(Fallbrook, California) – The Board of Directors of the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) is praising the American Numismatic Association for making significant progress in resolving the association’s cash problems, and urging ANA members to carefully consider the qualifications of candidates running in this year’s elections.

“The ANA Board, Executive Director Larry Shepherd and his staff have made bold and often tough decisions to improve the association’s financial situation. The changes may not make everyone happy, but that sometimes happens when management must confront the kinds of problems the new leadership inherited when they took office in 2007,” said Gary Adkins, PNG President.

“If a candidate can not read a balance sheet or can’t be bothered to learn how, that person should certainly not be elected to the ANA Board no matter how much he or she knows about numismatics. It’s that crucial given the financial problems facing the association,” Adkins emphasized.

“The PNG urges ANA members to vote wisely in this year’s ANA elections for President, Vice President and the seven Governors’ positions on the Board. The ANA is a vital hobby organization, but it’s also a multi-million dollar-a-year business and it must be operated as such. Voters must consider the business experience of candidates as well as their numismatic background. ANA Board members must be able to understand financial statements and help manage the financial aspects of the association. This is more important than numismatic knowledge.”

Adkins said collectors must be a priority for the ANA while also remembering the financial support of dealers. Auction companies also contribute a substantial portion of annual revenues for the association. (more…)

Austin M. Sheheen Jr. of Camden, S.C. has been appointed treasurer of the American Numismatic Association, President Barry Stuppler has announced. An ANA member since 1958, he replaces Adna G. Wilde Jr., who passed away in November.

Sheheen is a founding member of Sheheen, Hancock & Godwin, CPAs and former Air Force officer, who also served 24 years on the Kershaw County Council – 16 as chairman. During his career he has earned numerous awards from the South Carolina Association of CPAs. He is an avid collector and former president of the World Society of Paper Money Collectors.

“We are truly fortunate to have someone with Austin’s extraordinary credentials volunteer to serve as treasurer of the ANA,” Stuppler said. “His knowledge and insight will be invaluable in helping the ANA re-establish its financial stability after several years of budget deficits.”

As treasurer, Sheheen will serve as chair of the Finance Committee; work with the executive director and controller to ensure that appropriate financial reports are made available to the Board of Governors in a timely manner; review the annual budget prior to presentation to the Board; provide periodic written treasurer’s reports to the executive director and Board; review the annual audit and the annual tax returns as prepared by the Association’s accountants.

He will begin his duties this month.

The American Numismatic Association’s 2009 Portland National Money Show™ gives visitors the opportunity to see rare coins and paper money, and interact with the country’s premier numismatists. The show, held March 13-15 at the Oregon Convention Center, features marquee and collector exhibits, educational presentations, and hundreds of top dealers.

“The ANA is thrilled to be coming back to this great numismatic city,” said ANA Executive Director Larry Shepherd. “The Portland National Money Show in 2004 was one of our best, and high dealer interest, great educational activities and impressive exhibits point to an even better show this year.”

The marquee exhibits are highlighted by the Linderman-duPont specimen 1804 Draped Bust silver dollar. Insured for $3.5 million, this will be the first public display of the coin outside the ANA Money Museum in Colorado Springs since its recovery 16 years ago from a famous theft decades earlier.

Other fascinating exhibits include the world-famous McDermott-Bebee specimen 1913 Liberty Head nickel from the ANA collection, and a display by the Oregon Historical Society of the legendary “Portland Penny,” used in 1845 to determine the city’s name.

“Settlers Francis Pettygrove of Portland, Maine and Asa Lovejoy of Boston, Massachusetts flipped the penny to determine whether the area, then known as The Clearing, would be named Portland or Boston. Pettygrove won the toss two out of three times,” said George Vogt, Executive Director of the Oregon Historical Society. (more…)