ROSEMONT, IL.- The public can view a never-before-exhibited $100 million private collection of historic, early American rare coins at the Chicago World’s Fair of Money® at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, August 10-14, 2021. The gold, silver and copper coins date back to the first ones struck for circulation by the young United States Mint in the 1790s, and many of these important numismatic treasures are the finest known of their kind.

During the first four days of the event, visitors can see the world’s most valuable rare coin, a legendary 1933 Double Eagle ($20 denomination U.S. gold coin). This is its first display since its record-smashing $18.9 million sale at auction earlier this year. The public can also find out what their old coins and currency may be worth during the entire five-day show.

“Money is history you can hold in your hands. The World’s Fair of Money is a family-friendly, educational event sponsored by the nonprofit American Numismatic Association,” explained Col. Steve Ellsworth, president of the 28,000-member organization. “There’s no coin shortage here.”

The museum-quality display of over 400 vintage U.S. coins from the privately owned Tyrant Collection is insured for $100 million. The centerpiece of the extraordinary exhibit will be a famous set of United States coins presented as a diplomatic gift in 1836 by the U.S. State Department to Rama III, the King of Siam (now Thailand), on behalf of President Andrew Jackson.

The owner of The Tyrant Collection, which is described as the world’s most valuable rare coin collection in private hands, wants to remain anonymous but is publicly displaying this portion of his extensive collection for its educational value.




The 268-pound bell from the fabled “Ship of Gold,” the SS Central America that sank in 1857 while carrying tons of California Gold Rush-era treasure, will also be displayed publicly for the first time in the Chicago area and rung daily. Some of the recovered sunken treasure will be exhibited with the bell.

Costumed impersonators of Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Franklin, two familiar historical figures depicted on U.S. money, will be at the show Thursday, Friday, and Saturday to pose for complimentary picture-taking and videos with visitors.

Hundreds of dealers from across the U.S. will be at the show buying and selling rare coins, vintage paper money, medals, and tokens in all price ranges as well as gold and silver. Many of the numismatic experts will provide free, informal evaluations of the public’s old coins and paper money.

“The World’s Fair of Money is considered the biggest week of the year for coin collectors, and traditionally features expansive educational forums led by notable speakers sharing their numismatic expertise, exhibits of rare treasures from private collectors, and major auctions conducted by Heritage Auctions (www.HA.com) and Stack’s Bowers Galleries (www.StacksBowers.com),” explained American Numismatic Association Executive Director Kim Kiick.

The Chicago World’s Fair of Money will be held in Hall A of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, in Rosemont. Public hours are Tuesday, August 10, from 1 to 5:30 pm; Wednesday through Friday, August 11 to 13, from 10 am to 5:30 pm; and Saturday, August 14, from 10 am to 3:30 pm.

Public admission Tuesday through Friday is $10 daily or $25 for a three-day pass. Children 12 and under are admitted free daily and admission is free for everyone on Saturday.