Jul 30, 2017 | Announcements
Whitman Publishing authors will meet and greet collectors and sign copies of their books at the Whitman booth, #200, at the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money, August 1–5, 2017. The show is held at the Colorado Convention Center.
On Wednesday, August 2, is a special presentation, “An Hour With Ken and Dave,” featuring Kenneth Bressett and Q. David Bowers, and a raffle giveaway of a dozen Whitman books. Show visitors can meet Bressett (the longtime senior editor of the Red Book) and Bowers (the most prolific numismatic author of all time) from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. The two will answer questions, chat about any hobby topic, autograph books, and pose for photographs. This was a very popular event at last year’s ANA show in Anaheim. “This is a rare opportunity to meet two of the hobby’s living legends,” said Whitman publisher Dennis Tucker. “Ken and Dave are also two of the friendliest people in numismatics, and they love to visit with collectors. Bring your camera, say hello, ask questions, and you’ll take home some wonderful memories from the ANA World’s Fair of Money.”
Bressett and Bowers will autograph books at other times throughout the show, as will other Whitman authors. The full schedule:
- Harlan Berk (100 Greatest Ancient Coins) — Thursday, 3:00 p.m.
- Q. David Bowers (A Guide Book of Morgan Silver Dollars; Obsolete Paper Money; etc.) — Thursday, 10:30 a.m.; Friday, 1:00 p.m.
- Ken Bressett (Money of the Bible; Whitman Guide to Coin Collecting; etc.) — Tuesday, 3:00 p.m.; Wednesday, 2:00 p.m.; Thursday, 10:30 a.m.
- Roger W. Burdette (A Guide Book of Peace Dollars) — Thursday, 11:00 a.m.; Friday, 1:30 p.m.
- Jeff Garrett (Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins, 1795–1933; 100 Greatest U.S. Coins; etc.) — Saturday, 12:00 noon.
- Ira Goldberg (Money of the World: Coins That Made History) — Thursday, 2:30 p.m.
- Robert D. Leonard (Curious Currency: The Story of Money From the Stone Age to the Internet Age) — Thursday, 3:30 p.m.; Friday, 2:00 p.m.; Saturday, 11:30 p.m.
- Dennis Tucker (American Gold and Silver: U.S. Mint Collector and Investor Coins and Medals, Bicentennial to Date) — Thursday, 11:30 a.m.
The Whitman Publishing booth is a popular gathering place for Whitman authors, so visitors have a good chance of running into other hobby writers at booth #200 throughout the week.
Because Whitman Publishing is the Official Supplier of the American Numismatic Association, ANA members get 10% off all purchases. Other show specials, bargains, and giveaways are scheduled for Whitman books, folders, albums, and hobby supplies.
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Don and Lois Bailey, authors of the Whitman Encyclopedia of Mexican Money, greet collectors at the 2016 World’s Fair of Money in Anaheim.
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Kenneth Bressett and Q. David Bowers visit with fans at the 2016 World’s Fair of Money in Anaheim.
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Dave Bowers autographs a Red Book at the 2016 World’s Fair of Money.
Jul 27, 2017 | ANA, Announcements
Distinguished Numismatists Honored with Service Awards
Recipients recognized at Denver World’s Fair of Money® Awards Banquet
The recipients of the American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) 2017 Farran Zerbe Memorial Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Elvira Clain-Stefanelli Memorial Award, Numismatist of the Year Award, Harry J. Forman Dealer of the Year Award, Burnett Anderson Memorial Award for Excellence in Numismatic Writing, and the Numismatic Hall of Fame inductee, will be formally recognized at the upcoming World’s Fair of Money awards banquet, which takes place Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel in the Grand Ballroom.
The Farran Zerbe Memorial Award
Brian Fanton will receive the ANA’s highest honor, the Farran Zerbe Memorial Award for Distinguished Service. Fanton’s careers in telecommunications and numismatics—along with his personal interests in collecting Civil War tokens and racing and rebuilding British sports cars—have combined to create a well-rounded professional with a fun-loving, can-do attitude.
Fanton’s passion for history began when he was in grade school. An interest in numismatics followed in 1952, when his grandfather, Clarence L. (“CL”) Stewart, gave him A Guide Book of United States Coins (R.S. Yeoman’s essential “Red Book”) and an 1857-S Seated Liberty quarter for his birthday. The coin held special significance for Fanton, as his grandfather had acquired it overseas during World War II.
For Brian, numismatics has provided a fascinating, hands-on approach to history and has allowed him to meet interesting people of a wide variety of ages and backgrounds. “All collectors are related through coins,” he says, adding that “every one is the cousin I haven’t met.”
Lifetime Achievement Award
Julian Leidman will be awarded the ANA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Born in Albany, New York, Leidman’s parents introduced him to numismatics through some coins his mother owned. “She instilled in me the tangible link to the past that numismatics offers,” he says. The young collector soon began searching through pocket change and bank-wrapped rolls.
He credits his longtime associate and friend Albert L. Bonan with helping develop his career. When he retired in 1991, Leidman took over the store Bonan and his father had opened in the early 1960s.
Leidman believes aspiring hobbyists should define their focus if they wish to achieve the greatest success. As dealer Jerry Cohen once told him, “There are more coins than anyone has money for.” Leidman adds that, unless an individual is incredibly well-to-do, he or she should set an attainable goal and establish acquisition parameters. “I urge people to examine numismatics thoroughly and to investigate the economics involved in forming a given collection. It’s important to choose a topic that generates the most personal enthusiasm.”
Elvira Clain-Stefanelli Memorial Award
Charmy Harker will receive the ANA’s Elvira Clain-Stefanelli Memorial Award. Unlike many numismatists, Harker began collecting later in life. She was introduced to the hobby after inheriting a group of coins from her aunt. Knowing very little about numismatics, she chose to focus solely on Indian Head cents and devoured every book and article she could find on the pieces. She ultimately turned her interest into a full-time business and today is well-known in the hobby as “The Penny Lady.”
Numismatist of the Year Award
David W. Lange will be awarded the ANA’s Numismatist of the Year Award. A renown author and researcher, David Lange is adept in a wide variety of numismatic areas. The longtime collector specializes in United States type coins, Philippine coins and notes from 1903 to 1945, and British coins from 1816 to 1970. He pioneered the study of coin-collecting boards and folders, writing three volumes and designing and maintaining a website on the subject.
A gifted writer, Lange received his first literary recognition more than 30 years ago and has gone on to collect many more awards, including 19 from the Numismatic Literary Guild. He has written nine books since 1992 (three for Whitman Publishing), and has appeared in the acknowledgments of at least a dozen other works. Lange has authored approximately 200 feature articles for nearly 20 numismatic journals and publications, and has been a columnist for The Numismatist since 1988.
Harry J. Forman Dealer of the Year Award
Anthony Terranova, of Brooklyn, New York, will be awarded the ANA’s Dealer of the Year Award. Having started his numismatic business in Manhattan in 1977, this consummate professional considers himself fortunate to be earning a living doing what he loves. “I made my avocation my vocation,” he says. Possessing a passion for numismatic education, Terranova enjoys sharing what he’s learned with hobby newcomers. “I tell them the same thing anybody would tell them: Find a series of coins that speaks to you and then pursue it. Read as many books as you can on the subject, and learn about it.”
While he encourages collectors to find more information through books and the Internet, Terranova stresses the importance of joining local clubs and organizations. “There’s nothing like talking with someone in person who shares your same views and interests. It helps you realize you’re not the only nut out there.”
Burnett Anderson Memorial Award for Excellence in Numismatic Writing
Donn Pearlman will receive the ANA’s Burnett Anderson Memorial Award for Excellence in Numismatic Writing. When it comes to numismatic news, Donn is well-known for getting the scoop. The recovery of the sunken S.S. Central America treasure, the discovery and sale of the fifth 1913 Liberty Head nickel and the unearthing of the Saddle Ridge Hoard all made headlines—both in the hobby and nationally—because of the veteran communicator’s work. As an author, his byline has appeared on numerous feature stories and columns in COINage, Coins, Coin World, Numismatic News, The Numismatist and World Coin News.
Donn previously served two terms on the ANA Board of Governors and has been a featured educational speaker at numismatic conventions in the United States, Australia and Singapore. Today, he owns and operates a public relations firm in Las Vegas that has been a boon to the ANA, professional numismatists and the hobby at large.
Numismatic Hall of Fame
Ray Dillard will be inducted into the Numismatic Hall of Fame. He began collecting coins in the late 1960s, and in the mid-1980s he started to bring his elongating machine to ANA conventions. An author, collector and trend-setting patriarch, Dillard is a life member of the ANA and belongs to a variety of numismatic organizations, such as The Elongated Collectors, the Maryland State Numismatic Association and the Flint Flying Eagle Coin Club, to name a few.
Dillard’s goal is to live to be 110. “Everyone lives to be 100, and I have work piled up to last at least ‘til then,” he says.
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.
Jul 26, 2017 | Announcements, U.S. Mint
WASHINGTON – The United States Mint will accept orders for the 225th Anniversary Enhanced Uncirculated Coin Set™ (product code 17XC) on August 1 at noon Eastern Time (ET).
Struck in celebration of the Mint’s 225th anniversary, this set contains 10 coins with an enhanced uncirculated finish featuring a combination of laser-frosted areas and an unpolished field that accentuates design details. The process creates a unique contrast distinctly different from the mirror-like finish of proof coins. Each coin bears the “S” mint mark of the United States Mint at San Francisco.
The following coins from the San Francisco Mint are included in the set:
- Five Quarters from the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program honoring Effigy Mounds National Monument in Iowa; Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in the District of Columbia; Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Missouri; Ellis Island in New Jersey; and George Rogers Clark National Historical Park in Indiana.
- One Native American $1 Coin with a reverse design featuring a profiled likeness of Sequoyah writing “Sequoyah from Cherokee Nation” in syllabary along the border of the design. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES of AMERICA,” “$1”, and “Sequoyah” written in English in the field of the design.
- One Kennedy half dollar
- One Roosevelt dime
- One Jefferson nickel
- One Lincoln penny
The coins are presented in two coin lenses-five coins per lens-and packaged in a black matte box with a Certificate of Authenticity. Mintage for this set is limited to 225,000 units.
The 225th Anniversary Enhanced Uncirculated Coin Set™ is priced at $29.95. Orders will be accepted at https://catalog.usmint.gov/ and at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order at 1-888-321-MINT. Information about shipping options is available at https://catalog.usmint.gov/customer-service/shipping.html.
Jul 25, 2017 | ANA, Announcements
Numerous organizations and individuals play a part in ensuring the American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) World’s Fair of Money retains a strong educational focus. Thanks to the support of 28 dedicated sponsors and over 70 individual patrons, this year’s show is guaranteed to be the biggest, most educational numismatic event of the summer.
The convention takes place in Denver, Aug. 1-5, in Hall F of the Colorado Convention Center, located at 700 14th St.
Corporate sponsors pledging support include:
Heritage Auctions—Table 900
Stack’s Bowers Galleries—Table 800
Numismatic Conservation Services (NCS)—Table 100
Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC)—Table 100
Paper Money Guaranty (PMG)—Table 110
Title sponsors include:
Amos Media/Coin World—Table 248
Dillon Gage Metals Division—Table 634
Hallenbeck Coin Gallery—Table 534
Legend Numismatics—Table 704
Minshull Trading—Table 814
Modern Coin Mart—Table 1000
Panda America—Table 136
Royal Canadian Mint—Table 234
Anthony & Mary Ann Terranova—Table 624
Universal Coin & Bullion—Mike Fuljenz
Whitman Publishing—Table 200
Additional sponsors include:
Alhambra Coin Center—Table 325
ANACS—Table 128
Angel Dee’s Coins & Collectibles—Table 1014
Carter Numismatics—Table 914
CDN Publishing—Table 407
Colony Coin Company—Table 916
Coleman Foster Rare Coin—Table 773
Frese Brothers Coins & Collectibles—Table 740
Kevin Lipton Rare Coins—Table 915
Medallic Art Company—Table 826
Safes & Security Systems
U.S. Coins—Table 724
“Through the generous support from our World’s Fair of Money sponsors, the ANA is able to continue offering a show that is rich in education as well as numismatic history and comradery,” says Jennifer Croak, the ANA’s conventions and sponsorship coordinator.
For additional information on future convention sponsorship opportunities with the ANA, contact Jennifer at jcroak@money.org or call 719-482-9849.
World’s Fair of Money
The coin and money show features the nation’s finest coin dealers and best inventory; high-quality educational programs and seminars; world-class auctions by Heritage Auctions and Stack’s Bowers Galleries; mints from around the world; as well as exhibits showcasing priceless treasures from the Money Museum and private collections.
Show hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Aug. 1; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 2-4; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 5. ANA members can enter the show 30 minutes before the public. Admission is $8 for adults; ANA members and children 12 and under are always free. Last admission is 30 minutes prior to closing.
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.
Jul 25, 2017 | Announcements, News
(Atlanta, Georgia) — Whitman Publishing announces the release of the new second edition of the Guide Book of Buffalo and Jefferson Nickels, by Q. David Bowers. The 320-page softcover book is available from booksellers and hobby shops nationwide, and online (including at www.Whitman.com), for $19.95. Bowers will autograph copies at the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money, August 1–5, 2017.
The book covers America’s two most popular nickel five-cent series—Buffalo nickels, minted from 1913 to 1938, and Jefferson nickels, minted from 1938 to date. Bowers, the nation’s most prolific numismatic author, offers a detailed history as well as advice on smart collecting and a date-by-date analysis of both series. This includes mintages, specifications, strike quality and other technical aspects, market values in multiple grades (including Full Steps for Jefferson nickels), and high-resolution enlargements for important overdates and other die varieties. The text and catalog are illustrated by 941 images, including photographs of every coin by date and mintmark.
The new edition is more than 10 percent longer than the first, with 32 extra pages of content. It has been updated with many more photographs, expanded coverage of die varieties, new retail market values for each coin, and the latest U.S. Mint data. New illustrated appendices explore Depression-era and modern hobo nickels; James Earle Fraser’s nickel design as used on the American Buffalo 24-karat gold coin series; and “Nickels Here and There” (a study of the nickel in American popular culture). Other appendices explore a chronology of the nickel five-cent piece, Mint errors and misstrikes, and Buffalo nickel patterns.
Numismatic educator and die-variety specialist Bill Fivaz wrote the book’s foreword. He said, “If you have even the slightest interest in Buffalo or Jefferson nickels, this book by Dave Bowers is an absolute must. I guarantee you’ll have fun with these series.”
Because Whitman Publishing is the Official Supplier of the American Numismatic Association, ANA members receive 10 percent off their direct purchases. The book can also be borrowed for free as a benefit of membership in the ANA, through the Dwight N. Manley Numismatic Library.
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Jul 25, 2017 | Announcements, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, U.S. Mint
WASHINGTON – The United States Mint (Mint) and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) will share booth #478 at the American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) World’s Fair of Money, August 1 – 5, 2017, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado.
As the Nation’s producers of currency and coins, BEP and the Mint have made history by connecting Americans through coins and currency. The bureaus are highlighting their distinguished histories, product excellence, and dedicated employees.
BEP and the Mint are pleased to announce that BEP Director Len Olijar and Mint Acting Deputy Director David Motl will participate in the official ribbon cutting ceremony on August 1 at 12:45 p.m.
BEP is showcasing its Billion Dollar Exhibit featuring more than $1 billion worth of rare antique currency, including sheets of $100,000 currency notes, Treasury Bonds, and Gold and Silver Certificates. A technical expert will demonstrate currency production on a 19th century Spider Press.
As a special treat for collectors, the Mint will display two of the ten “1933 Gold Double Eagles” that were the subject of 11 years of litigation, which was recently resolved in favor of the Government, and the “1974-D Aluminum Cent” recovered in 2016. The coins are a part of the rich history of the Mint as it celebrates its 225th Anniversary. This rare experimental test piece as well as the last gold coins intended for circulation will be on display during show hours each day.
BEP is excited to offer the following new products for sale:
- 2017 $2 Single Note Collection – This collection features four $2 notes with serial numbers beginning with 2017.
- “Constitution Series – Judicial” – This card is the third and final print in the 2017 Intaglio Print Subscription Program which features three cards: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial (branches of the Federal government). This series is dedicated to the United States Constitution and features an exquisite compilation of unique, engraved vignettes focusing on the age-old art of intaglio printing.
In addition to its display, the Mint will also:
- Unveil the designs for the 2018 America the Beautiful Quarters® Program;
- Display the 2017 225th Anniversary Silver Four-Medal Set™
- Provide children the opportunity to gather information on the Mint’s H.I.P. Pocket Change website to engage in educational activities, learn about Mint programs and operations, and gain an understanding of the link between coins and American history and culture;
- Provide attendees access to opt-in as a Mint customer to receive product updates and alerts;
- Conduct a “Treasure Trivia” game in which children visit specific locations on the bourse floor to answer trivia questions designed to instill an appreciation for numismatics;
- Participate in the World Mints Passport Program, an exciting program in which visitors collect coins from participating mints;
- Provide the most recently released America the Beautiful Quarters coin for even exchange;
- Conduct live tweets on the daily activities;
- Assist visitors in downloading its mobile application, MyUSMint
BEP is also offering other unique currency-related products, including uncut currency sheets ranging in subject size and denomination. For additional information about BEP or to purchase products, please visit bep.gov and follow us on Twitter and Facebook. You may also order BEP products by telephone (1-800-456-3408), fax (1-888-891-7585), or mail (Bureau of Engraving & Printing, Mail Order Sales, Room 515M, 14th and C Streets SW, Washington, DC, 20228).
The United States Mint will be releasing the 225th Anniversary Enhanced Uncirculated Coin Set on the first day of the event. An assortment of other collectible products from the Mint will be available for purchase, including coins in the 2017 Lions Club Commemorative Program, the 2017 Boys Town Commemorative Program, and other popular annual offerings. These products are also available for purchase via the Mint’s online catalog at catalog.usmint.gov/ or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing and speech impaired customers with TTY equipment may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468). Additional information is available at catalog.usmint.gov/.
Jul 19, 2017 | Announcements
(Atlanta, Georgia) — Whitman Publishing announces the release of the newest edition of the Whitman Guide to Coin Collecting: An Introduction to the World of Coins, by Kenneth Bressett. The 288-page softcover book debuted July 4, 2017, and is now available from booksellers and hobby shops nationwide, and online (including at www.Whitman.com), for $12.95. Mr. Bressett will autograph copies at the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money in Denver, August 1–5, 2017.
The guide, popularly known as the “Yellow Book,” includes chapters on coin collecting as a hobby; places to find coins; how coins are made; venues to learn about collecting; getting started as a collector; caring for a coin collection; grading techniques and standards; coin prices and values; commemoratives, bullion, special coin issues, counterfeits, medals, tokens, casino chips, and more.
Illustrated with 672 full-color photographs and other images, the Whitman Guide to Coin Collecting also includes charts, lists, an illustrated glossary, a bibliography for continued learning, and an index for looking up information.
“Generations of coin collectors know Ken Bressett as the senior editor of the ‘Red Book,’” said Whitman publisher Dennis Tucker, referring to the annual Guide Book of United States Coins. “More than 24 million copies of the Red Book have been sold since 1946, and Ken has worked on the book since the 1950s. He’s also served the hobby as president of the American Numismatic Association, and as an educator, researcher, and author. He’s the perfect teacher to introduce new collectors to the hobby.”
Case studies, personal memories, and unique insight from Bressett’s 60-plus years in the hobby make the Whitman Guide to Coin Collecting a unique resource. Rodney Gillis, the American Numismatic Association’s education director, wrote the book’s foreword. “Coin collecting opens up an entire world of learning, just waiting to be explored,” Gillis said. “As you read this book, you will notice how skillfully Ken interjects his love of history within the context of collecting. The Whitman Guide to Coin Collecting will prove to be an invaluable research tool for a novice and a standard reference to look back to once you have become a seasoned collector. By reading this book you are taking a very positive step in becoming a more informed collector at an accelerated rate.”
Chapters include: “Coin Collecting as a Hobby” (Reasons to collect and have a hobby. Why people collect coins. Pride of ownership. Popularity and growth of coin collecting. A look at coins as historical documents.) “Coins Are Where You Find Them” (Check your pocket change. Why we use coins. Different kinds of coins. Other forms of money. How coins are made. What to look for in a coin. Mints and mintmarks.) “Learning About Your Coins” (Varieties, types, and differences that affect value. Coin clubs, trade shows, exhibits, dealers. Books on the subject. ANA services. Museums.) “How to Get Started” (The best places to look for coins. What to buy. Necessary tools and equipment. Publications.) “Caring for Your Collection” (Albums and holders. Storage problems. What you must know about cleaning your coins. Insurance considerations. Paper products.) “Grading Techniques and Standards” (How to grade coins. What to look for in investment grade coins. Use of grading guides and books. Grading services.) “Coin Prices and Values” (How to buy for best value. Pricing charts. Investing in rare coins. When it’s time to sell.) “Catalog of Special Coin Prices” (Prices for select coins most wanted by beginners. Why some coins are a better value than others.) “Commemorative, Bullion, and Special Coins” (Why commemorative coins are so popular. What is in the future for special coin issues. Where and how to purchase bullion coins. Collecting Mint and Proof sets.) “Oddities, Counterfeits, and Other Coins” (How to spot a counterfeit coin. Authentication services. Error coins. Tokens. Gaming chips. Coins from around the world.)
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Jul 18, 2017 | Announcements
Watch “Pawn Stars’” Rick Harrison Help Miles Standish Get His Head Shaved To Benefit the ANA & Help Sick Children
What:
Prominent numismatist Michael “Miles” Standish will get his head shaved in public at the American Numismatic Association 2017 Denver World’s Fair of Money®. The hair-raising act will raise money for the ANA and the nonprofit Standish Foundation for Child & Family Centered Healthcare.
Rick Harrison of History’s “Pawn Stars” program and the famous Las Vegas Gold & Silver Pawn shop will make the first pass of the electric shaver on Miles’ head. Several Denver Broncos cheerleaders will also attend as special guests to cheer on Miles and as well as sign autographs for visitors.
Miles Standish
Rick Harrison
Denver Broncos Cheeleader
When:
Thursday, August 3, 2017, at 2 pm (Mountain Time)
Where:
ANA 2017 Denver World’s Fair of Money, Booth #97
Located next to the ANA Business and Messaging Center
Hall F of the Colorado Convention Center
700 14th St., Denver, Colorado
Background Information:
Miles Standish is an award-winning numismatic author and Senior Grader and Vice-President of Numismatic Guaranty Corporation. The Austin, Texas-based Standish Foundation was launched in 2010 by his wife, Andrea Mangione Standish, a certified child life specialist. The foundation assists healthcare providers around the world to provide the tools and training they need to minimize healthcare-related pain and suffering in children.
“The mission of the foundation is to have happy, healthy, resilient kids who haven’t been traumatized by healthcare experiences. This event is to help children get better care and to help an important hobby organization dear to me and so many others, the American Numismatic Association,” he explained.
“Building strong relationships among community-based organizations is a hallmark of the American Numismatic Association. We are proud to partner with the Standish Foundation for Child & Family Centered Healthcare during the World’s Fair of Money in Denver,” said Kim Kiick, ANA Executive Director.
“Through combined efforts of the ‘Shave Miles’ event, we’re adding value into the vision of each organization – ensuring that the highest quality of education, training, and tools make the greatest impact in the communities we serve,” Kiick emphasized.
All donations for this event are tax deductible and will be evenly divided between the ANA and the foundation. Checks should be made payable to the American Numismatic Association. Donations can be made at Booth 97 or at the ANA Business and Messaging Center, Tuesday and Wednesday, August 1 and 2, from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., and on the day of the event, Thursday, August 3, from 10 a.m. until all of Miles’ hair is shaved.
A native of Michigan, Standish began collecting in 1973 at the age of nine. In 2011, he was honored with the “Director’s Coin for Excellence” by then-Director of the United States Mint Edmund Moy.
He is co-author with former Chief Engraving of the United States Mint, John Mercanti, of the 2012 reference book, “American Silver Eagles: A Guide to the U.S. Bullion Coin Program.” Standish’s 2014 book, “Morgan Dollar: America’s Love Affair with a Legendary Coin,” received the 2015 Numismatic Literary Guild award for Best Specialized Book.
Information about the ANA 2017 Denver World’s Fair of Money can be found at www.WorldsFairofMoney.com and information about the Standish Foundation for Child & Family Centered Healthcare is at www.sf4c.org.
Jul 12, 2017 | Announcements, News
by Dennis Tucker
The fourth edition of Whitman Publishing’s 100 Greatest U.S. Modern Coins will enjoy its public debut in a few short weeks. Look for it at the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money in Denver, Colorado. In the meantime, if you’re a fan of modern U.S. coins, you can preorder your copy online or from your favorite local bookstore.
When 100 Greatest U.S. Modern Coins debuted in February 2011, it was the eighth volume in Whitman Publishing’s popular 100 Greatest™ library of books. In earlier volumes the spotlight was occupied by rare and valuable ancient coins, unique eighteenth- and nineteenth-century U.S. classics, and even unusual and visually astounding error coins and misstrikes. Finally it was time to focus on the lively field of modern coins, from circulating nickels and quarters to silver and gold commemoratives, Proofs, bullion coins, and more.
This exciting category makes up an impressively large share of today’s numismatic market. Fans of “moderns” are among the most active and enthusiastic collectors in the hobby. To give just one example: The American Eagle bullion-coin program has been part of the numismatic landscape for a little over 30 years. In that time, collectors and investors have purchased more than 400 million American Silver Eagles, plus tens of millions of their gold and platinum cousins. If a book sold that many copies, it would be a runaway best-seller! (Readers have bought about 100 million copies of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit since it was first published; J.K. Rowling’s wildly popular Harry Potter books enjoy print runs in the tens of millions each.) Visit any of the online hobby forums and you’ll find countless threads and conversations revolving around the U.S. Mint’s latest commemorative coins, medals, and bullion pieces. “Collectors love their Morgan dollars and Saint-Gaudens double eagles,” says Diana Plattner, editor of Coin Update (www.coinupdate.com) and Mint News Blog (www.mintnewsblog.com). “But a feature article on the newest U.S. Mint release is guaranteed to bring hundreds of spirited comments, questions, and strong opinions.”
My own appreciation of the complexity and appeal of modern coins has increased in recent years. In 2016 I was appointed to membership in the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (www.CCAC.gov), a public panel that advises the secretary of the Treasury on the designs and themes of U.S. coins. Serving on the committee has been an eye-opening experience. It has rounded out my education in the entire process of modern coin creation.
Many collectors misunderstand the origin of modern coins such as commemoratives, National Park quarters, and Presidential dollars. While the Treasury Department does have authority to create certain limited coinage programs (e.g., special gold pieces such as the 2009 Ultra High Relief and the more recent high-relief American Liberty coins), nearly all of its products are mandated by Congress and signed into existence by the president. Congress decides the overarching themes, gives authority, and sets parameters.
“Congress orders, and the Mint executes,” is what one Mint officer has told me.
The CCAC has 11 members, each of us either representing the general public or specially qualified in a particular field (sculpture or the medallic arts; numismatic curatorship; American history; and numismatics). We are “an informed, experienced, and impartial resource to the secretary of the Treasury and represent the interests of American citizens and collectors.” For each coinage program we confer early in the process, meeting with stakeholders to flesh out basic design ideas to guide the Mint’s artists; then, weeks or months later, we meet to review and analyze the sketches the artists developed. Every design is considered seriously—even when there are 60 or more to review in a single portfolio!
How does modern coinage not work? It’s not “design by committee.” It’s not a lone bureaucrat sitting in an office making up programs. If you think the Mint is producing too many military-themed commemoratives, write to your congressman. If you think a palladium bullion coin is a good idea, or want to see your favorite charity honored with a silver dollar, or have an idea for a new circulating quarter dollar program, remember that “Congress orders, and the Mint executes.” Every new coin starts with an idea, which grows (with a lot of legwork) into legislation at the congressional level (or program management if initiated within the Treasury Department), then moves into concept development, then to design sketches, then review by the CCAC (and also the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts), which results in formal recommendations sent to the Treasury secretary. The secretary makes the final decision on all coin designs.
After a new coin is finally minted, it belongs to history and it’s there for the hobby community to enjoy, critique, collect, and study.
It’s in the latter pursuit that authors Scott Schechter and Jeff Garrett are uniquely positioned when it comes to the 100 Greatest U.S. Modern Coins. Each has collected coins since childhood; each has years of unique hands-on experience as a professional numismatist, including buying and selling moderns. Schechter is vice president and finalizer at Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC); his first official job in numismatics was in 1994, when he interned at the Smithsonian Institution, working with the National Numismatic Collection. Garrett is a longtime coin dealer and active promoter of the hobby, this year finishing up his term as president of the American Numismatic Association.
In their engaging and informative book Schechter and Garrett share insight on many behind-the-scenes numismatic situations. As you read you’ll find yourself thinking, “So that’s why this coin was made!” or “That explains why that coin is so rare.” There are as many mysteries, stories, and busted myths within modern coins as there are in any of the classic series.
The fact that 100 Greatest U.S. Modern Coins is already in its fourth edition attests to the coins’ evergreen appeal and popularity. If you haven’t yet been bitten by the modern-coin bug, you will be after enjoying this entertaining volume. Along the way you’ll learn a lot about our nation and its remarkable coinage.
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100 Greatest U.S. Modern Coins
By Scott Schechter and Jeff Garrett; foreword by Rhett Jeppson
ISBN 0794845231
Hardcover, coffee-table size
144 pages
Full color
Retail $29.95 U.S.
Jul 12, 2017 | ANA, Announcements
Mark your calendar for the American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) World’s Fair of Money in Denver, Colorado. The annual event offers access to hundreds of dealers, spectacular exhibits and fun social activities. The convention takes place Aug. 1-5 in Hall F of the Colorado Convention Center, located at 700 14th St. Collectors are encouraged to explore the freshly updated World’s Fair of Money page for discounts, learning opportunities and a full schedule of events.
The coin and money show features the nation’s finest coin dealers and best inventory; high-quality educational programs and seminars; world-class auctions by Heritage Auctions and Stack’s Bowers Galleries; mints from around the world; as well as exhibits showcasing priceless treasures from the Money Museum and private collections.
Show hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Aug. 1; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 2-4; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 5. ANA members can enter the show 30 minutes before the public. Admission is $8 for adults; ANA members and children 12 and under are always free. Last admission is 30 minutes prior to closing.
Association members who register by July 21 will receive member credentials in the mail. Member badges provide show attendees access to the bourse floor 30 minutes prior to the show opening.
Big High and Bid Often!
Stack’s Bowers Galleries and Heritage Auctions are serving as the Official Auctioneers for this year’s event. Treasures being auctioned include:
Stack’s Bowers Galleries:
Heritage Auctions:
The ANA’s signature Museum Showcase will present rare and historically significant numismatic treasures from the Edward C. Rochette Money Museum and exclusive private collections. Several rarities will make their Showcase debut, including a complete set of Clark, Gruber & Co. Colorado territorial gold pieces dated 1860 and 1861, and a 1933 Indian Head $10 gold eagle. Additional highlights include:
- The Idler/Bebee 1804 silver dollar and McDermott/Bebee 1913 Liberty Head nickel
- The High Relief and Ultra High Relief 1907 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles from the Harry W. Bass, Jr. collection
- A nearly complete set of Lesher Referendum silver dollars from the early 1900s
- The Rittenhouse 1792 Half Disme along with the George Washington-signed document appointing David Rittenhouse as first Director of the United States Mint
Expand Your Knowledge
Show attendees interested in becoming wiser collectors are encouraged to sign-up for the ANA’s pre-convention Technical Series Seminars. Both seminars will take place at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, located adjacent to the convention center.
- Coin Conservation, Authentication and Grading
Instructor: Brian Silliman
Date and Time: July 29-31; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This intensive three-day seminar emphasizes the most essential numismatic skills for collectors of any level. Instruction includes digital presentation, open discussion and hands-on coin examination.
- Pioneer Gold Coinage
Instructor: David McCarthy
Date and Time: July 30-31; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In the 19th century the discovery of gold across the U.S. led to a fascinating series of coinage produced by the U.S. Mint, the U.S. Assay Office and private minters like Bechtlers and Moffat & Co. Learn the history of the three major U.S. gold rushes through coins minted from Georgia, North Carolina, Colorado, Oregon, Utah and California. Examine high-resolution images and actual examples of rare Pioneer Gold!
Convention visitors are also invited to attend the free Money Talks presentations and Sundman Luncheon lectures. The informative programs are presented by some of the hobby’s most noted authorities. Money Talks presentations are offered Thursday, Aug. 3 and Friday, Aug. 4, in Room 504 of the Colorado Convention Center. Topics to be covered include: Baltimore’s Washington Monument and Its Numismatic Secrets; Medallic Remembrances of World War I; Lesher Referendum Dollars – The Denver Connection; and more.
Guests who attend the Sundman luncheon, priced at $15 per person, enjoy the following presentations:
- Joseph Boling: “WWI Generated Many New Paper Money Issues — and The Counterfeiters Followed Right Along”
- Roger W. Burdette: “The Pittman Silver Purchase Act of 1918”
- Fred Schwan: “Numismatic Trench Art of World War I”
- David Goya: “War To End All Wars: Americans’ Participate in the Great War Through Its Medals”
Mix and Mingle
The Denver World’s Fair of Money is the perfect venue to socialize and network with fellow collectors in a fun, friendly atmosphere. The ANA welcomes hobbyists to the following social events.
- Legacy Series — Join the ANA as it celebrates the contributions of Colorado father-son coin dealers, Ken and Tom Hallenbeck of Hallenbeck Coin Gallery. Learn about their personal interests and how the two men have shaped the Colorado Springs numismatic landscape. The cost to attend is $50 and includes hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; registration closes July 18.
- ANA Member and Donor Reception — The always-popular ANA Member and Donor Reception recognizes 25- and 60-year members, lead donors, Dealer Booster of the Year, John and Nancy Wilson Member Booster Award, Century Club inductees, and service awards. This is a great event for members to meet new friends and catch up with old acquaintances. Admission is free.
- ANA Banquet and Silent Auction — The fellowship gala of the year, the annual ANA Banquet includes a cocktail hour for mixing and mingling, a three-course dinner, presentation of ANA awards, and recognition of 50-year members. Tickets are priced at $110. A Silent Auction during the banquet raises funds to underwrite full and partial adult scholarships to the ANA’s Summer Seminar. Banquet registration closes July 18 (tickets will not be available for purchase at the show).
- A Golden Day at the ANA — In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the ANA’s headquarters dedication, the Association is opening its doors and inviting members to tour its center of operations in downtown Colorado Springs on Sunday, Aug. 6, immediately after the Denver World’s Fair of Money.
Round-trip shuttles from the Sheraton (host hotel) depart at 9 a.m. (with departure from Colorado Springs at 2 p.m.) and 10 a.m. (with Colorado Springs departure at 3 p.m.). The cost for transportation is $30 per person; attendance at the celebration is free, although registration for transportation is required by July 18.
Add Souvenirs to Your Collection
Commemorate the ANA’s 126th Anniversary with a silver or bronze Convention Medal. The 2017 medals are sponsored and struck by Medallic Art Company from the original 1982 (obverse) and 1967 (reverse) headquarters dedication medals.
Medals are available as a convention medal badge (1.5” bronze medal with a ribbon drape) $20, Bronze Medal (2.75”) $65, or as a two-medal set for $100.
To order, call 800-514-2646 or visit the Shop the ANA area (booth #1103) at the show.
Admire Collector Exhibits
Collector exhibits are among the most popular features at every ANA show. It’s a great opportunity for hobbyists to share their collections and research with fellow numismatists through high-quality displays. The individual creativity is often rivaled only by the quality and variety of the items on display. Visit booth #778 to view this year’s exhibits.
Meet the Host Organizations
The host clubs for the week-long event, Colorado Springs Coin Club (cscc.anaclubs.org) and Colorado Springs Numismatic Society (csns.anaclubs.org), can be found at booth #362.
For additional information visit www.worldsfairofmoney.com or call 800-367-9723.
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 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.
