ANA eLearning Academy Recorded Webinars

Expand your numismatic knowledge with these pre-recorded webinars led by numismatic professionals and fellow hobbyists. Check back as new webinars are added frequently.

Engaging Young Collectors Now and in the Years to Come

There is no one-size-fits-all approach for getting kids or adults interested in numismatics. With that in mind, this presentation will provide several approaches on how to draw friends and relatives of all ages into our hobby.

Panelists: Abby Zechman, Garrett Ziss, Kellen Hoard, Kenny Sammut

Originally presented June 29, 2020.

Grading 101

Explore the philosophy behind learning how to grade. Review the characteristics of the four basic metals used in minting coins in the United States. Instruction will consist of a lecture, a PowerPoint presentation, and question and answer periods. ANA grading standards will be stressed. Gain the confidence needed to accurately assess potential coins for your collection.

Instructor: Rod Gillis Education Director, American Numismatic Association

Originally presented June 30, 2020.

CAC and its "Green Beans"

The story behind the emergence of CAC as a driving force in numismatics today, and how CAC has helped point coin collectors and investors toward their acquisition of coins that are "solid for the grade" or better.

Instructor: Bob Bair, avid collector and coin dealer with specialization in the history of US Coinage

Originally presented July 1, 2020.

Detection of Counterfeit and Altered Coins

Learn the often-subtle differences between genuine, counterfeit, and altered coins. Topics will include counterfeit-coin production, types of counterfeit dies and castings, date and mintmark alterations, specific gravity testing, and Chinese-made counterfeits.

Instructors: Brian Silliman, professional numismatist, Brian Silliman Rare Coins, and former NGC grader/conserver and ANA authenticator/conserver; and Jim Robinson, professional numismatist, APMEX

Originally presented July 2, 2020.

Italian Numismatics: Insights Through Modern History

This session will cover Italian numismatics, offering some intriguing starting points for coin collectors, amateurs, and scholars. Through the lens of history and research, the instructor will assess a series of peculiar Italian coinages, mostly relevant to Sicily between the 16th and 19th centuries, and the Kingdom of Italy (1861-46). The instructor will demonstrate how Italian numismatics can offer much information on historical backgrounds, kings, and dictators from the Spanish rulers in Sicily to Mussolini.

Instructor: Antonino 'Nino' Crisà, numismatist, historian, and archaeologist, currently Marie Curie Skłodowska Research Fellow at Ghent University (Belgium).

Originally presented July 3, 2020.

Introduction to Early U.S. Paper Currency: 1765 to 1865

This class is designed for beginning to intermediate students and will divide U.S. paper money into three periods: the end of the colonial period and the Revolution; the obsolete period; and the Civil War, with the introduction of federal issues up to 1865. Examples from the ANA’s holdings (including parts of the Bebee collection) will be shown to illustrate the fascinating and important role of paper currency in the early economic development of the United States as well as how such notes can provide a window into the history of the period.

Instructors: Richard L. Horst, paper-currency specialist; and Douglas Mudd, museum director, and curator, Edward C. Rochette Money Museum

Originally presented July 6, 2020.

Understanding the Art of Rare Coin Submissions

Submitting coins for third party certification is not as simple as it appears. Grading fees are substantial, and without the correct knowledge, a great deal of time and money can be wasted. We will also discuss what coins can come back as no-grades, which cause many collectors grief and disappointment. The entire process of rare coin submissions will be discussed.

Instructor: Jeff Garrett, President of Mid-American Rare Coin Gallery, Inc.; Past President ANA

Originally presented July 6, 2020.

The Modern Minting Process: Errors and Varieties

Explore the minting process and learn how each procedure can lead to the possible creation of collectible errors and varieties. Topics include identification 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.

Instructor: Sam Gelberd, ANA numismatic educator and avid collector

Originally presented July 7, 2020.

Collecting and Investing in Morgan Dollars: A Comprehensive Approach

This course will provide a professional overview of collecting and investing in Morgan silver dollars. Students will learn the subtle nuances of dates and mintmarks, grading, varieties, die states, roofline, and deep-mirror prooflike coins. Whether you are a beginner, dealer, or seasoned Morgan collector, the knowledge gained from this class will serve you well as you collect and invest in the most popular series in numismatics.

Instructors: John Baumgart, owner, Variety Slabbing Service, Past President of the Society of Silver Dollar Collectors; and Michael S. Fey, Ph.D., president of Rare Coin Investments (RCI), and co-author, Top 100 Morgan Dollars and co-founder and Past President of the new Society of Silver Dollar Collectors (SSDC)

Originally presented July 8, 2020.

Mexican Voices in Metal and Paper

This course examines the general perspective of coins, some medals, and paper money that compose Mexican Numismatics, covering the period from 1492 to 1925. The highlights of this topic are the coinage of Charles and Johanna (1536 - 1571), cobs (1572 - 1733), and klippes (1733 - 1734), on the oddly shaped coinage. We will glance at the Pillar series (1732 - 1771), busts (1772 - 1810), and War of Independence (1810 - 1822) reviewing the issues made by the Emergency Mints outside of Mexico City. Once Mexico gained its independence from Spain we will touch on Iturbide's coinage and some of the 14 Republican Mints (1822 - 1905). During the French Invasion, coins on behalf of Maximilian were made as the Emperor of Mexico (1863 - 1867), followed by the Republican issues (1867 - 1905). The establishment of the banking system appeared in 1864 and with that the first issues of paper money walked on the streets of Mexico City, extending to the rest of the Republic (1864 - 1915). In 1905 a Monetary Reform occurred and the coin design changed some. By 1913 the first issues of the Mexican Revolución appeared in coins and paper money, ending in 1917 altogether. We will stop this meteoric review with the establishment of the Banco de México, the equivalent of the Federal Reserve, in 1925.

Instructor: Ricardo de Leon Tallavas, author and Mexican coinage expert

Originally presented July 9, 2020.

Creating a Great Club Newsletter

This presentation will discuss the development of a newsletter publication people will want to read! It will briefly address newsletter objectives, the use of layout, font, and colors to better meet your objectives. Photo use and placement will be discussed, as well as selection of software used for publishing, photo editing, and PDF editing.

Instructor: Phil Vitale, President, Albuquerque Coin Club; Editor of the award-winning Pocket Change newsletter

Originally presented July 10, 2020.

Introduction to Paper Money Production and Counterfeit Detection

This class will cover printing technologies used by security printers and the more likely technologies used by counterfeiters.

Instructor: Joseph Boling, co-author, World War II Remembered: History in your Hands, a Numismatic Study

Originally presented July 18, 2020.

When the Die is Wrong: Wrong Die Varieties That Can be Found and Collected

We will be talking about coins that were struck with dies that should have been used on a different coin. Think Proofs, circulations, different years, and denominations (like mules). From Flying Eagle cents to Bullion Silver eagles we will go over more than 50 different coins in this fascinating subset of variety collecting. Some of these coins can carry a price tag worth far more than a normal coin. All attendees will have the opportunity to receive a PDF file of the coins that we talk about.

Instructor: John H. Miller Jr., variety expert for more than 20 years

Originally presented July 28, 2020. Download PDF here.

Digital Image Editing for Numismatics: Getting Your Obverses & Reverses Together

Attendees will learn how to organize, edit, and modify coin and paper money images for the purposes of print and web publishing, cataloging, personal reference, and exhibiting. Topics covered will include the basics of image resolution, file naming, and file formats; and a brief discussion of ethical guidelines. Demonstrations will be conducted using Adobe Photoshop® and include the basics of color correction, how to add or remove backgrounds from images, how to merge separate images of obverse and reverse into a single seamless image, and how to create special effects such as drop shadows.

Instructor: Michael Kodysz

Originally presented September 14, 2020

MPC Boot Camp

All Military Payment Certificate (MPC) enthusiasts are to report for duty! The mission includes basic to the advanced study of MPCs. Deserters will be court-martialed!

Drill Sergeant: Carlton “Fred” Schwan, long-time instructor and author of The Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates and co-author of World War II Remembered: History in Your Hands, A Numismatic Study

Originally presented September 17, 2020.

Grading 101 in Arabic

تعرف علي اسس وفلسفة التقييم السليمة و تطورها, الي جانب المعادن المستخدمة لسك عملات الولايات المتحدة وكذلك كيفية فحص العملة بشكل سليم ومواضيع اخري عديدة ذات صلة. الويبينار سيتضمن محاضرة باوربوينت وستتاح فرصة للأجابة علي بعض الأسئلة- هدف المحاضرة اعطائك الثقة الكافية لتقييم اي عملة قبل اضافتها لمجموعتك - المحاضرة باللغة العربية

المحاضر: محب زرق الله من اعداد رود جيليس اعضاء بالجمعية الأمريكية للنميات

Instructor: Moe Rizkalla, original content: Rod Gillis American Numismatic Association

Originally presented October 2, 2020

Secrets of the Flying Eagle & Indian Head Cents

Participants will examine all aspects of collecting two of the most popular series in U.S. numismatics, including history, grading, values, varieties, and collecting strategies. The course also covers counterfeit and problem coins.

Instructor: Richard Snow, professional coin dealer, and specialist in U.S. small cents

Originally presented October 13, 2020

Numismatic Photography: Digital Equipment & Techniques

This course explores basic and intermediate photography techniques, using a proper macro-capable digital camera, I-pad, or cellphone. Learn how to choose and use accessories that will help achieve professional numismatic photographs for documenting items in your collection and/or for online use. Understanding the features/functions typically found on digital cameras, cellphones and I-pads, lighting techniques, copy stand selection, proper camera set-up, and proper lens choice. By the end of this course, you will have developed the ability to understand your camera and use the fundamentals to improve your confidence in taking pictures.

Instructors: Clark Fogg, Senior Forensic Specialist (ret.) Beverly Hills Police Department and professional numismatic photographer. ANA Summer Seminar Instructor: Introduction to Numismatic Photography; and David Heinrich, coin photographer, and editor of several local and regional numismatic publications. ANA Summer Seminar Instructor: Introduction to Numismatic Photography.

Originally presented October 22, 2020

U.S. Error Coins

In this presentation, we will discuss the minting process. We will look at various US error coins from my own collection, and we will learn how these error coins were produced.

Instructor: Dany Rothfeld

Originally presented October 27, 2020

Coin Collecting Basics

This informal class will help you decide what to collect and how to store your collection. Subjects such as grading and the variables that determine value are discussed. Learning how to enjoy the hobby to its fullest is explored.

Instructor: Rod Gillis Education Director, American Numismatic Association

Originally presented November 11, 2020

Young Collectors Corner

This course explores the wonderful world of coin collecting at its most basic levels, to help young collectors learn more about the hobby of numismatics. Areas covered include:

► What is money?

► Coin identification, including the parts of a coin and banknotes.

► How coins and bank notes are made.

► Requirements necessary for Scouts to earn their Coin Collecting Merit Badge of Fun With Money Patch.

► Various ANA programs available to Young Numismatists.

Instructor: Sam Gelberd Numismatic Educator, American Numismatic Association

Originally presented November 14, 2020

Auction World 101: An Inside Perspective

There are many segments every auction house must put together to produce a successful event. These range from obtaining the consignments, cataloging, marketing, and conducting the auction live, online, or live interactively. A thorough discussion of each moving part from start to finish will take place. Participants will come away with the knowledge that will help them improve, upgrade, or disperse a collection through the auction method. This class will present an overview of how to buy, sell, and participate in auctions by understanding how auction companies approach sales.

Instructor: Ailie Byers, CFO, Centennial Auctions

Originally presented December 7, 2020

You Can Research & Publish a Numismatic Book; Tom & I Did

This presentation will cover what decisions need to be made and how we chose to implement them for two very different numismatic publications. The first publication included all numismatic collectibles for Chattanooga Tennessee. Tom and I had extensive collections of this material. However, we needed to research and extend our knowledge beyond what we collected to cover all material in our scope. We decided to publish the information in a CD Adobe Acrobat (pdf format).

The second publication included all obsolete paper money from the state of Tennessee. We had some knowledge of Tennessee scrip. There was very little published information on Tennessee scrip. Therefore, we spent over 12 years researching scrip images and information. We agreed to publish a book using Adobe InDesign.

We created a website for both publications during the period when we were researching that was open to dealers and collectors to follow as we found new images and information. All information and images were credited on the website. The website was closed when we began selling the publications.

Instructor: Dennis Schafluetzel and Tom Carson

Originally presented December 10, 2020

A Numismatic Journey through Egyptian Islamic History

This presentation is an overview of Egyptian Islamic history based on a journey through gold Islamic coins minted in Egypt. The journey begins in 170 AH (786 CE) and ends at the fall of the Ottoman Empire and their rule of Egypt during World War I in 1335 AH (1916 CE). This represents approximately 1,200 years of the most interesting times for Egypt and the Mediterranean basin. We will look at gold coins and relate them to the socio-economic events occurring in Egypt and the Mediterranean during that period.

Instructor: Gamal Amer, Ph.D.

Originally presented January 11, 20201

Detection of Counterfeit Slabs

How is a PCGS slab composed? How is an NGC slab composed? What does a counterfeit slab look like? Where would I find these fakes? All this and more in Detection of Counterfeit Slabs with Isaiah Hageman.

Instructor: Isaiah Hageman

Originally presented January 13, 2021

Euro Coins – Cutting-Edge, Continuous, Cultural Contributors

This talk focuses on the imagery of the current Euro coins. Even though all its banknotes have the same design across the Euro-zone; the coins have one nation-specific side. Their designs offer a sneak-peek into European diversity. And even though the coins are lower in economic value; they are higher in value for their contribution towards identity, history, heritage & culture. In recent times money is metamorphosing into an e-avatar, but banknotes and coins (especially in the Eurozone) are still very prevalent. The lowest denomination of the banknotes is 5 euros; coins are still needed for your daily shot of caffeine!

Instructor: Rukmini Dahanukar

Originally presented January 15, 2021

The World of Elongated Coins

Today’s modern elongated cents (also known as pressed pennies, squashed cents, rolled cents, and many other names), can trace their history to innovation at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago. The first recorded documentation of coins (both U.S. and World) being “rolled” with a press with a design on the roller to produce a new type of souvenir, was done at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Over two dozen elongated design types are known to have been “rolled” at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.

A whole new numismatic collecting field was created and is growing even today. You can find elongated rolling machines at most tourist attractions (museums, zoos, theme parks, etc.) not only in the U.S. but in other countries around the world.

The presentation will show the growth and development of elongate collecting from 1893 to today, and provide collecting information.

Instructor: Richard Jozefiak

Originally presented January 20, 2021

The Story of Siege Money

Sieges punctuate history with accounts of bravery as well as dreadful acts of cruelty...always in the name of justice, often in the name of God. Soldiers who engaged in siege warfare were generally mercenaries and demanded payment for their services. During extended periods of strife, the coin o the realm simply ran out and had to be substituted with something else necessitating the creation of siege money. This talk is designed to familiarize the collector with what siege money is, how it was made, and show the many forms that it takes.

Instructor: Lawrence Korchnak

Originally presented January 21, 2021

Masonic Pennies 130 Years of Mystery, History and Beautiful Coins

When a Mason earned the Fourth Degree, Royal Arch Mason, they earned a penny. The history of the penny is shrouded in mystery. When a Mason became a Royal Arch Mason they put their Mark in the Chapter Book of Marks and put it on their penny. This ritual appears to have a developed-in America during the 1800s. The first mention of a R.A.M Penny was in Medals of the Masonic Fraternity by Marvin in 1880. Marvin listed a Penny similar to the current Chapter Penny issued by the Excelsior Mark Lodge no 216 in Philadelphia. Marvin also lists a stock Penny. The stock pennies were silver and had a Keystone on one side and blank on the other side. The earliest I have been able to find was from the Pentucket Chapter from Haverhill MA. in 1876. To date I have only seen 4 of these pennies – each uniquely engraved.

Sometime around 1890, the Chapters started having unique dies engraved. B.P. Wright, President of ANA and a Mason, issued a series of three booklets on Masonic Pennies 1901-1904. Many of the Masonic Pennies were works of engraving art. In the early days, the Chapters were very secretive and would not share information on their pennies. Many of the pennies were buried with the Masons. The Hanauer Collection of Masonic Pennies started in 1899 became the basis for the collection at the House of the Temple in Washington DC. E.A. King Cataloged this collection (about 8,000 pennies) in the late 1920s and issued the book Masonic Chapter Pennies. There are several pennies in the collection that are the only ones know. We have cataloged over 17,000 pennies with images on tokencatalog.com.

This presentation will go through the history of Masonic Pennies and examples of the different types of pennies. Many of the Pennies have interesting stories and some of them will be discussed. Much of this information is being presented for the first time.

Instructor: Tom Carson

Originally presented January 27, 2021

Parthia: The Forgotten Empire

Parthia was an Empire occupied the region of modern-day Iran and Iraq for over 400 years, yet is almost forgotten today. Learn more about this fascinating empire through its coinage.

Instructor: Doug Mudd

Originally presented January 28, 2021

The Production Technology of Ancient Coinage

For the production of ancient coinage, it was well-known that form follows function. In order to produce a legal coin, it was necessary to have the correct materials and strict controls for its standardized design and production. It is then that the legitimate authority (emperor, empire) approves the striking of a disk or lump of metal, of a certain purity and weight, to produce to official coin that can be used as legal tender. The authority certifies that the newly minted coin is the legal currency, at least within the area governed by that power.

Although the manufacture and production of ancient coinage involve simple tools, their fine quality, design, and extremely beautiful details speak otherwise.

This presentation will focus on various points:

-Metals that have been used for the production of ancient coinage;

-The tools necessary to produce coinage;

-The stages of coinage production;

-The manufacturing techniques, casting, and striking commenting on the benefits of each and on defects that can help in their study;

-The different features and characteristics between Ptolemaic and Roman coinage.

Instructor: Almoatz-bellah Elshahawi

Originally Presented February 5, 2021

Let's Collect Half Cents

U.S. Half cents, which were made from 1793-1857, have a great advantage to collectors of being rare, interesting, and affordable at the same time. Yet, many collectors are unfamiliar with this fascinating series. Most of them were made during the administrations of Washington Adams, Jefferson, and Madison, so they have great historical interest, but you can get many of them in XF-AU (or even better!) for less than the price of a heavily circulated 1909-S VDB cent. This talk will discuss their beauty and artistry, how they were made, and how people collect them.

Instructor: Bill Eckberg

Originally Presented February 8, 2021

Lincoln: The Challenge

Who was Lincoln? This presentation discusses Lincoln as seen through his numismatic portraits over time – from original photographs to medals, coins, and paper currency – who was he and how has his image been used over the last 150 years?

Instructor: Doug Mudd

Originally presented February 10, 2021.

The Second Great Mortality; AKA: The Black Death, 1333-53 & Some of its Coinage

Join Rod Frechette's undertaking of the Second Great Mortality. His revelation on how this dark chaotic period has anything to do with this past year is no longer a mystery. You will be buried with graveside humor on a tour of medieval Eurasia as he shovels up dozens of the 300+ coins of this mortifying period. 20th Century pop culture is interred with the science, religious superstition, history, geography, and personalities of this grim time.

Instructor: Rod Frechette

Originally presented February 11, 2021

Please check back for recording.

Dutch Sieges of the 16th and 17th Centuries

The most prolific era of siege coin production was during the struggle for Dutch independence. The Eighty Years' War was a large-scale insurrection with political roots, economic implications, and deep religious fervor. The story of the events during this period in history can be told by the coins that were created by necessity under the strain of war.

Originally presented February 16, 2021

The Short Snorter Project – Still Keeping the Memories Alive – Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the End of WWII

Tom Sparks founded the Short Snorter Project to educate the general public about the short snorter tradition, the individuals, and the short snorter artifacts. His presentation incorporates his collection of artifacts and research put together over the last 15+ years which was recently published as a digital book on the Newman Numismatic Portal.

Instructor: Tom Sparks

Originally presented February 19, 2021

Cast Bronze Money from the Roman Republic and Central Italy

Rome was founded in 753 BC and started producing coins in about 300 BC. Cast bronze in several forms was used for money in Republican Rome and Central Italy before coins were struck from gold, silver, or bronze. This talk will cover some reasons for the use of money. Cast bronze in several forms will be shown: irregularly formed as rude, cast bars and other shapes, and finally cast bronze coins. Some of the important books on the subject will be discussed and shown.

Instructor: Gene McPherson

Originally presented February 22, 2021

Please check back soon for video.

More on Paper and Money Counterfeits and the History of Official Counterfeiting

In the first session on this subject, when time expired we were in the middle of a slide set showing how counterfeiters evade or replicate security features on banknotes. In this session, we will finish that discussion and move to the history of state-on-state counterfeiting – a practice dating back to the American Revolutionary War. If you missed the first session, you can watch it ahead of time on the ANA's website at https://info.money.org/elearning-recorded-webinars. Look for "Introduction to Paper Money Production and Counterfeit Detection."

Instructor: Joseph E. Boling

Originally presented February 23, 2021