(Fallbrook, California) – The last in a year-long, nationwide series of Professional Numismatists Guild "Share the Knowledge" educational seminars for collectors and dealers will be conducted at the upcoming November Whitman Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention.

PNG member-dealer Anthony Swiatek of Manhasset, New York will discuss, "What Are the Perspicacious Ways to Collect and Invest in Coins and Currency?"  The program begins at Noon on Friday, November 21, 2008, in room 303 of the Baltimore Convention Center.  A complimentary light lunch will be available for audience members.

"I’ll help collectors learn how not to lose, but rather make money, while enjoying our hobby.  It will be an insightful look at reading between the lines of questionable advertised offerings, becoming more enlightened about numismatics, and learning how to detect counterfeit coinage – an apparently increasing problem with some merchandise being offered in online auctions," explained Swiatek.

Read the rest of this entry »

(Baltimore, Maryland) – The Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to well-known researcher, author and rare coin dealer John "J.D." Dannreuther of Memphis, Tennessee. 

The surprise presentation of the award was made during the organization’s annual PNG Day banquet conducted this year in Baltimore, Maryland.

Dannreuther joined the PNG in 1978.

"John Dannreuther is getting the Lifetime Achievement Award for over 30 years of dedication and devoted service to numismatics. 

John is one of the founders of the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and one of the nation’s top numismatic scholars. 

Although John certainly has ‘paid his dues,’ he continues to serve our profession and hobby as a teacher, dealer, researcher and writer," said PNG Board Member and Immediate Past President Jeff Garrett of Lexington, Kentucky who presented the award.

The Abe Kosoff Award, named after PNG’s Founding President and presented to a PNG member who has made a significant contribution to the Guild or the numismatic fraternity the past year, was given to Mark Salzberg, Chief Executive Officer of Numismatic Guaranty Corp. 

Read the rest of this entry »