Owner Comments:
ANA MEDAL APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
TOP POP: Bronze Variety - Brilliant Gem+
Pedigreed: #152 (152nd Set Minted of 350; Noted On Original Display Case and Edge of Medal)
*If not for the minor blemish on the obverse at 11:00, this specimen would have undoubtedly been graded higher, as it was obtained in its original dark blue plexiglass case, along with the .999 silver proof variety of the same design (also included in this collection). — This example currently resides at the top of NGC’s population report, as made clear by the sharp strike and stunning features.*
ANA MEDAL BACKGROUND:
Issued at the 1978 American Numismatic Association “First” Midyear Convention. The convention was held at the Broadmoor Hotel, Colorado Springs, from February 15-19. It was officially hosted by the American Numismatic Association and assisted by the Colorado Springs Coin Club and Colorado Springs Numismatic Society. Medal sets were issued at the event in dark blue plexiglass holders for a price of $15.
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An extremely scarce issue that’s difficult to obtain, especially the complete bronze/silver set; both of which are included in this collection and pedigreed #152 of just 350 total sets that were issued. A relatively mid-range number of the total mintage as indicated by the quality of the strike.
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Original Release Packaging Detailed the Following on the Insert:
“Coin stamping, as we know it today, was conceived during the Renaissance by one of the greatest geniuses that ever lived Leonardo da Vinci. His designs for the first coin stamping press and his construction of the working model created the impetus to advance the art of minting from a primitive to a sophisticated science. — The American Numismatic
Association's Museum Gallery exhibits important examples of the Art of Minting. Indeed the Gallery not only calls attention to what has been accomplished in the past, but is the catalyst to inspire excellence in design and sculpture in the field of minting for generations of the future.”
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The reverse design was first used for a brass ANA Headquarters Museum Gallery dedication medal in late 1977 which is also included in this collection (ANA-77.SM4); as well as the 1977 38mm bronze/silver gallery dedication medals; details below. In center is a view of the ANA headquarters.
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This collection contains all 12 medals associated with the American Numismatic Association Headquarter Building and it’s subsequent expansions in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Their associated catalog number (if designated), type, grade, and pedigree are shown below:
1.) CAT#: N/A - 1967 Bronze “ANA Building Headquarters” Commemorative Medal (NGC MS-68 - #160/500)
2.) CAT#: N/A - 1967 Silver “ANA Building Headquarters” Commemorative Medal (NGC MS-68 - #160/500)
3.) CAT#: N/A - 1967 Gold Plated “ANA Building Headquarters” Commemorative Medal (NGC MS-66)
4.) CAT#: ANA-77.SM4 - 1977 Brass “ANA Headquarters Museum Gallery” Dedication Medal (NGC MS-66 PL - Don Young Collection)
5.) CAT#: N/A 1977 Bronze “ANA Headquarters Museum Gallery” Dedication Medal (NGC MS-66 - Don Young Collection - #016)
6.) 5.) CAT#: N/A 1977 Silver “ANA Headquarters Museum Gallery” Dedication Medal (NGC PF-69 UC - Don Young Collection - #047)
7.) CAT#: ANA-78.CM29 - 1978 Bronze “1st Mid-Year Convention: Colorado Springs, Colorado” Convention Medal (NGC MS-66 - #152/350)
8.) CAT#: ANA- 78.CM29a - 1978 Silver Proof “1st Mid-Year Convention: Colorado Springs, Colorado” Convention Medal (NGC PF-69 UC - #152/350)
9.) CAT#: ANA-82.SM5 - 1982 Bronze “ANA Home & Headquarters Expansion” Dedication Medal (NGC MS-67 - Don Young Collection - #15/500)
10.) CAT#: ANA-82.SM5b - 1982 Silver “ANA Home & Headquarters Expansion” Dedication Medal (NGC MS-67 - Don Young Collection - #15/500)
11.) CAT#: N/A - 2017 Bronze ANA 126th Anniversary “ANA’s World Fair of Money: Denver, Colorado/50th Anniversary of Colorado Springs ANA Headquarters” Commemorative Medal (NGC MS-68 - #92/125)
12.) CAT#: N/A - 2017 Silver ANA 126th Anniversary “ANA’s World Fair of Money: Denver, Colorado/50th Anniversary of Colorado Springs ANA Headquarters” Commemorative Medal (NGC MS-67 - #92/125)
DESIGNER: Roger Williams Mint staff
CATALOG NUMBER: ANA-78.CM29
RARITY: 350 (Sets Issued)
(*TOP POP* NGC Pop = 1; NONE Finer - NGC Total Pop = 1) [04/2022]
**Only example graded by NGC**
ANA MEDAL DESCRIPTION:
(Struck by Roger Williams Mint, Providence, RI, Bronze, 39mm, Round, Plain/Lettered Edge)
OBVERSE: Head of Leonardo da Vinci at left, facing half right; da Vinci's coin stamping machine at right; LEONARDO DA VINCI COIN STAMPER around above.
REVERSE: The reverse design was first used for an ANA Headquarters Museum Gallery dedication medal in late 1977. In center is a view of the ANA headquarters; AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION around above; FIRST MID-YEAR CONVENTION / FEBRUARY 15-19, 1978 / BROADMOOR HOTEL / COLORADO SPRINGS in exergue.
EDGE: RWM BRONZE / 152
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
(1978 ANA Midyear Convention):
“The first ANA midyear convention was going to be held in Colorado Springs at The Broadmoor resort, February 15-19, 1978. The Broadmoor’s International Center could not be booked, so the show was held in The Broadmoor World Arena, home of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Advance publicity stated that it did not often snow in the city, and, when it did, it usually melted within 24 hours.
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However, reality intervened. Snow from a recent storm of unpredicted intensity covered the ground and it was very cold outside. The arena had no insulation, so the 134 dealers who set up in the bourse were shivering. Most tried to make the best of it. Public attendance was low, but as the market was picking up; dealer-to-dealer transactions were good. Commemorative t-shirts were later made available to those who “survived the first coin show on ice.” — Credited Source: “125 Years of Collecting with the American Numismatic Association | A Milestone Celebration: Part 10 - Memorable Conventions” | Q. David Bowers