A limited copper coin designed by Joel Iskowitz will be given away at the 2026 ANA World's Fair of Money in Pittsburgh, commemorating the end of the circulating Lincoln cent and honoring key figures in American numismatics
Collectors attending the 2026 American Numismatic Association World's Fair of Money in Pittsburgh will encounter a unique moment in US coin history. For the first time, a convention giveaway will feature a copper coin designed by Joel Iskowitz, marking both the end of his celebrated career and the close of an era for the US one-cent coin.
The American Numismatic Association (ANA) and Minted Assets will distribute approximately 250 one-ounce copper coins daily from August 25 to 29 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Distribution will take place at Minted Assets tables 1230, 1232, and 1234, beginning at noon on Tuesday and at 11 a.m. from Wednesday through Saturday. Each attendee is eligible for one coin per day while supplies last.
Commemorating the End of the Circulating Cent
The 2026 copper coin is the third in the ANA-Minted Assets convention series and the first to be struck in copper. Its release coincides with the United States Mint's decision to end regular production of the circulating Lincoln cent in November 2025, after a continuous run of 232 years. While the Mint will continue to produce limited numbers of cents for collector sets, the withdrawal of the cent from everyday circulation represents a significant shift in US coinage policy.
Joel Iskowitz, who passed away in April 2026 at age 79, was a prolific designer for the United States Mint's Artistic Infusion Program, contributing 54 official designs for circulating coins, commemoratives, bullion, and Congressional Gold Medals. His influence extended globally, with thousands of designs for coins, medals, and stamps. The 2026 ANA coin is officially recognized as his final coin design.
Design Elements: History and Tribute
The obverse of the coin features Nomisma, Iskowitz's allegorical figure representing money, holding the reverse of the 2025 American Platinum Eagle. This motif, previously used by Iskowitz in earlier ANA issues, is paired with the inscription E PLURIBUS UNUM, emphasizing unity among collectors.
The reverse draws inspiration from Victor David Brenner's sculpture A Song to Nature, connecting Pittsburgh's artistic heritage to Brenner's role as designer of the original Lincoln cent in 1909. The design includes Brenner's portrait and elements from the sculpture, with an eagle carrying a ribbon inscribed 1776-2026 to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence.
In a personal tribute, the coin also features a Benjamin Franklin hat privy mark and the initials PEM, honoring Patrick Emmett McBride, a Pennsylvania numismatist known for his Franklin portrayals at coin events. McBride, who died in 2026, was a prominent figure in the state's numismatic community. The first 2026 coin was struck in his honor by former ANA President Thomas Uram during a June 24 ceremony, with Minted Assets President Chang Bullock striking the second coin in memory of Iskowitz.
Limited Editions and Collector Access
The 2026 issue is produced by Osborne Mint as an Ascension Island $5 legal-tender coin. According to Osborne Mint, the mintage includes 1,300 one-ounce copper coins, 500 one-ounce silver coins, and 100 one-ounce gold coins. While the copper version will be distributed free at the convention, collectors can purchase proof silver and gold examples at Minted Assets tables, with both graded and ungraded options available. Certified coins will be encapsulated by NGC with special Joel Iskowitz signature labels.
Minted Assets is also highlighting the artists behind modern coins. The official show guide includes a section for collecting signatures from nine participating artists, and attendees can meet them at the Minted Assets tables on Friday, August 28 at 2 p.m. This initiative aims to strengthen the connection between collectors and the creators of numismatic art, a theme echoed in other high-profile coin events such as the record-setting auction of a 1939 Proof Walking Liberty Half Dollar.
Facts and Figures: Convention and Coin Details
The 2026 World's Fair of Money will run from August 25 to 29 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. More than 500 dealers from the US and abroad are expected to participate, offering rare coins, vintage paper money, medals, tokens, gold, and silver. Public hours are 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. Daily admission is $10, with a weekly pass available for $25. ANA members and children under 12 enter free, and admission is free for all on Saturday, August 29. Only about 250 copper coins will be distributed each day, making them among the most limited convention souvenirs in recent years.
Context: The End of the Lincoln Cent and Its Legacy
The withdrawal of the circulating Lincoln cent reflects both economic and historical forces. Rising production costs, declining purchasing power, and changes in payment habits have made the cent less practical for everyday transactions. While the coin remains a symbol of American history and identity, its transition to a collector-only issue mirrors similar developments in other countries that have phased out low-denomination coins. The 2026 ANA coin, as the final design by Joel Iskowitz and a tribute to Victor David Brenner and Patrick McBride, encapsulates a moment of transition for US coinage and the broader numismatic community.
