Owner Comments:
ANA MEDAL APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Bronze Variety - Choice Brilliant Gem+
*Absolutely gorgeous original design in high-relief with stunning artistry - Numerous renowned and loved coin designs are depicted in phenomenal fashion on the obverse. — Untoned surfaces and a high-quality strike enhance the overall beauty of this piece. — Marks and imperfections appear to be finite. A small imperfection can be noted on the reverse rim at 12:00. This is likely what prevented this specimen from grading in at MS-70. — Matches is bronze and silver proof counterparts of the same design; both of which are owned but are currently being graded by NGC.*
ANA MEDAL BACKGROUND:
Struck circa 1974 to commemorate the American Numismatic Association’s 50th anniversary of National Coin Week (1924-1974). The A.N.A. was based and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado at the time this issue was minted; where it currently resides today.
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There are 3 known varieties of this issue. All 3 reside in this collection and are listed as follows:
- Bronze: Business Strike (NGC MS-69)
- Bronze: Proof Strike (Pending NGC Grading)
- Silver: Proof Strike (Pending NGC Grading)
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“MEMBERSHIP DRIVE MEDALS MAILED” | Article from the 1974 Edition of The Numismatist
“Proof bronze and sterling silver medals commemorating ANA's 50th anniversary of National Coin Week which were struck by the Franklin Mint and awarded to ANA members who sponsored at least one new member during the month of April, 1974, were mailed recently from ANA Headquarters in Colorado Springs.
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Sponsors of at least one new ANA member were awarded bronze editions and sterling silver specimens went to those sponsors proposing ten or more new members. Most of the members of the ANA Headquarter's staff spent more than a half day addressing and packaging the 676 bronze and twenty-six silver medals officially awarded. Final compilations are nearing an end for the awarding and mailing of more bronze medals to numismatic clubs and groups as well as individuals who participated in some manner in promoting numismatics during ANA's 50th anniversary National Coin Week.
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Based on the above article from The Numismatist, it would appear mintage numbers for the business strike bronze issue are not known. However, the article notes 676 bronze proofs and 26 silver proofs were struck and mailed as awards.
DESIGNER: Unknown
CATALOG NUMBER: N/A
RARITY: Unknown; Likely relatively common
NGC Census not available.
ANA MEDAL DESCRIPTION:
(Business Strike, Bronze, 39mm, Round, Reeded Edge)
OBVERSE: (Oil lamp on book) — Lettering: AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION / DE PROFUNDIS / FM / ORGANIZED 1891.
REVERSE: (Image of coins, medals, tokens and currency) — Lettering: A salute / to the / ANA / NATIONAL COIN WEEK / 50TH ANNIVERSARY 1924-1974
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
(National Coin Week):
“The history of National Coin Week began in 1923, when American Numismatic Association Governor Julius Guttag suggested to the association's President, Moritz Wormser, that a week-long event should be established “to attract the general public to our hobby and consequently increase our membership, and aid in our science.” That December, the first announcement of a “Coin Week” was made in The Numismatist and scheduled for the week of February 9-16, 1924.
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The first National Coin Week was a success, and discussion ensued in 1924 about establishing an annual event. The following year, the name was changed to “Old Coin Week,” and the event was planned for February 15-21. In 1925 Wormser said, “Let us all work together for the accomplishments of the principles for which the American Numismatic Association was founded: To disperse numismatic knowledge . . . to demonstrate that numismatics is an educational and entertaining pursuit . . . and to imbue other collectors with your own enthusiasm and love for the subject.”
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Coin Week enjoyed successful observances in 1926 and 1927 under President H.H. Yawger. But, from 1928 to 1938, the association did not actively promote the event, and it existed in name only. In 1939 member Lee Hewitt of Chicago proposed that the American Numismatic Association reinstate Coin Week as “National Coin Week.” President J. Henri Ripstra confirmed a new March date and announced that prizes would be given to clubs and individuals who accomplished the most during the week. In 1942 the observance was moved to the third full week of April, where it has remained ever since.
Credited Source: American Numismatic Association | money.org | “The History of National Coin Week”