Congratulations to the American Numismatic Association on their quasquicentennial anniversary year! Here's an excerpt from their
press release, published January 6, 2016. -Editor
In the 19th century, information about specialized subject matters was hard to obtain, particularly about something as curious as
numismatics – the study of coins, paper currency, tokens and medals. Meeting fellow collectors was nearly impossible, especially for those
who lived too remote to take advantage of numismatic societies in large cities.
Such was the dilemma of Dr. George Heath of Monroe, Michigan, a coin collector whose efforts at obtaining additional knowledge of the
hobby and specimens for his collection were hampered by his location. Supported by his conviction that there was a need for an organization
that would reach all collectors, Dr. Heath posed the question, “What is the matter with having an American Numismatic Association?” And so
in 1891, Dr. Heath and other numismatists met in Chicago and with 61 charter members founded the American Numismatic Association. “There is
nothing like the alliance of kindred pursuits to stimulate growth and interest,” Heath said.
In the last 125 years, the ANA has grown to become the largest nonprofit numismatic organization in the world. The Association provides
its 24,000 members access to the best educational programs in the hobby – seminars, lectures, correspondence courses and online learning
opportunities – plus the opportunity to engage with like-minded collectors at two annual conventions.
In the early years, conventions provided the opportunity for members to come together, but relatively few took part due to the
limitations of travel. The strength of ANA membership depended upon the quality of The Numismatist, a publication first printed and
published by Dr. Heath in 1888. Heath did his best to spark interest and provide a wide array of articles, biographical sketches, news
items, and the ever-interesting tidbits.
Today, The Numismatist remains the gold standard of hobby publications. In December 2015, the ANA digitized all 127 volumes --
110,000-plus pages of numismatic history available at the click of a mouse. The online digital editions look exactly like the printed
originals, allowing users to experience The Numismatist in its historical context.
National recognition was achieved by the ANA in 1912, when it was granted a Federal Charter, signed by President William H. Taft. An
amendment to make the charter permanent was introduced in 1962, and was signed by President John F. Kennedy.
As the Association flourished, a call was made for a national home and headquarters, and a building fund was established in 1961. Sixteen
cities in the central region of the U.S. bid for the location. Ultimately, Colorado Springs, Colorado was selected, and ground-breaking ceremonies
were held in 1966. Thanks to the contributions of nearly 4,000 donors, the ANA headquarters was dedicated and opened on June 10, 1967.
The organization's flagship publication was begun in 1888, so The Numismatist celebrated its quasquicentennial back in 2013.
-Editor
To read the complete article, see:
THE NUMISMATIST CELEBRATES ITS 125TH ANNIVERSARY
(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n05a13.html)
Wayne Homren, Editor
The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization
promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org.
To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor
at this address: whomren@gmail.com
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