Good news from ANA

Congratulations are due to the American Numismatic Association for landing a significant coin donation to the Edward C. Rochette Money Museum.

Yesterday the organization announced that it had received a gift of a 1792 half disme from California coin dealer Steven L. Contursi, president of Rare Coin Wholesalers based in Irvine. He is well known in recent years as a buyer of many prestigious American coins. A value of $220,000 was placed on the half disme.

What a wonderful antidote this is to any lingering negative feelings that might have been generated among the ANA membership by news of the 2007 theft of almost $1 million in coins revealed on Jan. 12.

But from what I have seen since the theft story broke, the negative reactions were fairly limited and ANA members as a whole have confidence that the board of governors is handling the matter appropriately. Good news should strengthen that level of confidence.

“This coin will be a fantastic, historically significant addition to the museum’s collection. I can’t thank Steve enough for his generosity,” American Numismatic Association President Tom Hallenbeck said in the news release.

Now the half disme can be shared with the public. If you haven’t visited the museum in Colorado Springs, Colo., plan to do so on your next summer vacation, or better yet, go whole hog and attend a Summer Seminar class.

ANA has a lot to be proud of and a visit to the museum/library/headquarters building will help any collector to see this for himself or herself.

Congratulations, ANA.