The ANA for rich people...

http://numismatics.org/Membership/ABSS

Sage Society Membership is available to those making an annual contribution to the ANS of $2,500 or more. Those who join can take pride in knowing that they not only belong to an exclusive community of like-minded numismatists, but also that they provide critical support that enables the ANS to engage in exciting new projects while maintaining its position as the foremost institution of its kind.

Benefits for Members

• Travel opportunities to visit private and public numismatic collections throughout the world
• Exclusive Sage Society receptions and lectures by renowned scholars
• Private tours of the ANS collection and library, including the Rare Book Room and Coin Vault
• Private curatorial consulting
• Choice of two complimentary ANS publications per year, as well as a 40% discount on all ANS publications
• Acknowledgement in the ANS Magazine and Annual Report
• Year-round access to the ANS research facilities and collections
• Opportunities to meet other top numismatic scholars and collectors
• Subscriptions to ANS Magazine and the American Journal of Numismatics

 

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Not to be rude, but what are you trying to get at?

 

Nothing really. Just thought it was amusing that there exists a numismatic society that is 2.5k a year to join.

I'm sure there a few very "well off" collectors that are members. People who collect gold coins by the dozen, etc.

 

It is quite interesting, thank you for posting it. I don't really think it a society with a $2,500 price tag, though. The American Numismatic Society is an excellent organization, that supports numismatic scholarship and learning and the annual membership price is only $75 ($50 for students) . I wish I lived close to the library, it's incredible! Anyway, these are basically just the perks given to you if you donate $2,500 or more. I'm grateful for these large contributes though, without them, a very beneficial organization likely wouldn't exist.

Jesse

 

Any members here on CT?

 

He's getting at the unfairness of people that work hard and are money smart vs people like him that want everyone to hand them everything.

 

ANS? Yes

 

To some people you are "rich" if you have any money to spend on something like a coin collection. It is all a matter of perspective.

 

Last month I posted a link to this story, by the way:
http://www.coinsweekly.com/en/page/4?&id=2573

An article about a visit to the ANS. With several links at the bottom, including one about the actual membership fees ...

Christian

 

So for the price of a nice coin, you gain some additional privileges? I don't get the OP's insinuation.

 

Tim: I checked out the link provided by Christian (great article by the way!). Student membership is $50/year. The rate of $2,500 you cited is for Life Associate for Members over 60. There seem to be lots of other reasonable rates. TC

 

$2,500 means you are "well off"? By your standards, I may be filthy rich. I think I'll keep working just in case.

 

What does the ANA have to do
with ANS?

 

I don't really understand your point Tim. These societies exist to benefit this hobby. There are a lot of people who believe in that and financially support it. I'm not sure you have to be "rich" to do that...you just have to believe the benefits are worth the expense.

 

Not only was Gus Sage a key figure in founding the ANS, he and Charles Bushnell may have carried out the very first public forum flame war, through Gleanings of Coins, a column published in the New York Sunday Dispatch. I bet collectors who belong to the Sage Society are quite proud of it. Just as collectors are proud of owning a coin that was once owned by a famous collector.

 

At just over $6 a day,thats less than most people spend on skunky coffee from Starbucks daily. Sounds like a great deal to me. Too bad I don't live closer to NYC.

 

While I wouldn't spend that money for that perk, it's all relative.

My friends can't believe I will spend $1500 on a coin or $5000 on a golf membership. I don't make much money(midwest cop) but I am smart with it and have saved and invested well so I can enjoy certain things like golfing, hunting and coin collecting. Most people won't get $5000 enjoyment playing golf but I do. Just like I won't get $2500 enjoyment out of that membership but I'm certain others do.

When guys give me crap about my golf or coins I point out their trucks that they pay $800/mo to drive and another $400 in fuel. I point out their Harley payments and cigarette/bar tabs. My employers charges all tobacco users $500/yr surcharge on health insurance. By the time they buy cigs and pay that they are at about $2500/yr. They spend it because they like to smoke. Not my place to judge.

Of course I still own 2 tube tvs, drive a moderately fuel efficient car with no bells/whistles and hunt with guns/bows I've had for a decades. It's all about choices and sacrifices we are willing to make.

So you might want to sit back and assess your situation and see how your prioritize your money. I'm guessing we won't all agree that you spend your money in what "we" consider worthwhile ways. It doesn't make your way wrong, just different.

OK, rant over.

 

And I thought my $3000 country club dues were high...

Great post by the way.

 

BTW Dectecto, The ANA probably has American Numismatics before the Civil War 1760-1860-Bowers. There is a lot in that book about Sage that you or any young collector may find inspirational. He accomplished a lot at very young age.

 

It's just like anything else...if the benefit is worth the cost then people will pay for it. It doesn't mean they are rich. I certainly am not rich...but I pay about $3000 a year for my football tickets. They are worth it to me, but might not be to someone else.