HomeClubs & OrganizationsANA Summer Seminar: Numismatic Vacation

ANA Summer Seminar: Numismatic Vacation

If you have a serious interest in numismatics, you should consider spending one or two weeks attending Summer Seminar

By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) ……
The American Numismatic Association (ANA) offers a tremendous amount of educational opportunities for collectors. There is a world-class museum, the only lending numismatic library in the country and amazing coin conventions. Our education department is staffed by highly qualified professionals who work year round to promote numismatic education. As a matter of fact, both the Federal Charter of the organization and its strategic plan emphasize numismatic education.

With all of the great educational opportunities the ANA offers, none, in my opinion, match the yearly Summer Seminars. This annual ritual each summer is a gathering of 300-400 collectors, dealers and instructors for two weeks of solid numismatic immersion. There is no better place for numismatic scholarship and camaraderie. Your knowledge of the subject you choose to study will increase dramatically and you will probably make some friends for life.

The Summer Seminars hold a very special place in my heart. In 1974, I was awarded a scholarship to attend Summer Seminar. At the age of 16, my parents allowed me to take my first airplane flight and travel alone to Colorado Springs to attend the seminar. To say I was excited would be a massive understatement. My choice of study for the week was Colonial Coinage being taught by Ken Bressett, the editor of A Guide Book of United States Coins (the “Red Book“). I had never met a legend of numismatics, let alone spend a week under their tutelage.

Young Numismatist Jeff Garrett attends the ANA Summer Seminar, 1974. Image courtesy Jeff Garrett

Young Numismatists attending the 1974 Summer Seminar – Jeff is standing, on the right. Image courtesy Jeff Garrett, NGC

I knew very little about Colonial coinage before that week—actually almost nothing. Ken was an amazing mentor and gave our small class a complete overview of the subject. Later, when I became a professional numismatist, this knowledge served me well. I was able to buy and sell coins in a complicated area of the market with confidence. I have remained friends with Ken Bressett and now we work together on the annual editions of the Red Book. That week in 1974 truly changed my life.

If you have a serious interest in numismatics, you should consider spending one or two weeks attending Summer Seminar. I can think of no better way to spend time this summer than taking a numismatic vacation. There are classes in a wide range of subjects covering topics to suit every collector’s interests. There are many tuition and lodging options to choose from. As mentioned above, the ANA also offers scholarship opportunities. Complete details of the Summer Seminar can be found at money.org.

The most popular classes during Summer Seminar are the Grading United States Coins, Part One, Part Two and Advanced. These classes are taught by world-class graders, including several who are full-time graders at NGC. The instructors for Summer Seminar are an amazing resource for the ANA and we all owe them a debt of gratitude for taking time to share their expertise with our students. These classes can be particularly important for anyone interested in becoming a professional numismatist. Several of the current instructors started as students many years ago and countless numismatic careers have been launched by attending these classes.

The ANA offers an amazing variety of classes for those attending Summer Seminar. This year’s classes include the following:

Session One, June 17-22

  • Grading United States Coins Part 1
  • Grading United States Coins Part 2
  • Detection of Counterfeit and Altered Coins
  • The Business of Being a Coin Dealer
  • Collecting and Investing in Morgan Silver Dollars
  • Collecting Roman Coinage
  • Colonial Americana
  • Liberty Seated Coinage
  • The History of Mexico through Paper Money
  • Medals in America
  • Introduction to Digital Photography
  • Collecting United States Type Coins
  • Carving Hobo Nickels
  • Creating Numismatic Exhibits

Session Two, June 24-29

  • Grading United States Coins Part 1
  • Grading United States Coins Part 2
  • Advanced Grading United States Coins
  • Detection of Counterfeit and Altered Coins
  • Counterfeit World Paper Money
  • Collecting Barber Coinage
  • Secrets of Flying Eagle and Indian Cents
  • Introduction to Digital Photography
  • British Numismatics
  • Modern Minting Process
  • Early American Coinage II
  • Byzantine Coinage
  • Making Money the Medieval Way
  • The Art of Engraving
  • Intaglio Engraving

During the two weeks there are also numerous mini-seminars, evening bull sessions, book sales, YN auctions and tours of local attractions. You can also visit ANA headquarters and see our amazing museum, meet staff and find out what the ANA is all about. I cannot recommend attending Summer Seminar enough. You may not decide to become a professional coin dealer like I did after attending, but your enjoyment and understanding of the hobby will be greatly enhanced. When someone in the family suggests Disney World, tell them you’re heading to Colorado Springs!

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Questions about the rare coin market? Send them to [email protected].

Jeff Garrett bio

Jeff Garrett
Jeff Garretthttps://rarecoingallery.com/
Jeff Garrett, founder of Mid-American Rare Coin Galleries, is considered one of the nation’s top experts in U.S. coinage — and knowledge lies at the foundation of Jeff’s numismatic career. With more than 35 years of experience, he is one of the top experts in numismatics. The “experts’ expert,” Jeff has personally bought and sold nearly every U.S. coin ever issued. Not a day goes by that someone doesn’t call on Jeff Garrett for numismatic advice. This includes many of the nation’s largest coin dealers, publishers, museums, and institutions. In addition to owning and operating Mid-American Rare Coin Galleries, Jeff Garrett is a major shareholder in Sarasota Rare Coin Galleries. His combined annual sales in rare coins and precious metals — between Mid-American in Kentucky and Sarasota Rare Coin Galleries in Florida — total more than $25 million. Jeff Garrett has authored many of today’s most popular numismatic books, including Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795–1933: Circulating, Proof, Commemorative, and Pattern Issues; 100 Greatest U.S. Coins; and United States Coinage: A Study By Type. He is also the price editor for The Official Redbook: A Guide Book of United States Coins. Jeff was also one of the original coin graders for the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). He is today considered one of the country’s best coin graders and was the winner of the 2005 PCGS World Series of Grading. Today, he serves as a consultant to Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), the world’s largest coin grading company. Jeff plays an important role at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Numismatic Department and serves as a consultant to the museum on funding, exhibits, conservation, and research. Thanks to the efforts of Jeff and many others, rare U.S. coins are once again on exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of American History. Jeff has been a member of the Professional Numismatic Guild (PNG) since 1982 and has recently served as president of the organization. He has also served as the ANA President and as a member of the ANA Board of Governors.

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