The
ANA Summer Seminar, of Course!
By
Frank Van Valen, Numismatist and Cataloger, U.S. Coins
Let’s face it, we’re
all collectors or we wouldn’t be reading this blog in the first place. As
collectors, we often look outside of our own collecting comfort zone and seek
new pursuits or numismatic avenues to wander down, always with an eye peeled
for the next interesting purchase. What if I told you one of the best bargains
and most fun times in numismatics had nothing at all to do with purchasing a
coin or a note or a medal for your collection?
The annual American Numismatic
Association Summer Seminar, held in Colorado Springs, Colorado at the foot of
Pike’s Peak for the past 45 years, is an event not to be missed. It happens for
two consecutive weeks each and every summer, with Week 1 held this year June
22-28, and Week 2 June 29-July 5. Imagine hundreds of students from across the
country -- and around the world – converging on the campus of Colorado College
on Cascade Avenue where they stay in dorm rooms (or privately off-campus if desired),
eat at community meals, and enjoy a five-day class on the numismatic topic of
their choice. And don’t forget the camaraderie! You’ll meet other collectors
and forge lifetime friendships in the grandest tradition of numismatics. And, I
will be instructing there during Week 2. (Oh, and if you’re there during Week
2, as I will be, the fireworks are great in Colorado Springs!)
My first experience
at the ANA Summer Seminar was way back in June 1985 when I attended a class on
counterfeit detection taught by J.P. Martin, Mary Sauvain, and Pedro Collazzo.
I was awarded a National Coin Week all-expenses paid scholarship to the seminar
and selected the counterfeiting course knowing full well I’d probably benefit
greatly from the experience. Dave Bowers was president of the ANA in 1985 and
was seen constantly around campus; little did I dream two short years later I
would begin a career in professional numismatics for Mr. Bowers that has lasted
to this day! I met Ken Bressett, now editor of A Guide Book of United States Coins, the familiar “Red Book” we all
value so dearly, along with Bill Fivaz, two familiar names in numismatics, and
two friends to this day.
In 2001 I was
approached by Gail Baker of the ANA and asked if I would like to team-up with
David Lange, NGC historian, and instruct a course on collecting U.S. type coins.
Dave and Ken Bressett had done the course together previously, and as Ken was
stepping down, I accepted the challenge. I had never met Dave Lange before
this, but true to Summer Seminar form, we have become fast friends,
numismatically and otherwise, and have now taught together many times in “The
Springs.”
Our course is based
on the Guide Book format. We take
every type in the book, half cents through double eagles, and discuss them at
length. From 1793 to 1933, if it was made in a U.S. Mint for intended
circulation, we cover it in detail. Each student is given a folder with a black
and white line drawing of each type which they are free to mark or make notes
upon as we discuss areas of striking weakness, the design high points, where to
look for breaks in luster, as well as who designed each type, what we know of
the design origins, weight statutes and changes, and so on. Students are
encouraged to bring their type coins to class for show-and-tell which happens
every afternoon just after lunch.
Of course, the Summer
Seminar is not just about my “Collecting United States Type Coins” class. There
are numerous courses offered from beginning to advanced grading, classes on copper
coins, early pre-federal money in America, photography, engraving, and the list
goes on and on with dozens of topics and courses to choose from. And the night
life! There are mini-seminars virtually every night on varied topics, and each
of the two weeks there is a YN (Young Numismatists) auction that is a highlight
none of us “old timers” like to miss. The fun factor is through the roof at the
event and the proceeds go toward scholarships for future YN visits to the
Summer Seminar. Most evenings adults can be found at the “Moonlight Lounge,” a
large patio on campus, “out back a ways,” where collectors and friends from
around the country gather to tell their numismatic tales and otherwise have a
good time. More than one impromptu bluegrass session has broken out there over
the years. Indeed, last year, 2012, we could the Waldo canyon fires just a few
miles away, fires that made the national news and destroyed more than 300
houses during seminar week.
I look forward every
year to my trip to Colorado Springs to participate in one of the greatest forms
of relaxation I know – immersed in coins, coin lore, and friendship. You should
give it a try. The ANA can be found at www.money.org,
their website, which will give you links to the Summer Seminar and all the
organization’s other fine activities. If you read this and attend, come up and
introduce yourself to me, it will be fun to meet you. Hope to see you there!
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