NCS and NGC Selected to Conserve and Grade SS Pulaski Coins
NCS and NGC have been selected by Endurance Exploration Group and Blue Water Ventures International to conserve, attribute and grade coins recovered from the wreck of the SS Pulaski.
The SS Pulaski sank in 1838 off the coast of North Carolina while sailing from Charleston, South Carolina, to Baltimore, Maryland. In their recent recovery efforts, Endurance Exploration Group and Blue Water Ventures International have found coins from the US, Spain, Mexico and Great Britain, among other artifacts.
The SS Pulaski is particularly significant because it is one of the earliest shipwrecks from which US coins have been recovered. The coins initially recovered include well-preserved half dollars and half eagles from the 1830s, as well as several earlier issues.
All of the recovered coins will be professionally conserved by NCS and then expertly graded by NGC. After grading, the coins will be encapsulated in NGC’s proprietary protective holder with a special label that features an engraving of the ship and the SS Pulaski provenance.
Greg Allen new ACTF Steering Committee chair
World Mint Work Group joining anti-counterfeiting effort
Greg Allen
ACTF Steering Committee members serve as leaders of more than a dozen Work Groups comprised of some 40 experts who volunteer their time and expertise to advance the mission of the task force, which includes mobilizing law enforcement to combat counterfeiting and providing training and education for law enforcement, the numismatic community, and the public about counterfeits of circulating, collector, and bullion coins as well as precious metals bars.
Allen is president and chief manager of Greg Allen Coin, LLC. He has been an active ICTA Board member since 2008 and has been an ACTF Steering Committee member since its inception in 2017, where he also chaired the Laws and Regulations Work Group. He also serves as secretary of the board of directors of the non-profit Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation.
Allen succeeds Joe DeRosa of Loomis International, who served as the first chair of the ACTF Steering Committee. DeRosa will continue to serve as a member of the Transport/Storage Security Work Group.
Diehl also announced the establishment of the World Mints Work Group, a new group under ACTF’s umbrella that will bring much needed expertise to assist law enforcement in dealing with counterfeits of popular bullion coins and bars sold throughout the world.
The initial members of the World Mints Work Group include the Royal Canadian Mint, to be represented by Dave Norris; the Austrian Mint, to be represented by Andrea Lang; the Royal Australian Mint, to be represented by Mark Cartwright; and the Perth Mint, whose representative will be named later.
Other ACTF changes include three new appointees to work groups and the reorganization of two work groups.
Lee Anne Patterson and Robert Oberth will join the Research Work Group. Patterson represents Stealth Mark, a company engaged in developing anti-counterfeiting technology and mapping behavior patterns of those intent upon doing harm to the coin industry by devaluing the market with counterfeits. Oberth is founder of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers Roundtable Group, currently comprised of more than 800 dealers.
Due to the differing needs of identified constituents, the Education Work Group and the Law Enforcement Liaison Work Groups are being reorganized into the Education-Law Enforcement Work Group and the Numismatic/Public Education Work Group.
Steve Crogan will be joining Bill Daddio, Doug Davis, and Joe Boche in the Education-Law Enforcement Work Group. Crogan currently chairs the International Precious Metals Institute’s Security Council. Since retirement as a Supervisory Special Agent with the Department of Homeland Security-ICE, Crogan has worked in private sector security investigations within the precious metals industry.
Members of the Numismatic-Public Education Work Group include Michael Fuljenz, Robert Campbell, John Schuch II and Jeff Garrett.
Literary Awards Competition Open to Young Numismatists
Entries are now being accepted for the 2018 American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) Young Numismatist Literary Awards competition. The awards program encourages young writers and promotes future numismatic authors and researchers. All submissions must be postmarked by May 14.
The contest is open to young writers in three age groups, all of whom will compete for cash awards and numismatic book vouchers. Article submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges, including Bill Fivaz, Q. David Bowers and Kenneth Bressett. Awards will be presented in Colorado Springs at the ANA’s 2018 Summer Seminar, June 16-28. Those who are unable to attend will receive their awards by mail.
Eligibility & Awards
To compete in the contest, participants must be ANA members. Submitted articles can focus on a numismatic topic of the competitor’s choice.
- Bill Fivaz Young Numismatist Literary Award (Ages: 8-12)
Article should display basic knowledge of a numismatic topic. Creativity and original conclusions are encouraged.
Suggested length: 450-900 words. - Q. David Bowers Young Numismatist Literary Award (Ages: 13-17)
Article should display advanced knowledge of a numismatic topic. Logically presented facts and original conclusions are encouraged. A bibliographic list of sources is recommended, but not required.
uggested length: 900-1,800 words. - Kenneth E. Bressett Young Numismatist Literary Award (Ages: 18-22)
Article should display in-depth knowledge of a numismatic topic. Logically presented facts and original conclusions are required, as is a bibliographic list of sources. Inclusion of charts, graphs, tables or other illustrations is encouraged.
Suggested length: 1,800-3,600 words
Prize Details
Whitman Publishing has collaborated with the ANA to offer prizes. The following will be awarded in each of the three age categories:
- First Place: Plaque and $500 cash prize, plus a $500 voucher to help build a personal library of numismatic books produced by Whitman Publishing.
- Second Place: Certificate, plus a $200 book voucher from Whitman Publishing.
- Third Place: Certificate, plus a $100 book voucher from Whitman Publishing.
Guideline for Submissions:
Completed entries can be emailed to cwood-davies@money.org or sent to:
c/o Cynthia Wood-Davies
818 N. Cascade Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- Submissions must include the writer’s ANA member number, category of submission and contact information (email, phone and address).
- Files should be sent in Microsoft Word or PDF format only.
- File names should include the author and subject of the article.
For additional information, contact Cynthia Wood-Davies, assistant editor of The Numismatist, at cwood-davies@money.org.
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.
222 Years of U.S. Dimes are Featured in Whitman Publishing’s New 4th Edition of MEGA RED
(Pelham, Alabama) — The fourth edition of MEGA RED (the Deluxe Edition of the Guide Book of United States Coins, also known as the Red Book) will officially debut April 10, 2018, with retail pre-orders being shipped on that date. The 1,504-page MEGA RED retails for $49.95. It can be pre-ordered online (including at Whitman.com) and after April 10 will be available from booksellers and hobby shops nationwide.
Every U.S. coinage series has been updated and revised in the fourth edition, and new sections have been added. The book includes an extensive 294-page feature on America’s ten-cent coins (Draped Bust, Capped Bust, Liberty Seated, Barber, Mercury, and Roosevelt dimes), written by Q. David Bowers and covering 845 varieties from 1796 to date. New appendices explore error and misstruck dimes; pattern dimes; counterstruck dimes; dime scrip issued by banks, merchants, and towns; “paper dimes” from the Treasury Department; Civil War sutlers’ “dime” tokens; Civil War ten-cent store cards and dimes used as planchets for silver Civil War tokens; dimes discovered in the SS Central America; the history of the famous 1894-S dime; a snapshot of the dime market in 1946; irradiated dimes; an illustrated essay on the greatest U.S. dimes; the “Liberty” subset of First Spouse gold coins; and more.
Billed as the “biggest, most useful Red Book ever,” MEGA RED measures 7 x 10 inches and has 1,040 more pages than the regular edition. The larger size and increased page count combined make MEGA RED five times bigger than the regular-edition Red Book. It prices more than 8,000 items in up to 13 grades each, with 48,000 individual values and more than 15,000 auction records covering circulated, Mint State, and Proof coinage. The book is illustrated with thousands of full-color images, including thousands that are new to this edition.
MEGA RED covers American coinage from New England colonial times to the modern day—half cents through $20 gold double eagles, plus bullion, commemoratives, Proof and Mint sets, error coins, significant tokens and medals, coins struck by the United States for the Philippines (1903–1945), and other numismatic collectibles. It follows the basic structure of the regular-edition Red Book, but each chapter is dramatically expanded with more historical information, more die varieties, detailed grading instructions with enlarged full-color illustrations, specialized advice on strike characteristics and other technical details, market analysis, auction data, and guidance on collecting and investing in rare coins.
Kenneth Bressett, who has served as MEGA RED’s Senior Editor since the first edition, has retired this year to the position of Editor Emeritus. Stepping into the Senior Editor role is former Research Editor Q. David Bowers, with Jeff Garrett continuing as Valuations Editor. A 57-page introduction, “The Story of American Money,” is based on the work of the late Dr. Richard Doty, senior curator of the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian. Dozens of numismatists have contributed research, photographs, market analysis, and other valuable knowledge and resources.
Each year’s new MEGA RED features an in-depth focus on one or more coin series. The first edition included a 364-page section on copper half cents and large cents, with images, history, diagnostics, and pricing for 832 die varieties, 1793–1857. The second edition featured 330 pages covering 607 varieties of Flying Eagle, Indian Head, and Lincoln cents, 1856 to date. The third edition’s feature was on nickel five-cent pieces—Shield nickels, Liberty Head nickels, Buffalo nickels, and Jefferson nickels—covering 545 varieties in 314 pages.
For federal coins, detailed charts show each mintage; a summary of certified population data; average national retail prices in grades ranging from About Good to high Mint State and Proof; and three or more recent auction records for most coins. Enlarged close-ups of die varieties provide visual guidance. Extensive chart notes give the backstories and additional details on significant coins.
Regularly updated appendices include illustrated essays on misstrikes and error coins; rare and collectible numismatic books; bullion values of common-date silver and gold coins; the top 250 coin prices realized at auction; grading standards for U.S. coins; special modern gold coins; So-Called Dollars; coin clubs; and modern United States Mint medals.
The book’s special-feature appendices include fresh material with each new edition. Past editions have explored coin cleaning, preservation, and conservation; counterfeit coins in today’s marketplace; the dynamics of the rare-coin market; techniques of smart bidding at auction; Scouting and numismatics; American Arts gold medallions; investing in modern gold and silver bullion; building a registry set; determining coin prices and values; predicting the rare-coin market; how to get a new die variety listed in the Red Book; collecting numismatic literature; hobo nickels; love tokens; and chopmarked coins.
MEGA RED will be available from booksellers and hobby shops nationwide, and online (including at www.Whitman.com). Whitman Publishing is the Official Supplier of the ANA, and Association members receive a 10% discount off all purchases.
ISBN 0794845800
1,054 pages, full color, $49.95 retail
By R.S. Yeoman; Senior Editor Q. David Bowers; Valuations Editor Jeff Garrett; Editor Emeritus Kenneth Bressett
Attendance Tops 2,600 at National Money Show
Collectors and Dealers Give Thumbs Up for Irving Venue
The American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) 2018 National Money Show in Irving, Texas, welcomed a total of 2,671 people to the three-day event, held March 8-10 at the Irving Convention Center. “By all measures, the ANA’s convention in Irving was a success,” said ANA President Gary Adkins. “As I toured the bourse floor toward the end of the show to thank dealers for attending, almost all said they were quite pleased with the venue, the turnout and business.” Adkins also noted that dealers especially appreciated the bags of snacks, as well as the morning coffee and light breakfast, provided them by the ANA.
“Collectors who attended the show took full advantage of an exciting, sold-out bourse floor” said ANA Conventions Director Jennifer Ackerman. “We had a waiting list of dealers hoping to obtain a table. And everyone I spoke with was very pleased with the venue.”
The event featured 166 companies buying and selling coins, currency and related items; a wide range of numismatic technical seminars and educational presentations led by notable speakers; and exhibits of priceless rarities from private collections and the American Numismatic Association’s Money Museum in Colorado Springs – including a $50 half union pattern from the Harry W. Bass Jr. Collection and a selection of error notes from the famous Bebee Collection of U.S. Paper Money.
A dozen free Money Talks presentations were offered, highlighting extraordinary people, numismatic treasures and tips for managing a collection. “Strategies to Dispose of Your Collection” drew a standing-room crowd, and attendees received a free copy of the just-released ANA guide, Managing & Settling a Numismatic Estate. (The 44-page booklet is available to ANA members for $6.95 ($8.95 for non-members) by calling 800-514-2646.)
The Treasure Trivia game was a big hit with families, and 114 children learned about numismatics as they explored the bourse floor in search of answers to trivia questions.
Kagin’s Auctions of Tiburon, California, served as the official auctioneer of the 2018 National Money Show. The three-session sale featured a variety of interesting and important numismatic properties, from colonials through pioneer gold, tokens, medals and patterns, as well as three of the finest and most comprehensive collections of Federal Reserve Bank notes, Federal Reserve notes and Civil War era encased postage stamps. Notable prices realized (with a 20% buyer’s premium) included:
- $252,000 for a 1737 Higley copper, graded PCGS Very Fine-35. One of four known.
- $40,800 for an 1872 copper Amazonian pattern half dollar, graded NGC Proof-67 Red Brown.
- $138,000 for a 10.07-ounce gold ingot produced by the San Francisco assay firm of Harris, Marchand & Co. in 1857. Recovered from the wreck of the S.S. Central America.
- $31,200 for a 1918 $50 Federal Reserve Bank note from St. Louis, certified PMG Extremely Fine-45.
Attendance Statistics
According to ANA Executive Director Kim Kiick, attendance at the Irving National Money Show was comparable to the previous two conventions held in Dallas: The 2016 National Money Show welcomed 2,585 people, while the 2012 event attracted 2,973 attendees. Numbers for the 2018 show include:
- 2,671 total attendees
- 1,755 general public
- 348 ANA members
- 76 volunteers and staff
- 180 tables, representing 166 companies and 492 dealers and their assistants
Legacy Series Interview
Consummate collector and professional numismatist Mark Borckardt was the focus of a Legacy Series interview and reception on Thursday, March 8. Moderated by Barbara Gregory, editor-in-chief of The Numismatist, the program acquaints collectors with the legends, heroes and icons of numismatics, celebrating their lives and contributions. Past installments of the Legacy Series have celebrated numismatists Q. David Bowers, Ray Dillard, Fred Weinberg, Jim Halperin and Steve Ivy, David Sundman, Mark Salzberg and Rick Montgomery, and Ken and Tom Hallenbeck. (Previous interviews of the Legacy Series can be seen at www.money.org/LegacySeries; the March interview will be posted in the coming weeks.)
Awards
ANA President Gary Adkins presented three Presidential Awards at the show. During the opening ceremonies on Thursday, March 8, Adkins bestowed Presidential Awards on Dr. James Ferrendelli, an ANA life member and Houston neurologist, and Kenny Duncan Sr., also a life member, long-time coin dealer and a dedicated ANA membership recruiter. Following the Legacy Series interview, Adkins presented Mark Borckardt a Presidential Award for his accomplishments and service to the ANA.
During the show, the ANA presented its first “Award for Philanthropy” to the Ben. E. Keith Company, headquartered in Ft. Worth, and the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Foundation, based in Dallas. “The ANA is very proud and grateful for its continuing relationship with these forward-thinking and highly-responsible organizations,” said President Adkins.
In recognition of his service, President Adkins bestowed upon National Money Show Host Chair Carl Stang the Goodfellow Award. Adkins also recognized the two host clubs – the NorthEast Tarrant Coin Club and the Texas Numismatic Association – with presentation of the Lewis S. Werner Host Club Award. Adkins noted that the committed team of hard-working show volunteers was instrumental in the show’s success.
ANA Board of Governors Meeting
Discussion of programs and approval of housekeeping items comprised much of the ANA Board of Governors agenda during their National Money Show meetings on March 9 and 10. Most notable was the review and approval of the IRS Form 990 and the Fiscal Year 2017 audited financial statement prepared by Waugh & Goodwin, LLP and presented by ANA Audit Committee Chair Ron Guth, Treasurer Larry Baber and Controller Carol Shuman.
Fiscal Year 2017 expenses were $5,580,086, of which $4,526,870 was directly related to ANA programs (conventions, magazine, education, museum, library) and $1,053,216 for support services (marketing, fundraising, membership development, administration).
Greg Lyon, board liaison to the Budget & Finance Committee, noted that the ANA’s net assets grew by $4.6 million during the fiscal year. “The ANA remains in a strong financial position, with more than $79 million in assets,” he said.
The ANA’s Fiscal Year 2017 audited financial statement and IRS Form 990 are available for review online at www.money.org/financial-reports.
Other items discussed and/or voted on at the Board of Governors meeting:
- Discussion of the new, soon-to-launch ANA online dealer directory, including review of rates for advertising and premium listings.
- Discussion and approval of a 2018 World’s Fair of Money kick-off event at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia on Tuesday, August 14. The ticket price was set at $50.
- Discussion of steps required to further explore development of an online education platform (business requirements, technical details, curriculum decisions).
- Approval of a new literary award to be named the Prue & Arthur Fitts Literary Award recognizing writing excellence in The Numismatist in the fields of ancient and medieval coinage. The award, which will be presented annually at the World’s Fair of Money, includes a wooden plaque and a cash prize of $250, to be funded by the sponsors.
- Discussion of the Board of Governors election process as it relates to finding qualified candidates and the length and limits of board terms.
- Presentation of a $500 check to Doug Davis in support of the Numismatic Crime Information Center (NCIC). NCIC conducted a law enforcement seminar focused on numismatics at the Irving National Money Show, which was attended by 32 federal, state and local investigators from across Texas.
- Review of the new money.org app, which is compatible on both Apple and Android devices, and discussion of elevating exposure of money.org.
Photos and videos from the Irving National Money Show can be viewed within the next week at www.NationalMoneyShow.com.
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 about the ANA, call 719-632-2646 or visit www.money.org.
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