Owner Comments:
LANA MEDAL APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
TOP POP: Brilliant Gem+
*A beautiful example of this scarcer issue. Appears to be struck on antiqued bronze vs its 1987 counterpart in this collection. Raised devices are prominent in contrast to the exceptional appearance of the fields. — This specimen resides at the top of NGC’s Population Report as the finest known and only one to hold the spot of MS-66. — Monster bronze blazer of this scarcer variety.*
ANA MEDAL BACKGROUND:
The obverse was initially adapted from the A.N.A.’s 1948 and 1949 National Coin Week medals; revised and modified. The reverse was adapted from the reverse design of the 1984 Detroit convention medal. — Struck as an appreciation/participation medal for the annual A.N.A. National Coin Week. — The American Numismatic Association’s headquarters is based in Colorado Springs, CO which is inscribed on the obverse of the medal.
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The total quantity of 5,158 was intended to last for a number of years. However, no edge markings were used on the initial strikings, but were used thereafter as follows. The 1987 issue is the rarest with just 196 distributed, whereas the 1986 & 1989 issues tie for second with 300 distributed, respectively. Both the 1987 and 1989 issues are included in this collection; the 2 rarest varieties.
YEAR DISTRIBUTED:
1985: 900 Issued — Edge Lettering: © 1985 MACO - BRONZE
1986: 300 Issued — Edge Lettering: © 1986 MACO - BRONZE
1987: 196 Issued — Edge Lettering: © 1987 MACO - BRONZE — **Included in Collection: TOP POP**
1988: 365 Issued — Edge Lettering: © 1988 MACO - BRONZE
1989: 300 Issued — Edge Lettering: © 1989 MACO - BRONZE — **Included in Collection: TOP POP**
DESIGN ADAPTATION: N. Neil Harris
MANUFACTURER: Medallic Art Company, Danbury, CT
CATALOG NUMBER: ANA-85.SM6
RARITY: 300 (Total Distributed)
(*TOP POP* NGC Pop = 1; NONE Finer - NGC Total Pop = 1): [03/2023]
**Only example graded by NGC**
ANA MEDAL DESCRIPTION:
(Medallic Art Company, Danbury, CT, Bronze, 38mm, Round, Plain/Lettered Edge)
OBVERSE: A laurel wreath surrounding the inscription IN / APPRECIATION / OF YOUR / PARTICIPATION; NATIONAL COIN WEEK / • FOUNDED 1924 • around periphery. [Adapted from the ANA’s 1948 and 1949 National Coin Week medals, revised and modified.]
REVERSE: Simplified ANA seal (Lamp of Learning and Book of Knowledge) in center within a circle; AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION around above; • COLORADO SPRINGS • / COLORADO around below. [Adapted from the reverse design of the 1984 Detroit convention medal.]
EDGE: © 1987 MACO – BRONZE
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”