Grand Prize Drawing Concludes Successful 2008 National Coin Week

Scott McNally of Colorado Springs, Colo., is the grand prize winner in the American Numismatic Association’s 2008 National Coin Week national treasure hunt grand prize drawing. McNally, 12, receives a 2008 half-ounce gold American Eagle proof coin.

The grand prize drawing was held May 15 at ANA headquarters in Colorado Springs. Other winners from the drawing include Kadence Minor of Claremore, Okla., Elisa Madrigal of Reno, Nev., Sarah Jones of Toms River, N.J., Walter Fox of South Bend, Ind., James Cosgrove of Salt Lake City, Utah, Jacek Milauskas of Frederick, Md., and Molly Arrance of Kennedy, N.Y. They received prizes such as a 1930 gold Swiss franc, an Australian Lunar silver bullion coin, and U.S. 50 State Quarter proof sets.

“This is an awesome event. I can’t believe I won!" said McNally, a sixth grade student at Horizon Middle School. “I like coins, and come to the Money Museum a lot with my family."

Winning the grand prize drawing was a great way to end the school year for McNally, who was involved in a serious traffic accident last November. The accident left Scott and his brother, Michael, hospitalized for several days.

“I was thrilled that he won the grand prize in the contest, with all that he’s been through and how amazing his attitude and determination for recovery led him through his ordeal," said Anissa McNally, Scott’s mother. “This couldn’t have happened at a better time."

Across the country, 55 member clubs worked with schools, libraries and other community centers to distribute 8,000 National Coin Week bookmarks. The bookmarks included the five numismatic objects needed to complete the treasure hunt, along with information about the ANA. The treasure hunt was completed by 463 people nationwide. Some of the most popular coins recovered included Buffalo nickels (a coin with an animal), Canadian pennies (a coin from another place) and Chuck E. Cheese’s tokens (a coin that’s not a
coin).

The 85th annual National Coin Week was celebrated April 20-26. This year’s theme was “Money Makes the World Go Round," a tribute to youth and world unity.

Each year during the third full week of April, coin collectors celebrate National Coin Week with exhibits, presentations and other activities designed to convey the fun of collecting and studying coins and other forms of money. A new theme is chosen annually; past themes include “A Penny Saved is History Learned" and “The Presidents are Coming!"

About American Numismatic Association

The American Numismatic Association is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to encouraging people to study and collect money and related items. The ANA helps its 32,000 members and the public discover and explore the world of money through its vast
array of education and outreach programs as well as its museum, library, publications, conventions and seminars. For more information, call 719-632-2646 or visit www.money.org.