NumismaTalks: ANA eLearning Academy Webinars

Numismatics Noir: Where Culture and Currency Collide
March 12, 2026, 12 pm MT

Numismatics Noir is a groundbreaking initiative at the intersection of culture and currency. While coin collecting is often seen as a niche hobby, Numismatics Noir transforms it into a powerful vehicle for storytelling, education, and community building. This presentation will showcase how Numismatics Noir sparks curiosity, preserves global histories, and connects people through a shared appreciation of numismatics and culture. Attendees will discover actionable strategies for authentic engagement and learn how this initiative is expanding the reach of coin collecting to new audiences—curious learners, and youth. This session is sure to inspire; attendees will leave with fresh perspectives and practical ways to integrate storytelling into their work, helping grow a more connected and vibrant community of coin collectors.

For Jen Ingram, coin collecting is more than a hobby—it’s a bridge to history and a tool for building the future. Inspired by childhood memories of collecting coins with her mother, Jen has traveled the world engaging coin collectors and growing her collection. As an award-winning business leader and founder of two companies, she has connected and inspired communities globally across philanthropy, healthcare, and real estate. In 2022, she launched Numismatics Noir, engaging the next generation through coins while preserving Black history. By 2025, she joined the less than 1% of people who have traveled all seven continents, enriching her perspective as a global citizen. Through her work, Jen connects people and stories, creating a lasting legacy. A native of Metro Detroit, she earned a graduate degree from Central Michigan University after completing undergraduate coursework at Eastern Michigan University. She has also received countless awards from organizations across the country.

Charmy's Wonderful World of Indian Cent Errors and Varieties
March 26, 2026, 12 pm MT

Join to learn about coins that have that "wow appeal" and the "coolness factor."

Charmy Harker acquired her passion for coins late in life after inheriting a group of coins from an aunt. Not knowing anything about coins, she chose one type of coin – Indian cents – and learned everything she could about them. She eventually turned her passion into a full-time business known as “The Penny Lady®,” dealing in all things pennies. She has written articles for coin publications and The Numismatist. She sets up at most of the major coin shows around the country, and Charmy’s numismatic exhibit, “Penny Potpourri – a Collection of Penny Creations,” won top honors, including Best of Show and People’s Choice awards at numerous coin shows. She is a member of many coin clubs and associations. She served as President of Women in Numismatics (WIN) from 2013-2022, received the prestigious Numismatic Ambassador Award, Clain-Stefanelli Memorial Award, ANA’s Glenn Smedley Memorial Award, and Q. David Bowers Award for lifetime achievement by a numismatic professional.

Remembering April 13, 1976 and the Numismatic Collectible History Created on That Day with the First Day Release of the New Series 1976 $2 Bill
April 9, 2026, 12 pm MT

Post Offices nationwide were authorized "a first" to postmark 13-cent postage stamps affixed to the notes on April 13, 1976. This created what became known by hobbyists as 'THE B$2FDIC'...the first day of issue $2 note postmarked on April 13th.

By the end of that day the U.S.P.S. estimated over 10 million postmarked $2's were created and were in the hands of the general public and paper money collectors. The postmarked $2 were dubbed as 'U.S. BICENTENNIAL TRIBUTE KICKOFF COLLECTIBLES'.

This presentation provides an overview of many of the unusual, funny, and unique error printed $2 created on that day.

An ANA Past President and professional educator of 38 years, Walt Ostromecki is a prolific hobby collector, writer, speaker, and youth-family involvement activities educator. He has received numerous top numismatic honors/awards including ANA’s highest, the Farran Zerbe in 2020, and Numismatic News Ambassador Award in 1988.

Explore 250 Years of American History through Numismatics
April 20, 2026, 12 pm MT

The coinage of the United States is a tangible link to many of the most important events in the country's history. We will explore coinage that circulated when the nation was formed and the early issue of the US Mint in 1792 and 1793. Over the course of the next 250 years, the coinage of the United States was an important part of many major events. Numismatics is an excellent way to explore American history. In 2026, the U.S. Mint will issue many coins to celebrate the country's 250 anniversary. Our exploration will conclude with a study of the coins created for the United States semi quincentennial.

Jeff Garrett is a professional numismatist from Lexington, Kentucky, with over 50 years of experience. Jeff has handled nearly every United States coin ever issued and is considered one of the country's top experts. He is also the Senior Editor for the Guide Book of United States Coins (Redbook).

Funding the Revolution: Gold and Silver Coins Circulating in 1776 United States
April 21, 2026, 12 pm MT

What gold and silver coins circulated in 1776 as the United States declared its independence from Great Britain? While the famous paper Continental Currency was used to fund operations in the 13 states and keep the economy in order, gold and silver played a crucial role in keeping the Red Coats at bay in the borderlands of the country in the initial stages of the war. This presentation will cover what coins were then in circulation, how Congress procured them, and why a large portion of the gold and silver in the country was then exported.

Jesse Kraft, Ph.D. is the Resolute Americana Assistant Curator of American Numismatics at the American Numismatic Society, where his curatorial duties include the coins, tokens, medals, and paper currency of both North and South America. Since joining the ANS in 2019, he has published extensively, with topics ranging from colonial coins and paper currency, the Continental dollar, Victor D. Brenner, and even microbes living on money. Jesse is also the Treasurer of the International Committee of Money and Banking Museums (ICOMON).

The Continental Currency that Funded Our Revolution and the Post War Confederation Coinage
April 22, 2026, 12 pm MT

This presentation is an overview of the importance of our Continental Currency and the state coinages that started 2 years after the Treaty of Paris.

Ray Williams authors the quarterly “Early American Money” column in The Numismatist. He is a retired electronic technician who started collecting by earning the Boy Scouts Coin Collecting merit badge. He is a past president of the Colonial Coin Collectors Club, a Rittenhouse Society member, and a fellow of the American Numismatic Society. He enjoys researching and writing about colonial numismatics and giving presentations.

Finding Tony: Anthony de Francisci and the Public Reception of the 1921 Peace Dollar
April 24, 2026, 12 pm MT

Anthony de Francisci is known to coin collectors as the designer of the Peace Dollar (1921 to 1935) and his famed silver dollar was just a small part of an active sculptor's studio. Working directly from the artist's personal scrapbooks, we'll explore the public reception of his Peace dollar, the popular narrative of his wife who served as the model, and how this single project fit into the larger context of his professional life as a working sculptor in the 1920s. Further, we'll consider the concept of how this one coin - which represented a single relatively small project for him - has an outsized impact on his reputation.

Steve Roach is an independent appraiser of coins, art, archives and collections based in Maryland and has been involved in numismatics since he was a young collector in Michigan in the 1990s. He spent nearly two decades in various positions at Coin World, serving as its Editor-and-Chief. He teaches art appraisal methodology and ethics for the International Society of Appraisers, providing a unique viewpoint to examine an artist’s economic and artistic life.

Out of the Shadow: The Golden and Silver Ages of Comics in Numismatics
May 14, 2026, 12 pm MT

“Truth, Justice, and the American Way.”
“With great power comes great responsibility.”
Or perhaps: “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!”

These timeless catchphrases, born from the earliest days of pulp, comic, and radio adventures, have echoed far beyond their pages and broadcasts—transcended into lasting emblems of strength, virtue, and the American spirit.

This presentation explores the origin stories of comics in numismatics, uncovering how coins, tokens, and medals reflected the popular culture of their time—and how they continue to inspire collectors today.

Robert Penn began his numismatic journey in California during the 1990s, where an early fascination with history and collecting grew into a lifelong pursuit. Currently, he serves as talent relations manager for Phoenix Fan Fusion, a major pop culture convention in Arizona. He is a researcher and specialist in Columbiana and exonumia. He contributed to the American Numismatic Association, both as a competitive exhibitor and as a presenter in the NumismaTalks series. He is a life member of the American Numismatic Association and a member of The Medal Collectors of America, where he is a regular contributor and serves as auction correspondent. He is also the author of Striking History: The U.S. Mint at the Chicago World's Fair.