WAYNE'S NUMISMATIC DIARY: 2026 ANA, PART 1

One the morning of Tuesday, August 25 I set out for Pittsburgh and the 2026 American Numismatic Association World's Fair of Money. I always look forward to the first old friend I encounter. Usually that happens before I even enter the bourse. This time it wasn't a person. Outside my hotel I couldn't help but notice...

... the Wienermobile! Last time I saw this classic American kitsch-kar, it was parked in front of a Baltimore hotel at another ANA decades ago, perhaps 1993.

I guess that made me hungry - I stopped for lunch at Condado, a taco shop right up the street. I ate in the upstairs dining room. Pittsburgh's leafier than you might expect.

I saw my first human coin show friend upon leaving the restaurant - ANA Executive Director Kim Kiick was heading the other way on a scooter. I warned her that the sidewalk ahead was missing a couple bricks. I'm a couple bricks shy of a load myself.

Once inside the convention center I stopped at registration to get my lanyard and name card. It's a very different experience now than in years past. I used to look forward to chatting with a number of ANA staffers, but computer technology has greatly reduced their numbers. Board member Ken Sammut printed and assembled my badge. The ANA no longer gives out ribbons indicating your awards, years of membership etc. These are printed in small print below your name. It feels chinzy, but that's progress, I guess. I'd prefer a longer card with these printed in larger, readable font as a better replacement for the ribbons.

I'm traveling today, so my Diary this week is short. I'll have more to report in subsequent issues. Meanwhile, here are more photos from my first day at the show.

Charles Davis table: Kerry Wetterstrom, unknown, Charlie Davis

LEFT: NBS table Tom Harrison, Maria Fanning, Dave Fanning in background
RIGHT: Richard Colanna showing his grading machine

Wayne Herndon examines coins

Robert Van Ryzin

Andy Lustig

Andy Lustig's U.S Paterns and etc.

Whitman display case

2027 Redbook Large Print Edition

Kathy Freeland, Judy Schwan

LEFT: Dave Harper, Fred Schwan
RIGHT: SS Central America 1857 Exhibit

SS Central America Ship's Bell

SS Central America Oil Lamp

LEFT: SS Central America Paper Treasures
RIGHT: Bob Evans

John "JD" Dannreuther with New of New York Fugio booklet

Dannreuther shows velvet box that once held St. Gaudens gold

More next week!

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web