(Fallbrook, California) – The Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) again will provide a scholarship to send a deserving young numismatist to the annual American Numismatic Association (ANA) Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 2008.

The scholarship will cover airfare, tuition for one of the two week-long Summer Seminar sessions in June, meals and six nights of dormitory accommodations on the campus of Colorado College, site of the ANA headquarters.

“For the fourth consecutive year, we are inviting all young numismatists between the ages of 13 and 22 to apply for the PNG scholarship. To be eligible for consideration, entrants must submit a short essay outlining why they should be chosen as the scholarship recipient. The deadline for receipt of the entries is March 31, 2008,” said Robert Brueggeman, PNG Executive Director. (more…)

The American Numismatic Association’s School of Numismatics is coming to the Whitman Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention, Nov. 16-18. The ANA will offer two courses of great value and interest to collectors: Understanding Die Varieties and Coin Collecting 101. “The Association is always looking for new ways to introduce people to the world of coin collecting, and Coin Collecting 101 is a wonderful place to start. Our Understanding Die Varieties course can help numismatists enhance their abilities and collect with confidence,” ANA Acting Executive Director Ken Hallenbeck said.

Designed for the novice or the expert, Understanding Die Varieties focuses on the four major divisions of die varieties for 20th century U.S. coinage: design changes, mintmark styles, doubled dies and repunched mintmarks. Instructor James Wiles, author of The Modern Minting Process and U.S. Minting Errors and Varieties: An ANA Correspondence Course, will give presentations in each area including explanations of the origins, major identifying features, cataloging systems and rarities for the “cherrypicker.” Walk away with new knowledge and a fresh enthusiasm for collecting die varieties. The class will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Baltimore Convention Center, Charles Street Entrance, Hall C, South Show Office.
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The American Numismatic Association is accepting applications for two summer internships at ANA headquarters in Colorado Springs. Experienced young collectors, college or graduate students and numismatic professionals are encouraged to apply.

One individual selected for The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Numismatic Internship will conduct original numismatic research using ANA resources in conjunction with the renowned Harry W. Bass, Jr. numismatic collection and related resources.

Another individual will be selected for the ANA Numismatic Internship, and will work with the professional staff of the Edward C. Rochette Money Museum and Dwight N. Manley Numismatic Library, the Publication and Education departments, and help with Summer Seminar and the World’s Fair of Money. (more…)

The American Numismatic Association is asking its members to provide the theme for 2008 National Coin Week, April 20-26. This contest is open to all ANA members, with the winning theme announced in early December. Individuals who submit the top three themes will win beautiful and valuable coins. Specific prizes will be announced in mid-November.

This year, National Coin Week will feature activities and exhibits that highlight youth across the globe. Submissions should reflect this topic by focusing on unity in a global society, and what role children and numismatics play in achieving this unity. (more…)

Last week, after a two-day euphoria over lower interest rates, stocks retreated, oil broke through $81/barrel, and the dollar sank, reaching parity with the Canadian dollar for the first time in decades.

Don’t be surprised if you start seeing TV commercials urging you to “Buy Gold!,” insisting inflation is back with a vengeance. Put your wallet away for a minute.

That piece of advice doesn’t come from me, although I agree. It comes from folks who would be delighted to sell you gold: the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG), a non-profit organization representing rare coin dealers, which recently issued a consumer alert.