ANA | Coin Collectors News

Burnett Anderson Memorial Award and ANA Member Booster Awards Presented at World’s Fair of Money

Sep 28, 2018 | ANA, News

The achievements of numismatists do not go unnoticed. Each year, the American Numismatic Association (ANA) presents an award to a researcher, author or journalist in recognition of his or her body of work and career contributions to numismatics. Numismatists working to expand interest in coin collecting by recruiting new ANA members also are recognized for their efforts.

During the Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money in August, The Burnett Anderson Memorial Award for Excellence in Numismatic Writing was presented to Kenneth E. Bressett, best known for his dedicated work as editor of A Guide Book of United States Coins (the “Red Book”).

First conferred posthumously in 1999 to its namesake—a newsman’s journalist—the award is sponsored by Krause Publications. The recipient is selected in a cooperative process by the ANA, the American Numismatic Society and the Numismatic Literary Guild.

Bressett, who will celebrate his 90th birthday next month, became active on the Red Book’s editorial staff in 1956, and in 1973 was named editor, effective with the 27th edition. To date, Whitman Publishing has printed more than 24 million copies, making the reliable hobby reference one of the best-selling nonfiction books in American publishing history.

The readily recognizable guide was first edited by R.S. Yeoman, with whom Bressett became acquainted in the mid-’50s. Their long collaboration was cordial and fruitful, and together they created more than 300 hobby-related books and products, including a monthly magazine, Whitman Numismatic Journal (1964-68).

During his 75 years of numismatic involvement, Bressett has focused his efforts on more than United States coins, expanding his knowledge base and books to include ancients, biblical coins, British issues and U.S. paper money, as well as all aspects of grading, buying, selling and collecting. In 1962 he and fellow numismatic scholar Eric P. Newman co-wrote the quintessential Fantastic 1804 Dollar. Among his other notable works as author or editor are Basics of Coin Grading for U.S. Coins; Buying and Selling United States Coins; Collectible American Coins; A Guide Book of English Coins; A Guide Book of Modern United States Currency; A Guide Book of United States Currency; The Handbook of Ancient Greek and Roman Coins; Handbook of United States Coins (the “Blue Book”); Milestone Coins: A Pageant of the World’s Most Significant and Popular Money; Money of the Bible; The Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins; and The Official Whitman Statehood Quarters Collector’s Handbook.

Writes Bressett in the 72nd (2019) edition of the Red Book, in his new role as editor emeritus, “Throughout the years it has been my privilege to work with many of the leading numismatic dealers and scholars…My involvement has been a richly rewarding experience, for which I will be eternally grateful to my friend Dick Yeoman.”

Says Jeff Garrett, ANA past president and now senior editor of the Red Book, “A Guide Book of United States Coins is the most important numismatic book that has ever been produced. …It has been the foundation for knowledge of collectors for generations. Most serious collectors and coin dealers have a copy within arm’s reach. Ken Bressett has been the guardian of this important resource for many decades. His dedication to accuracy and his unwavering integrity are the foundation of the book’s long success.”

Photo: ANA Executive Director, Kenneth Bressett and Mark Anderson present Bressett with the Burnett Anderson Memorial Award for Excellence in Numismatic Writing.

ANA Booster Awards Presented in Philadelphia

At the World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia, August 14-18, three members were honored for encouraging fellow coin enthusiasts to join the ANA. The John and Nancy Wilson Member Booster Award (named after the dynamic duo who has recruited more than 2,000 new members for the Association) went to ANA Vice President Don Kagin. Between November 1, 2016, and October 31, 2017, he increased the organization’s rolls by 21 members.

Rare Coin Wholesalers of Irvine, California, represented here by company president Michael Contursi (left), accepted the Dealer Booster Award from ANA President Gary Adkins.

Numismatic professionals who have sponsored members through their businesses are recognized with the Dealer Booster Award. This year’s recipient is Rare Coin Wholesalers of Irvine, California. The firm, led by President Michael Contursi, recruited 161 members for the ANA.

ANA President Gary Adkins is the newest inductee into the ANA Century Club. This distinction is reserved for individuals who have recruited a cumulative total of 100 or more members.

The American Numismatic Association is a congressionally chartered, nonprofit educational organization dedicated to encouraging the study and collection of coins and related items. The ANA helps its 25,000 members and the public discover and explore the world of money through its vast array of educational and outreach programs as well as its museum, library, publications, and conventions. For more information, call 719-632-2646 or visit www.money.org.

Exhibitors Honored at Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money

Sep 4, 2018 | ANA, News

The American Numismatic Association (ANA) presented 55 competitive exhibit awards at the 2018 World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Winners were announced at the exhibit awards presentation and reception on Aug. 17, and at the awards banquet that evening.

Thirty-eight exhibitors of all experience levels, showing 51 exhibits, competed in this year’s program. There were also two non-competitive exhibitors showing two additional exhibits.

Michael Shutterly received the Howland Wood Memorial Award for Best-in-Show for his exhibit “Golden Portraits of Byzantium – Every Picture Tells a Story.” The Radford Stearns Memorial Award for Excellence in Exhibiting, presented to the first and second runners-up, was awarded, respectively, to David Menchell for “Medals of the United States Assay Commission 1860 – 1977,” and to Michael Shutterly for “Remember the Ladies – The Empresses of Rome’s Severan Dynasty, 193-235.”

The ANA also presented competitive exhibit awards for young numismatists (YNs) age 17 and younger. The Charles H. Wolfe Sr. Memorial Award for the YN Best-of-Show exhibit was presented to Abigail Zechman for “A View of Hobo Nickel Carving Step-by-Step.”

The Thos. H. Law Award for the best exhibit by a first-time exhibitor also went to Ms. Zechman for the same exhibit.

The Rodger E. Hershey Memorial People’s Choice Award, selected by convention attendees, was also won by David Menchell for his exhibit of Assay Commission medals.

Michael Shutterly also received the Women in Numismatics award for his exhibit “Remember the Ladies: The Empresses of Rome’s Severan Dynasty, 193-235.”

V. Kurt Bellman received the Derek Pobjoy Award for Best Exhibit of Modern Circulating Commemorative Coins for his exhibit “The Beginning of U.S. Nickel Coinage – A Local Story.”

Mr. Shuttterly also received the Ira & Larry Goldberg Award for the best exhibit of “Coins that Made History” for “Watch Your Head! Helmets From the Iron Age to the Space Age.”
Robert F. Fritsch received the Joseph E. Boling Award for Judging Excellence.

2018 Class Exhibit Awards:

Class 1: United States Coins, Lelan G. Rogers Memorial. All United States coins and patterns and all coinage or trade tokens used in pre-Federal America, except gold.

First place: Carl Waltz, Jr., for “Striking Difference.”
Second place: J. Sebelist for “Capped Bust Half Dollars Lettered Edge (1807-1836).”
Third place: Hills Howard IV for “The Transcontinental Quarter.”

Class 2: United States Fiscal Paper, Sidney W. Smith/William Donlon Memorial. All paper money and bonds issued by the United States government, including military currency; pre-U.S. colonial, Continental, and Confederate paper money and bonds; state and private banknotes and bonds; scrip; college currency; and stock certificates. Essays, proofs, and souvenir cards of such items may also be shown.

First place: Dan Freeland for “Selected Michigan Nationals From Charter 8723.”
Second place: Thomas C. Tullis for “Where is that BANK?”
Third place: Carl Waltz, Jr. for “The 1918 Two-Dollar Battleship Note.”

Class 3: Medals, Orders, Decorations and Badges; Burton Saxton/George Bauer Memorial. Medallic items not used as a medium of exchange, or not having trade value, including orders and decorations, convention badges, and badges issued by fraternal orders or other organizations. Excluded are Masonic pennies and tokens included in classes 5-8.

First place: David Menchell for “Medals of the United States Assay Commission 1860 -1977.”
Second place: Bryce Doxzon for “THEY ALSO RAN – Select 19th Century Political Medals of Defeated Presidential Candidates.”
Third place: Gamal Amer for “A Short Story of a Portrait Medal of J-F Champollion.”

Class 4: Modern U.S. Coins and Modern Medals, John R. Eshbach Memorial. Coins and medallic (non-denominated) material issued 1960 and later, including philatelic numismatic covers.

First place: Simcha Laib Kuritzky, for “Chaim Gross’ Ten Commandments Sculpture Medals.”
Second place: Joseph Schultz for “The New Look of Marvel Superheroes on Coins.”
Third place: no exhibit

Class 5: Tokens, B.P. Wright Memorial. Items, including encased postage, issued as a medium of exchange for goods and services or for advertising purposes, but excluding American colonial items included in class 1. Includes Masonic pennies and substances used in lieu of metal.

First place: Michael Hicks for “A Selection of Coal Mining Scrip – A Miner’s Wages in Tokens.”
Second place: David Gottfried for “Introduction to Hard Times Tokens (1832-1844) and the Tokens of Dr. Lewis Feuchtwanger.”
Third place: no exhibit

Class 6: Casino Chips and Gaming Tokens, Archie A. Black Award. Items of all types and materials used as gaming pieces, including traditional and non-traditional tokens and other money substitutes, and including tokens used in military clubs.

First place: Gerald Birl for “A Study of Selected Slot Machine Tokens used in Atlantic City Casinos from 1978-2005.”
Second place: no exhibit
Third place: no exhibit

Class 7: Engraved Coins, Love Token Society Award. Numismatic items that have been converted into jewelry, amulets, or decorative objects. Examples are love tokens, hobo nickels, and “pop-out” coins.

First place: Abigail Zechman for “A View of Hobo Nickel Carving Step-by-Step.”
Second place: Judy Schwan, for “The Baghdad Shilling.”
Third place: no exhibit

Class 8: Elongated Coins, Dottie Dow Memorial. Souvenirs created using an elongating machine, whether the underlying piece is a coin, token, medal, or blank planchet.

First place: Cindy Calhoun for “The Making of an Elongated Coin: Much More Than Just a Squished Penny!”
Second place: Terri Ventresca for “Meet the Rollers: Makers of Coins Any Way They Like Them.”
Third place: Simcha Laib Kuritzky for “Feline Elongated Type Set.”

Class 9: Coins Issued Prior to 1500 A.D., Dr. Charles W. Crowe Memorial. Coins, including gold, issued by any government before 1500 A.D.

First place: Michael Shutterly for “Remember the Ladies – The Empresses of Rome’s Severan Dynasty, 193-235.”
Second place: no exhibit
Third place: no exhibit

Class 10: Regional U.S. Numismatics, William C. Henderson/Fred Cihon Memorial. Numismatic material of any type specific to a particular region of the United States, such as the locale where the exhibit is being presented.

First place: Paul Hybert for “Assayed at the Mint – 200 years ago in a building not far, far away…”
Second place: V. Kurt Bellman for “The Beginning of U.S. Nickel Coinage – A Local Story.”
Third place: no exhibit

Class 11: Numismatics of the Americas, Henry Christensen/John Jay Pittman Sr. Memorial. Numismatic material of any type issued or used in the Western Hemisphere outside the United States.

First place: Carlos Paiz for “Medallic, Coinage and Paper Money Issues of Mexico’s First Empire Under Agustin Iturbide 1822 – 1823 and Their Ties to Central America.”
Second place: Nancy Wilson for “Guatemala 5 Pesos Issue, 1895 – 1915.”
Third place: Fred Schwan for “Newfoundland Trench Art.”

Class 12: Numismatics of Europe, John S. Davenport Memorial. Numismatic material of any type issued or used in Europe, including Russia east to the Urals.

First place: no award
Second place: no award
Third place: Erica Schultz for “Introduction to the 19th Century United Kingdom Penny.”

Class 13: Numismatics of Africa and the Middle East, Menachem Chaim and Simcha Tova Mizel Memorial. Numismatic material of any type issued or used on the continent of Africa and in the Middle East (from Turkey east through Iran and south to Aden).

First place: Simcha Laib Kuritzky for “The Roaring Lion of Megiddo.”
Second place: Matthew Campbell for “A Middle East Tribute to Apollo – Fujairah and Yemen’s coins honoring America’s space program.”
Third place: Gerald Grzenda for “Coinage of the German Colonies.”

Class 14: Numismatics of Asia and the Pacific, William B. Warden Jr. Memorial. All numismatic material issued or used in Asia east of the Urals and Iran, and in the southeast Asian, Australasian, and Pacific islands (excluding Hawaii under the U.S.).

First place: Sunil Richardson for “Coinage of the ideal Indian princely state – Travancore.”
Second place: Simcha Laib Kuritzky for “Expo ’70 Fair in Osaka, Japan: Progress and Harmony for Mankind.”
Third place: no exhibit

Class 15: Gold Coins, Gaston DiBello/Melvin and Leona Kohl Memorial. Gold coins of any provenance and era.

First place: Michael Shutterly for “Golden Portraits of Byzantium – Every Picture Tells a Story.”
Second place: no exhibit
Third place: no exhibit

Class 16: Numismatic Errors and Error Varieties, Numismatic Error Collectors Award. Any numismatic material mis-struck or misprinted by the producer, including varieties caused by die or plate deterioration or damage. Items mutilated or altered after production are excluded.

First place: Hayden Howard for “My Favorite Numismatic Errors on Lincoln Cents.”
Second place: Randy Jones for “ERROR: CIRCULATION NOT FOUND.”
Third place: no exhibit

Class 17: Numismatic Literature, Aaron Feldman Memorial. Printed and manuscript (published or unpublished) literature dealing with any numismatic subject.

First place: Carl Waltz, Jr. for “Publications by Charles T. Steigerwalt.”
Second place: Michael Shutterly for “Buy the Books for the Coin.”
Third place: Darryl Gomez, for “Special Medals for U.S. Government Agencies.”

Class 18: General, Specialized, and Topical, Robert Hendershott Memorial. Numismatic material not covered in other classes or covered by more than one class. Includes wooden money, political buttons and insignia, and other exonumia, as well as media of exchange used in carrying out purchases and business transactions by primitive people and later by others as they progressed from barter to coins, or other items generally accepted as primitive or odd and curious currencies. Also includes exhibits showing material linked by design, such as elephants or bridges, or by theme, such as a world’s fair.

First place: Jim Kolmus for “Theodore Roosevelt: His Life and His Influence on Numismatics.”
Second place: Michael Shutterly for “Watch Your Head! Helmets From the Iron Age to the Space Age.”
Third place: Ernie Nagy for “Numismatic Prelude to the 13th Amendment.”

Class 19: Convention Theme, Clifford Mishler Award. Numismatic items of any type that, together with the exhibit text, illustrate the announced theme for the convention at which the exhibit is shown. The 2018 convention theme is ““Fugios to Franklins—The Influence of Poor Richard.”

First place: Jeffrey Rosinia for “The Philadelphia Story of the Franklin Half Dollar.”
Second place: no exhibit
Third place: no exhibit

Class 20: U.S. Commemorative Coinage, Society for U.S. Commemorative Coins Award. Material of any type or period related to United States commemorative coinage and to the events being commemorated.

First place: V. Kurt Bellman for “The California Pacific Exhibition of 1935 and 1936, its Commemorative Halves, and its Exonumia.”
Second place: no exhibit
Third place: no exhibit

Class 21: Emeritus, Barry Stuppler Award. Exhibits by individuals not otherwise eligible to exhibit competitively, or exhibits that have won best-of-show or twice won in class competition at the World’s Fair of Money^®. Any other exhibit may also be entered at the exhibitor’s option. The winner of this class does not advance to best-of-show judging.

First place: Brett Irick for “Pedigree Lost and Found: The Stories of two Canadian Victorian Ten Cent Coins.”

2018 Young Numismatist Exhibit Awards

Class Y1: United States Coins, Edgerton-Lenker Memorial.

First place: Hills Howard IV for “The Transcontinental Quarter.”
Second place: no exhibit
Third place: no exhibit

Class Y2: World Coins, James L. Betton Memorial.

First place: Erica Schultz for “Introduction to the 19th Century United Kingdom Penny”
Second place: Kelly Barker for “Treasures of the Sea.”
Third place: no exhibit

Class Y3: Paper Money, Kagin Family Award.

No exhibits this year

Class Y4: Israeli or Judaic, J.J. Van Grover Memorial.

No exhibits this year

Class Y5: Medals and Tokens, Charles “Cheech” Litman Memorial.

First place: Abigail Zechman for “A View of Hobo Nickel Carving Step-by-Step.”
Second place: Joseph Schultz for “The New Look of Marvel Superheroes on Coins.”
Third Place: no exhibit

Class Y6: Medieval and Ancient, Charles H. Wolfe Sr. Memorial.

No exhibits this year.

Class Y7: Errors and Varieties, Alan Herbert Memorial.

First place: Hayden Howard for “My Favorite Numismatic Errors on Lincoln Cents.”
Second place: no exhibit
Third place: no exhibit

The American Numismatic Association is a congressionally chartered nonprofit educational organization dedicated to encouraging people to study and collect money and related items. The ANA helps its 25,000 members and the public discover and explore the world of money through its vast array of educational 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.

American Numismatic Association Donates $55,000 to Fight Counterfeiting

Aug 30, 2018 | ANA, News

The American Numismatic Association (ANA) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting efforts to fight coin and bullion counterfeiting with a $55,000 contribution to the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (ACEF), the non-profit organization that receives contributions to fund the work of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets’ Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force (ACTF). The donation was made during the August 18 ANA board of governors meeting at the Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money®.

ANA President Gary Adkins (right) pledges a $50,000 donation from the national hobby organization to ICTA Executive Director Kathy McFadden and Greg Allen, chair of the Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force.

ACTF’s mission is to mobilize law enforcement to protect the integrity of U.S. coinage by educating officials about the growing threat that counterfeit circulating, collectible and bullion coins pose to the collecting community and the public and moving them to act.

“Counterfeiting is a serious problem that poses a threat to the entire numismatic marketplace,” says ANA President Gary Adkins. “The issue is urgent, and the ANA is pleased to continue its support of ACTF’s efforts to assist law enforcement in quickly identifying counterfeit coins.”

The combined efforts of the American Numismatic Association, Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) and Industry Council for Tangible Assets (ICTA) led to the formation of the ACTF. Since its inception in January 2017, ACTF has provided education, expertise and other resources to law enforcement to assist in curtailing the manufacture, importation, marketing and sale of counterfeit coins, related fakes of precious metals products, and counterfeit packaging. Key accomplishments have included:

Inducing the U.S. Customs & Border Protection Service and Homeland Security to value counterfeits at market value rather than face value in assessment of potential victim harm, leading to more investigations and awareness of the extent of coin counterfeiting.
Successfully connecting law enforcement agencies within the federal government to facilitate their working together on cases involving counterfeit coins, bars and packaging.
Assisting law enforcement in more than a dozen cases, one in particular which would have flooded the U.S. market with counterfeits valued at more than $48 million.
Persuading the U.S. Customs & Border Protection Service to increase the number of coin packages inspected, resulting in thousands of counterfeit coins and bullion bars being seized before they enter the country.
Creating a volunteer nationwide network of more than 90 numismatic experts to support federal, state and local law enforcement agents, allowing them to move quickly in the investigation of cases.
Working with the U.S. Customs & Border Protection and Secret Service to determine the most effective and efficient means of providing training to agents in the field, nationwide.

According to ICTA Executive Director Kathy McFadden, counterfeiting isn’t new to numismatics. “What is new are the quality and quantity of counterfeits entering the United States and other countries around the world,” she says. “The fact that Great Britain demonetized its one-pound coin less than two years ago and replaced it with a coin containing highly sophisticated anti-counterfeiting technology serves as a prime example of the reality we face.”

“During the last 18 months, we have discovered that products minted by the United States Mint as well as those produced by many sovereign mints and private mints have been counterfeited,” says ICTA Director of Anti-Counterfeiting Beth Deisher. “We have further discovered that packaging, grading services slabs, and certificates of authenticity are also being counterfeited.”

“Education, training and research are key components in mobilizing law enforcement to act against counterfeiting,” says Deisher, who coordinates the work of the 44-member ACTF. “ANA’s funding support comes at a pivotal time in the task force’s development of educational materials for law enforcement as well as for dealers and collectors. It allows us to move forward with producing high-quality media to educate and assist those on the front lines of the battle against counterfeit coins and other numismatic collectibles.”

ANA President Adkins agrees that education is key. “Thanks to the leadership of Kathy McFadden and Beth Deisher, ACTF continues to make significant inroads in thwarting the import of counterfeits. The numismatic community has benefitted greatly from the work of the task force.”

The $55,000 contribution from the American Numismatic Association is from the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation board designated fund ($50,000) and the David L. and Kathy Ganz endowment restricted fund ($5,000). Both funds are earmarked for educational programs.

Nearly 10,000 Attend Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money®

Aug 29, 2018 | ANA, News

Philadelphia’s reputation as the “City of Brotherly Love” was unmistakable at the 2018 World’s Fair of Money®. The American Numismatic Association-sponsored event welcomed 9,939 people at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Aug. 14-18, and by all accounts the show was one of the most successful in recent memory.

“Philadelphia, birthplace of our Constitution and coinage, lived up to all expectations,” says ANA President Gary Adkins. “We had record crowds. The bourse and auctions were very lively, and the many seminars, talks and meetings held during the convention were extremely well attended. I think you can safely say the City of Brotherly Love proved a great backdrop for what might well have been our best World’s Fair of Money in the last few years.”

The event featured displays by government and private mints from around the world; expansive educational forums led by notable speakers sharing their numismatic expertise; exhibits of rare treasures from private collectors and the American Numismatic Association’s Money Museum; hundreds of dealers buying and selling coins, currency and related items in all price ranges; and major auctions by Heritage Auctions and Stack’s Bowers Galleries.

The show created an international buzz with the sale of the finest-known example of the 1913 Liberty Head nickel, which was conducted by Stack’s Bowers Galleries before a standing-room only crowd for $4.56 million – becoming one of the five most valuable coins sold at auction. The Proof 66 specimen is one of five known pieces, all of which were struck without authorization at the Philadelphia Mint. Of the other four known examples, one was on display in the show’s Museum Showcase from the ANA’s Edward C. Rochette Money Museum in Colorado Springs, Colo.

A recently discovered fourth example of an 1854-S Coronet “No Motto” gold $5 (half eagle) realized $2.16 million during a Heritage Auctions session. The piece reportedly was in the possession of an unnamed New England collector whose numismatic acquaintances believed the coin had to be counterfeit because of the rarity of genuine examples. Numismatic Guaranty Corp., the ANA’s official grading service, certified the find as genuine and graded it Extremely Fine-45.

The United States Mint displayed three 1933 double eagle $20 gold coins. The display featured two of the ten pieces recovered by the government in 2004, which were the subject of 11 years of litigation. Also on display was a previously undisclosed specimen that was voluntarily surrendered to the government by a private citizen. The only 1933-dated double eagles to leave the Mint lawfully are two specimens provided to the Smithsonian Institution for preservation in the National Numismatic Collection.

The Museum Showcase spotlighted several spectacular specimens, including an 1861 Confederate half dollar, historical documents signed by Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, and one of two known 1861-P Paquet double eagles. The Collector Exhibits area, always popular with show attendees, featured 53 competitive and non-competitive numismatic displays. “We’re thankful to the U.S. Mint, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and those collectors who shared their rare and historic numismatic treasures by displaying these items at the World’s Fair of Money,” says Adkins. “The exhibits always are a huge draw and collectors and the public alike love them.”

ANA President Adkins officiated at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday morning, Aug. 14, and welcomed special guests U.S. Mint Director David Ryder and Bureau of Engraving and Printing Director Leonard Olijar. Opening day festivities were made even more memorable by a kick-off event that evening at the Museum of the American Revolution, which welcomed a crowd of more than 300. “The kick-off celebration at the museum set the tone for the entire week,” says ANA Executive Director Kim Kiick. “It was a stellar event and the amazing immersive experiences were enjoyed by all.”

Attendance at the show was strongest on Saturday, Aug. 5, when 1,955 people turned out for free family day admission. Hundreds of young people converged on the Kids Zone, where they could see their faces on a $100,000 bill, design their own coin or note, make an elongated coin, spin a wheel for a chance to win numismatic prizes or grab some high-flying bucks inside the “Cash Tornado.” ANA Education Director Rod Gillis reported that nearly 200 kids participated in the Treasure Trivia game as they explored the bourse floor in search of answers to trivia questions. “Coin Collecting 101,” a free class for those interested in numismatics, attracted dozens of attendees, as did Gillis’ “Money Talks” presentation, “Strategies to Dispose of Your Collection.”

Complete Attendance Totals for the 2018 World’s Fair of Money

Total attendance: 9,939
General public: 4,742
ANA members: 3,743
Table-holders/dealers: 1,373
Staff, volunteers and pages: 81

Total daily attendance

Tuesday: 3,259 (returning visitors such as table-holders, staff, volunteers and weekly pass holders are counted in first-day attendance only)
Wednesday: 1,444
Thursday: 1,640
Friday: 1,641
Saturday: 1,955

The 2019 World’s Fair of Money will be held in Rosemont, Ill. (Chicago), Aug. 13-17, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

Numismatic Influencers Receive Awards During World’s Fair of Money®

Aug 22, 2018 | ANA, News

Leaders in numismatics are essential for helping others to grow within the coin collecting hobby. Whether that leadership is provided through teaching, mentoring, writing or leading conventions and shows, these activities help foster learning for all numismatists. This year, our biggest numismatic leaders and influencers were recognized during the annual World’s Fair of Money® in Philadelphia for their accomplishments.

Without strong adult leaders and mentors, young people will not be able to grow in and learn to enjoy the wonderful hobby of coin collecting. The ANA’s Lawrence J. Gentile Sr. Memorial Award for Outstanding Adult Advisor is presented to an individual who has devoted their efforts to recruiting beginning young numismatists, and aiding the development of intermediate to advanced YNs.

This year’s recipient is Dr. Scott T. Rottinghaus of New London, Connecticut. At the age of 14, he received a scholarship to the ANA Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs, and since then has attended numerous sessions as a chaperone and instructor.

Rottinghaus belongs to a variety of numismatic organizations, including the American Numismatic Society, Royal Numismatic Society, Central States Numismatic Society and Pawcatuck Valley Coin Club in Connecticut. He has served the American Numismatic Association in a number of areas, among them as a district delegate and a member of the YN Committee, YN Advisory Council and ANA Board of Governors. In addition to mentoring young collectors, Rottinghaus has given presentations, authored articles, and mounted exhibits. He has received a host of ANA awards, among them Young Numismatist of the Year (1988), Glenn Smedley Memorial Award (2009) and Medal of Merit (2017).

Rottinghaus specializes in Roman Republic issues and Massachusetts silver coins. The father of five currently is executive director of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and clinical assistant professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine.

~~~

Each year since 1971, the American Numismatic Association has recognized the best journals and newsletters produced by ANA-member organizations. Entries in this year’s Outstanding Club Publications competition were judged in four categories: regional, local, specialty and electronic.

Regional Clubs:

Third—FUN Topics, Florida Numismatic Association (Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez, editor)

Second—TNA News, Texas Numismatic Association (Ron Kersey, editor)

First—The California Numismatist, Numismatic Association of Southern California and California State Numismatic Association (Greg Burns, editor)

Local Clubs:

Third—Hemet Numismatists, Hemet Coin Club (Jim Phillips, editor)

Second—Pocket Change, Albuquerque Coin Club (Phil Vitale, editor)

First—The Cincinnati Numismatist, Cincinnati Numismatic Association (David G. Heinrich, editor)

Specialty Clubs:

Third—BoTales, The Original Hobo Nickel Society (Ralph Winter, editor)

Second—The Asylum, Numismatic Bibliomania Society (Maria Fanning, editor)

First—International Bank Note Society Journal, International Bank Note Society (Alexander Kort, editor)

Electronic Newsletters:

Third—BECC News, Boeing Employees’ Coin Club (Truus Lagerman, editor)

Second—Madison County Coin Club Newsletter, Madison County Coin Club (Harold Fears, editor)

First—PANeNEWS, Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists (Patrick McBride, editor)

~~~

The spirit of the late Glenn Smedley lives on in this year’s recipients of the ANA’s annual Glenn Smedley Memorial Award. Five members who embody an exceptionally positive attitude, possess strong communication skills, promote goodwill and cooperation, and demonstrate dependability were honored during the Member and Awards Celebration on August 16 at the Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money®.

Roger Urce of St. James, New York, has promoted numismatics for more than 30 years through his support of several organizations. He was editor of MPCGram in 2008-16, during which time he produced more than 700 issues of the newsletter for collectors of military-related coins, bank notes, medals, books and exonumia. Since 2011 he has had the dual roles of general secretary and western hemisphere regional secretary for the International Bank Note Society (IBNS). He is a frequent presenter at IBNS conventions.
Gerald Tebben hails from Columbus, Ohio, and has made numerous contributions to the hobby as a writer and speaker. As a presenter, he explores the human-interest angle and brings numismatics to life for listeners. As a professional newsman, he has written scores of articles, columns, blog posts and booklets about collecting. He serves as editor of a local hobby newsletter, as well as the award-winning Centinel for Central States Numismatic Society.
Steven J. D’Ippolito of Peyton, Colorado, distinguished himself as a numismatic exhibitor in 1998-2007 and continues to serve the hobby organizations to which he belongs in many capacities as an officer and volunteer. As a competitive exhibitor, D’Ippolito won the Howland Wood Memorial Award for Best-of-Show Exhibit for three consecutive years. He donated a substantial sum to endow the best-of-show exhibit award for the ANA National Money Show®.
Patrick A. Heller has owned Liberty Coin Service in Lansing, Michigan, since 1995. He has supported the hobby through speaking, writing, radio programs and sponsorships and has served on numismatic committees and as an ANA exhibit judge. His articles have appeared in a variety of numismatic publications. Heller spearheaded the effort to gain Michigan’s coin and bullion sales-tax exemptions and notifies professional numismatists in Michigan about counterfeits and relevant legal and regulatory matters.
Pat McBride is well known for his dedication to the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists (PAN). He has been involved with the state organization since 1984 and has brought it into the 21st century through his work on the association’s dynamic website and award-winning online PANeNEWS newsletter, which won first place this year in the ANA’s Outstanding Club Publications competition (electronic category). McBride also coordinates many aspects of PAN’s two annual coin shows. His influence is evident throughout the bourse floor thanks to his graphic-design skills, open lecture-area concept, John Burns reference library and his humorous and self-deprecating “Rare Coin Basics” lectures for hobby newcomers.

ANA Presents Literary Awards to Exceptional Writers

Aug 6, 2018 | ANA, Announcements, News

2018 Adult Numismatist Literary Award Winners

The American Numismatic Association’s 2018 literary awards – recognizing articles published in the 2017 volume of its official magazine, The Numismatist – will be presented on August 16 at the ANA World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia. The Numismatist was launched by ANA founder and first editor Dr. George F. Heath in 1888, and this year marks its 131st volume.

The Heath Literary Award acknowledges outstanding articles published in the preceding 12 months.

First place goes to Pete Smith, Joel J. Orosz and Leonard Augsburger for “A More Accurate History of the 1792 Half Disme” (August 2017), in which they described Thomas Jefferson’s connection with the coin’s production. The authors will receive $250 and engraved nickel-silver medals designed in 2013 by artist and ANA member Jamie Franki.

Roger Burdette earned second place ($100 and an engraved bronze medal) for his feature article, “Rescued Rarities” (June 2017), in which he explained how valuable items were recovered and preserved for posterity following the U.S. government recall of gold coinage in the early 1930s.

Allan Schein received third place (an engraved bronze medal) for “The Identity of Pratt’s Indian” (November 2017), which postulated that a prominent Brulé Sioux chief was the model for the obverse of Bela Lyon Pratt’s early-20th-century gold coins.

The Wayte and Olga Raymond Memorial Literary Award, endowed in 1978 by the late John J. Ford Jr., is presented for articles that display original and comprehensive research in U.S. numismatics.

The August 2017 study by Smith, Orosz and Augsburger received first place ($400), and Burdette’s June 2017 work earned second place ($200). David McCarthy garnered third place for “Nova Constellatio: Identifying the First American Coin” (August 2017), in which he demonstrated how die states and historical documents helped identify a prototypical U.S. issue.

Funded by an anonymous donor, the Catherine Sheehan Literary Award for U.S. Paper Money Studies includes $50 for first place.

David Schenkman took the top prize for “Numismatic Mementos of the Glass Industry” (March 2017), in which he spotlighted firms that manufactured and distributed paper scrip or tokens in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Second place (certificate) goes to Ray Williams for “An Evening with Uncle Ray” (September 2017), in which he shared the history and stories behind Early American notes in his collection.

Introduced this year, the Prue and Arthur Fitts Literary Award for Ancient and Medieval Coinage Studies recognizes literary excellence in those fields.

First place ($250) was presented to John Nebel for “Head-to-Head” (August 2017), which illustrated how politics played a big part in ancient numismatics.

Michael Shutterly received second place (certificate) for “In the Beginning” (December 2017), in which he traced the spread of metallic coins throughout the Mediterranean around 650 B.C.

All feature articles published in The Numismatist automatically are considered for the Heath Literary Award; likewise, all qualifying articles are evaluated for the Raymond, Sheehan and Fitts awards. For information about submitting manuscripts for review and possible publication, email Editor-in-Chief Barbara Gregory at gregory@money.org.

2018 Young Numismatist Literary Award Winners

The ANA also presents annual awards to encourage young writers and ensure a corps of future numismatic authors and researchers. The Young Numismatist Literary Award categories are named in honor of Whitman authors dedicated to educating the next generation of numismatists. YN Literary Awards were announced at the ANA’s Summer Seminar in June.

First place in each category received a $500 cash prize, plus a $500 voucher to help build a personal library of numismatic books produced by Whitman Publishing. Second place received a $200 book voucher and third place received a $100 book voucher. The prizes were provided by Whitman Publishing.

The Bill Fivaz Young Numismatist Literary Award recognizes numismatist writers for ages 8 to 12. First place this year was Caleb Audette for “Confederate Obsolete Banknotes.” Second place was Matthew Daum with “The Buffalo Nickel” and the third place recipient was Nikhil Rath with “American Dollar Coins: 1969, 1976 and 2026.”

The Q. David Bowers Young Numismatist Literary Award honors numismatist writers that are aged 13 to 17. This year’s first place recipient was Paige Price for “Disney Dollars.” Benjamin Mous placed second with “Five Reforms, Eight Years: The Coinage of China’s Emperor Wang,” and Alexander Mous took third with his paper on “The Revival of Local Currency in Japan.”

The Kenneth E. Bressett Young Numismatist Literary Award is given to writers between the ages of 18 and 22. This year, first place was won by Cole Hendrickson for “Frontier Forts: Sutlers and Their Tokens.” In second place was Jared Lake for his work “Artificial vs. Natural Toning in Silver Coins.” Third place was received by Matt Draiss for “Resorts and Melting Pots: The Men & Women Behind the Formation of the Mountains National Bank of Tannersville.”

ANA Members to Receive Recognition at Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money

Aug 4, 2018 | ANA, Announcements, Shows & Conventions

Numismatics is the study and collection of coins, paper money, tokens and medals, but at the American Numismatic Association (ANA) it is the people who truly define the hobby. Several individuals will be recognized for their service and commitment to numismatics at the upcoming Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money, August 14-18.

The Elvira Clain-Stefanelli Memorial Award for Achievement in Numismatics was established in 2013 to recognize women who have made notable contributions to the hobby. Named after the former curator of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Numismatic Collection, this honor has been bestowed on many heavy hitters. Among the most deserving is this year’s recipient, Prue Morgan Fitts.

Prior to joining the ANA in 1991, Fitts had little interest in numismatics, However, after inheriting some Byzantine specimens from her father, Fitts’ curiosity was piqued. She subsequently took a course on Roman and Byzantine coinage at the ANA Summer Seminar, and then went on to develop and teach a Summer Seminar class in 2003, “Women in Power on Coins and in Art.”

ANA conventions are a regular stomping ground for Fitts, who often contributes her time as a national volunteer. She regularly exhibits competitively and serves as a judge. She also has given talks as part of the ANA’s Maynard Sundman/Littleton Lecture Series.

Having earned a master’s degree in education from Harvard, Fitts is passionate about sharing knowledge. She helped revive the Women in Numismatics group, previously serving as president, and has organized or participated in numerous young numismatist and Scout programs. She co-founded the Association of Dedicated Byzantine Collectors, where she served as its first, and only, “empress.”

An accomplished author, Fitts noticed the lack of books available to collectors who are new to the field of Byzantine numismatics, so she wrote one. Her Beginner’s Guide to Identifying Byzantine Coins was published in 2015 and is considered a modern classic in the field.

In 2002, Fitts received her first ANA accolade, the Glenn Smedley Memorial Award. Ten years later, she and her husband, Arthur, earned the Association’s top honor, the Farran Zerbe Memorial Award for Distinguished Service (2012). She also served one term on the ANA Board of Governors (2005-07). In 2009 Fitts was the general chairman of the ANA’s World’s Fair of Money in Boston and received a presidential award that same year. Fitts will be recognized at the ANA Annual Banquet on Aug. 17 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.

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ANA district representatives are the lynch pins of the hobby, promoting and expanding interest in numismatics by working directly with ANA member clubs and collectors throughout the United States. On August 16, Brett Irick of Dearborn, Michigan, will be recognized as the Outstanding District Representative during the ANA Member & Awards Celebration at the Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money in the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Like many collectors, Irick’s love of coins began when he was young and working on a Boy Scout project. He joined the ANA in 1979 and continued to build his collection as time permitted during his 31-year engineering career with Ford Motor Company, where he developed two U.S. patents.

Since retiring, Irick has been more involved in the numismatic community. He is president of the Michigan State Numismatic Society, vice president of the Central States Numismatic Society, and area-director of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association and president of the Windsor Coin Club. (As an ANA district representative, he serves Canada and Michigan.) Irick also is an ANA exhibit judge and has several award-winning displays to his credit, earning the Howland Wood Memorial Award for Best-of-Show Exhibit in 2010. In 2015 he was presented the ANA’s Joseph E. Boling Award for Judging Excellence and the Glenn Smedley Memorial Award.

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In an effort to enshrine the most important collectors, scholars and hobby professionals of all time, the ANA maintains the Numismatic Hall of Fame at its headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Individuals are recognized annually, with “modern” numismatists named in odd years and “historic” personages in even years. In June 2018, the ANA welcomed to this elite group a notable hobbyist of days gone by—Joseph N.T. Levick (1828-1908).

Born in New Orleans, Levick began collecting coins after he moved to Philadelphia in 1855. In 1860 he relocated to New York City, where he established a numismatic store at the corner of Broadway and 20th Street. During the Civil War, Levick was a Union soldier in the 70th regiment of New York volunteers, attaining the rank of first lieutenant. He was a founding member of both the Philadelphia Numismatic Society (1858) and the New York Numismatic Society (1864).

Levick served the American Numismatic Society (ANS) as treasurer (1867-74), and in 1866 he launched its American Journal of Numismatics, the first numismatic periodical in the United States. The October 1868 issue carried Levick’s first article, “A Table, Showing the Prices Paid for the Five Types of the 1793 Cent, Selected from Twenty of the Principal Coin Sales in the Country, from 1855 to 1868.” He found it difficult to describe the pieces adequately, which led him to present in the April 1869 issue the first photographic plate of coins known in American numismatics. The image showed obverse and reverse die varieties, with lines connecting die pairs. Although just 100 original copies of the well-known “Levick Plate” were produced, it has been reprinted several times.

The American Journal of Numismatics was a costly endeavor, and in 1868 Levick convinced the ANS to explore other avenues of publication. Two years later, the Boston Numismatic Society agreed to oversee the journal’s production, taking it from monthly to quarterly, and reducing its annual subscription from $3 to $2.

Levick joined the ANA in July 1906. He died in September 1908, three weeks after his 80th birthday. Levick’s contributions to numismatics will be recognized at the ANA’s Annual Banquet during the Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money.

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Highest Honor Awards Given to Numismatists Making a Difference

Jul 27, 2018 | ANA, Announcements

The American Numismatic Association (ANA) is recognizing several numismatists who not only lead by example, but pave new pathways within the numismatic hobby. Recognized for their dedication, hard work, passion and contributions, these recipients will be recognized at the World’s Fair of Money® in Philadelphia, Aug. 14-18.

Those being recognized are:

Cindy Wibker for the Farran Zerbe Memorial Award for Distinguished Service
David J. McCarthy for Numismatist of the Year
Abigail Zechman for the Young Numismatist of the Year
Mark Lighterman for the Lifetime Achievement Award

The Farran Zerbe Memorial Award for Distinguished Service is the highest honor conferred by the American Numismatic Association. It is given in recognition of numerous years of outstanding, dedicated service to numismatics. Cindy Wibker is the recipient of this year’s award.

For 25 years, Wibker has dedicated her career to Florida United Numismatists (FUN) as convention coordinator, organizing one of the premier shows in the country. This is no easy task, as FUN’s annual January show regularly draws an average of 10,000 attendees over four days, and its summer event, held each July, welcomes about 3,000 hobbyists.

Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, the young Wibker enjoyed filling Whitman nickel and cent folders with pocket change and acquiring specimens through mail-order businesses. However, her mind turned to other pursuits. Growing up she enjoyed spending time outside playing different sports, going to games, spending time with her family and riding her bike.

During her last year of college, she returned to numismatics. Wibker’s then-husband, Bob Grellman, who began collecting at age 7, encouraged her to once again dip her toe in the numismatic waters. She bought her first Civil War token in April 1975 and was hooked.

An Air Force wife for 13 1/2 years, Wibker took time off from her career to raise her two sons, Kevin and Andrew. During this period, she acquired more Civil War tokens, as well as Thomas Edison medals, early Mardi Gras collectibles and Louisiana tokens. Unlike her childhood self, Wibker learned to love history as an adult, mostly through the lens of Civil War tokens.

In 1988, after her husband retired from the Air Force, Wibker and her family moved to Florida. Jim Partin, a friendly face in the hobby, encouraged the busy mom to run for the FUN board. She was appointed exhibit chairman in 1990 and was on the board for three years. When the convention coordinator suddenly passed away, Wibker was asked if she would like to give the position a try. She took on the challenge, taught herself how to do the job and has been a success at it for 25 years.

Among her numerous honors are the Award of Merit (2005), Presidential Award (2007) and Polly Abbott Service Award (2011) from FUN; and Woman of the Year (2001 and 2009) from the National Silver Dollar Roundtable. She was named a Numismatic Ambassador by Numismatic News in 1994. In addition to FUN, she has served on the board of directors for the Civil War Token Society, Token and Medal Society and Women in Numismatics, of which she is a charter member.

Wibker joined the ANA in 1980. She was quickly recognized for her numismatic knowledge and people skills, and got to know many individuals in the hobby. At age 25, she tried her hand at exhibiting and was surprised when her Alabama coal-mine tokens display won best of show. She went on to become an exhibit judge in 1987.

Wibker’s steady involvement with the Association brought her many accolades, including the Glenn Smedley Memorial Award (1996) and ANA Medal of Merit (1997), Exemplary Service Award (2002), three Presidential Awards (1997, 1998 and 2009) and the Joseph E. Boling Award for Judging Excellence (2010). In 2017 she received the ANA Goodfellow Award in recognition of her work as host chair of the ANA’s National Money Show® in Orlando.

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The Numismatist of the Year, first presented in 1995, was established to recognize individuals within the numismatic community who have demonstrated long-term leadership in the field and to the American Numismatic Association. This year’s recipient is David J. McCarthy.

Having a lifelong interest in numismatics, he accepted a position with Richard Nachbar Rare Coins in 2000. In 2003 he moved to Northern California to continue his career with Kagin’s, where he is currently the firm’s senior numismatist and researcher.

McCarthy has been a consultant to the Smithsonian Institution, the United States Secret Service, Bank of California, Union Bank, The San Francisco Old Mint and the American Numismatic Association. He is a contributor to A Guide Book of United States Coins (the “Red Book”) and CoinWorld, and has published groundbreaking research in The Numismatist. His article “Nova Constellatio: Identifying the First American Coin” (August 2017) received a Wayte and Olga Raymond Memorial Literary Award.

An ANA life member, McCarthy also belongs to the Florida United Numismatists, Pacific Coast Numismatic Society and Central States Numismatic Society. He received the ANA’s Glenn Smedley Memorial Award in 2015.

McCarthy enjoys sharing his expertise and enthusiasm for numismatics and has taught several classes at the ANA’s Summer Seminar. He also is a sought-after speaker on the subject of pioneer gold coins, regulated gold of Early America and other specialized areas of numismatics, history and collecting. He is particularly knowledgeable about the coinage of Julius Popper, Massachusetts silver and American Confederation gold.

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The American Numismatic Association recognizes that the future of the hobby depends on the recruitment and education of young numismatists. The Young Numismatist of the Year award honors young collectors for outstanding contributions to the hobby and industry. Recipients exhibit a positive attitude, strong communication skills, cooperation, dependability and avid interest in expanding their numismatic knowledge. Receiving this year’s award is Abigail Zechman.

In 2012, Zechman was moving up the ranks in Girl Scouts. That year, she entered a Florida United Numismatists (FUN) show looking to earn a coin-collecting patch and left with a passion for numismatics.

She quickly joined FUN and has since become a member of Early American Coppers, the Combined Organization of Numismatic Error Collectors of America (CONECA) and the Original Hobo Nickel Society. Coin carving came naturally to the art-minded student, who has taken numerous classes and explored a variety of media. She counts the late Archie Taylor, well known for his carved creations, among her most cherished mentors.

The 16-year-old collector attended ANA’s Summer Seminar this year and served as auction head for the YN Benefit Auction during the second week. After graduating high school, Zechman intends to pursue a career as a coin grader and welcomes the opportunity to help others.

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The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual, family, firm or judicial entity that has made outstanding contributions to organized numismatics. Energetic, organized and seldom without his clipboard in hand, life member and National Exhibit Coordinator Mark Lighterman is the 2018 recipient. Lighterman will be honored during the World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia.

An avid American Numismatic Association promoter, Lighterman has been a national volunteer since 2003, taking on his current duties as national exhibit coordinator in 2008. He chaired the ANA Exhibiting Committee from 2005 to 2009, and today also serves the ANA as parliamentarian. Lighterman is president of Combined Organizations of Numismatic Error Collectors of America (CONECA), treasurer of the Token and Medal Society (TAMS), past president of Florida United Numismatists (FUN), and a charter member of the Casino Chip and Gaming Token Collectors Club. He has written articles for The Numismatist and CONECA’s bimonthly publication, ErrorScope.

Lighterman is always looking for new Florida gaming tokens to add to his collection, and he avidly pursues error coins. Among his many major off-metal strikes are a $20 gold piece struck on a large cent, a Flying Eagle cent struck on a half dime, and a 1934 Peace dollar struck on a quarter. Although the latter is one of his favorites, he quickly notes that all his coins are important to him. Several years ago, Whitman Publishing sought him out for his expertise, and in 2010 he contributed to Nicholas P. Brown’s 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins.

In 2009 Lighterman took his place alongside fellow hobbyists in the Casino Chip and Gaming Token Collectors Club’s Hall of Fame. He was recognized as CONECA’s Lyndon King Outstanding Member of the Year in 2012 and inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame in 2014. The ANA presented him its Presidential Award in 1999, the Glenn Smedley Memorial Award in 2002, Medal of Merit in 2012, Adna G. Wilde Jr. Award for Excellence in 2015, and Farran Zerbe Memorial Award for Distinguished Service in 2016.

ANA Educating Young Students with Educational Kits

Jul 26, 2018 | ANA, Announcements

Numismatics is not just a hobby for adults. The future of the hobby is dependent on younger audiences becoming interested in collecting. Through programs like Coins for A’s and the new Adopt-A-School program, the American Numismatic Association is reaching school-age kids to promote curiosity and interest in numismatics.

The Adopt-A-School program consists of educational kits to be used in a classroom setting. Parents, district representatives or club members can “adopt-a-school” and use the kit to teach students about the importance of numismatics while adhering to the educational curriculum. Various lessons included in the kit are geared towards different age groups, from upper elementary grades to high school.

“Lots of adults end up using a ‘show and tell’ approach in their numismatic presentations at schools,” said Rod Gillis, education director of the ANA. “However, it is best to put a lesson together based on the teacher’s needs. The education kit provides the lesson plans that could easily fit into a classroom schedule, meet a teacher’s goals and provide a more in-depth look at numismatics for the kids. The youth are the future of the hobby.”

Each kit includes instructions to all the different lesson plans, a flash drive with presentations, pencils, coins needed with the lessons, reference books, worksheets, plans for an archaeological dig and more. The kit gives the user access to everything needed to successfully run the educational courses.

Adopt-A-School kits are available for free to ANA member clubs – one kit per ANA club upon request. The kits can also be purchased for $24.95, postage paid. For more information or to order a kit, contact Tiffanie Bueschel at tbueschel@money.org or call (719) 482-9816.

ANA Awards College Scholarships to Committed Numismatists

Jul 13, 2018 | ANA, News

The American Numismatic Association (ANA) has awarded 2018 college scholarships to Roxanne Pittman from Pledger, TX, and Shelby Plooster from Evans, GA.

Each winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship to use toward tuition at an institution of their choice.

“The annual scholarship is an opportunity for the American Numismatic Association to expand on its core mission of education through higher learning,” said Rod Gillis, ANA education director. “There were many qualified candidates but Roxanne and Shelby’s commitment to numismatics is unparalleled. We are most proud of their accomplishments and are happy to help with their educational endeavors.”

Roxanne Pittman

Pittman’s interest in numismatics began when she was about seven years old. “My dad took me to my first coin show and when I walked in they handed me a V nickel and immediately I was intrigued,” she said.

History has always been a favorite subject for Pittman and that love carried over to learning about the history behind different coins. Her focus is on collecting U.S. type coins and recently, her interest has grown for paper currency. In the fall, she plans on attending A&M University where she is pursuing a degree in business.

“I am so blessed to be chosen for this scholarship by the ANA and I will continue to work hard towards my goals at Texas A&M University,” Pittman said. “Numismatics has been part of my life from a young age and I plan to keep the hobby a major part of my life.”

In 5th grade, Plooster discovered old coins in an antique shop, and has been pursuing numismatics ever since. “I am drawn to numismatics because of the history behind the coins,” she said. “And I love seeing the artwork behind each coin design.”

Plooster enjoys collecting pieces that she finds interesting. In the fall, she is attending the University of Georgia where she wants to get a degree in either environmental health with a pre-dentistry intent or marketing.

Shelby Plooster

“It’s an honor to be chosen by the ANA to receive this scholarship,” said Plooster. “The ANA has been incredibly instrumental in my development as a numismatist and now my college education as well. I will always be thankful for the ANA, and the opportunities I’ve been given because of the generosity of the organization and its members.”

Applications for the 2019 ANA College Scholarship will be available in January. Recipients are selected based on academic scholarship, numismatic accomplishments and financial need. Applicants must be a senior in high school and a member of the ANA.

For additional information, contact Rod Gillis via email at gillis@money.org or call him at 719-482-9845.

The American Numismatic Association is a congressionally chartered, nonprofit educational organization dedicated to encouraging the study and collection of coins and related items. The ANA helps its 25,000 members and the public discover and explore the world of money through its vast array of instructional and outreach programs, as well as its museum, library, publications and conventions. For more information, call 719-632-2646 or visit www.money.org.