The ANA--Why Are You a Member?
Sonorandesertrat
Posts: 5,695 ✭✭✭✭✭
In another thread posted by MrEureka, Analyst wrote the following in response to a comment of mine:
"Over the last 20 years, the ANA has a lot of problems, including a tremendous amount of legal wrangling. Also, before the Internet era, the ANA was a key source of information for collectors. While the ANA still has a great deal of value and I encourage all collectors to join, the ANA is not as important in 2017 as it was in the 20th century."
He has a point, IMO. I have rarely used the ANA's library and, with the rise of the Newman Numismatic Portal, suspect that I will not need to in the future. My reading of a monthly issue of The Numismatist takes about 5-10 minutes of my time. I have attended Summer Seminars on occasion---some courses were great, others were disorganized and of little benefit to me.
In the age of the Internet, information is much more widely available. Thirty years ago, I had memberships in several scientific societies just because I wanted more convenient access to the journals they sponsored/published (i.e., I was too lazy to walk over to the campus library to do my routine reading, preferring to do this in my office). I no longer have most of these memberships, because I can access journals via the Internet.
The ANA's membership count, which includes people strictly in the business end of the hobby too, isn't anything to write home about (Neil Musante recently estimated 24,000). Do you think the Internet is a 'threat' to numismatic societies like the ANA, ANS (which has far fewer members), etc.? Is your membership in the ANA tied to access to numismatic information or something else (e.g., nostalgia)?
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
Comments
Why? To qualify for Insurance through Hugh Wood Inc. and ANA's monthly very informative magazine.
I'm a member because I figured I could support a part of the hobby that works on education, lobbying and other important tasks that most collectors can't do without a trade organization.
On top of paying $30 something for a yearly membership, I got an ASE during their recent promotion, the ability to submit coins to NGC without a membership, the Hugh Woods insurance and I get a monthly digital copy of the numismatist.
A few easy things the ANA can do to improve their reach is have a better online presence: have a message board, have educational videos on youtube (like PCGS) or record a summer seminar class to promote them. The biggest thing I think the ANA could do to spur their membership is to create a portal to have an industry wide REGISTRY that accepts PCGS, NGC, ANACS, ICG slabbed coins so collectors can have all of their coins listed/shown in one place without having to deal with companies changing their policies for publicity/money.
I don't know much about the politics or the history of the legal issues (and I don't care), but I think we can all agree that the ANA does help the coin collecting hobby at the end of the day.
Free NGC membership. And I guess the magazine, although I think they spend too much talk of dark side stuff.
I am sure there are a lot if reasons to join, and I am also sure that the ANA could do better in some areas. I joined recently because I had a rare mint error to get graded and if I joined the ANA I got free NGC membership.
I am a member. I don't submit through NGC and don't use the insurance. I think their magazine is inferior to that published by the ANS. But I remain a member because I have the hope that they either are doing or will do some good for the hobby. So I look at my membership to the ANA as a cheap way to repay something back to the hobby that has given me so much pleasure.
I have been an ANA member for a long time. I echo Mark’s comments and add a few of my own.
The ANA Charter is fundamentally a statement of shared interest and ethics. When the organization was based in Ohio and other easterly locations, it was able to be directly involved, and exert influence on issues relating to collectors and member dealers. When ANA moved to Colorado Springs in the late 1960s it effectively severed most ties to Congress and Mint Headquarters. This separation has remained with the only bright spot being the Hobby Protection Act (HPA).
Concurrent with ANA consolidation in Colorado, leadership began a sincere effort to define and moderate ethical values that were presented and implied in the Charter. Outcomes were authentication, counterfeit detection, grading and consumer protection. But with sale of ANACS ANA effectively abandoned all pretense of maintaining hobby and dealer standards of commercial and ethical behavior. Since then, the ANA has given only lip-service to ridding the hobby of counterfeits, false pieces, fraudulent practices and violations of the Hobby Protection Act. Rather than operate and advocate for honesty, integrity and application of law, ANA Boards and officers have stuck their heads in the sand and pretended nothing was happening. At times, a few candidates for Board have promised reform and renewal, but all have failed as the weight of self-interest by the administrator and others on the Board prevent open and effective discussion.
ANA has brought no legal action against any counterfeiter, violator of HPA, seller of fakes, adulterator of coins and bullion, importer of false and altered pieces, or any person or organization engaged in these activities. All the record shows are a few very minor disciplinary actions against a members caught red-handed in thievery, or sent to prison by the investigation and work of non-numismatic parties.
ANA does not lead; ANA does not follow; ANA merely wallows.
At present, the ANA Charter is a useless document, unheeded by the Board and might as well not exist.
I remain a paying member only to support the dissemination of knowledge.
Yep, I will get a lot of "grief" from some about the above. But the ANA must not remain a self-perpetuating sloth, greedily awaiting the next convention's fees and auction percentage. As Brenner's 1909 Lincoln says with reference to the U.S. Constitution: "Preserve, Protect, Defend."
They're the only game in town...
A
I think the benefit I like the best is getting badges in the mail prior to the shows. Saves some hassle. The mag is okay, and there are alot of benefits I probably could use. There is also the expectation of ethical behavior by the members and I like that even if, well, not all members follow this credo.
Best, SH
The ana does not even put on good shows anymore. they are so far behind the times on everything they should just shut down. this is one group in total denial about reality.
24000 members is a disgrace in the day and age of the cyber world. they should have 100,0000 minimum. they should become an online university
poor leadership-about to get worse with a ego stacked group running offices
Never saw a reason to join. Seems like they are in constant turmoil.
I wish the ANA would still be more involved with Congress and the Mint. It's involvement and ability to influence coinage are one of the things I like about the ANA of the past.
I am a long-term member.
The magazine itself is worth several times $3 per issue in my opinion. I learn or re-learn several things every month. I spend a good hour or two with each issue. Maybe I have broader interests or am more willing to give other interests a try than some of the above posters.
I have benefited greatly from the grading class and library.
I like the comaraderie of belonging to a club and it feels good to support the hobby. I can accept that they're flawed because who/what isn't? If I consumed only perfect products/services, I'd rarely see a movie, watch a tv show, eat out, go to a ballgame, etc. So see, watch, eat and go I do.
In initial e-mails to dealers, indicating that I am a member at least tells them that I may not be a wet-behind-the -ears collector.
To me the ANA is a great educational and entertainment value. I would pay way more than its costs to be a member.
The concept of the ANA is a good one,
Do they need to update and improve, YES
If the membership demands the changes needed they will improve.
It can not be done without membership.
In regards to the shows they can be improved with proper changes.
They need to look at the FUN show closely. The FUN is now the #1 show in the US IMHO.
ANA member since 1978. I have attended many conventions, seven summer seminars.
My question is simple: Is there even one headquarters staff member who has an interest in coins? Who has a modest personal coin collection or a modest library of coin books?
Every year when I send in my dues I ask myself why do I keep doing this?
Lots of negativity toward the ANA on these forums from many, and some of it may even be deserved.
But the ANA is our hobby's national organization and as collectors we should support it. They do so much more good for our hobby than any of the alleged bad stuff. And if you really don't like things about the ANA that much, then you should get involved and help make it better.
Everyone who participates on this forum and/or cares about our hobby should be a member of the ANA.
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
Hugh Wood Insurance Inc. and...
Nope, that's it. Just Hugh Wood Insurance.
For those of you who are not currently members, if you want to sign up let me know and I'll hook you up with a free 1-year gold membership (digital delivery of magazine). If you want the print magazine, I can hook you up for the first year for $30 instead of the normal $46.
Can't do this for everyone of course, just the first 5 or so who send me a PM. And you can't be a current member or have been a member w/in the last year.
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
I'm a member just because it felt like the right thing to do.
I've enjoyed the positive and constructive responses by those who are more articulate than I am.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
I believe they are still promoting and bringing interest into the hobby. I like the magazine, but wish it had at least one article per issue with extensive original research.
As others have stated the ANA has been useless in having any effect on the rampant counterfeiting and other fraudulent activities.
Why? Because it makes me proud to belong to something that supports the hobby I've loved and enjoyed for most of my life. Sure it has flaws. NOTHING in this world is perfect. However, the dues are affordable and the resources are many, in my opinion. I often wonder why everyone who collects coins doesn't join.
I joined during the promotion last year for $20, got an MS69 eagle and a copy of The Numismatist every month (which has come in handy MANY times with a lot of useful information!), and it's another club to add to the list!
Begin Rant...
I have been a member for many years and will continue to be one. Sure, there are lots of things to complain about but I find that to be true with most membership organizations. And the truth is that the ANA offers its members more tangible benefits than most any other membership organization.
So, if your only objective in membership is what's in it for me? then for a lousy $46 or less you get everything mentioned in this thread; 1)the Numismatist, 2)discounted collection insurance, 3)Access to NGC grading, 4) access to one of the finest Numismatic Libraries ever assembles,5)Grading Classes, etc...see link
Member Benefits
But the greatest benefit to membership in my opinion is that I am giving financial support to all the grass roots efforts at the club levels that I suspect most of you don't see. And this is where the battle for continued existence of the hobby takes place. I wonder how many of the naysayers here are active in a local or regional club? As an officer of clubs at both a local and regional level I see the hard work by the District Reps who are there with help and answers every time we ask. You want to start up a club?...the ANA is there to help. You want to put on a small local club coin show?...the ANA is there to help. You want to get an educational speaker for your meeting...the ANA is there to help and it goes on and on.
So if you truly love the hobby, then stop being such a cheap SOB and become a member, or at least join a coin club and share your knowledge with the next generation of collectors.
...End Rant
Joseph J. Singleton - First Superintendent of the U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega Georgia
Findley Ridge Collection
About Findley Ridge
Ever make a claim?
My thoughts exactly. I've been a member since 1980 and the only thing I really get out of it is the magazine.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
No, I gave up. Didn't like what was going on. Was going to sign up again when Laura got in, but I forgot.
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I will not continue my membership. Many of the reasons are cited above...In addition, a hobby is a personal thing... sure, there are many coin collectors, but my collection is only mine.... I do not need an organization to support me....I am, and have always been, intensely independent.... that is why I rarely join anything.... and, usually, after joining and watching the 'sausage made', I leave. Cheers, RickO
All of the above...
The Numismatist
The Library
Free admission to ANA shows
Free admission to the ANA Museum (I've been once, planned my entire 2000 mi driving route around that stop)
Joined as Junior in 1973 (it was real money to me then), converted to life membership and proud of it!
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
To be honest, I joined so I could insure my collection through Hugh Wood Inc.
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
After 37 years it's become a force of habit.