Owner Comments:
ANA MEDAL APPEARANCE CONDITION:
Brilliant Gem+: Proof Like
Pedigreed: “Don Young Collection”
*Gorgeous, proof-like brass medal with sharp detail. An extremely rare issue; if not illusive. An exceptional grade in higher mint-state PL.The fields enhance the deep cameo contrast of the defined devices. — It is unknown how many examples were struck; however, I have yet to see another surface. — An utterly handsome example of this exceedingly rare medal.*
ANA MEDAL BACKGROUND:
Dedication medal for the ANA's gallery which was showcased at their Headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO and dated October 1st, 1977, as seen on the reverse. This medal is of identical design to the very scare 1977 38mm bronze/silver ANA Gallery Dedication medals. The design is also the same as the 1978 39mm ANA 1st Mid-Year Convention bronze/silver medals with slightly different wording on the reverse. The issue shown here is much smaller in size and struck in brass. It is very possible this was a presentation piece or trial strike for the subsequent 1977 38mm bronze/silver ANA Gallery Dedication medals. Further evidence of this is supported by the fact the issue appears to have been struck with highly polished dies, giving this example its proof-like appearance.
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“Don Young Collection Reference”
This issue was previously in the renowned Don Young Collection; adding to its rarity. An extremely rare issue of phenomenally high quality, as expected from specimens previously having been in such a famous collection.
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“Don Young was a previous president of TAMS (Token and Medal Society), and specialized in ANA badges, medal sets, and an amazing collection of 25th, 50th, and 60th year anniversary medals, appreciation medals, and award medals. Awards presented to Vernon Sheldon, Abe Kosoff, and Robert Hendershott are among the more prominent names represented as well as gold presidential medals for J. Henri Ripstra, Virginia Culver, George D. Hatie, and Vernon Sheldon.
1915 ANA Badge Dodson 1958 Gold Badge
The highlight of Don's ANA exonumia is the complete ANA badge collection with all the early examples in pristine, as new condition. The one example in less than ideal condition are two examples of the 1915 San Francisco badge, a piece missing in virtually every major collection. One of the two 1915 badges is an unknown Reception Committee badge. The name bar and medal are somewhat corroded and the ribbon is separate from the pin bar, but it is intact and easily repaired.” — Credited Source: The E-Sylum: Volume 19, Number 47, November 20, 2016, Article 15
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Although this issue is officially cataloged as ANA-77.SM4, very little to no information exists regarding its background. The rarity of the issue, in addition to the fact it was once included in the Don Young Collection, exhibit the extraordinary rarity of the piece. It also appears this is the only example graded by NGC.
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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-77.SM4
RARITY: Unknown; Likely extremely rare (I have never encountered another example)
NGC Census not available.
ANA MEDAL DESCRIPTION:
(Struck by Roger Williams Mint of Providence, RI, Brass, 26mm, Round, Plain 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: In center is a view of the ANA headquarters; AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION around above; GALLERY DEDICATION / OCTOBER 1, 1977 / COLORADO SPRINGS / COLORADO / U.S.A. in exergue.