American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money 129th Convention medal created by Don Everhart

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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — Retired United States Mint designer, sculptor, and engraver, Don Everhart, has finished his plaster sculpts of the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money 129th Convention medal. The medal depicts the bust of Pittsburgh area born environmentalist and biologist Rachel Carson.

The August 4th – 8th ANA Convention is in a state of uncertainty in light of the restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ANA and the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists (PAN) are moving forward with the convention medal regardless of the annual numismatic gathering’s fate. The medal will be produced in the sizes and metal compositions of previous ANA convention medals; 1.5” bronze, 2.75” bronze, and a two-medal set of 1.5” bronze and silver. Pricing will be announced at a later date.

The medal design came as a result of a December 2019 PAN board meeting when board chairman Donald Carlucci queried those in attendance with medal topic preferences. Previous ANA / Pittsburgh medals have depicted John Mercanti’s 1989 design of young Major George Washington overlooking the French advancement to the fork of the Ohio Valley prior to the French and Indian War, and Jamie Franki’s 2011 ANA-National Money Show medal of Andrew Carnegie and Andrew Mellon obverse with a ladle pouring molten steel reverse. After some ideas and discussion, Carlucci presented a very compelling presentation as to why a Rachel Carson medal would be appropriate today.

Rachel Carson was born in 1907 and was raised by her parents in a four-room house on 65 acres in Springdale, Pennsylvania, along the Allegheny River. Her lifelong passion for the state of our natural world brought to the forefront man’s unintentional damage to the environment. One of her books, Silent Spring, published in 1962, created quite the awareness controversy. On June 4th, 1963, testifying before the United States Congress, Rachel Carson began:

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the opportunity to discuss with you this morning the problems of environmental hazards and the control of pesticides. The contamination of the environment with harmful substances is one of the major problems of modern life. The world of air and water and soil supports not only the hundreds of thousands of species of animals and plants, it supports man himself.

Ms. Carson’s voice took on the powerful chemical industry. These unsafe compounds proved to be a major cause of the rapid decline of the American bald eagle population because of their feeding habits within the rivers and streams. The chemicals also affected the viability of our national bird’s nest eggs that resulted in shell weakness that caused the eggs to crack and resulted in the continuing decline of the bald eagle population.

Mr. Carlucci’s convincing discourse about the extraordinary life of Rachel Carson had the PAN board members sold on the idea. The next step was to contact ANA membership Chairman Carey Hardy to acquire ANA approval. Initially when speaking of a medal subject, many questioned, who is Rachel Carson, and why, with so many Pittsburgh historical titans of industry, would she be selected? A George Westinghouse medal certainly could be a more popular choice. A few things come into play to understand why. Her tireless work had a profound effect on preserving our national symbol that graces much of our coinage. The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting women’s constitutional right to vote. Women are more involved in numismatics today than at any time in history including our ANA executive director and board members, owners, and managing partners of large numismatic companies, coin show coordinators nationwide, the creation of the Women in Numismatics (WIN) organization, to the increasing number of young girls participating in young numismatist programs nationwide. The recognition and increasing awareness of global climate change is something that Rachel Carson would have had a profound interest in today if she were still alive. The ANA readily approved the creation of a Rachel Carson convention medal and the next step was to find an artist.

PAN has had a very good relationship with Don Everhart. His skill at design and portraiture sculpting is uncanny with his ability to capture the essence, passion, and personality of the subjects.  We witnessed this first hand when Don created the Pope Francis visit to Washington D.C. medal for PAN. The end result was perfect. PAN President Thomas Uram called Don and asked if he would be interested in designing and sculpting the Rachel Carson medal for the August ANA World’s Fair of Money. He readily agreed to the project and went to work.

Don Everhart’s enthusiasm grew as the project progressed to these beautifully finished plaster sculpts. He describes the obverse and reverse as such:

When designing the medal, I first re-read her book, “Silent Spring”. I had read it when I was in elementary school and definitely needed a refresher. As stated before, the pesticides negative effect on the air, land, and water was particularly devastating. My obverse design attempts to illustrate all three elements of the natural world most affected by the use of chemicals to eradicate pests. An eagle flies in the sky, a deer and fawn browse on vegetation on a farmer’s field while fish swim in a fast moving river. Her favorite butterfly, the Monarch, is perched on her name. A solemn but hopeful look is present on the portrait of Carson. I am sure she would still be unsatisfied and still be battling for our environment had she lived today.

For the reverse, I have depicted a bald eagle as it swoops down onto the water to snag a trout to bring back to the nest to feed her hatchlings. The American bald eagle has been a success story thanks to Carson’s unwavering efforts to make our natural world more safe and livable. In fact, I have witnessed many eagles on my bike while riding in Pennsylvania and beyond. It is always a thrill to witness this majestic bird in flight. They are unmistakable with their size and white head and tail feathers as they glide through the air. They are usually found near a water source, where its main diet consists of fish.

The American Bald Eagle deserves its place as our national symbol. To see one in flight is to witness one of the most majestic creatures to inhabit this precious earth that we all inhabit.

We are looking forward to the sale of the finished product and believe that the interest in this incredible lady will make this one of the most popular ANA Convention medals to ever be offered.

Press release courtesy of the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists.

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Comments

  1. just another dave in pa says

    Rachel Carson is a legend in the ecology movement.

    Getting rid of DDT was her blessing to us all yet I see lots of people still using Roundup which is probably worse for the environment plus it causes cancer. I’m surprised it’s still legal to sell these toxic products here.

    The lawn and garden industry is killing the environment.

  2. IJTR says

    As a “marketplace facilitator” eBay has no choice but to collect sales tax. And many states are also violating the new SCOTUS precedent. But small sellers out of state were exempted, at least are supposed to be. Other sellers just want to be safe or think it is too much trouble to keep track of their sales by individual state shipping addresses.

    Agreed SCOTUS has become political like everything else, and has no longer any respect for settled law that has been in effect for decades or centuries.

    Look for many new changes in the future as politicized judges legislate new laws on a party line basis.

    And states will be increasing their sales taxes…that is the party line as well as the costs of government go up, and get shifted more onto whatever is remaining of the middle class.

  3. IJTR says

    DDT is still manufactured and shipped in the US. It is one.of those products that is legal to sell, just not legal to use. Most goes overseas but since our food is increasingly sourced overseas, we still get to ingest it..

    In the near future it would also not be surprising that we will have to buy our hamburgers and bacon from China. Our stores are sold out but China has purchased the big meat packer to ensure their supply.

  4. Qui Transtulit Sustinet says

    Rachel Carson is an American hero I have long admired and read.

    I will be following the availability of this medal.

    I highly recommend reading Carson’s Sea trilogy, in addition to her more well known, Silent Spring.

    Under The Sea Wind, the first of the three, is a great book for children or adults.

    Silverbar and Scomber (a sanderling and a mackerel) come to life in the readers imagination

    and are my two favorite characters in any books about the natural world.

    We need more stand-uo scientists who have the empathy and communication skills of Rachel Carson if nature is to survive on our planet in a meaningful and robust way long term.

  5. Buzz Killington says

    A very fitting person to be honored with a medal.

    As I see all of these landscapers mowing useless lawns, and spreading chemicals on it, we need Rachel Carson and people of her ilk more than ever.

  6. mgm says

    Some said here “Lower and Lower Mintages, Higher and Higher Prices, More and More Gimmicks, and Fewer and Fewer Customers” Check this out…

    End of World War II 75th Anniversary American Eagle Gold Proof Coin
    Item Number: 20XE
    Mintage Limit: 1945
    Product Limit: 1945
    Household Order Limit: 1

    Mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II with the gift of gold available in limited quantities
    A symbolic V75 privy mark is stamped on the obverse of this American Eagle Gold Proof Coin
    Corresponding end of World War II package sleeve and Certificate of Authenticity are included
    Item Number: 20XE
    Mintage Limit: 1945
    Product Limit: 1945
    Household Order Limit: 1

    https://catalog.usmint.gov/end-of-world-war-ii-75th-anniversary-american-eagle-gold-proof-coin-20XE.html?cgid=product-schedule

  7. Jerry Diekmann says

    mgm – you and cagcrisp are absolutely right about the Min coming up with more and more gimmicks, – now the Mint has crossed the line into RCM and Perth Mint territory. A regular gold coin with a privy mark to mark 75 years since the end of WW II? That’s all they could come up with? And the mintage limit is poor joke. Now the big boys will be saying that your collection of gold coins can’t be complete until you have this unique coin. Tell that to Louis Eliasberg – oh, sorry, he’s dead. These coins will all find their ways into the hands of the big dealers, that’s a cinch. The Mint needs to stop this nonsense before the total number of collectors buying their products approaches 1945.

  8. Buzz Killington says

    That’s all well and good, but I’m afraid they have made something that I will try to buy from them, under $2500, but I will not get it on the aftermarket at any price if I fail.

  9. cagcrisp says

    Predicted 22 months Ago…

    • cagcrisp says

    July 26, 2018 at 11:13 am

    “@CaliSkier, the US Mint is Going down the road of the RCM.

    In 10 years what is Today’s Low Mintage Wonder will be more of the norm.

    I expect in the next 10 years to have Many Gold offerings that are “Mintage Limit” of Less than 2,500.

    Many Gold offering Under 2,500 within 10 years. ”

    Here is the First Offering of Many…

  10. cagcrisp says

    @Buzz Killington says,”That’s all well and good, but I’m afraid they have made something that I will try to buy from them, under $2500, but I will not get it on the aftermarket at any price if I fail.”

    $2500?

    I will say it will be closer to $3,000.00 than $2,500…

  11. MarkInFlorida says

    Rachel Carson’s campaign against DDT caused tens on millions, mostly children, to die of malaria because there was less DDT used. DDT eliminated malaria in several countries before it was banned, and her claim it caused cancer turned out not to be proven. In 2006 the WHO realized that banning it was a mistake, and started allowing DDT again to fight malaria.

  12. cagcrisp says

    @Jerry Diekmann says,”To me I can’t see anyone buying bonds with a 0% rate or negative rate and thinking they can make money with the rates going lower”

    Currently the 10 year Bund from Germany is Yielding a Negative 0.507%

    Currently if you bought $10,000 worth you would Pay $10,508.80 and on February 15, 2030, you would get $10,000.00 back.

    In Europe there is not a lot of short term debt that is Positive…

    Here are some Current Negative yields on 2 year notes from Europe:

    Belgium -0.493%
    France -0.524%
    Germany -0.723%
    Netherlands -0.659%
    Portugal -0.176%
    Spain -0.192%

  13. cagcrisp says

    In Germany you have:

    2 year Negative 0.753%
    5 year Negative 0.723%

    And then a heck of a deal that the 10 year is Only Negative 0.507%.

    Keep in mind Germany is the 4th Largest economy in the world…(California would be 5th if it was a country)…

  14. mattarch says

    I will not be buying the WWII 75th Anniversary Gold Eagle, or any coin with a Privy Mark. I find the Privy Marks distracting on this coin and the RCM coins where they appear. If you want a coin to honor something then redesign the whole coin. Or, how about a special one year reverse design to honor the end of WWII on the Gold Eagle. That should have been planned a year ago and would have been desirable, leading to higher sales.

  15. Sherril Matney says

    How many on here have not received their stimulus check? We e have not got ours yet!

  16. Jerry Diekmann says

    Thanks for the info, cagcrisp. I just cannot see buying any bond that has negative interest? This would be akin to the mind of a short seller who buys a stock – hoping that it will go down in value, but he or she doesn’t buy the stock KNOWING that it will go down in value, like buying a bond with negative interest. And we haven’t even mentioned the effect of inflation over time.

    And if the stock goes up, short sellers lose their entire investment. Short selling to me is the most dangerous aspect of stock market trading. I know buying and selling put and call options can also be rewarding or devastating, but in every case it is really nothing more than gambling, and the house (or in this case, the market) always wins. And the house or the market doesn’t care one iota if you lose everything.

    What is going on in Europe to be having so many countries with negative interest rates? This cannot be good in the long term.

  17. cagcrisp says

    There have been 54 Substantial price Increases from the United States Mint So Far in CY2020

    Long Term…

    Those price Increases are Pale in comparison to a Mintage Limit and a Product Limit of 1945 for a Gold American Eagle

    By Far…

    A 1945 Mintage Limit for the Most Popular United States Modern Gold coin is the most important news coming out of the United States Mint in Years…

    The United States Mint has run the White Flag up the pole…

  18. IJTR says

    eBay and other marketplace facilitators act as pass thru agents and remit the sales taxes to a clearinghouse in Tennessee, the clearinghouse then remits to the various states, counties, and cities. Everyone who touches the money gets a commission.

    Same with shipping charges. Everybody who touches has their hand out for a cut.

    Your president wants to raise your ship charges 400% because he hates Bezos.

    Fed ex hates Bezos because he has started an airline to compete against Fred Smith.

    Fred Smith hates unions.

    So it is all the fault of the unions.

  19. cagcrisp says

    IF I owned a 2019 Enhanced Reverse Proof American Silver Eagle…

    I would SELL SELL SELL

    It doesn’t matter IF it is OGP, 69 or 70.

    I would SELL

    You Could argue that a Mintage Limit of 30,000 was a one off for the Most Popular United States Modern Silver coin…

    …Now a Mintage Limit of 1945 for the Most Popular United States Modern Gold coin is more than a one off…

    …It’s a Trend…

  20. Jerry Diekmann says

    cagcrisp- I think you are right on your assessment of the trend in low mintage coins now in gear with the Mint. That is actually good news for me because I will save a lot of money by not buying any of these products. A privy mark is just the latest gimmick to use for making anything common less common or rare – I can see a “CC” privy mark ahead just like you have said. Anyway,, it was a good run while it lasted, but the Mint has destroyed coin collecting as a hobby. Now it’s just a mechanism for big dealers, the wealthy, and the TPGs to make more and money. Count me out.

  21. cagcrisp says

    The 1945 Mintage for the V75 American Gold Eagle will Not last…

    194.5 seconds…

  22. SteveW says

    I agree with mattarch, the privey is distracting and does not enhance the beauty of the coin. In fact it looks like a blemish. If anything, make it discreet like a mint mark or bury it in the artwork. Another thing, why doesn’t the mint treat its subscription holders better? We are guaranteed buyers of their products. Why don’t they at least make the mintage numbers match subscription holders and give them first right of refusal for special editions like this.

  23. cagcrisp says

    The United States Treasury Just auctioned off the Largest offering in History of 10 year U.S. Treasury note.

    Results : $32B at the Lowest Yield in History for a auction

    $32 Billion of 10 year notes @ 0.70%

  24. Hidalgo says

    @cagcrisp.

    I totally agree. The coins will sell out in a few minutes. The low mintage and the novelty of the privy will have buyers scrambling. And many of the coins will be certified with a special label. Those that are certified as PR/PF70 will command significantly high prices.

    cagcrisp says

    The 1945 Mintage for the V75 American Gold Eagle will Not last…

    194.5 seconds…

  25. birddog says

    Any information on the end of wwII silver proof eagle,mintage on that coin,I’m sure it will have V75 on it,the guys the brought the low mint wonder reverse proof of 30,000 last year will not like it if they only mint 1945 of those

  26. Tom says

    @SteveW – you would have a better chance at purchasing one of the 1945 – V75 American Gold Eagles before you ever see the Mint care about us collectors. They simply are not in the hospitality business.

  27. Buzz Killington says

    If the price is more than $2.5K, I’m not going to get it, period. Or I should say try to.

    I also think these privy marks, in the future, are going to be easier to fake than a lot of other things. But I would buy one for my collection at issue price. But that’s it.

    Memories are short, but the 2019 Silver Dollar with a limited mintage came down to earth pretty quick. I think people are going to lose their shirts on this issue, because you have to put so much more money out. How many people, besides me, would buy and hold this? Are there 1000 collectors?

  28. Hidalgo says

    I received a research survey from NAXION, an opinion research company, that is trying to assess how the US Mint can improve its products and services. The survey asked, among other things:

    * How likely I would buy the next group of silver Presidential medals.
    * How likely I would buy a new WW II color portfolio that holds 14 WW II bronze medals (suggested price: $10 – $15)
    * How likely I would buy the the individual bronze medals that would fill the gaps in the portfolio (14 coins at $6.95 each)

  29. Coinasaurus says

    How soon will the Mint issue Gold Collored $1.00 Coins with the Dates on the bObverse , in a very limited issue of 1,000 ?

    A genius move at $1 ,000 Each. At that price they might even make them Gold “Center” Coins. Put a small plug of 24 kt in them. Maybe even make the entire Coin in 24 It. Bump the selling price to $2,400.00 ?

  30. cagcrisp says

    @ Buzz Killington…

    This past week, there were 576 4 coin sets of American Gold Eagle Proofs sold @$4,317.50

    …SO…There’s a boatload More people interested in shelling out big bucks for American Gold Eagles than you would think…

  31. Mintman says

    These will pop in price, but take your money and run.
    If it were minted bearing a mintmark from a different location, it might have more sustainability—-but the pricy alone…I don’t think so

  32. Buzz Killington says

    @cag — That is 576 more people than I would have thought. The price is still much less than $3K/oz. If they price 1 oz. limited mintage gold at $3K, will it still sell out in minutes? I have some tolerance for buying modern limited mintage gold, but not $3K/1 oz. worth of tolerance.

  33. cagcrisp says

    @ Buzz Killington says…

    This will be by Far the Lowest Mintage American Gold Eagle ever minted and considering 1) the design change that is coming for the American Gold Eagle that will keep this the Lowest Mintage , 2) the secondary market pricing vs. cost of the 2019 Enhanced Reverse Proof American Silver Eagle and 3) the TPG and late night coin shows that need these 70s…

    …Yeah you’re going to get an Instant Sell Out with a Mintage of 1945 …

  34. Nick Z says

    Never liked or picked up any Privy coins, not going to start now. Just my 2 cents

  35. cagcrisp says

    HSBC lost ~ $200M in one day in March because of disruptions in the Gold market.

    HSBC is the custodian for GLD ETF…

  36. cagcrisp says

    This is how I would handle the 1945 American Gold Eagles with the V75 privy mark…

    I would offer the 1945 @ $1000 Higher than the Normal price for a 1 oz. American Gold Eagle for a period of 10 minutes…

    …Then I would drop the price by $100 every 5 minutes until all 1945 are gone.

    I would put a count down counter or expand the viewable availability so you could see real time how many remain.

    IF you’re willing to pay ~ $3,300.00 for 1 oz. of Gold…

    …Go For It…

  37. cagcrisp says

    To get a 1 level price Increase this afternoon for Gold you Need an average of $1,700.00

    Last Friday was a Gold Fix Holiday

    Without using Friday’s non Gold Fix, the average was $1,699.99

    …SO…We will see what happens because how the Mint will handle Friday’s off fix day.

    There Should be a 1 level price Decrease on Palladium this afternoon…

  38. says

    The 2020 w RP nickels were sure pitiful, I had hoped I’d get at least one out of five that was even close to a 70, but nope. Finally sent pcgs my 2019 s ERP, 2018 w palladium and a gold SLQ all still sealed along with some old eagles, we’ll see what I get. Business is sure booming here, been so busy I’m damn near worn out.

  39. Buzz Killington says

    @cag — I would love to see your scenario happen. If they are making low mintage rarities, they should market them at a re-sale value, not allow flippers to make a killing.

  40. cagcrisp says

    The United States Treasury just auctioned off $22B 30 year Bonds (All Time record High offering) @ 1.342%

    The 1.342% was Not the All Time Lowest Yield for a 30 year offering

    I Guess you could say that was a Positive thing…

  41. cagcrisp says

    @Buzz Killington…

    The idea was that No one could say “I had it in my basket when it went CU and I wasn’t able to check out in time”

  42. Buzz Killington says

    @cag — You will never stop the whiners, who are only in it to make a killing. If you can immediately flip it for more, then the USM is leaving money on the table. The USM should sell at the price it is going to be flipped for.

    There are unique First Spouse coins with comparable mintages. I don’t think the market will support these privy marked coins at low mintages either, over the longer term.

    But you are right — start it at $3,500, and reduce the price $100 every 10 minutes. Let’s see who REALLY wants this thing. I’ll bump over 100 minutes later and see if any are left.

  43. cagcrisp says

    The 2019 Reverse Proof Palladium has been re-priced to $2,500.00

    11 weeks ago it was priced at $3,087.50.

    Matter of fact…There have been 1,607 coins Sold Higher than Current pricing.

    Ouch…

  44. Biff Ticonderoga says

    Privy AGE will be @ least $1k over spot if not more So, I think next will be a gold JFK Coin in 2063 with a mintage 0f 1917 his birthyear. Then a Jesus dollar mintage of 1, open to all bidders, no reserve. THe USM whole privy & W scam for 25c is a sham. I have talked to every local Coin store & visited 4 banks in the last 2 weeks, NONE saw any new 2020 25c. None got any rolls, the banks all said coinage is recirculated. The new coinage apparently goes to a sorting mill in Arkansas, where all the W & Privys are pulled out & apparently sent to some marketeeerwho sell them for big profits….. I have gone thru all the rolls I can get NEW BU, I have gone thru about 30 last year. 2 Ws. 2020 yet to even find one in change, banks, forghettaboutit. Mezak has rolls I suspect….just saying

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