POLL: Are you a member of the ANA?

ER · July 30, 2004 6:01AM

Please vote.
And, if you don 't mind, what are the pros and cons of joining or not joining?

prooflike · July 30, 2004 6:11AM

I thought about joining and then I asked myself "Why?"

JrGMan2004 · July 30, 2004 6:18AM

Yes... yes I am...

boiler78 · July 30, 2004 6:19AM

Lifer

PhillyJoe · July 30, 2004 6:23AM

Just joined this year. Great resources, very cool monthly magazine. And at the Pittsburgh ANA show my i.d. badge won't say "guest".

Joe
#215067

Barry · July 30, 2004 6:29AM

I joined recently because the ANA is finally doing something about the fraud and deception in the industry. It's a shame it took several of their board members and Pres. to get sued by ACG to get finally them moving in this direction.

Geoman · July 30, 2004 6:31AM

Joined 2 years ago. Enjoy their benefits, especially the Numismatist.

jhar · July 30, 2004 6:34AM

See Below

MrEureka · July 30, 2004 6:41AM

I thought about joining and then I asked myself "Why?"

Big list of reasons. I'll get it started with a list of members-only benefits.

1. FREE lending library via US mail.

2. Summer Seminar with great classes and lots of fun.

3. Subscription to the Numismatist, their monthly periodical.

4. The right to vote for ANA leaders.

5. (If you're a dealer) The chance to get a table at the two annual conventions.

But the biggest reason is civic duty. The ANA is educating and protecting the public, creating new collectors and enriching the collecting experience for all of us. They have earned our financial support. To refuse them that support would be unconscionable.

Numismanic · July 30, 2004 6:46AM

ANA Member # R-173874

ER · July 30, 2004 6:46AM

<< [ ....................

..................But the biggest reason is civic duty. The ANA is educating and protecting the public, creating new collectors and enriching the collecting experience for all of us. They have earned our financial support. To refuse them that support would be unconscionable. >>

"Unconscionable"??? Are you saying this to all non-members, Andy?

ziggy29 · July 30, 2004 6:54AM

<< ANA Member # R-173874

>>

Newbie.

(R-167586 here.)

MrEureka · July 30, 2004 6:55AM

"Unconscionable"??? Are you saying this to all non-members, Andy?

Only those that substantially participate in and benefit from the numismatic community.

stman · July 30, 2004 6:55AM

<< Are you a member of the ANA? >>

Yes.

MrEureka · July 30, 2004 6:57AM

BTW, surprise! I'm a life member since 1980.

Russ · July 30, 2004 6:59AM

Yep.

Russ, NCNE

paigowjohnny · July 30, 2004 7:00AM

Nope...cost benefit to me isn't worth it...

BAJJERFAN · July 30, 2004 7:06AM

Nein See I know some Cherman!

Tootawl · July 30, 2004 7:22AM

R-205594

Stuart · July 30, 2004 7:24AM

Nope

nwcs · July 30, 2004 7:45AM

Yes. Pros: discount to summer seminars and other seminars, numismatist magazine which I think is great, discount on stuff they sell, and library access (though I never use it)

kranky · July 30, 2004 7:48AM

<< I thought about joining and then I asked myself "Why?"

Big list of reasons. I'll get it started with a list of members-only benefits.

1. FREE lending library via US mail.

2. Summer Seminar with great classes and lots of fun.

3. Subscription to the Numismatist, their monthly periodical.

4. The right to vote for ANA leaders.

5. (If you're a dealer) The chance to get a table at the two annual conventions.

But the biggest reason is civic duty. The ANA is educating and protecting the public, creating new collectors and enriching the collecting experience for all of us. They have earned our financial support. To refuse them that support would be unconscionable. >>

All I can add to that is I also believe collectors need a large, strong, national organization to speak on our behalf, and the stronger the ANA is, the better they can serve in that capacity.

Mark · July 30, 2004 7:48AM

R-161480 plus I have my son as a YN member.

Mark

coinbuf · July 30, 2004 7:51AM

Just got my membership two weeks ago

Boom · July 30, 2004 7:51AM

Yes indeed. The biggest reason is education and knowledge. With all that is available to members there is no reason to ever be taken advantage of again in a Numismatic way. Learned the principles of proper grading according to the Sheldon Scale along with

the detection of altered and or counterfeit US coinage.....a plethera of knowledge at our disposal and a Charter and code of ethics to follow and fall back on.

R- 189578

MrEureka · July 30, 2004 7:58AM

Boom - Glad to have you as a fellow member!

SirAnthonyAC · July 30, 2004 8:15AM

Hi,

Yup!

I've actually noticed my Ebay auctions selling for more and I receive far fewer questions like, are the coins cleaned, authentic, etc.

Also, when I joined, I got a 2004 coin prices guide, a 10x loop, and a subscription to the Numismatic mag.. so, it worked out well.

Anthony

relayer · July 30, 2004 8:32AM

I wouldn't join any organization that would have me as a member.

Boom · July 30, 2004 8:49AM

It's just about THE smartest move a SERIOUS collector can make or be prepared to be taken by every shyster around. Thanks Andy et al, nice to know we are afterall, brothers indeed!

kieferscoins · July 30, 2004 8:51AM

ANA Life Member here

Cameron Kiefer

MrEureka · July 30, 2004 8:52AM

ANA Life Member here

Cameron - Do you still get a YN discount?

Shamika · July 30, 2004 9:04AM

Not yet, but I will be very soon.

Strat · July 30, 2004 9:31AM

I'm an ANA member not just for the benefits, but also because I see the need to be a part of a national numismatic organization. It's in the best interest of numismatists of all backgrounds and ages to unite. When I was a YN, I was impressed by the ANA's efforts to get something done about the grading problem. At the time, the publication of the Official ANA Grading Guide was the result, and I'm proud to say that I still have my 1977 copy, bought as a 13 year old who had very little money to buy anything but an occasional book. I still believe the ANA can make valid contributions to this hobby of ours.

mtnman · July 30, 2004 9:35AM

I joined in 1971 and have always thought it was money well spent.

Goober · July 30, 2004 9:37AM

I'm pondering the thought...

coinlieutenant · July 30, 2004 9:44AM

Life Member.

majorbigtime · July 30, 2004 9:44AM

It's a good organization, but membership isn't worth diddly squat!!

Was a member, not now!

ursabear · July 30, 2004 9:50AM

Yes, I am a member.

If not only for myself, but for two very good reasons:

1) To benefit the coin and currency hobby, industry, an collectors.

2) To benefit YNs via the ANAs youth funds and initiatives. Any hobby or industry that does not foster growth through young people will eventually wither away (like certain curmudgeons in the coin hobby).

ursabear · July 30, 2004 9:51AM

P.S., Better said, it's not all about what it does for ME, it's what it does for numismatics and young people.

coinguy89 · July 30, 2004 10:07AM

Well I just joined yesturday.

Im quite happy with it. I did my research and decided that it was more than worth the $15 for joining. Im looking forward to the monthly magazine, borrowing expensive books I can't afford, getting deals on supplies and the such, and access to a whole bunch of other stuff. I know theres those grading classes and summer thingys, but I probably won't be able to go to anything like that, probably too far away. But I still think I did okay.