Owner Comments:
ANA MEDAL APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Silver Variety - Brilliant Gem — (Slabbed In Double-Thick Holder)
*Absolutely gorgeous original design in high-relief; Astonishing artistry - Untoned surfaces and a high-quality strike enhance the overall beauty of this incredibly rare piece. — Marks and imperfections appear to be minimal, if any. However, there do seem to be small light spots on the outer obverse edges, but are difficult to see. From a grading perspective, one would imagine this should be ~MS-66. Only 3 examples have been graded by NGC; 2 of which are in higher grades at MS-67 and MS-68. — Matches is bronze counterpart of the same design which also resides in this collection at NGC MS-65.*
ANA MEDAL BACKGROUND:
“Struck circa 1991 to commemorate the American Numismatic Association’s centennial which was based and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado where it resides today. Just 125 examples were struck, making the piece very rare.”
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This issue was a definite challenge to obtain. In pursuit of one for nearly a year when one was eventually offered for sale out of Australia. Paying in AU, I was finally able to obtain the specimen. This simply shows the rarity of the issue.
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There are 4 known varieties of this issue; bronze, .999 silver, gold plated bronze, and .999 gold. All are rare, the latter 2 are “extremely rare” with a mintage of just 1 for the gold plated variety and an unknown quantity for the gold specimen (available by special order). — The bronze issue was originally sold for $12 and silver for $30; both of which are included in this collection. The bronze/silver issues were also featured in a centennial philatelic – numismatic combination (with bronze medal, $20; with silver medal, $35).
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The 4 known varieties are listed below by catalog number, along with known details and their association to this collection:
- ANA-91.SM7 (Bronze) 225 Struck - NGC MS-65 (Included in Collection)
- ANA-91.SM7a (.999 Silver) 125 Struck - NGC MS-65 (Included in Collection)
- ANA-91.SM7b (Gold Plated Bronze) 1 Struck - Chief Exhibit Judge Appreciation Medal
- ANA-91.SM7c (.999 Gold) Quantity Unknown - Available by Special Order
DESIGNER: Thomas D. Rogers Sr. (Designer of the Sacagawea Dollar reverse)
DESIGN ADAPTATION: N. Neil Harris
CATALOG NUMBER: ANA-91.SM7a
RARITY: 125 (Total Struck)
(NGC Pop = 1; 2 Finer - NGC Total Pop = 3) [04/2022]
ANA MEDAL DESCRIPTION:
(Medallic Art Company, N.Y., .999 Silver, 38.1mm, Round, Plain/Lettered Edge)
OBVERSE: (Pictorial Image of a Kneeling Centurion Entering a New Era with the ANA Seal [Lamp and Book] Held Under Right Arm; Seventeen Radiant Lines Emanating from Seal)
REVERSE: American / Numismatic/ Association / Centennial / 1891 - 1991 / (Depiction of a Bald Eagle)
EDGE: .999 FINE SILVER
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
Excerpt from the Designer Thomas D Rogers Sr | “ANA 100th Anniversary” | January 17, 2011
“In 1990, the American Numismatic Association announced a national competition to design it’s 100th Anniversary Medal. I was fortunate enough to have been selected for the Obverse of this prestigious medal, pictured here. No words were needed for this design.
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The action portrayed in the art speaks to the history of the ANA. A Centurion, armed only with the enlightenment of knowledge, opens the portal of darkness, and ascends the steps into the future.
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I have been a member of the ANA continuously since 1990. I participated in many Numismatic Theatre presentations during and after my tenure as a Sculptor / Engraver at the U.S. Mint. I have been honored with several ANA awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Medallic Art in 2000.
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At the ANA’s Summer Seminar in 2010, I had the pleasure of teaching a course in plasteline modelling and plaster casting. I had a small, but very industrious class, and found the experience very rewarding. With the rush to let technology take over all the aspects of the art processes, someone has to remain loyal to their field, and disseminate the knowledge to others.”