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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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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The United States Mint peaked curiosity further for the ANA World’s Fair of Money® convention by announcing their unveiling of the 2009 Saint-Gaudens double eagle designed gold coin and adding a display of six real gold bars that were refined at West Point.

The Mint previously announced they would show the modern $20 gold coin, but the latest announcement adds that their exhibit will:

Show the development of this modern masterpiece-from its origin as gold bars-through test strikes-to the finished, one-ounce 24-karat (.9999 pure) 2009 United States Mint Ultra High Relief Gold Coin.

For sure, an extra element of interest is added to the much awaited revelation of the 2009 Ultra High Relief, which is a modern version of the 1907 Augustus Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagle often described as the most beautiful gold piece ever made.

Weighing in at 27.5 pounds each with 400 ounces of gold, the six gold bars for the exhibit are worth about $2.3 million dollars based on yesterday’s London gold closing of $959.75 an ounce.

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The United States Mint has announced that Director Moy will host a public forum at the Baltimore 2008 ANA World’s Fair of Money® on Friday, August 1.

The meet and greet event offers coin collectors the opportunity to ask questions, and receive answers directly from the head of the U.S. Mint. Directory Moy has held public coin forums for appreciative collectors several times this year. This latest one is sure to be a highlight of the convention for many.

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Dallas, TX. Significant and classic rarities from all series in American numismatics are available in Heritage’s Platinum Night catalog for the Official Auction of the Baltimore 2008 ANA World’s Fair of Money®. The auction will be held in Baltimore July 30 - Aug. 3, with Platinum Night on July 31, 2008. The auction is now posted by Heritage Auction Galleries on their HA.com website, and all lots are available for inspection and bidding.

“The great rarities included in this auction are dazzling,” commented Heritage President Greg Rohan, “and in such a strong market, we predict that many records will be set.

The Baltimore ANA contains rarities from 400 consignors, but I must call special attention to the magnificent gold in Part Five of the Stephen Stokely Collection (his $20 Saint-Gaudens Registry Collection) and the Pierson MacDonald Grieve Collection, the Large Cents of the Joshua Collection;

Part Four of the Phil Kaufman Collection of Early Proof Sets, and The Ed Price Collection of Early Dime and Quarter Eagle Varieties.

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The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) will next meet at the upcoming American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money convention in Baltimore. 

In addition to reviewing reverse designs for the 2009 American Eagle Platinum Proof Coin, the CCAC has invited the public to share their views, opinions and suggestions in an open forum.

“Every year the members of the CCAC look forward to meeting at the ANA convention, because it’s a great opportunity to interact with the numismatic community,” noted CCAC Chairman Mitch Sanders. 

“We hope that any interested numismatists will come to our meeting and forum to see the coin design process in action, and especially to let us know their opinions about American coin design.”

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(Tiburon, California) – Well-known numismatic firm, Kagin’s, Inc. (www.Kagins.com) of Tiburon, California, founded in 1933 by Arthur M. "Art" Kagin, will celebrate the company’s 75th anniversary during the upcoming American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money convention in Baltimore. 

A lucky visitor to the Kagin’s booth (#531) will be awarded a free half-ounce American Eagle platinum coin valued at over $1,300 in a random drawing, and all visitors can enjoy a slice from a huge anniversary cake while it lasts.

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One of the two known 1861-P "Paquet Reverse" Double Eagles will be displayed during the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money® convention in Baltimore, July 30 – August 3, 2008. 

The famous coin’s previous owners include Baltimore banker Waldo Newcomer; former U.S. Treasury Secretary William Woodin; Egyptian King Farouk and Ambassador and Mrs. R. Henry Norweb. 

The $20 denomination gold coin, graded NGC MS-67, is owned by Brian Hendelson, President of Classic Coin Co. of Bridgewater, New Jersey. 

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Gordon R. Donnell, Jim Majoros and William G. Rau will receive American Numismatic Association Medal of Merit awards at the World’s Fair of Money® in Baltimore, July 30-August 3.

The annual award is presented to individuals who have dedicated numerous years of service to the Association and to promoting the hobby.

Gordon R. Donnell

Gordon R. Donnell of Oakland, Calif., is always willing to share his love of the hobby and actively recruits new collectors.

A member of many local, regional and national clubs, he served as president of the Pacific Coast Numismatic Society, San Francisco Coin Club, Alameda Coin Club, Northern California Numismatic Association and International Organization of Wooden Money Collectors; and as vice president of the Liberty Numismatic Society and Diablo Numismatic Society.

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Philadelphia artist Jim Licaretz is the 2008 recipient of the American Numismatic Association’s Numismatic Art Award for Excellence in Medallic Sculpture. He will accept the honor on Aug. 2 at the ANA World’s Fair of Money® in Baltimore.

A medallic artist at the U.S. Mint since 2006, Licaretz was a sculptor/engraver there from 1986 to 1989. He spent a year with The Franklin Mint and was a master sculptor for Mattel, Inc. for five years.

In between, he taught life modeling and figure sculpture at Philadelphia’s Fleischer Art Memorial, and was a member of the faculty at Otis-Parsons School of Design in Los Angeles (1992-94) and Academy of Art University in San Francisco (1995-2000).

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