A long-time U.S. numismatist and club official has announced his plans to launch an international show called IMEX this fall in Tennessee.
Retired U.S. Army Colonel Steven Ellsworth, the immediate past president of the American Numismatic Association, has more than four decades of hobby experience. A former president of the Virginia Numismatic Association, Ellsworth is also a dealer, heading up his Butternut Company, and has travelled to conventions in Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia to promote the hobby. At the 2018 Royal Canadian Numismatic Association Convention, Ellsworth, a past consultant for the U.S. Secret Service, also gave a presentation on numismatic security.
The first annual International Money Exposition will take place from Oct. 26-29 at the Music City Center complex in downtown Nashville.
“This will not be just another coin show,” Ellsworth said. “It is destined to become a must-attend event held in a world-class facility in the heart of one of the country’s top destination cities – Nashville, Tennessee, ‘Music City, USA.’”
Ellsworth recently led a three-year campaign to end sales tax on coins, currency and bullion in Tennessee. When state Governor Bill Lee signed the legislation this summer, one consideration stated Nashville would host a major international numismatic event. Ellsworth hopes to sign on dealers and other firms from around the world, including Europe and Asia.
“We are still in the early planning stages of all the elements needed to put on what we hope to be the number one money convention in the world.”