ANA eLearning Academy Recorded Webinar Archives Summer 2021

Documenting Your Collection: Motives and Methods for Keeping Records of Your Collection

Keeping detailed and accurate records is an important component of any coin collector’s hobby experience. Whether your collection is large or small, focused or eclectic, this presentation will get you motivated to make order out of chaos or consider alternative ways to document your collection that will keep you engaged. Reasons for getting organized and multiple methods for documenting your collection will be presented, enabling attendees to pick and choose the motives and systems that are right for them. Incorporating photos, choosing the right backup system, and tips for staying motivated to maintain those records once you get started will also be presented for your consideration.

Instructor: Tim Ferreira

Originally presented May 10, 2021.

Abraded Die Varieties

Abraded Die Varieties are fascinating, collectible but all-too-often overlooked die errors. Learn why and how they happen and see examples of popular and not-so-well known examples to complete your collection. Focus will mainly be on Buffalo Nickels, although other series will be discussed.

Instructor: David Smock

Originally presented May 13, 2021.

Off the Beaten Numismatic Path

The collection highlighted here was motivated by a desire to search for items that hardly anyone collects, are mostly not coins, are often eye-popping and mysterious, document history, and are a blast to show to friends. The unusual and exciting material you’ll see in this presentation comes from an ANA exhibit that was given a National Money Show Best of Show award and a World’s Fair of Money runner-up Howland Wood award. It also received the Rodger E. Hersey People’s Choice award. (If you can identify every item in the PowerPoint show before described, you are a numismatic whizz!)

Instructor: Sam Deep

Originally presented May 18, 2021.

Reading Roman Coins

Historical Narration: A summary about ancient currencies, types of models, inscriptions, mint Mark, methods of minting coins and examination of coins from different eras.

Instructor: Samira Slime

Originally presented May 21, 2021.

U.S. Half Cents; Designs, Dates, and Die Varieties

Half cents have long inspired numismatic writers. One quaintly called them, the “Little Half Sisters.” Why were half cents struck for circulation only intermittently between 1793 and 1857? In which years were they struck? How many different design types were there? Who designed them? Are there multiple die varieties for each year?

Instructor: Franklin Noel

Originally presented May 24, 2021.

Strategies to Dispose of Your Collection

Many numismatists do not know what to do with their collections before they enter the “Great Misty Veil of Life.” Often, a hobbyist’s spouse and/or children are not familiar, nor the least bit interested in, numismatics. If a collector dies without a specific strategy, then his family is left with a big mess. Should you sell your collection before passing? If not, how can you help your relatives liquidate your collection upon your demise?

Presenter: Rod Gillis

Originally presented May 24, 2021.

Is Anything Ever Really New? Coin & Currency Déjà Vu over Two Millennia

History tends to repeat itself. In cultures separated by years to millennia, intriguing situations involving coins and paper currency have recurred. These include fraudulent gold-plating of minor coinage, using imagery to bolster fiat currency, and recycling cannons and shells to make spending money. Coincidence or circumstance? Tune into this talk to decide for yourself.

Presenter: Hans H. Liu, M.D.

Originally presented May 25, 2021.

Proof Walking Liberty Half Dollars: One of the Most Underappreciated & Undervalued Series in Numismatics

Adolph A. Weinman’s half-dollar design is a collector favorite. Proof versions of these pieces aren’t often discussed, as major varieties are not widely recognized by the numismatic community. Their entire run was low, yet high-grade proofs are relatively affordable. This discussion will include specific die varieties, along with some toning issues evident on many specimens.

Presenter: Ralph F. Wetterhahn

Originally presented May 26, 2021.

Overstrikes: Politics, Economics & Damnatio Memoriae on Byzantine Coins

Byzantine emperors frequently overstruck the coins of their predecessors. In some instances, this was due to economic necessity, but in others, the move shows clear ideological implications— the destruction of the memory and image of previous rulers. This presentation will explore this fascinating and under studied medieval phenomenon.

Presenter: Alex Magnolia

Originally presented May 27, 2021.

Coins Melted to Manufacture War Material

Many collectors know that coinage metals have been used to manufacture war materials, but few are aware that such items also have been melted to make coins. Coins from five countries were melted to support the United States’ effort during World War II. This presentation will explore this wartime-era coinage.

Presenter: William Myers

Originally presented May 28, 2021

Colonial Currency: German East Africa

After the Berlin Conference of 1884-85, Germany established four colonies across Africa. The largest was German East Africa, founded by the German East Africa Company in 1885. This presentation discusses the money created for and used in the colony until the end of the German Empire in 1918.

Presenter: Doug Mudd

Originally presented June 1, 2021

Dr. Lewis Feuchtwanger and the Numismatic Legacy of His Tokens

In 1837 Dr. Lewis Feuchtwanger petitioned Congress to use his “German Silver” alloy for coinage. He struck and circulated 1- and 3-cent pieces dated 1837 to bolster his case, but Congress declined. However, 20 years later, legislators “borrowed” his ideas when the Flying Eagle cent was introduced. Feuchtwanger can be considered the father of the small cent and pioneered the use of nickel in coinage.

Presenter: Brad Seidel

Originally presented June 2, 2021.

Oh, No It Ain’t!

Many people who aren’t coin collectors tend to think they’ve hit the jackpot when they find anything that looks out of the ordinary. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case, and most of these purported “rare errors” turn out to be post-mint damaged coins. This presentation offers a fun and informative look at what constitutes a genuine U.S. Mint error and teaches how to distinguish these exceptional coins from near-worthless junk. Knowing the differences may potentially bring riches, but the main goal is to help attendees become better numismatists than they were before the presentation!

Presenter: Sam Gelberd

Originally presented June 3, 2021.

The Incredibly Diverse World of Confederate States Paper Money

What is Confederate Paper Money, and why is it so important to us? This webinar will cover this and all the basics of Confederate States Paper Money. You will embark on a journey in which you will acquire knowledge about the types of this currency and the people depicted on the notes. You will also learn what a PF variety is. Finally, you’ll be instructed on how you can obtain these fascinating pieces of history that were issued from 1861-1864.

Presenter: Caleb Audette

Originally presented June 10, 2021.

Fundamental Grading Theory

Coin grading is very subjective and at times, complicated. Learn the difference between technical grading and marketing grading. Understand what a proof coin is and what it is not. Instructors Rod Gillis and Ken Bressett will discuss the language that is grading and set you on a path to learn how to grade coins suitable for your collection.

Presenters: Rod Gillis & Ken Bressett

Originally presented June 21, 2021.

Counterfeit US Gold Coins

US gold coins make most collectors very nervous. They have been heavily counterfeited and can be quite deceptive. This seminar will simplify the authentication process by teaching the diagnostics by major coin type or style and enabling allowing you to authenticate all the coins of each series regardless of date and mintmark. The seminar will include in-depth discussion of hundreds of images of both genuine and counterfeit coins. You should leave this seminar much more confident when buying US gold.

Presenters: Brian Silliman

Originally presented June 23, 2021.

Chinese-Made Counterfeit Coins

This seminar will look at many of the Chinese-made counterfeit coins prevalent in the marketplace. Chinese-made counterfeits of both collector and circulating coinages is more prevalent than ever. While they have improved significantly since the 1970s, they are still fairly easy to detect when you know what to look for. In this course, the ever improving production methods used over the last few decades will be discussed which have led to the greatly improved examples we encounter now. We will review a wide range of fakes and diagnostics for authenticating them. We will also look at counterfeit certification holders, bullion, and discuss efforts to address the problem.

Presenters: Brian Silliman

Originally presented June 24, 2021.

Discovering Your Coin: How to Truly Learn about the Objects You are Collecting

As collectors of coins, tokens, medals, and paper money, we all love acquiring new pieces for our collection. But to properly appreciate what you’re collecting, you need to learn about it. What is the story behind this object? How much has it sold for in the past? Who else collects this, and what can I learn from them? You will walk away from this talk with solid resources and the ability to discover just how amazing your collection really is!

Presenters: Kellen Hoard

Originally presented June 25, 2021.

The Importance of Eye Appeal

The hardest thing for most collectors to understand is what great eye-appeal really means. This is truly subjective and what seems great to one person may seem average to another. If you are a serious collector you owe it to yourself to understand the subtleties of eye-appeal. The market’s emphasis on quality now demands that you learn as much as possible about the series you collect. My class will explore this important issue so that you may become a more successful collector.

Presenters: Jeff Garrett

Originally presented June 28, 2021.

Modern Minting Process

Explore the minting process and learn how each procedure can lead to the possible creation of collectible errors and varieties. Topics include identifications and description, the art of cherrypicking, and various types of damage that may be confused for errors. This will only be a short overview of the full version of the class held each year during our annual Summer Seminar. Please note that while the regular class fulfills the “Modern Minting Process/U.S. Minting Errors and Varieties” course requirement for the ANA Numismatic Diploma Program, this brief version of the class does not fulfill this requirement.

Presenter: Sam Gelberd

Originally presented June 29, 2021.

Counterfeit Detection of Key Dates and Mintmarked U.S. Coins

This seminar will take you through many quick and easy to remember diagnostics for on the go authentication of many Key Date and Mintmarked US Coins that are commonly seen in the marketplace and often fool experienced collectors and dealers. Initially, many remembering these diagnostics is intimidating when it really shouldn’t be. In this class, these tricky diagnostics will be presented so that they will be easier to remember and expensive key coins will be much less intimidating and much more accessible to you . Cents through dollars will be covered.

Presenter: Brian Silliman

Originally presented June 29, 2021.

The Coinage of Roman Egypt: A Survey

When Octavian (later known as Augustus) defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra in 30 BC, he took possession of Egypt and isolated it and its economy from the rest of the Roman Empire. One of the results of this isolation was a coinage system that would combine three of the great cultures/civilizations of the ancient world: Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

This presentation will give an over view of Roman Egyptian (sometimes called Alexandrian, after the mint city) coinage, from Augustus to Diocletian, with a focus on the fascinating reverse types used on the drachm – the largest bronze denomination produced at Alexandria.

Presenter: Kerry Wetterstrom

Originally presented June 30, 2021.

Romano-Companian Coins

By the middle of the fourth century B.C., Rome was becoming an increasingly prominent force with its Italian neighbors, but its local monetary system was quite primitive, with the most important medium of exchange consisting of cast bronze ingots that were traded by weight. In order to facilitate commerce with the cities in Magna Graecia, Rome needed to develop coins. These first Roman coins are of the fabric and style of Greek coins, and are some of the most beautiful of all Roman coins. During the third century B.C. these Romano-Campanian coins evolved from a trade currency to ultimately supplant the local cast bronzes and serve as the basis for the more mature Roman coinage that developed during the Second Punic War.

This presentation will survey the first century of Roman struck coins from the foedus aequum with Neapolis at the beginning if the Second Samnite War in 326 B.C. to the beginning of the Second Punic War in 225 B.C., and put these Romano-Campanian coins in context with the local aes rude and aes grave that were used contemporaneously in central Italy.

Presenter: Scott Rottinghaus

Originally presented July 1, 2021.

Ancient Greek Coinage; An Overview of the World’s First Coinage

This class is an in-depth introduction to the exciting world of Greek coinage – from its earliest beginnings until the final takeover of Egypt by the Roman Empire in 30 B.C. “Greek” coinage is one of the three independently invented foundations of money as we know it today and has heavily influenced our ideas of what money should look like, how it is made and how it is used. Topics discussed will include the basics of the Greek monetary system, its origins, how the coins were made and how they changed over time, as well as the vast array of cities, kingdoms and empires that produced these miniature masterpieces of art for over 600 years.

Presenter: Doug Mudd

Originally presented July 2, 2021.

Development of Art Medal Societies in America

This presentation will discuss the medals produced in America by several societies in the 20th century.

Presenters: David Menchell & David Alexander

Originally presented July 26, 2021.

The Currency of Colorado

This presentation is an introduction to the numismatics of Colorado from the earliest days to the present.

Presenter: Doug Mudd

Originally presented July 27, 2021.

Check back soon for recording.

19th Century US National Bank Note Counterfeits plus Counterfeits of Chinese Paper Money Coming from China

This two-hour presentation will cover two topics. We will start with counterfeits of large-size national bank notes that were mostly circulated in the 19th century. When the Bureau of Engraving and Printing assumed the responsibility for printing national currency, many employees of the contract printers who had been doing this work no longer had jobs. Some turned their skills to creating notes on the QT; those are what we will examine. As bad notes were identified in circulation, these craftsmen modified the plates they were using so that notes of a different bank became their product. One can trace several generations of counterfeits to single original plates.

After the break, we will take up more modern products – notes of China from 1948 to today being pushed into Western markets from Chinese sources. The market for Chinese paper money has been overheated, but is still quite active; if you collect these series, you need to see this presentation.

As for all of my presentations, you will be best served if you watch the introductory session on printing technologies. Go to info.money.org/elearning-recorded-webinars and look for “Printing Technologies and Introduction to Counterfeit Detection.”

Presenter: Joseph E. Boling

Originally presented July 28, 2021.

Money of the Afterlife — AKA “To Hell With Money”

This presentation takes a look at the history, lore, issuance and use of collecting Hell Banknotes — a small specialized paper money collecting field. These colorful large to small ornate intricate to simple designed ceremonial death notes [which are burned at gravesite and other ceremonies to honor ancestors] have a mythological history use in China dating back hundreds of years. Individuals will learn about there naming, the Emperor and Bank of Hell depicted on many along with there uses in Buddhist Temples/Shrines plus yearly traditional rituals such as ‘Qing Ming-The Festival of Pure Brightness’ and the ‘Hungry Ghost Festival- where the gates of Hell or Afterlife are thrown open for the deceased to visit the living on earth’.

Presenter: Walt Ostromecki

Originally presented July 29, 2021.