American Numismatic Association

dollardude · October 28, 2003 2:00PM

I got to speak to the ANA board of governors president, Gary Lewis, today. Very cool!

I would like to encourage everyone to join the ANA. Check out their web site at ANA.

Their mission statement: "The mission of the American Numismatic Association, a nonprofit, educational organization chartered by the United States Congress, is to promote the study and collection of money, including coins, tokens, medals and paper currency, for research, interpretation and preservation of history and culture from ancient times to the present. Through its publications, library and museum, the ANA makes available a wide range of educational exhibits, programs, services and seminars to its members, as well as students, historians, government agencies, the academic community and the general public."

Some benefits:
1. Referral to local clubs, where you can meet other like-minded people.
2. Numismatist magazine, filled with interesting articles and upcoming events.
3. Collection insurance at group rates.
4. Access to library.
5. Educational materials, e.g., seminars, etc.

BTW, I'm the local ANA rep in my area.

numobri · October 28, 2003 2:18PM

I'm already a member,worth the money.

WACoinGuy · October 28, 2003 2:22PM

Yep, I'm a member too. The library is my favorite benefit. Right now I have Bollenger's book on bust dollars checked out to help attribute my sole bust dollar. Not a book I would normally buy, so it's nice to be able to borrow it for a few weeks and learn a little more about bust dollar varities.

fountainheadgold · October 28, 2003 2:28PM

I too am a member, well worth the expense

FrattLaw · October 28, 2003 2:47PM

Just renewed this month myself. I would recommend that everyone join in order to support our hobby.

Michael

mrcommem · October 28, 2003 2:56PM

I am a member of the ANA but am very upset with their disposition of the State Quarterboard program. Since one of their main goal is the promotion and the collection of money they have fail miserably. The ANA, with cooperation from the U.S. Mint, and the PNG distributed quarterboards for State Quarter Program. The first quarterboard for years one and two I ordered the boards, paid for them and for shipping, and distributed 150 of them in just a few months. The second quarterboard for years three and four, I paid just for the shipping. When I call to obtain the quarterboard for years five and six I am told the program had been discontinued because it was too expensive. How can an organization pledge to support the state quarter program and then leave everyone hanging. I have a number of upset patrons that would rather spit on the ANA rather than ever join. What ever happened to finishing what you start?

shirohniichan · October 28, 2003 3:03PM

I don't like their hack writers. Just look what they're going to allow in next month's issue (hint, hint).

wingedliberty · October 28, 2003 7:53PM

I have been a member for many years, but did not like the recent logo change. I miss the lamp of knowledge.

Barry · October 28, 2003 9:01PM

I'm not a member. I was going to join a few years ago, then they accepted that $3000 check from ACG. If and when the ANA becomes a pro-collector organization and takes a stand on these bottom feeder grading services, then I'll join.

nwcs · October 28, 2003 10:11PM

I'm already a member but they need to do some serious work on their website.

MadMonk · October 28, 2003 11:14PM

I dropped my membership. While I'd agree that there are some benefits, I found them to be more pro-dealer, than collector. I had a major complaint against a member dealer. They suggested that I do nothing. Bull...this guy has a con man mentality, and should be taken to task for it!

kranky · October 28, 2003 11:24PM

If the ANA is pro-dealer, it's the fault of the member collectors. There are 30,000 ANA members and they elect the leadership. It's not as if the dealer members outnumber the collectors.

I'm a member because to boycott it for a perceived pro-dealer stance only aggravates the problem. I want a strong organization that represents collectors, and having more collectors as members can only help.

Barry · October 28, 2003 11:33PM

Not really Kranky. Unfortunately, people that run for office often have major personality changes once their elected and don't stick to their campaign promises.
For example, Gary Lewis was very active participant on RCC for a few months prior to the election. Once elected he disappeared. Someone posted (and emailed) a simple, respectful question to him after the election about one of his policy decisions- no response.

nwcs · October 28, 2003 11:35PM

It's politics, just like any other organization be it business, non profit, or government. The trick is to find a way to make the politics work for you.

Gilbert · October 29, 2003 5:53PM

<< For example, Gary Lewis was very active participant on RCC for a few months prior to the election. >>

He was luck to have been elected, with a resume like that. Maybe he now see's the light.

Geoman · October 29, 2003 6:32PM

I joined the ANA about 9 months ago. Our local coin club the started in March '03, just joined this past month. I am looking forward to some of the benefits that ANA has for its member clubs.

Gemini · October 29, 2003 7:25PM

I love their great new magazine format and will be looking forwards to reading Shiro's article on?... let me guess...Trade Dollars

ANA Member #60296

wingedliberty · October 29, 2003 8:04PM

I agree with Barry about the ACG donation. This left a very bad taste in my mouth.

goose3 · October 29, 2003 8:22PM

Speaking of ACG.....aren't they no longer members of the ANA? I have not seen an ad for them in there for quite some time.

I am a member , was going to be a life member but did not because of ACG. I am paid for the next 5 or 6 years I think.

I also quit coinworld over them allowing ACG to advertise. In one issue they print an article pretty much saying ACG is bad and then you turn several pages and they have a half page ad.

not to hijack this but does anyone know if ACG advertises in N. News?

wingedliberty · October 29, 2003 8:30PM

I subscribe to both Numismatic News and Coin World. I have for many years, and do not recall ever seeing an ACG ad in NN. As with most things satanic, the goal is to reach as many people as possible, therefore ACG chose CW, due to its wider circulation.
I am also glad to hear that the HAGARS are no longer members. It would seem that the Barry Stupler hearings drove them away. Thank God!
, but there is another demon to contend with, that is NTC. Their tentacles are very entrenched here in Florida (I live in TampaBay).

MadMonk · October 29, 2003 8:44PM

<< If the ANA is pro-dealer, it's the fault of the member collectors. There are 30,000 ANA members and they elect the leadership. It's not as if the dealer members outnumber the collectors.

I'm a member because to boycott it for a perceived pro-dealer stance only aggravates the problem. I want a strong organization that represents collectors, and having more collectors as members can only help. >>

Good point! Thanks. You've persuaded me to reconsider my position.

STEWARTBLAYNUMIS · October 29, 2003 10:27PM

What has the ANA done for YOU lately ?

Gary Lewis and the Playboys ? Wasn't that a band in the 60's

Isn't NCS the coin doctors of choice for the ANA ? Why?

NGC is the grading service of choice for the ANA. Why?

I am NOT a member of the ANA.I have been expelled from the ANA and I am one happy coin collector. Thank You

Stewart

kranky · October 29, 2003 10:48PM

I guess I wouldn't expect someone who was expelled to be supportive.

Stewart, keep in mind that you probably aren't representative of the typical collector. Don't you think the ANA has much to offer for the average collector (as opposed to the long-time high-end collector) ?

zenny · October 29, 2003 10:53PM

<< What has the ANA done for YOU lately ?
>>

They run a very comprehensive series of seminars which, if a simple collector such as myself goes to the trouble and expense of attending, gives me opportunities for experiences and connections that i probably couldn't accomplish in many years (if ever) on my own.

As mentioned previously, the lending library is a tremendous resource as well.

If anyone attended the ACG hearing earlier this year or followed it on the boards they know that they were dealt with professionally, but as the shadowy type of organization they are. Their presence, as far as I can tell, at shows and in the print media has been drastically reduced, (perhaps even partly as a result of the hearing).

No organization is perfect, but from where I sit they do a whole more good than bad.

to the individual complaints:

quarterboards - maybe they got themselves in over their heads. Haven't you ever promised more than you eventually realized you'd be able to deliver?

ACG - dealt with above.

Lamp of knowledge - oh well.

Gary Lewis not answering a question on a message board - oooooh.

NCS/NGC - They are obviously one of the two most respected grading companies. I'd much rather have my coins "doctored" by NCS than a guy with some brillo pads and clorox in his basement. I would guess that the contributions they make to the seminars alone put to shame a simple $3,000 dollar donation.

finally - as long as Gail Baker is affiliated with the ANA in any capacity i will be a member in good standing. If it's okay by Gail, it's okay by me.

z

zenny · October 29, 2003 10:56PM

sorry, hit quote where i meant to hit edit.

nucklehead · October 29, 2003 11:16PM

When they start having more coin shows here in Calif.I'll consider rejoining.The magazine is better than it's ever been imo so I will give them that.

mintluster · October 30, 2003 12:34AM

I could care less about them changing the ANA logo. A lot of organizations do this atleast once in their history.
I think the logo is nice and is easier for them to use in various ways (signs, publications, awards, etc.)
But I am still not a member.
I have thought about it for maybe 5 years now, and I still cannot figure out what I really need to be a member for.
I have a friend at work that is a member so I read the magazine for free. It's good most of the time, but I still do not see what benefit I would have by becoming a member. Will I be a 'better' collector if I join? Seems like I would still be that same guy, collecting what I want, when I want, and researching coins as I see fit.
Someone, anyone, please convince me of why I should become an ANA member?
The money is no issue, it is a low fee.
But why do it?

mintluster · October 30, 2003 12:47AM

I will say that I have never liked the fact that the ANA has an "official" grading service (NGC). And it's not because I prefer PCGS. I just always thought they were going to maintain a nuetral position in terms of third party grading.
And some key issues that have faced the hobby I see them do nothing about, even though their position/direction on the matter could have some influence.
Example: At several points during the history of the ANA they could have changed the 1-70 grading system to a proper 1-100 system. With the proper outlined grading criteria and publication it could have been an easy fix. Q. David Bowers has mentioned in many articles that the main reason the old Sheldo Large Cent 1-70 scale stayed in place and became the standard for all coins was because it was a published book and their was really nothing else so everyone relied on it. You can't teach an old dog new tricks. After years of use everyone just became comfortable with it so it was not changed. My point is that the ANA at many times (the 80's) could have pushed a big change and made a new system. But they did not.
Anyone who has been collecting for a while is comfortable with the 1-70 system. Because we understand it. But try explaining it to a new collector or a potential collector. They almost always say, "1-70, why 70?", "well, the Sheldon large cent scale was once....yadda yadda."
I read that the ANA was trying to get all third party graders "certified." What a joke. That will never happen. It's impossible to enforce or regulate, especially to graders or companies who do not belong to the ANA.
It just seems to me like they focus on issues they should not and they don't focus on isses that they should.
Anyway, I am still open to join if someone can convince me why I should?

zenny · October 30, 2003 1:01AM

<< I have thought about it for maybe 5 years now
>>

that's an awful lot of thinking....

are you sure you're doing it right?

Veep · October 30, 2003 1:10AM

I guess that I'm selfish. Politics or not; mis-guided decisions or not; I belong because the value that I get is far more than I pay. I saved $100 on a grading course that was taught by Mark Salzberg, Brian Sillman and Skip Fazzari. What an opportunity! I also have access to an exhaustive library of books, catalogs and tapes. I have my own library of about 50 books, but can't touch what the ANA has.

mintluster · October 30, 2003 1:12AM

<< 

<< I have thought about it for maybe 5 years now
>>

that's an awful lot of thinking....
Yeah, you're right.

mintluster · October 30, 2003 1:13AM

zenny,

I think you are right. I'll stop now.

bigindie · October 30, 2003 1:28AM

I joined the ANA back in April. I love the magazine and would like to love the lending library. However, I can't begin to navigate the website. I'm usually good at figuring those things out, but it's beyond me. Anybody have any tips on how to find a book and borrow it?

kranky · October 30, 2003 2:03AM

bigindie,
Using the library
Catalog index

Probably the easiest way is to call them, tell them the book you want, and let them take it from there. The ANA librarians I have met (Nancy Green and Jane Colvard) are very knowledgable. Or you can contact them via email - library@money.org

dollardude · October 30, 2003 6:16AM

Thanks everyone for the nice words!

Edited to add: I know the organization is not perfect, and there are a lot of politics involved, but no organization is perfect. Thanks to everyone for your comments.

shirohniichan · October 30, 2003 8:21AM

<< I love their great new magazine format and will be looking forwards to reading Shiro's article on?... let me guess...Trade Dollars

ANA Member #60296 >>

Ha! I was told anything too technical or academic would have a snowball's chance in hell of getting published, so I wrote a "collector friendly" article about my transition years type set.

Skipper53 · October 30, 2003 9:27AM

I'm planning to join shortly. Having learned most of what I know about
coin collecting the hard way, I figure the ANA might help shorten my
learning curve. Sounds like they're not perfect but show me any organization
that is !!!
If they can teach me something about grading and my small voice can help
tip their stance to pro-collector, it'll be worth it ..

Skipper

airplanenut · October 30, 2003 9:49AM

I'm a member... the people there are great- heck, with a polite question, they even took out an 1804 dollar from their vault so I could hold it... VERY cool!

Also, my $15 Junior membership helped me land a scholarship to the Summer Seminar... I learned an incredible amount, and it was free... nothing better than that!

Jeremy

Coinosaurus · October 30, 2003 10:27AM

No one has yet mentioned the ANA convention - let's give 'em credit for throwing a great coin show every year.

Pistareen · October 31, 2003 3:42AM

Hey all:

I can enumerate a lot of reasons why money spent on an ANA Membership is the best value in numismatics. For the price of a generic MS-63 Morgan every year you get:

--> To support programs which teach thousands of people every year about the hobby we love. Kids that come to the convention who become life-long collectors through the Treasure Trivia game and education forums, Scouts (Boys and Girls) whose coin collecting forums are supported by the ANA, training kids like our own Airplanenut at the ANA Summer Seminar to become more advanced numismatists -- somebody has to buy your coins when you're gone. Spend a few bucks to support them.

--> A great magazine that only gets better. A magazine that will publish a well-written article from any member (though sometimes highly edited and occasionally at great delay in my experience).

--> An annual convention that attracts the best and brightest to its educational forums and the foremost dealers from around the world to its bourse.

--> Access to the world's largest lending library on numismatics with 2 trained professionals at your service. I use this library all the time, and often have info I need faxed to me within minutes. Your other options are forming the library yourself (Armand Champa's sold for over $1 Million and that was only on US coins) or visiting the ANS in New York (they don't lend or do phone inquiries -- you have to visit). This is worth the price of membership alone. And if you aren't curious to read books to further your collecting interests, that's a problem in and of itself.

--> Seminars! At conventions, around the country, and in Colorado Springs every summer. I've gone to over a dozen, and they are the highlight of my year. Want to share an ice cream with Eric Newman? Feel like hearing Ken Hallenbeck tell good John Jay Pittman stories? Want to learn from a week from the foremost experts? This is the place.

--> Mediation services. You never want to use them, but they're there if you want them. And they come in handy.

--> Support a great museum which is open to the public (and is one of the most visited museums in its area and increasing in visitors annually). The museum also trains other museum curators how to care for their collections -- ever time you see a cleaned and awful coin glued to a board in a museum, think about how supporting the ANA helps avoid this.

--> Support a mission of spreading the gospel of coin collecting. The organization has a federal charter to do just that. Do you think that news coverage of National Coin Week brings more collectors into the fold (thereby increasing the demand on coins and the value of your collection)? When people anywhere in the US have a question on coins, whether it be an old lady who finds a Wheat cent or a museum that discovers a great rarity in their vaults, they call the ANA first. I think that's worth supporting. They also serve as a clearinghouse for stolen coin information -- something that comes in handy if your coins are ever stolen.

The ANA is not perfect. It's been marred by politics in the past and some bad decision making. But it's a non-profit organization that is devoted to what brings us all together here. Instead of asking what's in it for you (which is a lot in my opinion), ask what is in it for numismatics in general.

numonebuyer · October 31, 2003 4:14AM

I would be interested in hearing from those that have attempted to make use of their ANA membership.

I have been a member for a few years. I enjoy the Numismatist. I enjoy the ANA museum. I enjoy the classes (I have completed GRADING COINS TODAY: An ANA Correspondence Course). I like going to their website. I have purchases a few books their (at a discount price). I have insurance for my coins through the ANA.

The ANA serves me well.

Numonebuyer

Edited to fix a typographical error.

numonebuyer · November 1, 2003 11:13AM

ttt

Android · November 1, 2003 11:26AM

<< I will say that I have never liked the fact that the ANA has an "official" grading service (NGC). And it's not because I prefer PCGS. I just always thought they were going to maintain a nuetral position in terms of third party grading. >>

If I remember correctly, PCGS is the official grading service of the PNG.

stujoe · November 1, 2003 11:40AM

I am a member because I think it is an organization worth supporting . Do I think they could do more? Yes. Do I dislike some of the things they do? Yes. But, I still think it is worth supporting it with my measly 30-something dollars a year. The magazine is good too.

mintluster · November 1, 2003 11:55AM

<< No one has yet mentioned the ANA convention - let's give 'em credit for throwing a great coin show every year. >>

Yeah true. But you don't have to be an ANA member to attend it and enjoy it.

mintluster · November 1, 2003 11:57AM

<< I am a member because I think it is an organization worth supporting . Do I think they could do more? Yes. Do I dislike some of the things they do? Yes. But, I still think it is worth supporting it with my measly 30-something dollars a year. The magazine is good too. >>

Why is it worth supporting?
Serious question. I want to know what you mean.
Thanks.

stujoe · November 1, 2003 12:06PM

Pistareen probably said what I meant better than I can (I am not the most eloquent person

) so I will quote him:

--> To support programs which teach thousands of people every year about the hobby we love. Kids that come to the convention who become life-long collectors through the Treasure Trivia game and education forums, Scouts (Boys and Girls) whose coin collecting forums are supported by the ANA, training kids like our own Airplanenut at the ANA Summer Seminar to become more advanced numismatists -- somebody has to buy your coins when you're gone. Spend a few bucks to support them.

That is part of the warm fuzzy I get by supporting the organization. I don't worry much about 'what I get out of it' even though there are things like the magazine and insurance that I do get stuff out of. I think supporting an organization that supports the hobby with $33 is $33 well spent.

mintluster · November 1, 2003 12:11PM

Other than being able to walk around and say "I am an ANA member" and put that little ANA number on everything, I see no reason to join. The museum is in Colorado if I am right, well I live in Virginia. No use for me there. I already have personal insurance for my collection through USAA (for a better price than my friend who is an ANA member). So other than looking at that magazine which I will admit is pretty informative usually, I see no reason to join.
I definately do not want to be a member of an organization who does no tackle the tough issues of our hobby as I stated a few days ago (see below - creating a simple 1-100 grading scale that the ANA could easily create acceptable parameters and guidelines for). I hear of so many great people and leaders in our hobby that always discuss this issue in publications, in person, even with ANA leadership, and it just never goes anywhere. This is very unfortunate I think.
But to all who are proud members of the ANA I say: Best of luck to you as you collect and learn! Help make a difference!

Bulldog · November 1, 2003 12:16PM

I dropped out many years ago, for various reasons. I don't miss them and I am sure they don't even know that I am gone.

It can be a great organization for some. I am not knocking them, but they just didn't do all that much for my perceived value of them!

Bulldog

stujoe · November 1, 2003 12:18PM

<< (see below - creating a simple 1-100 grading scale that the ANA could easily create acceptable parameters and guidelines for). >>

I don't see how the ANA could create another grading standard in this day and age of the Third Party Grading Service. The services don't particularly follow the grading standard that the ANA has created now.

There are some issues, particularly consumer protection issues, that I would like to see the ANA tackle but, I think, their main focus should remain the study and education of coins and promotion of the hobby. Just my two-center.

Conder101 · November 2, 2003 12:45AM

<< Ha! I was told anything too technical or academic would have a snowball's chance in hell of getting published >>

Exactly why I no longer really care about their magazine. It used to be technical and academic articles WOULD be published. Now they are brief, common interest, fluff articles. Stuff for popular consumption, usually at the newbie or novice level.

The real benefit to ANA membership is the Library. More members should really use it. It is an unappreciated gem of the first water.

American Numismatic Association

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