Session One Class Descriptions

Session 1: June 20–25

All classes are held Sunday–Wednesday, June 21–24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Technical

1. Grading United States Coins, Pt. 1
Explore the history and philosophy of grading, and learn how to grade copper, nickel, silver, and gold U.S. coins according to the latest ANA and market standards. Instruction consists of slide presentations, hands-on opportunities to view and grade notable specimens in individual and group settings, and in-depth discussions about the intricacies of grading. Enrollment is limited to 20 students.

Instructors: Don Bonser, president of Don Bonser Numismatics, past grader for PCGS and ANACS, Ltd.; Jim Stoutjesdyk, senior vice president and partner of Heritage Auctions; Wade Spencer, senior numismatist for Stack’s Bowers Galleries; and Kyle Eppley of Don Bonser Numismatics.

2. Grading United States Coins, Pt. 1
Explore the history and philosophy of grading, and learn how to grade copper, silver, and gold U.S. coins according to the latest ANA and market standards. Instruction consists of slide presentations, hands-on opportunities to view and grade notable specimens in individual and group settings, and in-depth discussions about the intricacies of grading. Enrollment is limited to 20 students.

Instructors: John Brush and Matt Trookman

3. Grading United States Coins, Pt. 2
Sharpen your grading skills through hands-on group and individual exercises, with instructor feedback on each coin. Gain a better understanding of current grading-service philosophies and how they evolved in the marketplace. Copper, silver, and gold specimens are covered, with emphasis on About Uncirculated through Uncirculated examples. Enrollment is limited to 20 students.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of “Grading United States Coins, Pt. 1” or permission from the instructors.

Instructors: David J. McCarthy, senior numismatist for Kagin’s; Steven Feltner, director of numismatic education and team leader of grading at PCGS; and Kevin Kaufman

4. Advanced United States Coin Grading & Problem Coins
Discover the nuances of high-grade, mint-state, and proof coins. Learn how to distinguish original surfaces from mint-state and circulated coins that have been cleaned or altered, and how to identify minute imperfections and color variances that can affect a coin’s grade. Find out the methods experts use, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. Enrollment is limited to 20 students.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of “Grading United States Coins, Pts. 1 and 2” or instructor permission.

Instructors: Don Ketterling, professional numismatist for D.H. Ketterling Consulting; Jeff Garrett, Mid-American Rare Coin Galleries and senior editor of the “Red Book”; and Ken Park

5. Detection of Counterfeit World Paper Money
This course shows students how to separate genuine paper money from counterfeit notes (including notes intended to circulate and notes made years later specifically to defraud collectors). Topics include the history of counterfeiting, printing techniques, security devices and their fraudulent replication, raised and altered notes, and entrepreneurial counterfeiting since the 19th century.

Examples of vintage and modern counterfeits are compared to genuine notes using magnification, ultraviolet and infrared illumination, and the trained eye to identify spurious pieces. Special attention is devoted to counterfeit notes created specifically to sell to collectors.

Instructor: Joseph E. Boling

6. Applied Techniques in Numismatic Photography and Image Editing Essentials
This course is designed for beginners through advanced photographers who want to learn basic and advanced techniques to photograph numismatic items and manage a digital collection; use photographs to sell coins online; conduct research using numismatic photography; perform diagnostic inspections of numismatic items; or submit images for publication.

Learn how to use multiple lighting configurations and get the most out of your equipment. Discover proper image capture and file-handling methods for efficiency. Learn basic editing techniques using Adobe Photoshop/Elements to produce proper results and image management.

Students are encouraged (but not required) to bring a DSLR camera with macro lens and a laptop with Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, along with several personal numismatic items to photograph.

Instructors: Clark Fogg, CSI forensic consultant and numismatic photographer, historian, and author; and David Heinrich, numismatic editor and photographer, ANA governor

7. A Study in the Grading of U.S. and World Coins
This directive studies course offers a hands-on opportunity to learn the intricacies of U.S. and world coin grading in a small group setting. Emphasis is placed on high-end U.S. type coins graded AU50–MS68, with a focus on originality and quality within a grade. The course also examines current grading trends within the marketplace and their short-term and long-term impacts on the numismatic industry.

Instructors: William Shamhart, owner, Numismatic Americana, former grader, NGC, CAC, and CACG finalizer; and Andrew Chipman, owner, AC Numismatics

Specialized

8. Advanced Coin Dealing
Get into the coin business, open your own coin shop, and learn different ways to increase profit potential through business development. Topics include basic business accounting, economics, finance, marketing, management concepts, methods, and tools. You will also learn inventory control, security, and ethical management.

The class emphasizes practical examples to help you employ techniques learned immediately in your business. This class is designed for both new and experienced business owners and coin collectors. Whether you want to improve an existing business or start a new one, this course will provide you with the tools and insights to succeed. The class is taught by an experienced coin shop owner. Class size is limited, so early registration is suggested.

Instructors: Robert Oberth, owner of Gold & Coin Exchange, GHA-certified diamond graduate and life member of the ANA, Roundtable-authorized dealer, Professional Numismatists Guild; Kenny Duncan Jr., U.S. Coins and Jewelry; and Seth Chandler, Witter Coin

9. Counterfeit Detection of United States Coins
Learn how to detect deceptive counterfeits and date and mintmark alterations. Dive deep into the latest and most deceptive Chinese-made counterfeit coins—especially those that have entered the coin market over the last 10 years.

If you work in law enforcement, you’ll gain confidence to go to court and prove your case. If you’re buying coins online or through the mail, or work at a coin shop, pawn shop, or as a vest pocket dealer, you will benefit greatly from this class.

Instructors: Brian Silliman, professional numismatist, law enforcement consultant, and former NGC grader/conserver; Jim Robinson, professional numismatist for APMEX; and Keith Moon, cofounder of Numismatic Rarities Exchange (NREX) and former grader/finalizer for ANACS, NGC, and PCGS

10. Major Errors and Varieties: Learning the Minting Process
Explore the exciting field of mint errors and varieties. Learn exactly how coins are made, the identification and description of errors, and the art of cherrypicking varieties. Included is hands-on examination of some amazing error and variety coins.

Students will receive error coins to take home for their own collections and are encouraged to bring errors or varieties to show in class and discuss.

A visit to the Moonlight Mint is included, where students will watch the production process from design phase to striking. Students will also get to press the button on an authentic and rare Grabener coin press to strike their own unique coins to take home.

This class fulfills the “Modern Minting Process/U.S. Minting Errors and Varieties” course requirement for the ANA Numismatic Diploma Program.

Instructors: John H. Miller Jr. (district representative for the ANA and CONECA) and Greg Bennick (error specialist, CONECA and TAMS board member)

11. Collecting and Investing in Morgan Silver Dollars
This course provides a comprehensive and professional overview of collecting and investing in Morgan silver dollars. Students learn the subtle nuances of dates and mintmarks, along with varieties, die states, Prooflike (PL) and Deep Mirror Prooflike (DMPL) coins, planchet variations, strike, toning, and eye appeal.

Additional topics include extant populations, grading and grading services, wholesale and retail pricing, supply and demand, and key information resources.

Using actual examples, participants learn how to grade, determine rare die varieties and errors, and how best to buy, sell, or trade Morgan dollars. Whether you are a beginning collector, dealer, or seasoned Morgan collector, you will learn from three of the most knowledgeable and well-respected experts in the field.

Instructors: John Baumgart, owner of Variety Slabbing Service; Chris Simpson, founding member, grader, and main variety attributor of CAC Grading; and Ash Harrison, owner and president of Ashmore Rare Coins & Metals

12. Alexander to Cleopatra: Coinage in the Hellenistic World
This class covers the 300-year span (c. 336 B.C.–30 B.C.) when Greek coinage came of age, becoming a worldwide medium of exchange, a means of mass communication, and an expression of the impulse to create beautiful art.

This era saw the first use of true portraiture on a group scale. It also saw the widespread use of mintmarks and other control symbols—giving birth to the “science” of numismatics.

Instructors: David S. Michaels, manager of shows and consignments for CNG; and Lorie Ann Rodriguez, living historian

13. Early American Copper Coinage (Copper 1)
In this introduction to Early American coppers (EAC), students gain a basic understanding of the coins, including how they were distributed by the mint, where and how they circulated, how to determine if a copper has been cleaned or altered, and how restrikes were made.

Learn how to grade and attribute higher-graded coins. Topics are student-driven—if you want to know something, just ask. Bring your loupe and any coppers you would like to share.

Instructors: Jim Carr, EAC member, professional numismatist for Carr’s Coins; and Kevin Vinton

14. The New Orleans Mint Coinage and its History
This course covers the coins and history of the New Orleans Mint from its origin in 1835 to its closure in 1909. The silver and gold coins produced at the New Orleans Mint are comparable to the Philadelphia Mint both in type and quantity.

From arduous early days marked by epidemics and deaths, to struggles with limited dies stored in tropical conditions, to changing hands three times during the Civil War—its complicated history is written in its coinage.

The course includes discussions of the 40 (or so) types of New Orleans coins, individual dates, major varieties, hands-on attribution exercises, and grading discussions.

Instructors: Craig Eberhart, vice president of the Liberty Seated Collectors Club; Len Augsburger, project coordinator for the Newman Numismatic Portal, president of the Liberty Seated Collectors Club, president of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society; and John Frost, director of education for the Liberty Seated Collectors Club, president of the Barber Coin Collectors’ Society

15. Numismatics for Museum and Library Professionals
This class is intended for museum, library, and archive professionals who work in organizations with numismatic collections and want an in-depth introduction to professionally identifying, caring for, storing, and disseminating information about numismatic objects.

Using resources from the Edward C. Rochette Money Museum and Dwight N. Manley Numismatic Library collections, students are introduced to the science of numismatics and how to apply it to managing the collections they are responsible for. Students will complete the course with tools to understand common challenges and find the information they need.

Instructors: Douglas Mudd, ANA Money Museum curator and director, instructor at the ANA Summer Seminar since 2002; and Akio Lis, ANA library manager

16. Making Money the Medieval Way
Make your own coins with a hammer! In this hands-on workshop, students learn and perform the basic functions of a medieval mint. Design your own medieval coin, create a set of punch tools, sink your image into a steel die, and strike coins by hand.

Each student keeps their punches, dies, and coins upon completion of the class.

Instructors: Carson Engle, owner of Two Bear Mint; and Bart Saxton, medieval coin minting enthusiast

17. Intaglio Engraving
A rare opportunity to join past popular instructor and retired Lead Banknote Engraver (BEP) Christopher Madden in exploring hands-on classic banknote craft techniques. Create your own printable intaglio image in copper and try your hand at this exquisite craft, known to only a small number of craftsmen worldwide.

Instructor: Christopher Madden (Christopher-madden.com)

18. Bank Notes Without Borders
Explore the art, history, culture, and commerce of the modern world through the study of paper money. This course emphasizes how design, security, and symbolism on bank notes reflect national identity, global events, and the evolution of technology in currency production.

Participants examine common and scarce issues—from everyday notes to artistic masterpieces and special releases. Topics include commemorative and inflationary issues, cherrypicking signatures, watermarks, paper types, engravers, printers, serial varieties, and replacement note identification. Students also learn the basics of grading standards, authentication, and presentation through discussion, workshop activities, and real-world examples.

New collectors are guided in developing a collecting method that fits their interests and goals, while seasoned collectors and dealers can refine systems for cataloging, photography, and presentation. Participants are encouraged to bring favorite bank notes, challenging pieces, and stories from the field to share.

Instructors: Benjamin Swagerty, media specialist for Oklahoma City Public Schools, international numismatic researcher, master referee for Numista; and Alan Cutler-Pomex, lead numismatist for #1 Money Man & Numismatic Wholesale, creator and host of Numismatic Explorer

19. From the First Strike to Independence: Mexican Coinage of 1535–1821
Learn to recognize difficult cob coinage and attribute the main designs, tying them to a specific king (for the most part). Students receive a packet with pertinent information regarding Mexican coins of this era and study the causes, establishment, and issues of coinage made outside Mexico City’s mint during the Independence period.

Instructor: Ricardo de León Tallavas

20. Art of Engraving
This class is intended to perpetuate the skillset of medallic engraving, bridge the gap between artists and numismatics, and foster knowledge in both the art form and the mechanics of historic and current coin and medal production.

Die engraving is an ancient art form; this course is built on a two-year timeline. The first year focuses on bas relief and working sculpturally in the negative in plaster. The second year builds on this skillset and focuses further on hand-cutting steel dies for striking small medals, including creating engraving tools. All second-year work is done in the negative in steel.

This class is time-intensive and requires long periods of focus and concentration. Applicants are selected based on portfolio review.

Note: This class is offered only by scholarship. You will not be able to register until you complete the registration form and are accepted.

Instructor: Laura Stocklin