Joel Iskowitz’s Final Coin Giveaway

A free coin at a major convention is usually an easy souvenir to pick up, put in a collection and remember years later. The copper coin being distributed at the 2026 American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money carries considerably more weight than that because it represents the final coin design of artist Joel Iskowitz’s career.

The ANA and Minted Assets plan to distribute approximately 250 one-ounce copper coins per day during the August 25-29 convention in Pittsburgh. CoinWeek reports that collectors can receive one coin per person while supplies last at Minted Assets tables 1230, 1232 and 1234, with distribution beginning at noon Tuesday and 11 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

The giveaway combines several numismatic stories in one piece. It arrives after circulating Lincoln cent production ended in November 2025, connects Pittsburgh with Lincoln cent designer Victor David Brenner and commemorates America’s 250th anniversary. It also honors Iskowitz and longtime Pennsylvania numismatist Patrick Emmett McBride, both of whom died in 2026.

For collectors, that combination makes the coin much more interesting than its copper content. The design links artists, institutions, the end of a major U.S. denomination era and the history of the city hosting one of the hobby’s biggest annual gatherings.

TL;DR

Free convention issue: Approximately 250 copper coins will be distributed each day at the 2026 ANA World’s Fair of Money while supplies last.
Final Iskowitz design: The ANA identifies the 2026 issue as the last coin design created by Joel Iskowitz during his career.
Copper symbolism: The metal connects naturally with the Lincoln cent after circulating penny production officially ended in November 2025.
Brenner connection: Victor David Brenner appears on the reverse through imagery inspired by his Pittsburgh sculpture A Song to Nature.
Personal memorial: A Benjamin Franklin hat privy mark and the initials PEM honor Pennsylvania numismatist Patrick Emmett McBride.
Three metal versions: Osborne Mint struck 1,300 copper, 500 silver and 100 gold one-ounce examples of the Ascension Island $5 issue.
Collector opportunity: The copper pieces are the free giveaway, while Proof silver and gold versions will be offered commercially during the show.
My practical take: If I were attending the convention, I would treat this as a design-history collectible first and a free promotional piece second.

This Giveaway Marks the End of Joel Iskowitz’s Coin-Design Career

The 2026 issue is the third coin in the ANA and Minted Assets convention series, and Joel Iskowitz designed all three. CoinWeek says the ANA identifies this Pittsburgh issue as the final coin design of his career, giving the release a significance that collectors could not have known when the earlier convention pieces appeared.

Iskowitz spent decades working across coins, medals, stamps and related art. According to the CoinWeek account, his U.S. Mint work included 54 designs created through the Artistic Infusion Program, with his art appearing on circulating pieces, commemorative coins, bullion issues and Congressional Gold Medals.

Nomisma returns for one final ANA issue

The obverse uses Nomisma, Iskowitz’s allegorical representation of money. The name comes from the Greek word associated with money or coinage, and the figure had already appeared on previous ANA convention issues designed by Iskowitz.

For the 2026 version, Nomisma holds the reverse of the 2025 American Platinum Eagle, an image that also forms part of the official visual identity for the Pittsburgh World’s Fair of Money. The inscription E PLURIBUS UNUM ties the design to the broader convention idea of bringing collectors together through numismatics.

That makes the obverse partly retrospective. Iskowitz was not introducing an entirely unrelated character for his final design. He returned to one of his recognizable numismatic creations and placed it within the context of his recent U.S. coinage work.

The artist matters as much as the finished coin

Collectors often spend far more time discussing mintages, grades and prices than the people responsible for the artwork. This issue pushes the artist directly into the story because its status depends partly on where it sits in Iskowitz’s career.

That is one reason convention issues can be useful even when they are not major U.S. Mint rarities. They can document a specific point in numismatic art, preserve relationships between artists and collector organizations and sometimes give designers more freedom than a standard circulating-coin program would allow.

My guide to coin collecting terms is useful for newer collectors entering this side of the hobby because design, privy marks, medals, proofs and legal-tender collector coins can overlap in ways that are easy to confuse.

Copper Gives the 2026 Coin an Extra Layer of Meaning

The previous ANA-Minted Assets convention issues were not struck in copper, making the 2026 piece the first copper edition in the three-year series. That metal choice lands at a particularly meaningful point in U.S. coin history.

The United States Mint struck the final circulating one-cent coin at Philadelphia on November 12, 2025, officially ending a 232-year production run for the circulating penny. The Mint said limited numismatic cents would continue to be produced for collectors even though general circulation production had ended.

The giveaway arrives just months after circulating cent production ended

That timing gives copper a significance beyond appearance. The convention coin is not a Lincoln cent and is not produced by the U.S. Mint, but it arrives while collectors are still adjusting to the end of regular circulating cent production.

The connection becomes stronger because the reverse directly involves Victor David Brenner, the artist who designed the Lincoln cent introduced in 1909. A copper coin honoring numismatic artists, issued in the first full year after circulating cent production stopped and featuring Brenner, creates a historical link that would be difficult to reproduce in another year.

Collectors interested in that transition can read my article about the end of the penny, which provides more context on what changed once circulation production ended.

This is not a U.S. penny replacement

The copper issue should still be understood correctly. Osborne Mint struck it as an Ascension Island $5 legal-tender coin, not as a new U.S. cent or an official U.S. Mint replacement for the penny. Osborne confirms that the 2026 ANA issue was produced in copper, silver and gold versions.

That distinction matters because an American convention theme can make a privately produced world coin feel more like a domestic commemorative than it actually is. The ANA connection, Iskowitz design and Pittsburgh imagery are American, while the legal-tender authority belongs to Ascension Island.

Victor David Brenner Gives Pittsburgh a Direct Lincoln Cent Connection

The reverse shifts from Iskowitz’s recurring Nomisma figure to a much more location-specific story. CoinWeek says Iskowitz drew inspiration from Victor David Brenner’s monumental Pittsburgh sculpture A Song to Nature, combining Brenner’s portrait with imagery associated with the work.

Brenner’s name carries immediate numismatic weight because he designed the Lincoln cent introduced in 1909. That makes the Pittsburgh connection unusually convenient: the city hosting the convention is also home to a major work by the artist behind one of the longest-running designs in American coinage.

One reverse connects a city, a sculptor and the cent

The reverse does not simply place Brenner’s portrait onto a convention souvenir. It uses his broader artistic legacy to connect Pittsburgh with a coin design recognized by generations of American collectors.

Above the scene, an eagle carries a ribbon bearing 1776-2026, placing the entire composition within the Semiquincentennial year. The design therefore carries three separate chronological references at once: Brenner’s artistic legacy, the end of regular Lincoln cent production and America’s 250th anniversary.

That kind of layering is exactly what makes commemorative-style pieces interesting to study. A collector can appreciate the design without knowing any of the background, but understanding the references makes the object much more specific to its time and place.

Brenner creates a natural internal link to Lincoln collecting

Collectors who want to move from the convention piece into the actual U.S. series can use my Lincoln penny values guide as a starting point. Brenner’s original obverse has outlived enormous changes in composition, reverse design and collecting habits, which is part of why his appearance on this 2026 issue feels appropriate.

The PEM Privy Mark Turns the Coin Into a Personal Memorial

One of the smallest elements on the coin carries one of the most personal stories.

CoinWeek reports that a Benjamin Franklin hat privy mark and the initials PEM honor Patrick Emmett McBride, a longtime Pennsylvania numismatist who became well known for portraying Benjamin Franklin at coin shows and educational events. McBride also served as president of the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists.

McBride helped make numismatics visible to younger collectors

Living-history portrayals can look peripheral to coin collecting until you see how effectively they turn historical figures into something younger collectors remember. McBride’s Franklin persona gave convention visitors a direct connection with one of the people most closely associated with colonial American printing, money and civic history.

His contribution was therefore different from Iskowitz’s, but the two fit together naturally on the same object. One created numismatic art while the other helped communicate numismatic and American history directly to collectors.

The first strikes made both memorials explicit

During the June 24 first-strike ceremony, former ANA President Thomas Uram struck the first 2026 coin in McBride’s honor. Minted Assets President Chang Bullock then struck the second coin in memory of Iskowitz.

That makes the memorial intention part of the issue’s documented production history rather than something collectors added afterward. The privy mark, initial strikes and Iskowitz’s final-design status were all built into the story before the coins reached convention attendees.

For collectors who enjoy coins with strong provenance or historical associations, my guide to coin auctions offers a useful reminder that documentation often becomes more important as an object’s story becomes more specific.

The Free Copper Coin Is Only One Version of the Issue

Osborne Mint confirms that the 2026 ANA $5 coin was produced in three one-ounce versions. The mintages are small across all three metals, although only the copper examples are tied to the free daily convention distribution.

2026 ANA Issue	Metal	Reported Mintage	Convention Role
Copper	One ounce	1,300	Approximately 250 distributed free each day
Silver	One ounce	500	Proof examples available for purchase
Gold	One ounce	100	Proof examples available for purchase

Copper is the accessible convention collectible

The 1,300-piece copper mintage is larger than either precious-metal version, but distribution changes its appeal. A collector does not necessarily need to make a major purchase to obtain one. Being at the show, arriving at the Minted Assets tables at the right time and receiving a piece before the daily supply is exhausted can become part of the coin’s personal provenance.

That experience is difficult to price. Two collectors may own identical copper examples, but the person who picked one up at the Pittsburgh convention also has a direct memory tied to the issue.

Silver and gold target a different buyer

The 500 silver and 100 gold pieces are much smaller issues and will be sold rather than handed out. CoinWeek reports that Proof silver and gold examples will be available through Minted Assets, with both graded and ungraded versions offered during the convention.

NGC-certified examples are also expected to use special Joel Iskowitz signature labels, adding another layer for collectors who focus on certified modern issues.

This creates three different ways to approach the same design:

Convention experience: Obtain the free copper example directly at the show.
Lower-mintage precious metal: Buy the one-ounce silver Proof.
Top-tier version: Pursue one of only 100 one-ounce gold pieces.

The most expensive version is not automatically the most historically interesting. For many collectors, the free copper coin may actually capture the convention story most directly.

How I Would Approach the Giveaway at the Show

The biggest challenge with a free limited-quantity piece is not deciding whether it is worth the price. It is simply being in the right place before the day’s supply disappears.

CoinWeek says approximately 250 copper coins will be distributed each day, with a one-per-person limit while supplies last. Distribution begins at noon Tuesday and 11 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday at Minted Assets tables 1230, 1232 and 1234.

My practical convention plan

If this coin were one of my goals for the World’s Fair of Money, I would use the following approach:

Arrive ahead of distribution: Do not assume 250 pieces will last throughout the afternoon.
Confirm the table numbers: Head directly to Minted Assets tables 1230, 1232 and 1234 before the stated start time.
Keep the packaging: Any original holder, card or information distributed with the coin helps preserve its show context.
Record the event: A photo of the table or convention materials can become useful provenance for your personal collection.
Avoid handling the surfaces: A free copper coin can still spot, tone or pick up fingerprints quickly.
Check the precious-metal versions separately: Do not let the urgency of the free giveaway push you into an unplanned silver or gold purchase.

The last point is especially important at a major show. Being surrounded by rare coins, dealers and limited releases can make every opportunity feel urgent. A free souvenir requires almost no financial decision, while a one-ounce gold Proof obviously does.

The World’s Fair of Money Gives the Coin a Stronger Backdrop

The 2026 World’s Fair of Money runs August 25-29 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. The ANA says the show will feature more than 500 dealers from the United States and abroad dealing in rare coins, vintage paper money, medals, tokens, gold and silver.

The show also includes educational programs, exhibits, family activities and opportunities for visitors to receive informal evaluations of coins and paper money from numismatic experts. Public admission is $10 daily or $25 for a weekly pass, while ANA members and children under 12 enter free. Admission is free for everyone on Saturday, August 29.

The artist program makes the giveaway more than a pickup

Minted Assets is also using the convention to highlight the people who design coins. CoinWeek says nine artists are participating in a show-guide signature program, with collectors able to meet participating artists at the Minted Assets tables at 2 p.m. Friday, August 28.

That complements the Iskowitz issue nicely. The giveaway commemorates one artist whose career has ended while the broader program gives collectors an opportunity to meet artists still producing numismatic work.

For someone attending the show, that creates a natural collecting theme: obtain the Iskowitz coin, study the artist information in the show guide and meet designers whose work may appear on coins for years to come.

My Takeaway: The Free Copper Coin May Tell the Story Best

The 2026 ANA issue has several qualities that normally appear separately. It is a convention collectible, a legal-tender world coin, a memorial piece, an America 250 issue and the final coin design credited to Joel Iskowitz.

The reverse also gives the release a direct Pittsburgh identity through Victor David Brenner and A Song to Nature. The copper composition connects naturally with the end of circulating Lincoln cent production, while the PEM privy mark preserves Patrick McBride’s role in Pennsylvania numismatics.

The gold version will be the rarest by mintage, and the silver version may appeal to collectors who prefer precious metals without moving into one-ounce gold pricing. But I think the copper piece tells the convention story particularly well because it is the coin ordinary attendees can actually receive at the show.

That accessibility fits the ANA environment. A collector does not need to win an auction or buy an expensive rarity to leave Pittsburgh with an object tied directly to Iskowitz, Brenner, McBride, the Lincoln cent transition and America’s 250th anniversary.

For a free convention giveaway, that is an unusually dense amount of numismatic history.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 ANA Joel Iskowitz Coin

How can collectors get the free 2026 ANA copper coin?

Collectors attending the World’s Fair of Money can visit Minted Assets tables 1230, 1232 and 1234. Approximately 250 copper examples are scheduled for distribution each day, limited to one per person while supplies last. Distribution starts at noon Tuesday and 11 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Why is the 2026 coin important to Joel Iskowitz collectors?

The ANA identifies it as the final coin design of Iskowitz’s career. He designed all three ANA-Minted Assets convention issues, and the 2026 piece returns to his Nomisma figure while also incorporating Pittsburgh, Brenner and memorial elements.

How many 2026 ANA coins were made?

Osborne Mint reports 1,300 one-ounce copper coins, 500 one-ounce silver coins and 100 one-ounce gold coins. All three are Ascension Island $5 legal-tender issues struck by Osborne Mint.

Is the free copper coin a U.S. Mint issue?

No. Osborne Mint struck the coin under Ascension Island legal-tender authority. The ANA and Minted Assets are distributing the copper examples at the convention, but the piece is not a United States Mint coin.

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

The show runs August 25-29, 2026, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. The ANA lists daily admission at $10 and a weekly pass at $25, with free entry for ANA members, children under 12 and everyone attending on Saturday.

Joel Iskowitz’s Final Coin Design Will Be Given Away Free in Pittsburgh

TL;DR