ANA LAUNCHES NEW EDUCATIONAL VIDEO SERIES

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V18 2015 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 18, Number 51, December 20, 2015, Article 9

A Coin Update article on December 18, 2105 discusses the new video series from the American Numismatic Association. -Editor

The American Numismatic Association has launched a new video series called “Video Vignettes,” featuring ANA Education Director Rod Gillis. The clips range from 3 to 5 minutes in length and cover topics aimed at helping collectors become more judicious and informed.

Three videos have already been uploaded to the ANA’s Web site; they are included below along with brief descriptions provided by the American Numismatic Association.

COIN COLLECTING 101
This brief introduction for the beginner stresses the importance of deciding how to collect so that you can collect intelligently and derive the maximum amount of thrill from the hobby. Specific coin types are mentioned to help you focus on your collecting interests.

UNDERSTANDING GRADING
Many people shy away from grading. This discussion explains the two major different approaches to grading, and highlights resources that will aid you in expanding your grading knowledge.

WHAT GIVES COINS VALUE?
In this brief discussion, learn the three most important variables that determine how much a coin is worth. Hint: One variable that has very little to do with value may be the first one that comes to mind.

I applaud the ANA for this new effort. The younger generation is a video generation, as I've seen firsthand with my own kids. If there isn't a YouTube video on a topic, it might as well not exist.

Coin Collecting 101 offers solid advice to a beginner, and as a bibliophile I enjoyed the backdrop of bookshelves, providing a subtle reminder that there's a lot to be learned in this hobby. While the editing was good (superimposing images of the coins being discussed), I would recommend placing even more visual emphasis on the coins themselves - switch from a talking head to a voiceover mode for significant stretches of the video. Show the coins full screen in all their numismatic and artistic glory instead of a small inset above the narrator's shoulder.

The earlier ANA Money Talks series of short audio programs tailored for radio would be ideal for repurposing for video. Great scripts and narration already exist, and historical images and photos of numismatic items could be added independently by a video editor working with a researcher who would locate appropriate images. -Editor

To view the videos from the ANA web site, see:
VIDEO VIGNETTES (www.money.org/video-vignettes)