The ANA ?

What does everyone thing about the ANA?
Please post any and all facts that you may have access to.
Does the ANA help the hobby or does it help itself more?
Pat Vetter,Mercury Dime registry set,1938 Proof set registry,Pat & BJ Coins:724-325-7211
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Comments
I think that the ANA provides many benefits to collectors. Even if many don't chose to use them. The numismatic library they provide as part of the membership is one of the better benefits IMO.
But I also believe that just like many organizations of their kind, cronyism undermines the ability to make it as good as it could be.
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Summer Seminar was great, I agree. Having the library in my back yard down the road also helps.
Gonna get me a $50 Octagonal someday. Some. Day.
Summer Seminar is great for those who can take the time away from real life and who can afford to go...
But beyond that, the ANA is by far the best national numismatic organization that we have and certainly helps to promote our hobby. The Numismatist magazine alone is worth the price of membership. The website alone (especially with their archive of 100+ years of magazines) is worth the price of membership. Supporting the money museum alone is worth the price of membership. Access to the ANA library alone is worth the price of membership.
Other perks of membership including free and early access to ANA coin shows and discounted Hugh Wood coin insurance are great too.
The ANA also does lots to encourage the young folks to learn about coins. The Coins for A's program is one that comes to mind, but they also have YN programs and scholarships for Summer Seminar.
I think everyone who loves this hobby should be a member of the ANA if they can afford to so do... sure, sometimes the board/officers don't run it the way we think it should be run, but it's still the best we have and walking away from it is not the way to go in my opinion.
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
The ANA has been through several years of turmoil - bad judgement on all sides. Things have been (thankfully) quiet for the last 18 months or so, allowing the association to return to it's mission of education without distractions.
The second focus is one we should all endorse, the issue of how to get younger people to join the ranks of collectors so there is somebody to buy our coins when we go to sell.
The ANA also has FABULOUS resources - the magazine, seminars and the library.
Please join!
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
I enjoy their magazine.....wish I could get to their show... Cheers, RickO
My favorite thing is the magazine. I read it cover to cover (mostly) every month and speak with my father about articles and opinions. It is an excellent source of leisurely entertainment and education.
If you are interested in numismatics you should be a member. I have been a member since 1969 and a Life Member since 1971.
My only complaint with the ANA is that they usually do very little in regards to the currency side of the hobby.
Sometimes too much knowledge is not helpful.
I have been told by a person to just get over it and move on.
I honestly believe the ANA could be one of the best thing that has ever happened for the coin collecting hobby.
But like anything people get in the way.
I offered to have the owners the number 2 and 3 registry and their sets to be displayed and the owners would talk to the public about their set and what they did to assemble it.
It seemed that the ANA didn't care in the least. That will never happen again!
Love the magazine and the access to materials in Library, and love the shows when I can go to them.
Like tony the tiger....they're great!