| Type | Membership Driven |
|---|---|
| Industry | Historical, Research |
| Founded | 1891 |
| Headquarters | Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States |
| Key people |
Tom Hallenbeck, President of the Board of Governors; |
| Products | Magazine, Museum, Trade Shows |
| Website | money.org |
The American Numismatic Association was founded in 1891 by Dr. George F. Heath in Chicago, Illinois. The ANA was formed to advance the knowledge of numismatics (the study of money) along educational, historical and scientific lines, as well as enhance interest in the hobby.
The ANA national headquarters and museum is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It claims a membership of over 32,000 and offers memberships for various terms, including one year, three years, five years, and a lifetime membership for $600–$1,200 US, depending on age and whether you would like to receive a magazine via mail or email. In 1912 the association received a Federal Charter by the United States Congress for its work in the field of numismatics.
The association's official monthly journal is the Numismatist and its editor-in-chief is Barbara J. Gregory. Many articles are contributed by members of the Association.
Contents |
Dr. George F. Heath of Monroe, Michigan, gained knowledge of world history by studying his collection of coins. The obscurity of his community was an obstacle towards obtaining certain specimens, and made meeting fellow numismatists difficult. In 1888, he printed, published and distributed a four-page leaflet, THE NUMISMATIST, in which he listed his coin needs, advertised duplicates for sale, and discussed numismatic topics.[1]
The nascent publication found many friends among other isolated collectors. As Heath's subscription list increased, a need for a national organization of numismatists was evident. The February 1891 edition of The Numismatist printed a question, "What is the matter with having an American Numismatic Association?"[1] A follow-up statement was included: "There is nothing like the alliance of kindred pursuits to stimulate growth and interest."[1]
On October 7 and October 8, 1891, five men—Heath, William G. Jerrems, David Harlowe, J.A. Heckelman and John Brydon—holding 26 proxies, met in Chicago and with 61 charter members. The result was the founding of the American Numismatic Association.[1] Since that meeting in October 1891, the American Numismatic Association has expanded to become the largest non-profit numismatic organization of its kind in the world. Heath then introduced the idea of a numismatic convention, where members could make personal contact with other numismatists. The first meeting was held in 1891. From then, it was hosted annually until 1895, and then in 1901 and 1904. After the 1907 convention in Columbus, Ohio, it was decided to hold annual meetings thereafter.[1]
On June 16, 1908, Dr. Heath suddenly died. Farran Zerbe, then president, assumed the task of editing and publishing THE NUMISMATIST, and soon purchased the publication from Heath's heirs.[1] In 1911, through the generosity of W.C.C. Wilson of Montreal, Canada, THE NUMISMATIST was purchased from Zerbe and presented to the ANA and since that period, the magazine has been owned and published monthly by the ANA.[1]
National prominence was attained by the Association on May 9, 1912, when the Association was granted a Federal Charter, signed by President William H. Taft.[1] An amendment to make the Charter permanent and allow for a larger Board of Governors was introduced in 1962. This was presented by Congressman Wilbur Mills and Senator John L. McClellan, both of Arkansas. This amendment was passed by Congress and signed by President John F. Kennedy on April 10, 1962.[1]
An ANA national home and headquarters building fund was established on April 29, 1961.[1] Colorado Springs, Colorado, was selected, and a ground breaking ceremony was held on September 6, 1966. On December 20, 1966, the building fund goal of $250,000 was reached and the new home and headquarters of the American Numismatic Association was dedicated and officially opened in Colorado Springs on June 10, 1967.[1] Currently, the ANA facility in Colorado Springs houses the largest circulating numismatic library in the world.[1] Books, educational slide programs and instructional videotapes are loaned to members without charge other than costs to cover postage and insurance. Additionally, the ANA has many affiliate club members throughout the United States, such as the Beverly Hills Coin Club and the Chicago Coin Club
The Colorado facility also houses the ANA Money Museum that includes over 250,000 objects encompassing the history of numismatics from the earliest invention of money to modern day. The Harry W. Bass Collection features American gold coins, experimental pattern coins and paper money.[2] The museum also offers changing exhibits about money in history, art, archeology, banking and economics, and coin collecting. Members may study the items on display and, by prearrangement, can use other museum materials for research purposes.[1]
The ANA is run by a 9 member Board of Governors, composed of the President, Vice-President and 7 Governors, elected by the Association's membership in odd-numbered years. Candidates for the Board of Governors must have been ANA members for at least three years. Candidates for President and Vice President must have served at least one term on the Board of Governors. Total service on the Board of Governors is limited to ten years.
The current Board of Governors was elected in 2011. The election for all candidates except Vice-President was uncontested. Walter Ostromecki defeated Arthur Fitts for Vice-President by a vote of 3,217-2,431.
| Name | Position | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Hallenbeck | President | Colorado Springs, CO |
| Walter Ostromecki | Vice-President | Encino, CA |
| Gary Adkins | Governor | Minneapolis, MN |
| Michael L. Ellis | Governor | Camila, GA |
| Jeff C. Garrett | Governor | Lexington, KY |
| Greg Lyon | Governor | St. Louis, MO |
| Clifford Mishler | Governor | Iola, WI |
| Scott T. Rottinghaus | Governor | New London, CT |
| Wendell A. Wolka | Governor | Greenwood, IN |
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The ANA has many programs for YNs. There are two programs in which YNs can earn free coins by completing coin-related acitivities. These programs are the Early American Copper Project and the David R. Cervin Ancient Coin Project.
The ANA also has a YN Dollars program in which YNs earn YN Dollars for different activities. They can spend these YN Dollars at the ANA Summer Convention at the annual YN auction.
The Young Numismatist of the Year award has been given by the ANA every year since 1968. Many former winners of the award are now prominent numismatic professionals, or have distinguished themselves in other areas.
The Young Numismatists of America was a worldwide coin organization that was founded in 1990 at the ANA Summer Seminar. In its early days, the YNA was an attractive way for young numismatists (YNs) to submit articles for publication. However, by late 1996, many of the YNA founders were in college and could no longer help out. The YNA slowly faded away because of lack of interest. Then, in 2001 at the ANA Summer Seminar, the young collectors decided to reform YNA. Within several years, the YNA once again ceased to exist.
The ANA has held conventions annually most years since 1891, expanded to two annual shows in 1978, and plans to add a third show in 2011. The features of these conventions include the offering of a large bourse room, along with exhibits, educational programs, junior member activities, auctions, and meetings of affiliated specialty organizations.[1] The National Money Show and the ANA World's Fair of Money are both held on an Annual Basis. The National Money Show is traditionally held in the spring while the World's Fair is held in the summer. A branded name for the new fall show has not yet been announced.
The annual ANA Summer Seminar is an assortment of classes held in Colorado Springs mid-summer (generally the last week of June and first week of July). Most classes are one week long but some weeks have half-week classes available. Classes are taught by numismatic experts. Students are of all ages and divided between collectors and numismatic professionals. There are special programs for Young Numismatists. The ANA and many local coin clubs sponsor a few scholarships to defer some costs for a few students.
Locations for the ANA Conventions.[3]
The Farran Zerbe Memorial Award is the highest honor conferred by the ANA. It is given in recognition of numerous years of outstanding, dedicated service to numismatics. The criteria for the nominee should be that the individual is considered someone who has rendered numerous years of outstanding service to the ANA as well as the field of numismatics. An additional qualification is that the nominee should be a former Medal of Merit and Glenn Smedley Memorial Award recipient. The award is limited only to members of the ANA.[4]
To perpetuate and enshrine the names of the most important numismatists of all time, the American Numismatic Association established the Numismatic Hall of Fame at its headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado.[5] The brainchild of Jack W. Ogilvie, a Hollywood film writer and editor who served as ANA historian from 1950 to 1970, the Numismatic Hall of Fame was created in August 1964. A constitution and bylaws were drafted that year, and the first inductees were named in 1969. The next group was enshrined in 1970, with subsequent honorees inducted every two years thereafter.[5] Prior to each induction year, nominations are accepted from the membership. After review by a five-member Hall of Fame council, the names and qualifications of the nominees are passed on to a 25-member elector panel. Candidates receiving 13 or more votes are inducted; those receiving less than 13 votes (but more than five) are reconsidered in the next election. Members of the council, the ANA Board of Governors, and ANA appointed officers and staff are ineligible to serve as electors.[5]
| Name | Year Inducted |
|---|---|
| Edgar H. Adams (1868–1940) | 1969 |
| George J. Bauer (1870–1961) | 1969 |
| Frank G. Duffield (1867–1954) | 1969 |
| George F. Heath (1850–1908) | 1969 |
| Edward T. Newell (1886–1941) | 1969 |
| Wayte Raymond (1886–1956) | 1969 |
| David C. Wismer (1857–1949) | 1969 |
| Howland Wood (1877–1938) | 1969 |
| Farran Zerbe (1871–1949) | 1969 |
| George H. Blake (1858–1955) | 1970 |
| Henry Chapman (1860–1935) | 1970 |
| Sylvester S. Crosby (1831–1914) | 1970 |
| Lewis M. Reagan (1904–1961) | 1970 |
| Moritz Wormser (1878–1940) | 1970 |
| Ole P. Ecklund (1873–1950) | 1972 |
| Albert R. Frey (1858–1926) | 1972 |
| Barclay V. Head (1844–1914) | 1972 |
| John M. Henderson (1870–1942) | 1972 |
| Lyman H. Low (1845–1924) | 1972 |
| Waldo C. Moore (1874–1953) | 1972 |
| Stuart Mosher (1904–1956) | 1972 |
| Burton H. Saxton (1876–1958) | 1972 |
| Agnes Baldwin Brett (1876–1955) | 1974 |
| John W. Haseltine (1838–1925) | 1974 |
| Joseph H. Hooper (1835–1910) | 1974 |
| B. Max Mehl (1884–1957) | 1974 |
| Howard Newcomb (1877–1945) | 1974 |
| William Philpott Jr. (1885–1971) | 1974 |
| Benjamin P. Wright (1857–1922) | 1974 |
| Frederick C.C. Boyd (1874–1960) | 1978 |
| Victor D. Brenner (1871–1924) | 1978 |
| David M. Bullowa (1912–1953) | 1978 |
| Lee F. Hewitt (1911–1987) | 1978 |
| J. Henri Ripstra (1881–1961) | 1978 |
| Richard S. Yeoman (1904–1988) | 1978 |
| Herbert M. Bergen (1897–1988) | 1982 |
| Elston G. Bradfield (1906–1977) | 1982 |
| J. Douglas Ferguson (1901–1981) | 1982 |
| Abe Kosoff (1912–1983) | 1982 |
| Robert McLachlan (1845–1926) | 1982 |
| Glenn B. Smedley (1902–1987) | 1982 |
| Louis S. Werner (1894–1982) | 1982 |
| Sheldon S. Carroll (1914–1998) | 1984 |
| William T.R. Marvin (1832–1913) | 1984 |
| Leonel C. Panosh (1893–1967) | 1984 |
| J. Norman Shultz (1893–1988) | 1984 |
| Eva B. Adams (1908–1991) | 1986 |
| S. Wolcott Freeman (1906–1967) | 1986 |
| Robert Friedberg (1912–1963) | 1986 |
| Eric P. Newman (born 1912) | 1986 |
| Margo Russell (born 1919) | 1986 |
| John S. Davenport (born 1907) | 1988 |
| Maurice M. Gould (1909–1975) | 1988 |
| M. Vernon Sheldon (1902–1982) | 1988 |
| Chester L. Krause (born 1923) | 1990 |
| John Jay Pittman (1913–1996) | 1992 |
| Q. David Bowers (born 1938) | 1994 |
| Clyde Hubbard (born 1916) | 1994 |
| Aubrey E. Bebee (1906–1992) | 1996 |
| Kenneth E. Bressett (born 1928) | 1996 |
| Adam Eckfeldt (1769–1852) | 1996 |
| George D. Hatie (1910–1997) | 1996 |
| Harry W. Bass Jr. (1927–1998) | 1998 |
| R.W. Julian (born 1938) | 1998 |
| Oscar H. Dodson (1905–1996) | 2000 |
| Robert L. Hendershott (1898–2005) | 2000 |
| Edward C. Rochette (born 1927) | 2000 |
| Russell Rulau (born 1926) | 2000 |
| Amon G. Carter, Jr. (1919–1982) | 2002 |
| William Ewing DuBois (1810–1881) | 2002 |
| Bill Fivaz (born 1934) | 2002 |
| James Ross Snowden (1809–1878) | 2002 |
| Adna G. Wilde, Jr. (1920–2008) | 2002 |
| Clifford Mishler (born 1939) | 2004 |
| Catherine Bulla-Moore (born 1919) | 2006 |
| George J. Fuld (born 1932) | 2006 |
| Robert Lovett, Jr. (1818–1879) | 2006 |
| Mathew Rothert (1904–1989) | 2006 |
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