ANA Journal: Volume 1, Number 3

RYK

I received the ANA Journal a couple weeks ago and have had some unexpected downtime, so I thought I would redact a review:

This third edition of the ANA Journal is, IMO, the most interestting one for the US coin collector. Of the four articles, three deal entirely with US coins. In previous editions, the bulk of the articles have dealt with US currency, foreign and ancient coin, and "greyside" (ie. US-Phillipines issues).

The articles in the current issue are as follows:

1. The Coinage of Alexander the Great & His Image on Currency:

Not exactly my cup of tea, but an interesting perspective of the life and times of Alexander the Great (better known around here as the great-great-etc-great grandfather of GregtheGreat ), through coin and currency.

2. Visual Rhetoric in the US Bicentennial Quarter:

This is probably my favorite article in the issue (sorry, Roger ) and deals with the symbolism of US coins and specifically takes apart the US Bicentennial Quarter in excruciating but fascinating detail. A very interesting read.

3. American Advocates: Changing the Course of National Coinage Design (by our own RWB):

This is a snapshot or "light" version of the Roger Burdette tome on the relationship between Augustus St. Gaudens and Teddy Roosevelt and the evolution of the Indian $10 and the Saint Gaudens $20. Very well-written, like all of Roger's work, very readable, and enjoyable.

4. An Era of Change: Common, Proof-Only Reverse Dies of the 1840's Used for All Denominations:

This article by PCGS' John Dannreuther was inspired by the mere observation while studying the Eliasberg gold lots with Harry Bass, he realized that the 1841 and 1846 proof quarter eagles were struck with the same die. He went on to thoroughly research the reverse dies of proof silver and gold coinage and presents the fruits of this research in this article. (It just so happens that all proof quarter eagles from 1840-1849 were struck with the same reverse die!) For someone who is interested in the study die characteristics of 19th century coinage, this is quite a treatise.

Frankly, before this issue, I was contemplating allowing my subscription to this publication lapse, but I am no loger considering doing so. I do not know if issues are available individually or if you have to subscribe to the quarterly publication to receive them. I give this issue an A-, and there is something of interest for coin collectors of all ilks.

coinmickey

Question from a non-subscriber- Is the ANA Journal a more "technical" publication? I mean does it discuss the tiniest details rather than give the broader brush? Or is it somewhere in between?

I'm trying to figure out how it might be of benefit for the average collector....er, me...

Thx.

RYK

<< <i>Question from a non-subscriber- Is the ANA Journal a more "technical" publication? I mean does it discuss the tiniest details rather than give the broader brush? Or is it somewhere in between?

I'm trying to figure out how it might be of benefit for the average collector....er, me...

Thx. >>



Hard to answer as posed, but I think that is intended to be a more academic publication, for in-depth presentation of technical numismatic research (ie. reverse proof dies of the 1840's), original essays (ie. the Bicentennial Quarter article), and history of coinage (ie. the Burdette article). The material is generally heavier than what you would see in The Numismatist, for example.

coinmickey

<< <i>

<< <i>Question from a non-subscriber- Is the ANA Journal a more "technical" publication? I mean does it discuss the tiniest details rather than give the broader brush? Or is it somewhere in between?

I'm trying to figure out how it might be of benefit for the average collector....er, me...

Thx. >>



Hard to answer as posed, but I think that is intended to be a more academic publication, for in-depth presentation of technical numismatic research (ie. reverse proof dies of the 1840's), original essays (ie. the Bicentennial Quarter article), and history of coinage (ie. the Burdette article). The material is generally heavier than what you would see in The Numismatist, for example. >>



Perfect answer, and as I suspected it sounds like a more technical, research and academic publication.

Many thx.

Longacre

Thanks for the review. Just out of curiosity, how long is the article on the Bicentennial Quarter? It seems a simple design to me, so I wonder how a whole article could be written on it (but it does sound interesting).

Coinosaurus

I liked the Dannreuther article best. You have to admire someone who has been looking at the same coins for 20+ years to figure out something about them.

Garneteye

<< <i>redact >>

Wow, haven't seen that word used since college....
over 40 ago. Brings back memories of my freshman year

RWB

I was able to hear many of the original article presentations in Denver and the ANA's print presentation is fully faithful to what I think the authors intended. (Special thanks to Lane B. and Jane C. for organizing the presentations, and David Sundman for sponsoring them.)

I thought the Bicentennial quarter article was a fine way to reexamine what seems to be a commonplace coin design, and Dannreuther's die research is an excellent model for collectors of any series to follow. The coinage of Alexander and successors is so vast that it is difficult to imagine anyone grasping its entirety - excellent article.

The ANA Journal is intended to be a more scholarly and rigorous publication than the Numismatist. Sources are usually well-referenced and the articles are intended to make a meaningful contribution to numismatic knowledge.

The primary point which I feel is needed is effective peer review. If the publication is intended to present well researched and authoritative articles, then the articles need to pass through multiple numismatic experts. Peer review is not intended to squash new ideas, but to make sure that they are well supported by facts, and not speculation.

The publication is new and I hope will grow in readership and stature.

(PS: Thanks to those who sent nice emails, PMs, or posted comments. Your thoughts are appreciated.)

Coxe

<< <i>The publication is new and I hope will grow in readership and stature. >>



Sounds interesting. I was not aware of it. It would be nice if the ANA offered it as an alternative to the Numismatist, as I don't care for that one and am always trying to figure out why I even retain the membership. A scholarly journal sure would be my cup of tea and perhaps something I might eventually contribute to.

Conder101

Do you have to be an ANA member to subscribe or is it available to non-members? (My opinion of the Numismatist went way down after the switched to the "slick" color magazine format. When they did they dumped their scholarly articles and went more to "fluff". I would really like something with more meat to it.

DaveG

From what I see on the ANA website, it doesn't look like you need to be an ANA member to subscribe.

astrorat

<< <i>Do you have to be an ANA member to subscribe or is it available to non-members? (My opinion of the Numismatist went way down after the switched to the "slick" color magazine format. When they did they dumped their scholarly articles and went more to "fluff". I would really like something with more meat to it. >>



Hey conder...

You do not need to be an ANA member to subscribe.

Lane

Nysoto

The 4 or so quarterly ANA Journal articles should be rolled into the monthly Numismatist publication, about 1 or 2 in-depth, original research articles per month. The 30,000+ ANA members expect more than generic fluff, and ANA membership would increase if more scholarly articles were published in the Numismatist. There is no need for an expensive separate publication, these articles should be available to ALL members of the ANA. Give us a reason to not throw the Numismatist into the recycle bin.