(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.
“The Professional Numismatists Guild (www.PNGdealers.org) was saddened to learn of the passing of long-time member Leon Hendrickson of Winchester, Indiana. Hendrickson joined the PNG in 1970, served as the organization’s president from 1985 to 1989 and received the PNG Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. He was one of the first members approved as a PNG Accredited Precious Metals Dealer when the PNG-APMD program (https://apmddealers.org) was created in 2015,” explained PNG Executive Director Robert Brueggeman.
“Leon was a giant in the profession and hobby. He was a good friend to so many collectors and dealers across the country. Our condolences to his family and friends,” said PNG President Dana Samuelson.
The American Numismatic Association (ANA) has awarded 2017 college scholarships to Collin J. Dempsey, a homeschool senior in Wilder, Tenn., and William E. Cather, a senior at Courtland High School in Fredericksburg, Va.
Each winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship to use toward tuition at an institution of their choice.
“The American Numismatic Association is pleased to be able to offer two college scholarships to deserving numismatists,” said Rod Gillis, the ANA’s education director. “This is an opportunity for the Association to expand on its core mission of education through higher learning.”
Collin Dempsey’s collecting interest started when he found a Philippines 1944 twenty centavos coin in an old army trunk—both of which he still has today. His interest peaked and he was driven to investigate the coin’s origin. Today, numismatic history is still a main driver for his collecting passion. He’s drawn to 19th century U.S. coinage and more specifically the Seated Liberty series and Barber coinage. Dempsey will attend Tennessee Technological University, where he will study mechanical engineering and mechatronics.
“Receiving this scholarship means a lot to me. First and foremost, it’s an honor—it means people believe in me and my ability to advance in life, and they see someone who is responsible and eager to learn,” said Collin. “Coming from a poor background, this scholarship will also ease the financial strain in my pursuit of a higher education. I won’t have to worry about book costs and tuition this semester. It’s very fulfilling both financially and personally.”
Like many others, William Cather became interested in numismatics as a child. His grandmother introduced him to the hobby as they marveled at his grandfather’s coin collection. It sparked his interest and he soon began to build his own collection—the 50 State Quarters Program. His love for the hobby is broad, but the area of numismatics that interests him the most is Boy Scout related exonumia. Cather plans to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla., where he will study Astronomy and Astrophysics.
“Receiving the ANA YN College Scholarship means a lot to me,” said William. “It shows me that through my coin collecting efforts, I have been recognized for both my volunteerism and dedication to the hobby itself.”
Applications for the 2017 ANA College Scholarship will be available in January. Recipients are selected based on academic scholarship, numismatic accomplishments and financial need. Applicants must be a senior in high school and a member of the ANA.
For additional information, contact Rod Gillis via email at gillis@money.org or call him at 719-482-9845.
The American Numismatic Association is a congressionally chartered, nonprofit educational organization dedicated to encouraging the study and collection of coins and related items. The ANA helps its 25,000 members and the public discover and explore the world of money through its vast array of instructional and outreach programs, as well as its museum, library, publications and conventions. For more information, call 719-632-2646 or visit www.money.org.
Grading is one of the key skills every coin collector strives to master. Some collectors are fortunate enough to be able to take advantage of the multi-day grading seminar offered by the American Numismatic Association (ANA). But for those who cannot attend the seminar, the ANA’s “Grading U.S. Coins Today” correspondence course is the next best thing.
Updated in 2017 and enhanced with visually impressive color images, the course provides valuable information on the methodology behind third-party grading and the differences between technical and market grading.
The course, which features the updated “Grading U.S. Coins Today” along with the 7th edition of “The Official Grading Standards for United States Coins,” is available to ANA members for $40.95. Non-members can order the course for $60.95, which includes both books and a digital membership to the ANA.
“The book closely replicates the live course taught by numismatic experts at our week-long annual Summer Seminar,” says Rod Gillis, ANA education director. “You’d be hard-pressed to find a better introductory guide anywhere.”
Detecting Counterfeit & Altered U.S. Coins (includes a DVD) $68.95
The Modern Minting Process and U.S. Errors & Varieties $45.95
Grading Mint-State U.S. Coins (includes a DVD) $48.95
All materials for the Diploma Program can be purchased separately or as a complete package for $455, which includes a registration fee of $100 plus a final exam fee of $200. The final exam consists of a 200-question, written test that can be administered by a proctor in any school, local library, at any ANA convention, or at the ANA in Colorado Springs. Students can opt to take correspondence courses, classroom courses or a combination of both to complete the program requirements. Courses can be completed in any order. Students have the option of being assigned a mentor while enrolled in the program.
To order “Grading U.S. Coins Today” or to obtain more information on the ANA’s Florence Schook School of Numismatics Diploma Program, call (719) 482-9829 or email education@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.
Shelby Plooster of Evans, Ga., was named the American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) 2017 Young Numismatist of the Year at the ANA’s Summer Seminar during the awards banquet on June 22. The award annually acknowledges an outstanding young collector for contributions to the hobby and industry.
The 17-year-old began collecting in 5th grade, when she discovered some Early American coins in an antique shop, and has been establishing herself in the hobby ever since. A member of the ANA, Augusta Coin Club (ACC), South Carolina Numismatic Association (SCNA) and Women in Numismatics, Plooster has given numerous presentations at local and regional clubs on topics ranging from the 1923 Silver Certificate star note to Centennial Coins of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Her articles have been published in the ACC’s newsletter and SCanner, the SCNA’s official publication, and her exhibits have twice won first prize at the latter’s regional show. She also was named SCNA’s YN of the Year in 2014.
“Receiving this award means that maybe one day I’ll be able to inspire a young collector and support them just as numerous clubs and other numismatists have done for me,” says Plooster. “I’m truly honored and thankful for everything that the ANA has done to educate me and develop my love of numismatics.”
Plooster is a gifted artist and exhibited her multimedia collages at the “Art of Engraving” Show and Reception during the 2017 Summer Seminar. A regular at the two-week event since attending on a scholarship from the SCNA in 2014, she feels it is the responsibility of established numismatists to mentor YNs toward success. “The hobby needs to encourage the next generation of collectors in order to move forward. It is very important that we do everything in our power to encourage people to join the Association,” she advises, adding, “One person who has truly guided me is local coin-shop owner and ACC member Larry Lucree. He taught me—and continues to teach me—so much about numismatics. I feel blessed to learn from him.”
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.
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.
# # #
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.
David W. Lange is the 2017 recipient of the American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) Numismatist of the Year Award. The award honors an individual within the numismatic community who has demonstrated long-term leadership in the field and to the Association. He will be presented with the award on Friday, Aug. 4, during the awards banquet at the World’s Fair of Money® in Denver.
As an 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.
As the research director for Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (a position he has held since 1994), Lange has enabled the company’s website to record and publicize all NGC-recognized varieties. He also created the VarietyPlus® page, which associates coins with a standard system of descriptions.
A 19-year member of Mensa, Lange is respected for his numismatic knowledge and discoveries. In 1980 he reported a 1900-01 hub variety of Barber quarters, and in 2001 identified a 1922 medium-relief Peace dollar in currency strike. Since 2013, he has located doubled-die shield nickels for 1867, 1868 and 1872 and an 1883/2 overdate.
Lange has served as an instructor at ANA Summer Seminars since 1995. Past ANA honors include the Presidential Award (1994, 2008), Heath Literary Award (1998), Wayte and Olga Raymond Memorial Literary Award (1999, 2007 and 2009) and Lifetime Achievement Award (2009). He was elected to the Rittenhouse Society in 2005 and was named a Numismatic Ambassador by Numismatic News in 1994.
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.
The Industry Council for Tangible Assets (ICTA) is now on Facebook. The association’s new social media site is a place where visitors can learn more about the association and members can stay up to date on association activities.
“Facebook is a great way to highlight the breadth of the work that ICTA does,” said ICTA chief operating officer David Crenshaw. “Our new Facebook page will highlight how our association works to protect coin businesses from onerous state and federal laws and regulations, to protect collectors’ access to the numismatic marketplace, and to protect the integrity of U.S. coinage.”
The association’s new Facebook page features information on new state and federal laws and regulations, association events and promotions, counterfeits, videos, photos, news releases, and more.
“As with many other industries, social media has transformed the way business gets done,” said Kathy McFadden, ICTA’s executive director. “ICTA is pleased to embark upon this social media endeavor.”
Voting members of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) have chosen three new candidates and six incumbents to the ANA Board of Governors for the 2017-19 election term.
New members Thomas J. Uram, John W. Highfill and Brian Hendelson, will join Col. Steve Ellsworth, Ralph Ross, Greg Lyon, and Paul Montgomery on the Board of Governors along with President-elect Gary Adkins and Vice President-elect Don Kagin. Kagin ran unopposed for Vice President. In accordance with ANA bylaws, ballots for uncontested offices are not tabulated; only the first vote is counted in that race.
Lyn Knight, Owner, International Paper Money Show, Interviewer: David Lisot, CoinTelevision.com. Based in Memphis for decades the IPMS Bank Note Convention was held in Kansas City for the first time. Lyn Knight talks about why the collectors and dealers came to the show.
(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.
Grading is one of the key skills every coin collector strives to master. Some collectors are fortunate enough to be able to take advantage of the multi-day grading seminar offered by the American Numismatic Association (ANA). But for those who cannot attend the seminar, the ANA’s “Grading U.S. Coins Today” correspondence course is the next best thing.
