Wednesday, August 15, 2018

As planned I spent a few days at the American Numismatic Association's World's Fair of Money this week in Philadelphia. I pointed my car northward about 7am and after a couple short stops arrived about 10:30am. After navigating to a spot in a nearby parking garage I checked into my room at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.

I joked with the clerk after he booked me into room 1776, a primo number for the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence. We talked about it being the "Presidential Suite", but later I thought "His Excellency's Suite" would be more appropriate. It was a nice, comfy room.

I saw a text on my phone from Numismatourist Howard Berlin who'd come in from Wilmington, DE. I told him I could meet him at the Numismatic Bibliomania Society table once I got through registration. I was actually preregistered, but I wanted to pick up some ribbons missing from my convention packet. The ANA's Cary Hardy swiftly found Glenn Smedley Recipient and Goodfellow ribbons.

Once I got onto the bourse floor I ended up passing up the NBS table which wasn't directly in the labelled aisle 1400. But I did get to briefly speak with Shanna Schmidt and her mom Ellen, then with Emma Pratt and Mary Lannin at the American Numismatic Society table.

NBS Table

I reached the NBS table and apologized to Howard for being late. We had a nice conversation, then I greeted Joel Orosz and Len Augsburger who were manning the table for the day. Here are some photos from various visits to the table during the show.

Augsburger and Orosz

Saul Teichman and Len Augsburger

Bob Evans and Len Augsburger with Charlie Davis next door

Sundman Series Luncheon

My next stop was the Sundman Luncheon. On the way out of the bourse I spoke briefly with Rob Rodriguez. After getting quite lost trying to find the room I hooked up for a bit with the equally lost Paul Gilkes of Coin World. After arriving at last (and late) I found a spot at a table with Fred Schwan and his wife, Brett Irick, and ANA Executive Director Kim Kiick. Later David Sundman stopped to visit. It was an enjoyable lunch. Conversation topics including the Newman Numismatic Portal and the ANA Edition of The E-Sylum.

I was really dragging by mid-afternoon and nearly missed seeing Pat McBride of PAN as we passed on the escalators after the luncheon.

A March Around the Bourse

I returned to the bourse floor to visit friends, E-Sylum supporters, and look for material for the Newman Numismatic Portal. Here are some photos.

Peter Preston-Morley of Dix Noonan Webb

DWN catalogue of the Bob Lyall Cut and Countermarked Collection

Jeff Zarit

Joe Lang and Mike Barry of Stephen Album Rare Coins

John Dannreuther and his new book on proof gold

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:

NEW BOOK: U.S. PROOF GOLD COINS VOL IV: GOLD (http://www.coinbooks.org/v21/esylum_v21n07a02.html)

Tony Terranova

Fred Weinberg

A Mint Encounter

I briefly ran into Mary Burleson chatting with Ken Bressett then followed the two of them over to the U.S. Mint booth to meet the new U.S. Mint Director David Ryder. He was very personable and gladly stood for several photos. Former Mint Director Ed Moy came by and it was old home week for him and the mint staff. Here are some photos.

1933 Double Eagle Exhibit

Ed Moy taking photo with Mint Police

Director Ryder next went to the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists booth for some more photo ops.

Richard Jewell, David Ryder and Ed Hammond

Ed Moy got a shot, too.

That evening a number of bibliophiles attended the Attinelli Society dinner at the City Tavern Restaurant, a 1976-built replica of a colonial era tavern. I greatly enjoyed my conversations with NBS President Tom Harrison and his wife Pam, Dave Perkins, Joel Orosz, Neil Musante, and others. It was a great colonial-style meal, but I was glad to get back to my hotel and call it a night.

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web