The American Numismatic Association presented 71 competitive exhibit awards at the 2008 World’s Fair of Money® in Baltimore. Winners were announced at the Exhibit Awards Presentation and Reception on Aug. 2.

Sixty-one exhibitors of all ages and experience levels, showing 85 displays, competed in this year’s program. There were also 9 non-competitive exhibitors showing 16 exhibits. The Collector Gallery featured eight current or former ANA convention Best-of-Show exhibits.

The top exhibitor was Mack Martin, who received the Howland Wood Memorial Award for Best-of-Show for his exhibit, "State of Georgia Currency Certificates, 1861-1865." First runnerup was Sam Deep, for "Off the Beaten Numismatic Path." Second runner-up was Steve Middleton for "Medals of the First Ferris Wheel."

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Heritage Auction Galleries is donating $8,000 in support of the ANA’s Club Representative Program. The gift was announced by Heritage President Greg Rohan on Aug. 1 at the ANA World’s Fair of Money® in Baltimore.

The money given by Heritage will fund the program for one year. Patti Jagger Finner, ANA vice president and former national coordinator for the program, secured the gift.

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Previous vote to hold convention in Indianapolis is changed

The American Numismatic Association Board of Governors has voted to hold its 2011 World’s Fair of Money® in Chicago. The vote was taken during the Board’s open session on Aug. 1 during the 2008 World’s Fair of Money in Baltimore.

The decision changed a previous vote by the current Board to hold the convention in Indianapolis.

The previous decision to hold the 2011 convention in Indianapolis was made during the Board’s meeting at the 2008 National Money Show™ in March. Due to a high level of feedback about the selected site, the ANA sent an online survey to its members on July 3 concerning sites for future ANA conventions. The survey indicated that from a list of 24 cities, Chicago was the second most popular site for an ANA convention, trailing only Baltimore.

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Funds to be used to help offset costs of Summer Seminar

The Central States Numismatic Society today presented a check for $50,000 to the American Numismatic Association to help fund Summer Seminar, the ANA’s annual summer educational program.

The gift, presented by CSNS President Patti Finner during opening ceremonies of the World’s Fair of Money in Baltimore, will be used to offset costs of operating Summer Seminar.

"The Central States Numismatic Society believes in education," said Finner, who also is vice president of the ANA.

"We believe Summer Seminar is the best opportunity for numismatic education on the planet. This is our 40th anniversary present to the ANA Summer Seminar – we want to make sure it’s around for at least another 40 years."

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Dallas, TX. Heritage Auction Galleries has set the record for the most valuable ANA Auction ever! Significant and classic rarities from all series in American numismatics, most of them offered in the Platinum Night catalogs, smashed the previous record of $27.7 million set last year at the Milwaukee ANA event.

The auction was held in Baltimore July 30 - Aug. 3, in conjunction with the World’s Fair of Money summer convention of the American Numismatic Association. Total prices realized for the American coins are currently $41,022,713, and will rise further when the post auction buys are finalized.

“This was Heritage’s 38th Official ANA Auction, a record in itself!” enthused Heritage C.E.O. Steve Ivy.

“We were very pleased with our results in Milwaukee last year, and we think Baltimore has demonstrated the absolute strength of the market for important and high quality coins. Such high prices realized also mean a record-setting check will be provided to the ANA to support their educational and membership programs.

We also take great pride that our total was 50% higher than our previous ANA record, and double that accomplished by any other ANA auctioneer. Heritage delivered for the ANA.”

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(Baltimore, Maryland) – Two prominent rare coin dealers jointly bid a total of $12,650 (including buyer’s premium) to have lunch with Heritage Auction Galleries Co-Chairman, best-selling author and acclaimed numismatic authority, Jim Halperin. 

Conducted in conjunction with Heritage’s official auction of the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money® convention in Baltimore on "Platinum Night," July 31, 2008, all proceeds of the winning bid and commission will be donated to ANA education programs.

The highest bid came from Anthony Terranova of New York City and Laura Sperber of Legend Numismatics in Lincroft, New Jersey.

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The American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money® convention is packed with exciting collector opportunities and coin exhibits.

Beginning Wednesday, July 30 and ending Sunday, August 3., this year’s convention in Baltimore, Maryland is sure to be one of the best.

Listing all the exceptional events occurring at the show is fruitless… There are simply too many. But here is a selection of several that highlight some of the fun and exciting experiences to enjoy:

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(Dana Point, California) — A previously unrecorded 1943-S Lincoln cent, erroneously struck on a bronze planchet and found in circulation by a teenaged collector over a half century ago, has been acquired by Rare Coin Wholesalers of Dana Point, California.

The discovery coin now is certified as AU-53 by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.

"The coin was found in 1944 by Kenneth S. Wing Jr. of Long Beach, California who was assembling a set of Lincoln cents at the time," said Steven L. Contursi, President of Rare Coin Wholesalers (www.RCW1.com).

Wing became a prominent Southern California architect who co-designed the Long Beach Arena in the late 1950s. He passed away in 1996.

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The American Numismatic Association announced Philadelphia artist Jim Licaretz is the 2008 recipient of the ANA’s Numismatic Art Award for Excellence in Medallic Sculpture (NAAEMS). Today, the United States Mint let the public know and praised Licaretz for receiving the award.

“We are pleased the panel of judges recognized Jim’s body of work,” said United States Mint Director Ed Moy.  “Jim’s artistry is helping the United States Mint achieve a new level of design excellence.”

Licaretz was a United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver from 1986 to 1989, and returned to the U.S. Mint in 2006 as a Medallic Sculpture. Recent bodies of work include the Mint’s 2008 Bald Eagle Proof silver dollar coin and the Andrew Jackson Presidential $1 obverse.

"To be honored with the American Numismatic Association’s award is quite a welcome surprise," said Licaretz. "There is a great responsibility in giving form to one’s experience of life. Medallic sculpture is a unique way of recording and sharing these experiences."

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American Numismatic Association Members Survey Indicates a Preference for Shows in Baltimore and Chicago sites.

ANA members favored Baltimore and Chicago as potential convention sites in an e-mail survey distributed July 3 by the American Numismatic Association.

The survey, conducted by the ANA as a result of dealer and member feedback regarding the selection of convention sites, was spearheaded by the ANA Convention Committee, chaired by Carl Schwenker, and prepared by ANA staff.

The survey, which was emailed to active, paid members, measured attitudes about convention site selection, criteria for site locations and the components of conventions that contribute to the overall show experience.

"We felt that a survey would provide invaluable information to help guide the Board of Governors and staff as they prepare proposals and select sites for future ANA conventions," said Executive Director Larry Shepherd.

"As a member-based organization, the ANA must, whenever possible, make informed decisions based on input from its members."

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