Owner Comments:
ANA MEDAL APPEARANCE CONDITION:
TOP POP: Choice Brilliant Gem Proof+ — Designated “Ultra Cameo” by NGC
Pedigree: “Don Young Collection” — #047
An absolutely gorgeous example of this exceedingly rare issue. The obverse is blast brilliant white with frosty devices, whereas the reverse exhibits unbelievable tangerine toning in various shades throughout the entirety.. — Not to be confused with the 1978 1st mid-year convention medals of similar design which were issued the following year. Matches its 38.5mm bronze and 26mm brass counterparts of the same design. — It is unknown how many examples were struck; however, I have yet to see another issue.*
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 rare 1977 38.5mm bronze and 26mm brass 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; not to be confused. The issue shown here is much rarer than the 1978 medals.
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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 only the smaller brass medal has an official catalog # of ANA-77.SM4, very little to no information exists regarding the background of these 3 medals (1977 brass, bronze and silver proof). The rarity of the issue, in addition to the fact it was once included in the Don Young Collection, as well as its extremely low serial # of just 16, 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: N/A
RARITY: Unknown; Likely extremely rare (I have never encountered another example)
*TOP POP* NGC Pop = 1; NONE Finer [03/2023]
ANA MEDAL DESCRIPTION:
(Struck by Roger Williams Mint of Providence, RI, Silver, 38.5mm, Round, Plain/Engraved 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.
EDGE: 047 / .999 SILVER