Owner Comments:
ANA/CWNA MEDAL APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Deep Cameo Proof — Pedigreed #228/250 & 115th ANA Convention (Denver, Colorado); Counterstamped Reverse
Previously in ANACS PF-69 UC Holder Certification#: 5300065 — Re-holdered by NGC; PF-68 UC (2023)
*Dome/curve shapes appearance due to counterstamp; Ultra cameo silver proof medal. Obverse visually appears convex, whereas reverse looks concave; likely partially due to how hard the reverse counterstamp was impressed upon the medal. This creates the most spectacular displays of reflective light I may have ever examined on a numismatic item. - In addition to the fascinating, unique, and historic design, the eye-appeal is one of my favorite in this entire collection. Although extremely challenging to photograph in the right lighting, sunning deep tangerine toning evenly fills the peripheral fields on the obverse, leading into blazing white mirrored fields. The reverse, although difficult to see in the photos, has light orangish, tangerine toning on the peripheral fields, but is blanked in a light violet, orchid, royal, and cerulean-blue toning across the entire concave interior surface. The devices are frosty and brilliant, sharp and defined. — An absolutely exquisite specimen of the highest caliber; just shy of “perfect.”. The piece is visually remarkable and utterly stunning. - Of a mere 250 examples struck, I am certainly grateful to have such a extraordinary piece included in this collection. Serial number 228 of 250 issued. — Previously graded and certified PF-69 Ultra Cameo by ANACS; personally sent to NGC for re-certification.*
ANA/CWNA MEDAL BACKGROUND:
An absolutely fascinating issue that was used at 2 separate ANA Denver Conventions exactly a decade apart from one another. — Commemorative medal struck in recognition of the Colorado-Wyoming Numismatic Association’s first American Numismatic Association Pre-Show for the 105th ANA Convention/World's Fair of Money in 1996 as noted on the obverse. The event was held from August 14-17, 1996, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, and was hosted by the the Colorado-Wyoming Numismatic Association; hence the issuance of this medal. — Interestingly, this piece was then counterstruck 10 years later at the 115th ANA Convention/World's Fair of Money in Denver, Colorado. The reverse incuse design reads “115th ANA CONV - DENVER, COLORADO / 2006 / CWNA.” Various counterstruck examples have up to 2 counterstrikes of this design on the reverse, and not all are centered as seen here. The entirety of the original medal is embossed. The 2006 convention was held from August 16-19, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, and was hosted by the the Denver Coin Club.
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The obverse design depicts the logo of the Colorado-Wyoming Numismatic Association. The CWNA unfortunately dissolved in 2014, making this piece all the more illusive and historically important to not just this collection, but Colorado numismatics in general.
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Dome/curved shaped medal resultant of counterstamp is reminiscent of the 2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coins (additional detail in “Historical Description” below). These specific coins were intentionally made in this fashion.
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CWNA Medal Collection:
Although there is not an official guide for CWNA medals, “tokencatalog” has numerous issues documented. Based on all my investigation, I believe I have uncovered most of what was issued. Below is the list of all CWNA medals I am aware of, as well as if they are included in this collection or still outstanding (N/A listed if not included in collection). These have been grouped by issue and/or similar issue. Rarity, based on what’s known, is also listed:
- 1952 CWNA Uniface “Pike’s Peak Silver Mine” - Jankovsky Slug: Bronze (NGC MS-67 *TOP POP*): SCARCE
- 1952 CWNA Uniface “Pike’s Peak Silver Mine” - Jankovsky Slug: Bronze (NGC MS-67 *TOP POP*/Pedigree: FCCC 1971): SCARCE
- 1952 CWNA Uniface “Pike’s Peak Silver Mine” - Jankovsky Slug: Nickel (Owned; Pending NGC Grading): RARE
- 1952 CWNA Uniface “Pike’s Peak Silver Mine” - Jankovsky Slug: 1/10 10K Gold Filled (NGC MS-67 *TOP POP*/Pedigree: Best of Show Longmont, Colo. April 26, 1970): RARE
- 1952 CWNA Uniface “Pike’s Peak Silver Mine” - Jankovsky Slug: Sterling Silver (NGC MS-67 *TOP POP*): EXTREMELY RARE
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- 1977 CWNA 25th Jubilee: Bronze (NGC MS-67)
- 1977 CWNA 25th Jubilee: Gilt (NGC MS-65): RARE
- 1977 CWNA 25th Jubilee: Silver Proof (NGC PF-68 UC): RARE
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- 1974 CWNA 3rd Annual Spring Convention: Aluminum (NGC MS-63 DPL)
- 1974 CWNA 3rd Annual Spring Convention: Brass (N/A): RARE
- 1975 CWNA 4th Annual Spring Convention: Aluminum (NGC MS-66 PL): VERY RARE
- 1975 CWNA 4th Annual Spring Convention: Brass (N/A): EXTREMELY RARE
- 1976 CWNA 5th Annual Spring Convention: Aluminum (NGC MS-67)
- 1976 CWNA 5th Annual Spring Convention: Brass (NGC MS-66 PL): RARE
- 1977 CWNA 6th Annual Spring Convention: Aluminum (NGC MS-67 PL)
- 1977 CWNA 6th Annual Spring Convention: Brass (Pending NGC Grading): RARE
- 1978 CWNA 7th Annual Spring Convention: Aluminum (NGC MS-67 DPL)
- 1978 CWNA 7th Annual Spring Convention: Brass (NGC MS-66 PL): RARE
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- 1977 CWNA Obverse Design: Clay Welty AVA, CWNA, TAMS Colorado Collector: Brass (NGC MS-66 PL) RARE
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- 1996 CWNA 1st ANA Sanctioned Pre-Show Denver, CO: 1 Oz. Silver Medal Proof (NGC PF-68 UC): 250 Struck
- 1996 CWNA 1st ANA Sanctioned Pre-Show Denver, CO/2006 115th ANA Convention Denver, CO Counterstamp: 1 Oz. Silver Medal Proof (NGC PF-68 UC): 250 Struck; Original 1996 issue. Number counterstamped unknown.
RARITY: 250 (Total Struck)
NGC Census not available.
ANA/CWNA MEDAL DESCRIPTION:
(CWNA, Proof Strike, .999 Silver, 31.1 grams [1Troy Oz.], 39mm, Round [Curved], Reeded Edge)
OBVERSE: Summer in Colorado - First Sanctioned ANA Pre Show / (CWNA logo in center) / Pikes Peak / Silver Mine / Colorado Wyoming / 1996 / Numismatic Association / No. 228 of 250
REVERSE: One Troy Oz. .999 Fine Silver
COUNTERSTRIKE REVERSE: 115th ANA Conv. / 2006 / CWNA / Denver, Colorado
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
(A Reference to the Subsequent Shape/Strike of the Medal Post Counterstamp):
“Curved, Not Flat: 2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coins”:
“The National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coins have a shape such that the obverse is concave and the reverse is convex. These are the first curved coins ever minted by the U.S. Mint. In 1973, the Mint did produce a curved Congressional Gold Medal in honor of Roberto Walker Clemente, the late Pittsburgh Pirates star right fielder.
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The National Baseball Commemorative Coin Act specifically refers to modeling the coins after the convex/concave 2009 International Year of Astronomy Coins minted and issued by the Monnaie de Paris (French Mint). The United States Mint’s National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coins were also closely modeled after the Royal Australian Mint’s Southern Cross curved coins.” — Credited Source: usmint.gov
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1996 ANA CONVENTION - DENVER, COLORADO:
Oddly, very little information exists and is available regarding the 1996 ANA Convention held in Denver, Colorado with the exception of the dates, location, and host. The one source I have been able to locate is the original General Pamphlet titled “Official Program: 105th American Numismatic Association Convention 1996 : Denver, Colorado” (Publisher: [Boulder, Colorado : American Numismatic Association, 1996] — Description: 116 p.; 22 x 10 cm. — Other title: World's Fair of Money). There is only one copy available which can be checked out of the ANS (American Numismatic Society) Library in New York, NY. A virtual copy is not available to the public.
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2006 ANA CONVENTION - DENVER, COLORADO:
“ANA Convention in Denver Filled with Extraordinary Exhibits” | ANA Official Post | jfletcher | July 24, 2006 (money.org)
“America’s first gold coin, a spectacular United States silver dollar struck in 1794, two 1913 Liberty Head “V” nickels and many of the world’s most famous and valuable rare coins will be displayed in Denver during the American Numismatic Association World's Fair of Money®, Aug. 16-19, in the Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th Street, Denver, Colorado.
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The 115th annual ANA convention also will feature the inaugural appearance of the “Frontier Gold” exhibit from the Smithsonian’s National Numismatic Collection, the finest known surviving 1927-D Double Eagle, which is returning to Denver for the first time in 79 years, and the U.S. Treasury Department’s $1 billion exhibit including a full sheet of United States $100,000 bills, the largest denomination of paper money ever printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
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“Interest in this event has been exceptional – even by World’s Fair of Money® standards,” said ANA President William H. Horton Jr. “With record sponsorships and a sold-out bourse floor, we anticipate a very active and well-attended show.
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"In addition to the busy bourse, Mint Promenade, Club Midway and the spectacular exhibits area, we’ll have a full schedule of club meetings, Numismatic Theatre and special events that will take place throughout the convention center," Horton said.
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More than 1,100 dealers will fill the convention center. On display in the exhibit area will be two of the five known 1913 Liberty Head nickels including the “lost” fifth nickel that was kept in a bedroom closet for more than 40 years after the owner was told it was a replica; a 19th century spider press once used to print paper money; gold doubloons, ancient coins and much, much more.
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Mints from 20 nations will be represented as well as members from local, state, regional and national coin clubs, plus the British Royal Mint will launch its “Bermuda Triangle” coin.
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Special events planned for the show include tours to the Denver Mint, the Colorado History Museum, and Vail, home to the world-famous ski resort. There will be a block of tickets for ANA members to attend a Colorado Rockies baseball game and the ever-popular Friendship Luncheon at The Fort restaurant in Morrison. The
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Saturday evening awards banquet will feature the music of Marston Smith. The show will close on Saturday evening so members can participate in Member Appreciation Day at the ANA Money Museum and Library in Colorado Springs on Sunday, August 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature a ceremony to formally rename the museum in honor of Edward C. Rochette.
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In addition to the four two-day courses scheduled for Monday and Tuesday before the show opens, a fantastic lineup of Numismatic Theatre educational programs will be held throughout the week. The Sundman Lecture Series is Thursday, Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the inaugural ANA/WIN Symposium is scheduled on Friday from 2 to 5 p.m. There will be a Consumer Protection Mini-Seminar on Thursday at 11 a.m. and the introductory numismatic class, "Coin Collecting Basics," on Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m.
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Specialty clubs and organizations will hold meetings during the show, including the Numismatic Bibliomania Society and the Token and Medal Society’s symposiums and the Numismatic Literary Guild Bash.
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Sessions of the official ANA Denver Auction by Bowers and Merena features a half dozen gold coins privately minted in 1860 and 1861 by Clark, Gruber & Co. of Denver, including an example of the famous $10 “Pike’s Peak” design. The auction also includes outstanding selections of high-grade Lincoln cents and Morgan dollars from the Anne Kate Collection; Indian Head/Buffalo nickels from the Richard Hennessy Collection; Standing Liberty quarters from the James W. Lull Collection; and a virtual treasure trove of proof gold coins and national bank notes.
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For young collectors, the ANA will offer a number of events, including the Young Numismatists Awards Breakfast and Auction, Boy and Girl Scout collecting workshops and Treasure Trivia Game.
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The ANA also will host a Life Member Reception honoring Numismatist of the Year, Mark Salzberg. Presentations of ANA merit and exhibit awards will be made at the convention center, and at the Association's Awards Reception and Banquet, held at the nearby Marriott Hotel where the winner of the coveted Farran Zerbe award will be announced.
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"Everyone who attends the World's Fair of Money will have to study their program to select their week's schedule," Horton says. "ANA conventions offer so much for collectors, we are certain everyone will find more than enough to see and do." Hosted by the Denver Coin Club and supported by 10 Colorado and Wyoming Clubs and Organizations, convention attendees are sure to be welcomed and assured a true convention experience, Horton said.”