There is so much to gain from on this website. I have only scratched the surface by reading blogs and commenting on other's blogs as well as writing a couple of my own.I was looking at the ANA Official Blog yesterday and spent a little time getting familiar with the library but I got the idea they aren't loaning books right now because of the virus. Maybe I got the wrong impression on that. There is a book they have I would like to see on varieties of Flying Eagle Cents.What other features do you all use and which do you all not care for much? And, of course, why do you like them or don't like them? What strategies do you use to get the most out of your membership?

So I've learned that Au 58 is a much better quality coin than MS 60- 62. How do AU55 and AU 50 compare to MS 60- 62?

Do you want to dip? Just a pinch between the cheek and gums? No not that kind of dipping, this of course is about numismatics. Dipping is probably the third rail of coin collecting. We know its done and we see examples of dipped coins, though the prevailing opinion appears to be this is a huge DON'T. Nevertheless, I've seen items used to dip discussed and listed for sale, even in the Introduction to Numismatics diploma course there is a mention of the product Brightlustre sold at coins shops. In the course the student is warned of the effects of dipping a coin multiple times and devaluing the grade and, subsequently dropping the value of the coin in question.I bought an 1853 Type I gold dollar recently from my favorite coin dealer and was somewhat horrified when the owner asked me if I wanted him to dip it. I have to say I was slightly horrified at the idea because of what I have previously read!So in full disclosure of where I stand, the question is going to be asked, "So Mike, have you ever dipped a coin?" Well, I have. I've used acetone and isopropyl alcohol to clean some really dirty coins and I'm really not sure that I will use acetone again. It seemed to turn some pennies white. I left it in way too long due to the heavy deposits of dirt on the coin. I wasn't trying this on any valuable coin, it was more to see if this was going to be helpful. The alcohol didn't seem to help much one way or another. The other thing is to dry them I gently dabbed them with a cotton ball with out rubbing. That probably wasn't any good either. In any event, I'm probably giving up any attempts to remove heavy dirt deposits for the time being until I can learn more from the collective wisdom available to me on this great forum.

Peter Jefferson was an eagle that actually lived IN the Philadelphia mint during the early to mid 1830's. Back then Eagles actually lived in Philadelphia as hard as that is to believe in today's world. Peter would be let out at night and he would return to the mint every day. He became sort of a pet and mascot. His likeness was used on a number of coins in a design by James Longacre, including one of my favorites to collect, the Flying Eagle Cent.Unfortunately, Peter had a sad fate. One day he he got his wing caught up in a press when it started up and he was badly injured. Despite the heroic efforts to try to help Peter heal by the mint workers, he did not recover from his injuries and died. It is apparent how beloved he was by the workers at the mint because in addition to being used as a model for the coins, his body was preserved as if he were flying is on display at the mint in Philadelphia today.

Hi! My name is Michael Tancyus (Mike). I am new to ANA and wanted to introduce myself. I am a Clinical Social Worker and have been collecting coins since I was about 8 years old. I got my start when I visited the Welland Canal locks to see the ships going through the locks. A woman on a ship was tossing foreign coins to the kids who were watching and fortunately, she had quite a few to throw and this got my collection started. I was also interested in Indian Head pennies and bought one at a flea market. I still have all those coins. In my younger years coin collecting was not a serious hobby and I would save random coins here and there. I always have been drawn to Buffalo nickels, Jefferson nickels, Mercury dimes, and Ben Franklin half dollars. Over the last 10 years or so I have become a much more serious collector and have completed collections of Flying Eagle Cents, Mercury dimes, Peace Dollars and many of the more modern coin series since the 1970's.. I was fortunate to inherit a fine collection of European coins dating from the 1800's forward and  I continue to add to my collection of foreign coins as well. Recently I have begun the ANA diploma program and am looking forward to gaining knowledge and improving my grading skills through this program, as well as become better prepared to specialize in several series of coins, especially the Flying Eagle cent.As I get closer to retirement, my hope is to continue to grow my own personal collection as well as to see coins at coin shows at some future date. I look forward to becoming acquainted with some of you as I become more active in ANA and am glad to join a body of experienced numismatists who can assist me with improving my skills and the quality of my collection!