Out of hiding - my ANA Summer Seminar report...
coppercoins
Posts: 6,084 ✭✭✭
The major reason I have not been posting here regularly for quite some time now is two-fold. First, my wife left me back in March for a year-long affair. Difficult as it was, I had an extended period of problematic issues related to this event, and didn't get much done...including my online posting time. I simply didn't want to do much with coins or business at all during that time.
Second, I have been home all of nine days since Memorial Day, and very little of that was at one time. I went to Florida with my son and visited with my partner in crime on coppercoins - we got a lot of planning and other site issues taken care of, so yes, it was actually a business trip. I also stopped in Memphis for a week to visit with my father - a nice visit. Just a few days after I arrived home, I was preparing for the ANA Summer Seminar in Colorado.
I am the editor of the quarterly nwesletter for the Society of Lincoln Cent Collectors. I wrote an article to published in the now-belated journal, and thought I would share it here, with comments at the end. The article:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After 30 years in numismatics I attended my first ANA Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs - the 38th such event. Not only did I attend the seminar, I was asked to teach a class on digital photography, and offered a mini-seminar on collecting Lincoln cents.
As time to leave approached, I prepared my class outline. I left a lot of holes in the outline because I had never taught at the seminar and wanted to drop in on Tom Mulvaney’s first-week course to glean ideas and discuss with him the program he had been teaching for years. I figured between what I knew and what he could help provide, my first teaching experience at the seminar would go smoothly and would be fun...then the call came.
I was informed that Tom would not be able to attend due to health concerns (my understanding is that he is better now), and that I was needed to teach both weeks. This left me in a rather tight situation. I contacted Tom and he led me through what I should do, which eased my mind a bit. I prepared what I could and headed to Colorado.
I arrived in Colorado Springs on Thursday before the event and was stunned at the beauty of the campus and the surrounding area. Pike’s Peak is a wonderful sight to behold and makes for nice photographs from nearly every corner of campus. What’s more, the architecture in the century-old buildings around campus makes a beautiful foreground or background for any photograph.
Saturday evening came quickly and I was thrust into my first official duty as a seminar instructor. I was to teach the first of two sessions on the Lincoln cent, my numismatic passion. Although nine had registered for the class, only four were able to attend. All in attendance were eager to learn what I had to share with them, and I did my best not to disappoint. I think all of us were satisfied with what I had to present - grading Lincoln cents.
I went through the grades with the students, describing to them what to look for in each grade, then passed around a number of coins for them to test themselves. All did rather well picking the proper grade of the coins shown to them. Their assignment for the next evening was to find a few uncirculated Lincoln cents from their change (or whatever they brought with them) and bring them to class. From this group we made a batch of 25 coins to grade around the table. All did very well with grading uncirculated Lincolns, which frankly surprised me. Most people have trouble grading uncirculated coins at first.
The agenda for the second day of class was to discuss the different classes of hub doubling and show examples of each. This was the first time I have ever had a chance to stand in front of a group and explain this subject at length. Most of my presentations prior to this one had been to coin clubs and had to be relegated to 30 minutes or less. In this instance I had three hours, and was actually able to sufficiently explain the whole subject so as to leave little question in the mind of the listeners as to how to roughly identify each one.
The general majority of the remainder of my two-week stay at the seminar went without major hitches, and was overall a very fun and educational experience. I am sure I can say that I learned as much as I taught in the digital photography class, because we were able to share so many different experiences in a single setting. All of us walked away more knowledged in the subject, which is key to a workshop setting. Prior to the past two weeks I had only become familiar with three different digital cameras. By the end of the seminar I had become accustomed to using over 20 different models.
One of the most important benefits of going to the seminar was that I was able to meet a lot of collectors and have a chance to talk to them casually, and at great length. This allowed for far more involving conversation than the typical short winded discussions that often accompany the bustling atmosphere of a national show. With everyone crammed in a single venue over a tightly scheduled weekend, time is at a premium, and conversation is often to the point and brief. At the seminar we had plenty of opportunity to talk over meals, walking to and from class, and sitting in one of the many places Colorado College provides for just such a thing (the campus is very comfortable and very well kept).
Another great benefit to my trip was being able to discuss my passion, the Lincoln cent, with a captive audience who was actually interested in the subject. More so than not I find myself in situations where those surrounding me don’t understand what I do, much less want to hear about it. “Coin Camp,” as it is endearingly entitled by those who attend, gives us a chance to let loose and discuss our passion without the dumb stares and occasional sideways look we get when trying to explain our subject at family gatherings or at work.
In all I would say that the events of the past two weeks have been some of the more memorable experiences of my involvement in numismatics. I met a lot of very nice people and found myself in knowledge sharing situations that mutually changed how we see our future in numismatics.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Comments:
In preparation for this class I learned a few things about lighting coins for photography that I hadn't tried at length before. After having a few hours of clammering around the house for the proper materials, I found some makeshift supplies that would do the job in a very basic, crude manner. It basically involves tilting glass at 45 degrees, lighting the bottom side of the glass from head-on, placing the coin flat beneath the glass, and shooting the coin through the glass from directly above. Works pretty well, and ended up producing some nice results in class. I have since begun development of a portable box for employing this method of photography, and am considering duplicating my effort and marketing them. They work well, are very easy to use, and should be a hit.
During class I am sure that I learned as much as the students about cameras, different cameras and their settings, what works and what doesn't for photographing coins, and which coins need what kind of light and how to work with them. It was a real eye-opener for all involved, and I am happy to say that most (if not all) of the students were very pleased with the class and how it turned out.
So, a couple of things that were not mentioned in the article (because they did not pertain to Lincoln cents) that I thought to share here...
1. The ANA money store has tentatively agreed to carry a portion of my limited edition art series, and will be displaying them at the Denver ANA show. This is a big hit because prior to the seminar I had trouble contacting them and getting them to understand what I had going. Once they saw the prints they asked how come I hadn't contacted them before now...hmmm.
2. While at the seminar I was invited to an exclusive behind the scenes look at the museum and how it ticks. Only a few were invited, as I later found out. The exact details of the meeting are something I'm not sure I should really discuss in public, but I can say two things for sure...that I will be assisting with the Lincoln cents in the museum inventory, and that the 1804 dollar they have sure is a really cool coin to hold in one's hand!
3. Evidently they are going to use my image in "the Numismatist" for something, because they had their photographer take a number of photos of me. I was a bit embarassed to be walking around campus with a photographer following me taking shots of me - all the people rubbernecking to see if that guy (me) was famous or something...I guess I wasn't all that impressive, no autograph seekers (joking...)
4. That I had the best time I've ever had around a group of numismatists - a lot of knowledgeable people, a comfortable and laid back atmosphere, and a lot of time to share stories, talk about coins, and just feel good to be talking to something other than my office wall. My wife never did listen, and my son simply doesn't understand all of it yet.
So -- there it is. I have to take off tomorrow afternoon for a few days, and should be back posting here some time next week (after I get at least partly caught up). I will then be here until I head off for Denver next month to attend the WFOM in Denver, August 16-19.
Second, I have been home all of nine days since Memorial Day, and very little of that was at one time. I went to Florida with my son and visited with my partner in crime on coppercoins - we got a lot of planning and other site issues taken care of, so yes, it was actually a business trip. I also stopped in Memphis for a week to visit with my father - a nice visit. Just a few days after I arrived home, I was preparing for the ANA Summer Seminar in Colorado.
I am the editor of the quarterly nwesletter for the Society of Lincoln Cent Collectors. I wrote an article to published in the now-belated journal, and thought I would share it here, with comments at the end. The article:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After 30 years in numismatics I attended my first ANA Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs - the 38th such event. Not only did I attend the seminar, I was asked to teach a class on digital photography, and offered a mini-seminar on collecting Lincoln cents.
As time to leave approached, I prepared my class outline. I left a lot of holes in the outline because I had never taught at the seminar and wanted to drop in on Tom Mulvaney’s first-week course to glean ideas and discuss with him the program he had been teaching for years. I figured between what I knew and what he could help provide, my first teaching experience at the seminar would go smoothly and would be fun...then the call came.
I was informed that Tom would not be able to attend due to health concerns (my understanding is that he is better now), and that I was needed to teach both weeks. This left me in a rather tight situation. I contacted Tom and he led me through what I should do, which eased my mind a bit. I prepared what I could and headed to Colorado.
I arrived in Colorado Springs on Thursday before the event and was stunned at the beauty of the campus and the surrounding area. Pike’s Peak is a wonderful sight to behold and makes for nice photographs from nearly every corner of campus. What’s more, the architecture in the century-old buildings around campus makes a beautiful foreground or background for any photograph.
Saturday evening came quickly and I was thrust into my first official duty as a seminar instructor. I was to teach the first of two sessions on the Lincoln cent, my numismatic passion. Although nine had registered for the class, only four were able to attend. All in attendance were eager to learn what I had to share with them, and I did my best not to disappoint. I think all of us were satisfied with what I had to present - grading Lincoln cents.
I went through the grades with the students, describing to them what to look for in each grade, then passed around a number of coins for them to test themselves. All did rather well picking the proper grade of the coins shown to them. Their assignment for the next evening was to find a few uncirculated Lincoln cents from their change (or whatever they brought with them) and bring them to class. From this group we made a batch of 25 coins to grade around the table. All did very well with grading uncirculated Lincolns, which frankly surprised me. Most people have trouble grading uncirculated coins at first.
The agenda for the second day of class was to discuss the different classes of hub doubling and show examples of each. This was the first time I have ever had a chance to stand in front of a group and explain this subject at length. Most of my presentations prior to this one had been to coin clubs and had to be relegated to 30 minutes or less. In this instance I had three hours, and was actually able to sufficiently explain the whole subject so as to leave little question in the mind of the listeners as to how to roughly identify each one.
The general majority of the remainder of my two-week stay at the seminar went without major hitches, and was overall a very fun and educational experience. I am sure I can say that I learned as much as I taught in the digital photography class, because we were able to share so many different experiences in a single setting. All of us walked away more knowledged in the subject, which is key to a workshop setting. Prior to the past two weeks I had only become familiar with three different digital cameras. By the end of the seminar I had become accustomed to using over 20 different models.
One of the most important benefits of going to the seminar was that I was able to meet a lot of collectors and have a chance to talk to them casually, and at great length. This allowed for far more involving conversation than the typical short winded discussions that often accompany the bustling atmosphere of a national show. With everyone crammed in a single venue over a tightly scheduled weekend, time is at a premium, and conversation is often to the point and brief. At the seminar we had plenty of opportunity to talk over meals, walking to and from class, and sitting in one of the many places Colorado College provides for just such a thing (the campus is very comfortable and very well kept).
Another great benefit to my trip was being able to discuss my passion, the Lincoln cent, with a captive audience who was actually interested in the subject. More so than not I find myself in situations where those surrounding me don’t understand what I do, much less want to hear about it. “Coin Camp,” as it is endearingly entitled by those who attend, gives us a chance to let loose and discuss our passion without the dumb stares and occasional sideways look we get when trying to explain our subject at family gatherings or at work.
In all I would say that the events of the past two weeks have been some of the more memorable experiences of my involvement in numismatics. I met a lot of very nice people and found myself in knowledge sharing situations that mutually changed how we see our future in numismatics.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Comments:
In preparation for this class I learned a few things about lighting coins for photography that I hadn't tried at length before. After having a few hours of clammering around the house for the proper materials, I found some makeshift supplies that would do the job in a very basic, crude manner. It basically involves tilting glass at 45 degrees, lighting the bottom side of the glass from head-on, placing the coin flat beneath the glass, and shooting the coin through the glass from directly above. Works pretty well, and ended up producing some nice results in class. I have since begun development of a portable box for employing this method of photography, and am considering duplicating my effort and marketing them. They work well, are very easy to use, and should be a hit.
During class I am sure that I learned as much as the students about cameras, different cameras and their settings, what works and what doesn't for photographing coins, and which coins need what kind of light and how to work with them. It was a real eye-opener for all involved, and I am happy to say that most (if not all) of the students were very pleased with the class and how it turned out.
So, a couple of things that were not mentioned in the article (because they did not pertain to Lincoln cents) that I thought to share here...
1. The ANA money store has tentatively agreed to carry a portion of my limited edition art series, and will be displaying them at the Denver ANA show. This is a big hit because prior to the seminar I had trouble contacting them and getting them to understand what I had going. Once they saw the prints they asked how come I hadn't contacted them before now...hmmm.
2. While at the seminar I was invited to an exclusive behind the scenes look at the museum and how it ticks. Only a few were invited, as I later found out. The exact details of the meeting are something I'm not sure I should really discuss in public, but I can say two things for sure...that I will be assisting with the Lincoln cents in the museum inventory, and that the 1804 dollar they have sure is a really cool coin to hold in one's hand!
3. Evidently they are going to use my image in "the Numismatist" for something, because they had their photographer take a number of photos of me. I was a bit embarassed to be walking around campus with a photographer following me taking shots of me - all the people rubbernecking to see if that guy (me) was famous or something...I guess I wasn't all that impressive, no autograph seekers (joking...)
4. That I had the best time I've ever had around a group of numismatists - a lot of knowledgeable people, a comfortable and laid back atmosphere, and a lot of time to share stories, talk about coins, and just feel good to be talking to something other than my office wall. My wife never did listen, and my son simply doesn't understand all of it yet.
So -- there it is. I have to take off tomorrow afternoon for a few days, and should be back posting here some time next week (after I get at least partly caught up). I will then be here until I head off for Denver next month to attend the WFOM in Denver, August 16-19.
C. D. Daughtrey, NLG
The Lincoln cent store:
http://www.lincolncent.com
My numismatic art work:
http://www.cdaughtrey.com
USAF veteran, 1986-1996 :: support our troops - the American way.
The Lincoln cent store:
http://www.lincolncent.com
My numismatic art work:
http://www.cdaughtrey.com
USAF veteran, 1986-1996 :: support our troops - the American way.
0
Comments
Hope things get better for you !
- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
Your photography class was very nicely documented by perfectstrike, in his thread covering both weeks, if you haven't seen it take a look.
coin camp rules!
z
I'm sorry to hear about your wife though
TKC!
Proud member of the CUFYNA
Need a Banner Made? PM ME!
You should be commended, you're certainly making great contributons to the world of numismatics.
Way to Go!!
If I only had a dollar for every VAM I have...err...nevermind...I do!!
My "Fun With 21D" Die State Collection - QX5 Pics Attached
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Proud Owner of
2 –DAMMIT BOY!!! ® Awards
Thanks for sharing.
Great news about your drawings! They're incredible.
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
It's good to see you back.
Hell, I don't need to exercise.....I get enough just pushing my luck.
David
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
If there is a human being more knowledgeable and passionate about Lincolns than Coppercoins, I've yet to know of him.
Here's a warning parable for coin collectors...
Tbig