The American Numismatic Association and Colorado Springs’ Edward C. Rochette Money Museum will celebrate National Coin Week during the week of April 20-26 with a host of family-friendly activities, including an open house with free admission and special events on Saturday, April 26. The theme for this year’s event is “Coin & Country: Celebrating Civic Service,” and activities will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Kennedy half-dollar and President John F. Kennedy’s famous challenge: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” “National Coin Week is a great opportunity to learn about money, and honoring President Kennedy’s famous call to service is a great way to celebrate this year’s event,” said Andy Dickes, ANA Collections Manager and coordinator for National Coin Week. “Everyone is invited to the Money Museum on the 26th to have fun, learn something new and take home a bunch of giveaways and prizes.” The Money Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Events at the Saturday open house will include: Free admission to all Money Museum exhibits, including the Harry W. Bass Jr. Gallery, featuring some of the rarest United States gold coins ever struck; the History of Money exhibit, which chronicles the vast history of money used throughout the globe; and “A House Divided: Money of the Civil War,” which leads visitors through the history of America’s bloodiest war as told through currency.

Mini-Mint demonstrations every 30 minutes starting at 10:30 a.m. All attendees will receive a freshly-minted National Coin Week medalette.

Dig for Buried Treasure, where one lucky child will discover a gold coin.

The Prize Wheel, where every child will spin to win a prize.

A raffle drawing to win 30 seconds in the Cash Cube, where the winner gets to keep all the cash they can grab.

Hobo Nickel Carving demonstrations with Adam Leech, numismatic filmmaker and owner of The Leechpit, from noon to 4 p.m. Children who visit the Money Museum April 22-25 will receive a 2014 Kennedy half-dollar when they participate in an educational museum fact-finding quiz that encourages interaction with the exhibits. Every year during the third full week of April, the ANA and its members celebrate National Coin Week by letting others know about the joys of collecting and studying coins and other forms of money. To get involved in 2014 National Coin Week, call 719-482-9814, email ncw or go to money.org/nationalcoinweek.