The American Numismatic Association’s School of Numismatics offers the opportunity to improve coin grading skills with their ‘Fundamentals of Grading U.S. Coins’ course by instructor Lane J. Brunner, Ph.D.

The American Numismatic Association’s School of Numismatics will offer its Fundamentals of Grading United States Coins, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 8-9 during Coinfest in Stamford, Conn.

Students will learn and understand how U.S. coins should be graded according to the latest ANA and market standards during this highly enriched two-day seminar. Participants will gain confidence in evaluating surface marks, strike, luster and eye appeal through interactive discussions, group activities and individual study of hundreds of coins from the ANA grading set.

"A well-rounded education is the foundation of any successful collector," said ANA Executive Director Larry Shepherd. "Courses like Fundamentals of Grading United States Coins can teach hobbyists skills and information that will save them thousands on the bourse floor."

Summer Seminar instructor Lane J. Brunner, Ph.D., will teach the course.

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Hobby Friendly Legislation Supported by ANA and Whitman

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley today signed legislation that will exempt coin dealers from the requirement to obtain a Maryland trader’s license for the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money® in Baltimore, July 30-Aug. 3.

Whitman Publishing, LLC, along with the ANA and the Industry Council for Tangible Assets, worked together to successfully lobby to change Maryland’s trader’s license law. The resulting legislation removes burdens that numismatic dealers would have otherwise faced this year if they had participated in more than three coin shows in Maryland within a 365-day period.

With four major coin shows planned in Baltimore this year (three by Whitman Baltimore Coin and Collectibles Conventions plus the ANA World’s Fair of Money), dealers would have had to apply for a state trader’s license that would have created ongoing regulatory and taxation burdens. With the new legislation, that requirement now excludes the 2008 Baltimore World’s Fair of Money as it is promoted by the ANA, a non-profit national organization.

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Not many people understand the connection between Edgar Allan Poe and the City of Baltimore, home to the 2008 World’s Fair of Money®. But anyone purchasing a 117th Anniversary ANA Convention medal will own a striking collectible and gain a greater understanding of Poe’s connection to the city where he lived, wrote, died and was buried.

Artist Jamie Franki conducted countless hours of research on Poe, searching for images preserved in portraits, daguerreotypes and drawings – as well as numismatic items that may have celebrated the author and his genius. But for all of his efforts, he found just one low relief, traditional side-view medal of Poe – used as a literary award by the New York Public Library in the late 19th century.

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Earlier in the day the American Numismatic Association (ANA) sent out an e-mail notice letting members know ANA Money Museum Curator Douglas Mudd would be discussing the history, design and current use of the $1 bill on the Fox Business Network.

Unfortunately, the odds would have it that many likely read the e-mail only after the interview took place, which occurred at 12:45 p.m. (ET). Or, the daily business routine made it impossible to watch.

The good news is that the Fox Business video entitled, Decoding The Dollar, is now available online and embedded below.

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The American Numismatic Association and the coin collecting community will celebrate the 85th annual National Coin Week, April 20-26, with the theme, “Money Makes the World Go Round,” a tribute to numismatics, youth and world unity.

The ANA has created a National Treasure Hunt built around this year’s theme to help attract new collectors. Special bookmarks and buttons have been developed to help generate interest and enthusiasm for the event. More than 50 member clubs are distributing the bookmarks at dozens of schools, libraries and other community organizations across the country. The bookmarks list the five objects needed to complete the treasure hunt:

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Anthony Tumonis of Tucson, Ariz., received the Best-in-Show Exhibit Award for his display, "1940 Arizona Movie Scrip," at the American Numismatic Association’s 2008 National Money Show™ in Phoenix, March 7-9. In recognition of his efforts, Mr. Tumonis received an engraved medal, a certificate, and a 1928 Saint-Gaudens $20 gold piece donated by Robert L. Higgins and Donald Ketterling of Certified Assets Management, Inc.

The first runner-up award was presented to Emmett McDonald of Islip, N.Y., for his exhibit "Weighing Gold Coins in England, circa 1830." John Grost of El Paso, Texas, received the second runner-up award for his exhibit, "Numismatic Souvenirs of the Meeting of Presidents Taft and Diaz, El Paso, Texas, October 16, 1909." McDonald and Grost received certificates for their accomplishments.

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Dallas, TX. The Official Auction of the ANA’s Phoenix National Money Show, presented by Heritage Auction Galleries March 6-7 has concluded, with prices realized close to $10 million; this marked Heritage’s 37th official auction on behalf of the American Numismatic Association. Prices realized from the 2,000 lots included in the event currently stand at $9,671,627; after adding proceeds from all Post Auction Buys, total prices are expected to exceed $10 million. Images, descriptions, and prices realized are currently posted at Heritage’s HA.com website.

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Former banking and investment executive and life-long coin collector Larry Shepherd has been named the new executive director of the American Numismatic Association, President Barry Stuppler announced today.

Shepherd, whose appointment was announced during opening ceremonies of the Phoenix National Money Show at 9:45 a.m., is an ANA Life Member (#5036) and owner and president of Simco Numismatics in Cincinnati, Ohio. Prior to founding Simco in 1989, he spent 17 years in the banking and investment community, including 14 years in executive management.

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Settlement from Francisco v. NGC Will Support Education

The American Numismatic Association has received a $447,095 donation to support educational programs and produce a much-needed consumer awareness booklet with helpful information on coin collecting.

The donation is from the settlement of a class action lawsuit, Francisco v. Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, concerning First Strikes designation. While admitting no wrongdoing or liability, NGC settled the case and discontinued the use of First Strikes, believing that controversy from the lawsuit would not be in the best interests of the hobby.

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Heritage Auction Galleries is awarding a complimentary second year of membership with the American Numismatic Association to young collectors who become junior members at 2008 ANA conventions. The offer will be honored at the Phoenix National Money Show™, March 7-9, and at the Baltimore World’s Fair of Money®, July 30-August 3.

“Everyone agrees that reaching out to youth is vital to the future of numismatics,” said Robert Korver, Director Emeritus of Heritage Auctions. “This initiative is a way to get young people involved and excited about our great hobby. We’re proud to promote the ANA’s mission.”

The junior membership offer is part of a larger effort by Heritage to strengthen numismatics through support of the ANA. This April, Heritage will award one life membership, five fiveyear memberships and 20 one-year memberships to people who completed its 2008 Auction Survey. Additionally, 10 ANA members will win $100 gift certificates to MoneyMarket, the ANA’s gift shop and online catalog. Heritage provided similar support in 2007.

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