Should I renew my ANA?

As an ancients collector I'm not sure what the ANA does for me? What do ya'll think?

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

It really depends on what you mean by what the ANA does for ya'.

 

Eh, an article in each month's Numismatist. I keep mine going, but more for the hobby's health than anything. I get a ton more value out of ONS.

 

I will renew for the hobby's health. Thank you!

 

The ANA summer seminar includes a 1-week class entitled "Ancient Greek Coinage: An Overview of the World's First Coins". Also, I think there is a 1-week class on Medieval coinage this year.

 

Yeah, the seminar's usually have something for an ancient person. I didn't talk about that since its fairly pricey to go. Another benefit is submission rights to NGC and Hugh wood insurance. I don't use either, but others do.

 

Thanks!

 

What's the ANA?





Okay, I found a probable link ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Numismatic_Association

 

ANA is a TLA (three letter acrconym). ANA stands for American Numismatic Association. The ANA Website is www.money.org

 

It's the American version of the RCNA.

 

I bought a life membership in the ANA in the 1980's. I get the magazine through thick and thin, and it keeps me connected to the hobby. I have been using H Wood insurance company and it's the best check I write each year - for the peace of mind. I use NGC; everyone agrees it's the best tpgs for ancients. I have borrowed books from the library by mail. The upside is that you can test drive a book before you buy it, and the downside is that it's expensive because of the mailing costs.

 

Well, about the "best TPG for ancients", I guess maybe it is. However, I would say most ancient collectors would argue no TPG is useful to our hobby. I actually deduct money I am willing to pay for an ancient if its slabbed due to my work to break the coin out.

However, for modern coins like key dates, etc I agree they are useful, and its helpful to be able to submit directly to NGC.

 

I know, I know. "Real" ancients collectors don't get their coins slabbed. However, when I pass my mint state zuzzim around the Seder table, I would hate to see them dropped into the chicken soup!

 

I was an ANA member back when I had a J in front of my number but never felt ANA was serious about ancients. The articles back then were not of high value. The straw that broke the camel's back was when I tried to borrow a book from their library and was told they had it but it was in too bad shape to lend. Bye. I would like to own one issue of the Numismatist since I bought a coin that was illustrated in it in an article according to the seller. We laughed about it then since the article did not mention a legend error on the coin. It was just another coin. Is it fair to hold bad experiences from the 60's and 80's against a group in 2015? Of course not. Do I?

I have heard positive things about the ANA classes in ancients but always from people who used them to be introduced to ancients and not those who would be in a position to judge a college level class from kindergarten. The secret of classes is a lot like books. You have to find a level that is not over your head and not something you could have written. Does anyone know who runs the ANA ancients effort? Have you taken the classes? What did you learn?

 

I never said anything about "real" ancient collectors sir, only "most". I did not mean to offend.

Btw, you could simple put your coin in a flip and heat seal the end. Coin still protected and it cost you maybe $.20.

 

This is the best reason I have ever heard for slabs. I only object to them because you can't open them up to enjoy the coin. I'm not sure if anyone makes recloseable holders with souper seals.

 

I started to hit the like button, but hesitated. I more then "like" your post - I triple like it!

 

This may not be quite the same question but some collectors enjoy owning a few coins that can be passed around without fear of damage. If you have less than mint state coins, you can let preschoolers or high schoolers handle things 2000 years old which is usually the oldest thing they have ever seen. I have had parents express surprise that I would let kids handle such museum appropriate things. Being able to touch a VG is cooler than being shown a MS69 in a slab. I have a number of coins that would not be harmed by the soup but I am less sure you want to eat the soup after it has been used to clean my coins.

 

This comment gave me a chuckle! I agree with Doug - best reason for a slab I've heard.

 

While I am 68 years old, I won't consider that I will be an ancient collector for another two years. I am, however, an ancients collector. Loool.