What does ANA Mean?

ANA is short for American Numismatic Association.

American Numismatic Association

The American Numismatic Association was founded in 1891 by Dr. George F. Heath in Chicago, Illinois. The ANA was formed to advance the knowledge of numismatics (the study of money) along educational, historical and scientific lines, as well as enhance interest in the hobby.

The ANA national headquarters and museum is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It claims a membership of over 32,000 and offers memberships for various terms, including one year, three years, five years, and a lifetime membership for $600–$1,200 US, depending on age and whether you would like to receive a magazine via mail or email. In 1912 the association received a Federal Charter by the United States Congress for its work in the field of numismatics.

The association's official monthly journal is the Numismatist and its editor-in-chief is Barbara J. Gregory. Many articles are contributed by members of the Association.

History

Dr. George F. Heath of Monroe, Michigan, gained knowledge of world history by studying his collection of coins. The obscurity of his community was an obstacle towards obtaining certain specimens, and made meeting fellow numismatists difficult. In 1888, he printed, published and distributed a four-page leaflet, THE NUMISMATIST, in which he listed his coin needs, advertised duplicates for sale, and discussed numismatic topics.

The nascent publication found many friends among other isolated collectors. As Heath's subscription list increased, a need for a national organization of numismatists was evident. The February 1891 edition of The Numismatist printed a question, "What is the matter with having an American Numismatic Association?" A follow-up statement was included: "There is nothing like the alliance of kindred pursuits to stimulate growth and interest."

On October 7 and October 8, 1891, five men—Heath, William G. Jerrems, David Harlowe, J.A. Heckelman and John Brydon—holding 26 proxies, met in Chicago and with 61 charter members. The result was the founding of the American Numismatic Association. Since that meeting in October 1891, the American Numismatic Association has expanded to become the largest non-profit numismatic organization of its kind in the world. Heath then introduced the idea of a numismatic convention, where members could make personal contact with other numismatists. The first meeting was held in 1891. From then, it was hosted annually until 1895, and then in 1901 and 1904. After the 1907 convention in Columbus, Ohio, it was decided to hold annual meetings thereafter.

On June 16, 1908, Dr. Heath suddenly died. Farran Zerbe, then president, assumed the task of editing and publishing THE NUMISMATIST, and soon purchased the publication from Heath's heirs. In 1911, through the generosity of W.C.C. Wilson of Montreal, Canada, THE NUMISMATIST was purchased from Zerbe and presented to the ANA and since that period, the magazine has been owned and published monthly by the ANA.

National prominence was attained by the Association on May 9, 1912, when the Association was granted a Federal Charter, signed by President William H. Taft. An amendment to make the Charter permanent and allow for a larger Board of Governors was introduced in 1962. This was presented by Congressman Wilbur Mills and Senator John L. McClellan, both of Arkansas. This amendment was passed by Congress and signed by President John F. Kennedy on April 10, 1962.

Facility

An ANA national home and headquarters building fund was established on April 29, 1961. Colorado Springs, Colorado, was selected, and a ground breaking ceremony was held on September 6, 1966. On December 20, 1966, the building fund goal of $250,000 was reached and the new home and headquarters of the American Numismatic Association was dedicated and officially opened in Colorado Springs on June 10, 1967. Currently, the ANA facility in Colorado Springs houses the largest circulating numismatic library in the world. Books, educational slide programs and instructional videotapes are loaned to members without charge other than costs to cover postage and insurance.

ANA Money Museum

The Colorado facility also houses the ANA Money Museum that includes over 250,000 objects encompassing the history of numismatics from the earliest invention of money to modern day. The Harry W. Bass Collection features American gold coins, experimental pattern coins and paper money. The museum also offers changing exhibits about money in history, art, archeology, banking and economics, and coin collecting. Members may study the items on display and, by prearrangement, can use other museum materials for research purposes.