The one-day seminar, “Introduction to Counterfeit Detection of United States Coins,” will be offered April 22 at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn in Dearborn, Mich. The seminar is presented through the ANA’s Florence Schook School of Numismatics, and is in conjunction with the Michigan State Numismatic Society’s Spring Convention, April 23-25.

Join instructor Mike Ellis, noted numismatist and variety specialist, and learn how to detect counterfeit and altered coins seen in the marketplace today. All types and denominations of U.S. coins will be discussed, with genuine and counterfeit specimens present for hands-on study. There will also be opportunities for group discussion and one-on-one instruction.

“Introduction to Counterfeit Detection of United States Coins” will be held Thursday, April 22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuition is $149 for ANA and Michigan State Numismatic Society members, and $199 for non-members. To register for this seminar, e-mail education@money.org or call 719-482-9850.

For more information about the Michigan State Numismatic Society, visit www.michigancoinclub.org.
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The American Numismatic Association and the Professional Numismatists Guild have agreed to jointly sponsor the Official Pre-Show prior to the ANA World’s Fair of Money for three years beginning with the ANA Chicago convention in August 2011, ANA Executive Director Larry Shepherd and PNG Executive Director Bob Brueggeman have announced.

The Official Pre-Show will be held, when possible, in the same hall as the World’s Fair of Money on Friday through Monday prior to the convention. The ANA convention will be Tuesday through Saturday, closing each day at 5:30 p.m. The Pre-Show will be limited to wholesale business.

“This agreement is a big step forward for anyone who wants to attend a pre-show at an ANA convention,” said Shepherd. “Once established at the Official Pre-Show, dealers will not have to move or set up again for the World’s Fair of Money. They’ll be able to check into their hotels, walk over to the convention hall and set up one time for both shows. Everything – including the grading services and the ANA sanctioned auctions – will be in the same location. The ANA also will provide security between the end of the Pre-Show and the start of the main convention, so dealers can secure their inventory at their tables.”

“This will be a huge improvement for dealers because of the convenience and, importantly, the improved safety and security,” said Brueggeman. “There are benefits for collectors, too. This arrangement for a consistent and successful ANA/PNG Pre-Show should encourage more dealers to remain through the entire convention because it could shorten by several days the amount of the time they’re on the road.”

All ANA members in good standing will be offered tables at the Official Pre-Show; any dealer applying for a table must be registered for an equal or greater number of tables at the World’s Fair of Money. Costs will be held to a minimum to make it economical for all dealers, both PNG and non-PNG, to participate.

Shepherd said he sees the agreement as significantly enhancing the overall experience at the World’s Fair of Money while solving an ongoing problem created by unauthorized pre-shows diverting business away from the World’s Fair of Money and its official auction. He explained unauthorized pre-shows currently capitalize on the extraordinary investment the ANA makes in time, money and resources to organize a show, but without sharing in the expense. (more…)

“Beautiful Places: Landmarks and Mintmarks” is the theme of 2010 National Coin Week, April 18-24. The theme celebrates the many landmarks and scenic places that have inspired the designs on coins and paper money. It was chosen by a panel of American Numismatic Association staff and club members active in the annual celebration.

Clubs are invited to help the ANA celebrate the week by participating in a number of fun and educational events involving geography on coins. A scavenger hunt will be held in the form of a “road trip” visiting beautiful places that have inspired designs on currency, and a program will be available for clubs to hold at their April meetings. Prizes will be awarded for individuals and clubs.

A wealth of resources will be available on www.money.org, including a sample press release and proclamation, interactive flier, lesson plans for teachers, and online games for kids and adults. The Edward C. Rochette Money Museum will be creating a traveling exhibit available to clubs and offering fun activities and coins for youth who visit the museum.

Each year during the third full week of April, collectors celebrate National Coin Week with exhibits, presentations and other activities promoting the fun of collecting and studying coins and other forms of money. To get involved in the 87th annual National Coin Week, call 719-482-9814, e-mail ncw@money.org, or visit www.money.org