Coin Collectors News

ACTF special exhibit of counterfeits coins, bars for public education

Jul 30, 2018 | Announcements, ICTA/NCBA

Homeland Security loans items to illustrate levels of deceptiveness, diversity

The Industry Council for Tangible Assets Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force will exhibit a five-case display of counterfeit coins, precious metals bars, and grading holders during the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money Aug. 14-18 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

The counterfeit items are on special loan from the Cherry Hill, N.J., office of Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The items were confiscated during HSI’s investigation of a New Jersey man, 34-year-old Jonathan A. Kirschner, who pleaded guilty June 25 to impersonating a federal agent while selling counterfeit coins and bars and unlawfully importing counterfeit coins and bars into the United States.

Left, fake 2011-W gold $50 Buffalo bullion coin in fake NGC holder. Right, fake !922-S Saint-Gaudens $20 double eagle in fake PCGS holder. These fakes will be among those in a special exhibit of counterfeits on special loan from the Department of Homeland Security during the WFOM in Philadelphia Aug. 14-18.

The fake coins and bars in the exhibit constitute about 20 percent of the items seized during the investigation. If genuine, items in the exhibit would have a current estimated retail value of more than $10 million.

Among the counterfeits to be on display in the special exhibit are fake gold bars in fake APMEX, PAMP, and Royal Canadian Mint holders.

“We are highly appreciative of the Department of Homeland Security’s cooperation in loaning these items for public display,” said Beth Deisher, ICTA’s director of anti-counterfeiting. “It is important for collectors and the public to understand the wide range of coins and precious metals bars being counterfeited. Equally important, the buying public needs to be aware of the levels of deceptiveness. Educating the buying public is one of the best defenses we have to thwart the counterfeiters,” Deisher added.

Sampling of fake coins in the special display include nickel 3-cent coins, 1918 Illinois Centennial commemorative half dollar, 1894 Morgan dollar, and 1794 Flowing Hair dollar.

The special exhibit of counterfeits will be displayed in the non-competitive section of educational exhibits on the bourse floor of the World’s Fair of Money.

“We would like to thank the ANA for its cooperation and providing the space and cases for this special exhibit,” Deisher said. “ANA’s primary role is to educate the public about coins and coin collecting. Exhibits like this are an excellent method of disseminating important information,” Deisher said.

Counterfeit Morgan dollar as well as counterfeit PCGS inserts and components of fake PCGS holder are among seized items sized by Homeland Special Investigates division of Homeland Security.

ACTF was first to alert law enforcement about Kirschner posing as an ATF agent and selling counterfeit coins. Two people took their newly purchased Morgan dollars to a coin dealer for evaluation, only to be told they were fake. The dealer alerted ACTF, which contacted federal law enforcement. Members of ACTF also worked closely with investigating agents, providing expert identification and evaluations of the counterfeit coins and bars Kirschner imported from China and other countries.

The charge of impersonating a federal officer carries a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison and the charge of unlawful importation carries a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison. Kirschner’s sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 1.

Legend Rare Coin Auctions Shatters Records Yet Again in Las Vegas

Jul 27, 2018 | Auctions, News

Firm’s 27th Regency Auction sees fierce bidding throughout 604 lot auction

(Lincroft, NJ—July 27, 2018)—Legend Rare Coin Auctions presented a powerful auction in conjunction with the July PCGS Members Only Show on Thursday, July 26, 2018. With a crowd of bidders in the room, large numbers of bidders online and on the phone, many records fell. With 604 lots, the Regency Auction 27 was the largest single-day auction in the firm’s history and featured several important named collections but kept its boutique appeal. While the summer used to be considered a slower-paced time of year, as the firm’s president, Julie Abrams, explained this year, the market really seems to have heated up in July:

“Despite the blistering 113 degrees heat outside – or perhaps to some extent because of it – the auction room filled up with so many bidders that auction staff had to scramble to find more chairs before the auction started.

The RanJack Collection.

Like the May Regency Auction, the July Regency Auction was anchored by a world-class collection of Morgan Dollars. The RanJack Collection began the auction with a very strong start. The premium quality of the coins in the collection, a nearly complete set of Morgan dollars, attracted fierce bidding from the moment the sale was posted online nearly at the end of June. As soon as bidding began on Lot 1, an 1878 7 Tail Feather, Reverse of 1878 in PCGS MS66+ CAC, the action was intense! After a bidding war that included no fewer than seven bidders, it ended up realizing a record-shattering price of $43,475, nearly triple the previous record for the issue! This was not the only coin to bring strong to record prices during the RanJack Collection portion of the evening. Please note all prices reported include the 17.5% buyer’s premium.
“Leading off the sale was the RanJack collection of Morgan Dollars, which was extremely well received by enthusiastic bidders. As has become the norm at Legend, the collection proved that a masterfully assembled collection will attract all of the right bidders, especially when presented in a small, focused, high-quality sale. Buyers love not having to sort through thousands of second rate coins, and sellers love to see their collections given a well-deserved spotlight.” said Julie Abrams. “We are just ecstatic with the results of the RanJack Collection! The action started off with a real bang, and the momentum continued through the rest of the RanJack Collection with 95% of the coins selling to COLLECTORS! After the dust settled, the RanJack Collection surpassed our presale hammer expectations by nearly $100,000! Just take a look at these results”:

Lot 10. 1881 PCGS MS66+ CAC realized $4,700
Lot 14. 1882-S PCGS MS68 CAC realized $9,988
Lot 21. 1885 PCGS MS67+ CAC realized $5,875
Lot 29. 1887-S PCGS MS66+ CAC Ex Jack Lee II, realized $44,650
Lot 43. 1893 PCGS MS65+ CAC realized $9,988
Lot 44. 1893-O PCGS MS64 CAC Ex NFL Set, realized $35,250
Lot 56. 1898-O PCGS MS67+ CAC realized $12,338
Lot 68. 1902-S PCGS MS66+ CAC realized $22,325.

Silver dollars from other consignments continued after the RanJack Collection. The real star of was the record shattering realization of lot 95, the superb 1892-O PCGS MS66+ CAC that realized $79,313 after a heated round of bidding. Toned dollars, both Morgan and Peace issues continued to bring strong prices, especially lot 160, a 1927-S in PCGS MS65 CAC from the Liberty Sunrise Collection, brought $12,925.

The Balance of the Sale.

Type coins began at lot 171 with the South Texas Collection. The highest grossing lot in the sale was from this group of 18th century type coins when lot 174 the superb 1794 large cent, Ex. Lord St. Oswald, in PCGS MS66+ BN CAC realized $246,750. Also from that group was the GEM AU58+ 1796 dime that realized $29,375.
“Early U.S. type coins, especially high grade and premium quality coins always bring strong bidding from collectors. There are never enough to satisfy demand,” explained Greg Cohen, the senior numismatist for the firm. “When a small but powerful group comes out into the market, expect there to be strong prices. With every coin in the South Texas Collection PCGS/CAC, they attracted a lot of attention from bidders. It doesn’t hurt that every coin was hand selected by our founder, Laura Sperber, for their inclusion in the set.”
Following the South Texas coins was another select grouping of type coins from the Pharma Collection. Featuring some high end 19th and 20th century types, all hand selected again for this collection by Laura Sperber, the quality was exceptional, and the prices reflect that.

Lot 190. $1 1897 PCGS PR68 CAM CAC realized $58,750
Lot 191. $2.50 1871 PCGS MS65 CAC realized $43,475
Lot 193. $5 1904 PCGS MS67 CAC realized $34,075

The rest of the sale remained extremely strong. The Chester Roche Collection, an estate holding of gold coins put away 20-25 years ago, saw intense bidding, especially for PCGS-graded, CAC-approved specimens, a pattern that continued with the gold coins from other important consignments. Like Regency Auction 26, the sale closed with an extensive offering of patterns from the Stephen Cook Collection, that again saw intense bidding.

“Collectors really came out for the patterns,” Laura Sperber said. “We saw a record number of bidders for patterns come out for this selection, including a bidder who was ‘a blast from the past,’ someone we have not seen in some 20 years! Collectors are finally realizing what a great value they are at today’s levels. Like the dollars, 95% of the lots went right into collections! Who knows if they will ever come out again.”

Further highlights of Regency Auction 27 are:

Lot 218. 1C 1914 PCGS PR67+ RB CAC realized $14,100
Lot 233 3CS 1857 PCGS MS66 CAC realized $10,281
Lot 239. 3CS 1863/2 PCGS PR67 CAM realized $64,625
Lot 272. 10C 1860-S PCGS MS65 CAC realized $42,300
Lot 289. 25C 1847 PCGS PR66 CAC realized $64,625
Lot 320. 50C 1845-O PCGS MS64 CAC realized $8,519
Lot 345. 50C 1937-D PCGS MS67+ CAC realized $19,975
Lot 362. 50C 1959 PCGS MS66+ FBL CAC realized $14,688
Lot 375. T$1 1881 PCGS PR65 DCAM CAC realized $19,388
Lot 399. G$1 1922 Grant, Star. PCGS MS68 realized $11,163
Lot 419. G$1 1870-S PCGS MS64 CAC from the Chester Roche Collection, realized $11,750
Lot 430. $2.50 1835 PCGS MS63 CAC from the Chester Roche Collection, realized $17,625
Lot 437. $2.50 1876-S PCGS MS63 CAC from the Chester Roche Collection, realized $21,738
Lot 454. G$1 1854 Type 2. PCGS MS65 CAC realized $29,375
Lot 465. $3 1887 PCGS PR65+ DCAM CAC realized $44,650
Lot 473. $5 1854-C PCGS MS62 CAC realized $34,075
Lot 499. $20 1910 NGC MS65 CAC realized $9,400
Lot 505. 50C 1838 J-77. NGC PR65 BN CAC from the Stephen Cook Collection, realized $12,338
Lot 519. $5 1860 J-272. PCGS PR65 BN CAC from the Stephen Cook Collection, realized $9,988
Lot 532. 5C 1866 J-461. PCGS PR66 CAM CAC from the Stephen Cook Collection, realized $5,522
Lot 554. $2.50 1869 J-770. PCGS PR64+ CAM CAC from the Stephen Cook Collection, realized $8,813
Lot 573. 50C 1870 J-937. PCGS PR65 CAM CAC from the Stephen Cook Collection, realized $9,694
Lot 585. $1 1879 J-1616. PCGS PR66 RB from the Stephen Cook Collection realized $11,750
Lot 602. $10 1875 J-1444. PCGS PR63 RB realized $15,863.

“After our huge auction in May, we were blown away by the number of consignments that came in for the July Auction,” Laura Sperber continued. “We do not want to ever lose the boutique feel of our auctions, so we worked very hard vetting consignments. In the end we had to pass on close to 150 coins that just would not fit our auction, either in terms of value or quality. Having proven that Legend’s quality over quantity, boutique approach results is very strong prices for our consignors. Know that we will never stray from that. We set a very high bar.”

Legend Rare Coin Auctions’ next Regency Auction is going to be a two-day event on September 26 and 27 at the Cosmo in Las Vegas, as always as the official auctioneer for the PCGS Members Only Show. Two major collections have already been consigned to Regency Auction 28. Consignments are now being accepted for that important event and will be accepted until the end of the 2018 ANA World’s Fair of Money, August 13-18. Whether you have a single rarity, a few duplicates, or an entire collection, Legend Rare Coin Auctions will present your coins to their finest advantage, resulting in the highest possible prices. For more information about consigning, contact one of the firm’s consignment specialists: Julie Abrams (845-430-4378 or julie@legendauctions.com); Greg Cohen (732-935-1168 or greg@legendauctions.com); or Jessica Berkman (214-909-7732 or jessica@legendauctions.com).

Legend Rare Coin Auctions is a boutique auction company specializing in the finest and rarest U.S. coins. Founded in 2012 by Laura Sperber, the owner and president of Legend Numismatics, the premier rare coin retail firm, LRCA was, from the outset designed to be a different kind of rare coin auction firm. LRCA’s staff of numismatic auction industry veterans includes Julie Abrams, president; Greg Cohen, senior numismatist; and Jessica Berkman, consignment coordinator. The firm’s Regency Auctions serve as the official auction for the PCGS Members’ Shows, held 4-5 times per year; the firm also conducts monthly Premier Sessions auctions. Since its founding, LRCA has sold many important collections, resulting in world-record prices, including the Coronet Collection of Morgan Dollars (#1 all time PCGS set); the David Hall—Bob Simpson Collection of Liberty Head Eagles; the Sunnywood-Simpson Collection of Morgan Dollars; the Phil Flannagan Collection of Territorial Gold, Toned Dollars, and 1795 coins; duplicates from the Gerald Forsythe Collections of Buffalo Nickels and Mercury Dimes; the Bob Simpson Collection of Standard Silver Patterns; the Northern Lights Collection of Monster Toned Morgan Dollars; the Crow River Collections of Indian Head $10s and Peace Dollars; the P.F.M Collection (former #6 PCGS Set of Morgan Dollars with varieties); and the Oak Crest Collection of Carson City $5 gold. The firm also set the record for #2 highest APR in 2016 with the sale of Bob Simpson’s duplicate 1879 $20 “Quintuple Stella” which realized $1,880,000.

To consign to an upcoming auction, contact Julie Abrams (julie@legendauctions.com), Greg Cohen (greg@legendauctions.com), or Jessica Berkman (jessica@legendauctions.com).

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.

~~~

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.

~~~

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.

~~~

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.

Brasher Doubloon & rare NY coppers in PCGS Philadelphia exhibit

Jul 27, 2018 | Announcements, Shows & Conventions

(July 26, 2018) — One of the legendary 1787 gold Brasher Doubloons and seven of the finest known 1780s New York colonial era copper coins will be displayed together for the first time in an educational exhibit hosted by Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com) at the American Numismatic Association 2018 Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money®, August 14-18.

“The lettering and some design elements of all seven of these distinguished coins are punch linked, and each of these coins is an important part of early American history and numismatics. They will be exhibited at the PCGS booth, #1431, during the 2018 ANA convention,” said PCGS President Don Willis.

The Brasher Doubloons are the first gold coins made in the United States proposed or intended for circulation. The design includes the obverse motto, NOVA EBORACA COLUMBIA EXCELSIOR (translated as “New York and America ever upward”).

The discovery specimen for the legendary, seven known gold 1787 Brasher Doubloons will be displayed by PCGS along with historic New York copper coins at the ANA 2018 Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money®.
(Photo credit: Professional Coin Grading Service www.PCGS.com.)

The coin’s creator, Ephraim Brasher, was well known at the time as a silver and goldsmith and civic leader in New York City, and later was a neighbor of George Washington in lower Manhattan.

Only seven Brasher Doubloons are known; six with the designer’s “EB” hallmark on the eagle’s wing, one with it on the eagle’s breast. The coin that will be displayed in Philadelphia has the hallmark on the eagle’s right wing, and it is the discovery specimen for Brasher Doubloons that was first documented in 1840.

This famous coin was exhibited at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, was a featured display in a nationwide touring exhibit for the 1987 bicentennial of the United States Constitution and was displayed at the Epcot theme park at Walt Disney World in 1988.

The anonymous current owner of the Brasher Doubloon is described by PCGS as a “West Coast collector,” and the owner of the New York copper coins is described as “a New York dealer and collector.”

The seven New York copper pieces are all either the finest known or among the finest known of their kind. All have impressive pedigrees to one or more collections of well-known numismatists of the past, such as Parmelee, Stickney, Boyd, Garrett, Ford and/or Newman. The coins are:

1786 Small Head Non Vi Virtute Vici (“Not by force, but by virtue we have won”) with a portrait believed to be George Washington. Less than two dozen examples are known.
1787 Excelsior, Eagle facing left. This is the only Mint State example known and was formerly in the famous Garrett Collection.

The only known mint state example of a 1787 Excelsior, Eagle Left New York copper will be among the historic early American coins on display at the PCGS booth during the ANA 2018 Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money®.
(Photo credit: Professional Coin Grading Service www.PCGS.com.)

1787 George Clinton cent, with New York coat of arms, less than a dozen known.
1787 Excelsior, Standing Indian/New York arms, one of only about 12 known.
1787 Excelsior, Standing Indian/Eagle on Globe design, one of the finest of only about 14 known.

One of the finest of only about 14 known examples of the 1787 Excelsior, Standing Indian, Eagle on Globe design New York coppers will be part of the PCGS display of early American rarities at the ANA 2018 Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money®.
(Photo credit: Professional Coin Grading Service www.PCGS.com.)

1787 Nova Eborac (“New York”), rare Large Head variety, one of the finest of only a few dozen known.
1787 Nova Eborac, Small Head variety, less than a dozen known and closely linked to the Brasher Doubloons. This is the finest certified example and was formerly in the C.I. Bushnell and Eric P. Newman collections.

“PCGS is proud to work with the owners of these impressive, early American rare coins so visitors to the ANA convention can see and enjoy them in person,” said Willis.

Since its founding in 1986, PCGS experts have certified over 38 million coins with a total market value of over $33 billion. For information about PCGS products and services, including how to submit your coins for authentication and grading, visit www.PCGS.com or call PCGS Customer Service at (800) 447-8848.

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.

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.