Submissions due to the ANA by April 5, 2013.

The American Numismatic Association is accepting papers on “Numismatics in its Relationship to World’s Fairs and Expositions” from authors and researchers who would like to be a part of the Maynard Sundman Littleton Coin Company Lecture Series.

Selected authors will be asked to deliver presentations in the Aug. 14 symposium at the ANA World’s Fair of Money^SM in Chicago. This year marks the 120^th anniversary of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition and the 70^th anniversary of the Century of Progress International Exposition, both held in Chicago.

Selected presenters will receive a $250 honorarium. Submissions, which are due April 5, should consist of a lecture summary that is 500 words or less. Each summary should contain an introduction, a brief discussion of the subject, sources and research method.

Priority is given to papers that emphasize areas of new research and scholarship.

Submit applications by mail to: Susan McMillan, Education Project Manager, American Numismatic Association, 818 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903; or by email to mcmillan@money.org. Electronic submissions are preferred but not required.

A panel will review submissions and choose talks based on originality, persuasiveness and relevance to the symposium topic.  Presenters will be notified by April 26, 2013.

Proceedings from the symposium will be published on the American Numismatic Association website (www.money.org). Presenters must provide an electronic copy and printout of their papers prior to the symposium.

For more information, contact McMillan at 719-482-9850 or mcmillan@money.org.

Symposium admission is free and open to all attendees of the ANA World’s Fair of Money.  For more information on the World’s Fair of Money, go to www.worldsfairofmoney.com/Sundman.

Fred Weinberg Interview

Atlanta was selected as the host city for the 2014 National Money Show^SM and Portland, Oregon, will be the location for the 2015 spring show following votes by the American Numismatic Association Board of Governors during an Oct. 20 meeting in Dallas.

The board voted to permanently move the spring show back to March, with some flexibility. This change begins with the Atlanta show, which will be held Feb. 27 to March 1 at the Cobb Galleria Centre.

The Portland show runs from March 5-7 at the Oregon Convention Center. The Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association and Willamette Coin Club were selected as host clubs.

The board considered the following factors: availability of the city and show dates, access to major flights, convention center rental fees, hotel costs and availability as well as the area’s collector base.

Known as America’s Gold Expert^SM, Fuljenz will autograph his books as part of the ANA’s author signings at 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 19, 2012, in the ANA Area, booth #537, in Hall D of the Dallas Convention Center, 650 S. Griffin.  He will give away a free copy of Indian Gold Coins of the 20th Century to the first two dozen people who register for it during his autograph session.  Additional copies will be available for purchase by the public at a discount rate of only $10 each, a 33 percent savings.

Honored as the Numismatic Literary Guild’s (NLG) 2010 Best Investment Book, Indian Gold Coins of the 20th Century looks at the history of the popular Indian Head design $2.50 (Quarter Eagle), $5 (Half Eagle) and $10 (Eagle) denomination U.S. gold coins.  It provides useful information and expert advice for collecting some ofAmerica’s most beautiful and popular rare coins.

Fuljenz examines the intriguing historical background and the controversies involved in the introduction of these revolutionary new U.S.gold coin designs spurred by President Theodore Roosevelt in the early 20th century.  A detailed, date-by-date analysis with color illustrations gives readers pertinent descriptions about the history of each date and mintmark as well as important comments about strike, luster, color and eye appeal.

He  includes overall rarity and uncirculated condition rarity rankings tabulated from Numismatic Guaranty Corporation and Professional Coin Grading Service population reports for grades MS-62 to MS-65.  There are also consumer education tips about protecting coins from theft, and the best ways to sell gold coins.

Published by Subterfuge Publishing, Indian Gold Coins of the 20th Century by Mike Fuljenz (ISBN:10-0981948898) has a retail priced of $14.95.  Copies are available by calling toll-free at (800) 877-3273.  It is also available on Amazon Kindle.

Fuljenz has won more national honors for excellence in more categories–an unparalleled 44 awards in 10 categories–than any other recipient of the prestigious NLG awards.

The ANA National Money Show in Dallas will be open to the public Thursday through Saturday, October 18 – 20, 2012.  Admission is $6 for adults, children 12 and under and ANA members will be admitted free.  Additional information is available online at www.NationalMoneyShow.com.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. The program includes four speakers plus access to the CSNA library from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more detailed information and any changes to the schedule, visit http://www.calcoin.org/symposia.html.

ANACS accepted submissions onsite at the show all three days.  Paul DeFelice, vice president of customer service and marketing, evaluated the show, “We are very glad we made the trip for the Ontario show and we look forward to attending future shows.”  ANACS is America’s oldest third-party coin authentication and grading service and attributes over 3,000 VAM varieties.

The VAM seminar held on Saturday proved to be a great learning opportunity for many novice collectors.  This popular forum was conducted by C Logan McKecknie and featured authors Jeff Oxman and Mark Witkower, some of the leading VAM experts in the country.  Moderators noted a lot of new faces and increased attendance levels.

Jeff Wuller, Arrowhead Coin and Jewelry of Glendale, AZ summarized, “It’s not the best economy, but we were happy.  Business was subdued, but steady.  Dealers that come with fresh material, stock variety and are willing to wholesale will hit their numbers.  I have two stores that supply me with new coins and currency and, as a result, I reached my sales expectations by Thursday.

Two Boy Scout merit badge workshops were taught by Patti Finner former ANA vice-president, on Friday and Saturday, attracting 116 scouts, family and leaders. This included one Girl Scout.  Sixty-seven scouts were given congratulatory gifts from two dealers.  Armando Nieto, Del Rosa Coin and Stamp of San Bernardino, CA donated 45 proof sets and Terry Gilbert, LLG Coins and Currency of Norco, CA contributed 35 $1 and 5 $2 silver certificates. Finner reported, “Some of the Boy Scouts have volunteered to return in December to help with the classes.  By offering this assistance, they earn hours toward their citizenship badge which requires community service.”

Six coin and stamp clubs staffed tables, displayed exhibits and offered free numismatic materials.  Represented at the show were San Bernardino County Coin Club, Long Beach Stamp Club, Covina Coin Club, Upland Coin Club, Long Beach Coin Club and the Numismatic Association of Southern California.  Alex Jaramillo, San Bernardino Coin Club president, added up club turn-out, “With the help of members Tony Micciche, Don Lannon and Ken Crum, we handed out information to over 150 people.  Every time we set up at the show, we see a few new members or new faces at our meetings.”  Glen Franks, Covina Coin Club president, analyzed Friday’s activity, “We picked up a few prospective members and tomorrow we may pick up some Boy Scouts getting their coin collecting badge.”

The SoCal Coin and Currency Show is held twice a year and is located five minutes from the Ontario International Airport, 45 min from Southern California tourist attractions.  The winter show is set for December 6-8, 2012 at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, California.  Table fees start at $385, early bird admission is $40 and general admission is $3.  Discount coupon is downloadable online. There is free admission for members of any coin or stamp club, military in uniform, seniors 65 or over and for children 8 years old or younger.   If you would like more information contact Dawn at CK Shows 888-330-5188 or 800-208-1810, info@ckshows.com or visit ckshows.com.

The showcase includes rarities from the ANA’s Edward C. Rochette Money Museum and exclusive private collections. Located on the bourse floor at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, the showcase will feature informative, museum-quality exhibits with audio tours. Several rarities will make their Showcase debut in Denver, including the 1792 Half Disme.

“The Museum Showcase is an unparalleled feature of ANA shows and provides visitors with an educational and entertaining view of spectacular numismatic objects,” ANA President Tom Hallenbeck said. “We are able to present these treasures because of our wonderful collection and the generosity of our members.”

Most exhibits will be accompanied by Money Talks, the ANA’s cell phone-guided audio tours, which are written and narrated by some of the country’s most knowledgeable authors and experts. Go to www.NationalMoneyShow.com/museum-showcase to listen to podcasts of these tours as they are released.

Following is a list of Museum Showcase exhibits to be displayed in Denver. The ANA is also completing arrangements for exhibits on Indian Peace Medals, Colorado territorial gold and Colorado gold nuggets.

The 1792 Half Disme
An estimated 1,500 half disme silver coins were struck in the basement of a saw-maker’s shop in Philadelphia in 1792 because the U.S. Mint was not yet operational. The coins – slightly smaller than a modern dime and weighing half as much – were first authorized by President Washington under the Mint Act of 1792. Thomas Jefferson, who was then serving as secretary of state, personally received the coins on Washington’s behalf.

Modern researchers estimate that about 275 of the 1,500 originally struck survive today. The coin on display in the showcase was donated to the Money Museum in January by Steven L. Contursi, president of Rare Coin Wholesalers of Irvine, Calif.

Lesher Referendum Dollars
Seldom-seen, oddly shaped Lesher Dollars are interesting, rare pieces of money in Colorado’s history. These octagonal silver “coins” were privately issued by Joseph Lesher in Victor, Colo., in 1900 and 1901 to boost local commerce and support silver mining. Various merchants punched their names into the coins, which was a form of advertisement and a message that Lesher dollars could be used to trade for goods and services at said business.

It’s not clear how many Lesher dollars were actually struck — Lesher himself said in a 1914 interview that between 3,000-3,500 were minted, but noted Lesher Dollar researcher Adna Wilde believed only about 1,870 were made, of which only 550 were documented at the time.

Money Talks audio tour: Token dealer and Lesher Dollar collector Chris Marchase tells the story of Joseph Lesher’s unusual dollars. Call 719-325-7608 and press 5#.

The Idler/Bebee Class III Specimen 1804 Dollar
Known as “The King of U.S. Coins,” the 1804 dollar is extremely rare, with only 15 known examples. No U.S. dollars dated 1804 actually were struck in that year; Class I specimens were struck in 1834-5 as diplomatic gifts (8 known), while Class II (unique) and III specimens (6 known) were struck during the 1850s for collectors. The Idler/Bebee specimen was donated to the ANA by Aubrey and Adeline Bebee in 1991.

Money Talks audio tour: Kenneth E. Bressett, who co-authored “The Fantastic 1804 Dollar” with Eric Newman, discusses the lore, origins and history behind the 1804 Dollar. Call 719-325-7608 and press 1#.

The McDermott/Bebee Specimen 1913 Liberty Head “V” Nickel
Five Liberty Head nickels were made in 1913 under mysterious circumstances. The existence of the nickels was unknown until 1919, when an advertisement in The Numismatist offered to purchase any example for $500. The ad was placed by Samuel W. Brown, a former Mint employee. In 1920 Brown exhibited all five nickels at the ANA convention in Chicago. The McDermott/Bebee specimen was donated to the ANA by Aubrey and Adeline Bebee in 1989.

Money Talks audio tour: NGC Chairman Mark Salzberg has authenticated all five 1913 Liberty Head Nickels and has many insights on these coins. Call 719-325-7608 and press 2#.

The National Bank Notes of Colorado
A wide range of rare National Bank notes from Colorado, as a territory and state, will be on display.

Money Talks audio tour: ANA Governor and paper money expert Wendell Wolka leads this tour of National Bank Notes. Call 719-325-7608 and press 3#.

The BEP Billion Dollar Display
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is also participating in the Money Talks tours. Paper money expert and ANA Governor Wendell Wolka narrated a five-stop tour of the BEP’s Billion Dollar Display. Call 719-325-7608, press 7#, 8#, 9#, 10# and 11#.

The National Money Show features more than 500 dealers with an exhaustive numismatic inventory, great educational programming, and a variety of special events, family events and children’s activities. Show hours are 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. May 10-11 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 12. Admission is $6 for adults and free for ANA members and children 12 and under.  For more information or to download a $2-off admission coupon, go to www.NationalMoneyShow.com.

Scouts learning about foreign currency.

Straight from the organizer’s press release:

Attendance is expected to be up at the SoCal Coin & Currency Show, held December 8-10 at the Ontario Convention Center, 2000 Convention Center Way, Ontario, CA 91764.  The continued surge in gold and silver prices is driving new faces onto the bourse floor.   Whether convention goers come to sell, invest or hedge against the future, many become interested in the hobby and start a collection here.

The event features over 200 dealers buying and selling gold, U.S. and world coins, currency, stamps, tokens, ancients, collectibles and jewelry, special guest speakers, exhibits and young numismatist activities.

Public hours open Thursday 12pm to 7pm, Friday 10am-7pm, and end Saturday 10am-5pm.

Admission is $3 for all three days.  Coin club members will gain free admission by showing their membership card. Free entry will also be offered to seniors, active military and all boy or girl scouts in uniform.

Dollar enthusiasts will have a rare opportunity to learn about VAMs from one of the foremost VAM experts, C Logan McKecknie of VAMS and More.  This limited-seating mini seminar is scheduled for Saturday at 12:15 p.m.

Attendees can tour ideas and designs of America’s state quarters with Garrett Burke, author of Quarterama and concept designer of the California state quarter at 1:40pm.

The SoCal Coin and Currency Show is also offering free tables for coin clubs to attract new members, raise revenue and display exhibits.  To reserve your free club table, please call 800-208-1810.

A big draw is the show’s Kid’s Korner, which sponsors free Boy Scout Merit Badge Workshop and mini coin classes for kids age 6-12.  Classes are taught by Patty Finner, former vice-president of the American Numismatic Association. Boy Scouts can pre-register for either Friday or Saturday session by calling 715-252-2003.

The SoCal Coin and Currency Show is held twice a year.  The summer show is set for July19-21, 2012.   Discount coupon is downloadable online.  For more information call Dawn at CK Shows 888-330-5188 or 800-208-1810, email info@ckshows.com  or log on to ckshows.com.

Scouts learning about foreign currency

Family reviewing coins with dealer Glen Schinke

True or False:
1. It is OK to handle raw coins like they’re ordinary pocket change. False
2. Make sure other customers can also see what’s in a dealer’s cases. True
3. Attending a show is costly, so allow the dealer to make a little bit of money. True
4. Place bags, purses, backpacks, etc. in your lap or on the floor between your feet. False
5. Always negotiate the price. False
6. Thank the dealer when you leave his table. True