Description:

This description highlights a collectible phone card series issued to commemorate the 33rd Annual El Paso International Coin Show held in February 1996 in El Paso, Texas. The front of the card prominently features images of two historic silver coins—the 1873 seated silver dollar and a 19th-century Mexican “Un Peso” coin—both representing significant eras in numismatics, the study and collection of currency, coins, and related notaphily. The card boldly proclaims its limited edition status, with only 500 copies issued, enhancing its appeal for collectors and enthusiasts of numismatics and historical currency. Its design combines a striking blue and green gradient background with gold and white typography, elevating the card’s prestigious appearance and making it a memorable keepsake linked to the coin show, which often featured discussions on silver coins like the famed 1873 seated dollar, a favorite among numismatists.

On the reverse side, the card provides practical dialing instructions, emphasizing its dual purpose as a working phone card. Clear guidance details how to use the toll-free number 1-800-705-2290 and how to enter the unique card number to make calls within the U.S. and Canada, or internationally by pressing 011. Additional instructions for recharging the card, making subsequent calls, and accessing messaging services reflect its functionality as a prepaid phone card from the mid-1990s. The text also confirms the card’s expiration date—December 31, 1997—and notes that it was issued by American National Phone Card, with carrier services provided by Frontier Communications. For collectors interested in phone card memorabilia and the intersection of technology and currency, these details add valuable historical context.

The insert or backing card further enhances its collectible appeal by outlining reasons to collect phone cards. It emphasizes the unique combination of aesthetics and utility—merging the visual appeal of postage stamps, the monetary and historical significance of coins, and the trading and convenience aspects of sports cards. This blend reflects the diverse interests of collectors, who appreciate the overlap of monetary and communicative history encapsulated within phone cards. The rarity of this card—only 500 were ever issued—is reiterated, making it a sought-after item among phone card collectors and numismatists who attended or valued the El Paso International Coin Show. The insert also discusses the broader significance of the commemorated coins, particularly the 1873 silver dollar, providing additional historical insights that enrich the story behind the visual elements on the card.

Overall, this set of collectible phone cards functions as both a practical telecommunications tool and a numismatic keepsake, bridging the worlds of currency collecting and modern communication. By commemorating the 33rd Annual El Paso International Coin Show, these cards capture an era when silver coins like the 1873 seated dollar were celebrated not only for their monetary value but also for their historical and cultural importance. The card references international connections through the Mexican “Un Peso” coin, highlighting the expansive scope of the coin show and appealing to those interested in international money and currency history. This dual-purpose collectible stands as a unique artifact within coin shows and numismatics, exemplifying the 1990s collector culture that embraced both traditional and contemporary memorabilia.

Since we have the world's largest inventory of USA phonecards for collectors, you will not necessarily receive the identical serial/batch/PIN number that we have scanned/pictured.