ANA Summer Seminar week one over, week two about to start!
The 39th Annual Americn Numismatic Assocaiation Summer Seminar is in full force. Week one participants have enjoyed a week of learning on a variety of numismatic topics as diverse as Roman Republican coins, Hammered coins of England, and the clas I was involved with - Coins of World, 1500-present, to those of US Currency, Counterfeit banknotes, and intaglio engraving.
Chris Madden of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was the teacher of the intaglio class. It is offered as a two year scholarship program, and this was the second year in the cycle. His six students displayed their work before the closing banquet.
Two favorite events during the week are a duplicate sale from the library, which for the first week raised over $2,500 dollars, and the donation auction for the YN scholarship fund which took in over $13,000 on 250 or so lots. (The YN's learn the auction business, but accepting, inventoring the material, then writing the descriptions, printing and distributing the catalog, all on a very tight schedule.)
As week two starts off, Friday - Sunday is a 100+ dealer coin show which many of the participants take an extra day in their travel schedule to attend.
Classes this week include Building an award winning educational display, US Paper Money, the milled coins of England, coin photography, and of course the ever popular coin grading classes. I am here this second week as a first year participant in the two-year Gilroy Roberts Fellowship program for engraving. It starts off with a gallery art show of items from the six participants on Sunday Night with a wine and cheese reception.
It is truely a who's who of the hobby, with a bunch of past and current ANA officials in attendance, and access to many of the Association's staff.
Yes, there is plenty of after hours discussions about the ANA election and the recommended changes to the by laws, and how that will affect the "membership" participation in their organization. Much of that is discussed at a social gathering not to be found on any schedule, but open to all, with the outdoor after dinner and evening classes meeting of the Luna Cafe society in the commons area overlooking the soccer field, with a fine vew of sunsets (or impending thunder clouds) over Pike Peak.
More as the week progresses.
George
