Hands-on learning at Summer Seminar
Nearly 200 students took part in 15 classes offered in each of two weeks at the 40th Summer Seminar of the American Numismatic Association.
Nearly 200 students took part in 15 classes offered in each of two weeks at the 40th Summer Seminar of the American Numismatic Association.
The event, which concluded July 3, was held on the grounds of ANA headquarters and neighboring Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colo. Classes ranged in subject matter from Military Payment Certificates to actual die engraving.
I was a student in the latter class.Five participants in this, the Gilroy Roberts Fellowship program, made graver tools and hand cut a steel die. We also participated in an art show.
Pewter strikes of their new die work (one from each of the five participants) were made available for $20 postpaid for the set. Orders should be sent to Joe Paonessa, 10 Virginia St., Racine, WI 53405. Allow two weeks for delivery.
During each week the Young Numismatists in attendance organized a donation auction for future Summer Seminar scholarships. From the two auctions, over $35,000 was raised, with some very spirited bidding.
The ANA Library held a duplicate book sale and it netted nearly $6,000.
Additionally, two-evening mini-seminars were on the agenda, as were evening bull sessions on various topics. Field trips were available on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, to the Cave of the Winds, the U.S. Mint in Denver and a Colorado Rockies Baseball game.
At a closing banquet for each weekly session, a numismatist was presented a Doctor of Numismatics award. Bill Fivaz and J.P. Martin were so honored this year.
The Summer Seminar was started in 1969 under the guidance of Ed Rochette, then editor of The Numismatist and Adna Wilde, then executive director, with just under 20 students. Susan McMillan was the coordinator for this year?s event.
For those thinking of participating in the 2009 classes, check out the course listings at the ANA Web site at www.money.org. Follow the tab under education, and then Summer Seminar.
The 16-page 2008 course listing is still posted, and one will notice that the most popular courses ? Grading Basics, Intermediate and Advanced levels, in addition to Coin Photography and Military Numismatics fill up fast.
Advance registration is recommended. 2009 will also start a new cycle of classes with one week each year in each of two-successive years for the Art of Engraving offered by the Gilroy Roberts Foundation. Applications should be available by the fall.
