

How much is admission to the World's Fair of Money?

$10 per day or $25 for a weekly pass. ANA members and children under 12 are free every day, and Saturday, August 29 is free for the general public.

Is the World's Fair of Money open to the public?

Yes. Anyone can attend — you do not need to be an ANA member or a dealer. Register in advance at events.money.org/wfm-2026 to skip the badge lines.

Will the 1933 Double Eagles really be on display?

Yes — all eleven government-owned 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles will be exhibited together for the first time, alongside the ANA Money Museum's 1913 Liberty Head nickel.

Is the show worth attending for banknote collectors, or is it just coins?

It's worth it. Hundreds of dealers include strong world paper money representation, the Short Snorter Project exhibits 1,300+ signed WWII banknotes, and grading services accept on-site submissions. Paper collectors who come with a want list routinely fill gaps they've hunted for years.

Can I sell my collection at the World's Fair of Money?

Yes. Buying, selling, and trading with dealers on the bourse floor is a core part of the show. Get multiple offers before you sell — with hundreds of tables, competition works in your favor.

Where is the 2027 World's Fair of Money?

The ANA publishes future convention locations at money.org under Future Conventions — check there for the schedule beyond Pittsburgh.

Sources

Event details from the American Numismatic Association — World's Fair of Money and CoinWeek's 2026 show preview. Confirm hours and exhibits at money.org before traveling, as schedules can change.