In the end, grace and gratitude were the end notes struck by the outgoing American Numismatic Association board of governors as it met in the days just prior to the Aug. 8 opening of the organization’s World’s Fair of Money in Milwaukee, Wis.

During two days of meetings, the board deferred action on the controversial proposal to amend the bylaws. This occurred following a brief discussion during the board’s Aug. 7 morning session.

The bylaws topic opened with the spirited objections of ANA treasurer Adna G. Wilde Jr. He is also parliamentarian. He cited both the current bylaws and the federal charter of the ANA as basis for his recommendation to the board not to vote on the bylaws at this time.

Legislation has been simultaneously introduced in the House and Senate to allow the Treasury secretary to change the composition of American coinage, and to allow public participation in the process.

The bills, H.R. 3330 and S. 1986, were introduced just before Congress was scheduled to start a summer vacation that should last until after Labor Day. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., chair of the House Financial Services Committee, and Coinage subcommittee chair Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., introduced the measure in the House. Colorado’s two senators, Wayne Mallard and Ken Salazar, representing the state where the Denver Mint is located, put forth the measure in the Senate.

Odyssey Marine Exploration (NASDAQ:OMEX), the world’s leader in the field of deep-ocean shipwreck exploration, has filed a quarterly report with the Securities and Exchange Commission detailing results of the Company’s second quarter 2007.

For the second quarter of 2007, Odyssey reported revenue of $1.7 million, compared to $1.9 million in the second quarter 2006. The Company reported a net loss of $6.3 million, compared to a net loss of $4.2 million in 2006.

As you read this, either at www.CoinWorldOnline.com or in the print edition of Coin World, trading activities culminating in the American Numismatic Association convention have begun.

Major auctions planned include Superior Galleries’ Milwaukee Elite Auction, Bowers and Merena Auctions’ August 2007 Milwaukee Rarities Sale and Stack’s auction of the J.A. Sherman Collection of rare coins and minerals. Heritage Auction Galleries will conduct the official ANA World’s Fair of Money auction during the ANA convention Aug. 8 through 12. Heritage will be auctioning U.S. and world coins and paper money.

Heritage has become a major player in the world auction scene as the firm has also ventured into the world of fine art auctions, competing with such old names as Christies and Sotheby’s. Heritage also auctions many other collectible areas.