Should I join the ANA?

Geoman

I am wondering how many of you are members of the ANA? And is it worth it to join? I talked to a representative from the ANA at a coin show recently, and they told me about their library; where you could lend a book from them and all you have to do is pay shipping. For me, that is really not that big of deal. And I can't see myself needing the check all these reference books, and keep paying shipping to look something up. You can get most of the info you need on the internet.

What other benefits do you get and are happy with? I have looked at their website and see that you receive the The Numismatist if you join. Most of the info you can already look at on their website without being a member.

Should I join?

Dog97

Amongst other reasons several years ago when they raised their fees $10 per year I didn't renew. It seems like with 20 million new collectors a lot would join up so they could actually lower their fees. Oh well, I guess they had to pay off that woman they fired.
And then there's the ACG deal that they quitely avoided & swept under the rug.
I don't feel like I'm missing anything.

KAJ1

That AGC deal soured me.

Kevin

michael

go to the local libraries where you can read the numismatist free join a local coin club and read it there for free

maybe it is a good deal to join i would never join myself as of today

tomorrow may be a different sytory

i guess it depends on the circumstances do you wANT TO ATTEND THE ANA SUMMER SEMINARS OR DO SHOWS WITH THE ANA THEN IT IS ASDVANTAGES FOR YOU TO JOIN

do you want to use there serivess like book loan then it is worth it to join

or does it make you feel good to join and be a part of something

i guess it is up to you and only you can answer that


sincerely michael

cointagious

some of the ana board members were unhappy with their flights and hotel suites at the last conversion. YES! you should join so that their plane seats and rooms can be upgraded.

Placid

I joined so I could submit coins direct to NGC and NCS.

beorn

i joined but let me membership lapse,i just wasnt using any of the services that they offer

DoubleDime

I was a member a short time, Jun'82 - Dec.'85. Seems like everytime I turned around I was being asked to donate to this fund or that. When I renewed my membership, a short time later I was asked to renew early for the following year.
I got the feeling that the ANA was more interested in my money than me as a member.

cacheman

I only joined so that I could attempt to nail a shyster eBay seller who is an ANA member. It's much cheaper to go through the ANA hoops of booting the guy than trying to do so as an outsider....I haven't decided whether I'll renew or not.

Gemini

I have been a member for 40 years try it you'll like it...

stujoe

I have been a member for three years. I like the magazine and it is worth the price for me even though many people find it boring because their interests are different than mine. I like supporting the overall education, hobby promotion, and YN things they do even though I dislike some of the other things they do (and don't do). I like supporting the museum even if I will have a hard time getting there and think they could have done without a multi-million dollar upgrade. I will use the library eventually, I am sure, but have not yet. I have little use for the slabbing benefit but it is there anyway.

You just have to look at it and see if it is worth it to you.

Jamericon

Join it. You will be glad you did.

kranky

I've been an ANA member for 20 years, even though in about 15 of those years I didn't buy a single coin.

I believe the hobby needs a recognized, national organization that can speak on our behalf, just like any other special interest group. The ANA, to my knowledge, has far and away the largest educational program in the hobby. The tapes, books, seminars that they offer to members are of high quality. I believe the hobby benefits as collectors become more educated, so I want to support that effort. While you may not need books on a regular basis, the ability to borrow nearly any numismatic book for the cost of postage can be very useful. I disagree that you can get most of that information on the Internet. In fact, you can't get even a fraction of it.

I know a lot of people don't like The Numismatist, but I enjoy it. There are articles on subjects I would never have seen in any other magazine I read.

I like to support clubs because the easier it is for newbies to get connected and start learning, the greater the chance they will stay. If someone decides to get into coins, not knowing anyone else who collects, they have a good chance of blowing money on shopping network coins and ebay crap, and when they find out they've wasted their money they will be gone from the hobby. I want more collectors, because someday I will sell my coins and I want a lot of people out there who will want them.

nwcs

I joined it. Mainly for discounts on the videos and books, though. But the numismatist magazine is OK and you never know what'll happen later. If possible, I may try for their grading class in Charlotte next spring.

ANACONDA

I'm a life member. I joined so I could say that I was a life member and that they haven't kicked me out yet. But I keep forgetting to promote that.

The magazine is worth it too.

adrian
Life Member (in good standing) of the American Numismatic Association
Not one complaint ever filed there against me.
Member since about summer of last year.

BlueCole

i was thinking of post that exact same question--and it seems the responses are divided almost exactly. How much does it cost to become a life member?

B.

Trime

I am a member and have enjoyed the Summer Seminar, library loan program, book sales, and used the membership for NGC submissions. I read the Numismatist and find some interesting material in it. I like what I see in the young numismatist program. While I suspect there are many ways to improve the organization, it is good value in my opinion.

pmh1nic

I think the educational resources available through the ANA, The Numismatist magazine, the collective voice of hobbiest the organization provides, the ANA Museum and Library are a few good reasons to join the ANA.

jhar

Cole I just checked the ANA Website and it's $750 to become a life member.

I'm not a member, but it looks like I might have to join the orginization for a year to see if I will like it. I'm actually thinking of becoming a member because I have not found a local club near me yet. I'll keep thinking about it.

danglen

I believe that if you make a living within an industry, you owe something back to that industry.
I believe that if you live in a community, you owe something back to that community.
And I believe that if you enjoy this hobby, you owe something back to the hobby.
Is everything perfect with the ANA? Not by a long shot!!!! But the way to make improvements is from within, not by complaining from the sidelines.
I have been a member of the ANA since I started my coin business. I have benefited tremendously from the educational seminars and ANA Summer Camps. I have gotten to know a number of people who are leaders within the hobby, who have shared a wealth of information with me. I have had disagreements with people on the ANA staff, but I have also had disagreements with my wife. I have also had some successes. This coming summer the ANA will offer a course in their Summer Camp on "Detecting Problem Coins" (before you send them in to your favorite grading service, only to get them back in a body bag). I requested this course from Gail Baker, the ANA's Director of Education, and she agreed it would be a good course to offer. That, to me, is worth the price of admission.
I'm an American, so I vote! Beacause I'm a registered voter, occasionally, I get called for jury duty, but that's a small price to pay for the benefits I recieve. I'm a numismatist, so I belong to the ANA. At some point I may be asked to do something for the ANA that may be a bit of an inconvenience to me, but it would be a small price to pay for the enjoyment I get from this great hobby.
ANA-----Try it, I think you'll like it.

jhar

danglen, well put.