“There is nothing like the alliance of kindred spirits to stimulate growth and interest.” -Dr. George F. Heath
Numismatics. It has quite the following as the larger than life hobby gained quite a bit of ground after numerous societies were formed to celebrate coin collecting back in the late 1800s. If one usually thinks about certain societies though, they usually think about one major one and that is the American Numismatic Association. But what is the ANA? You hear it nearly every day as a dealer or collector, but how did it come to fruition and why is it now the largest, most prestigious of societies a numismatist can be a part of?
Early Beginnings
Founded in 1891 by Dr. George F. Heath, the ANA started out as an interest to allow those small town collectors an opportunity to share their knowledge about coin collecting. Heath, who while not practicing medicine in his small town of Monroe, Michigan, found it difficult to discuss topics about the hobby he loved as societies formed to do such knowledge expansion took place in much bigger cities like Boston, Montreal, New York City, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. While these societies were very popular amongst those able to participate, its limited nature at reaching those like Dr. Heath was near nonexistent.
Due to such limited outreach, Heath found himself publishing and distributing a four-page leaflet completely on his own in 1888. This leaflet was called The Numismatist and contained a list of his coin needs, varied numismatic topics, and advertisement of duplicates for sale. The publication reached a few hundred collectors and the list continued to grow as the need for more small town numismatic hobby societies was brought to the forefront.
In the February 1891 publication of The Numismatist, a question was posed by Heath that grew into a nationwide campaign to organize an association that would bring together a number of collectors with a shared common goal and interest: “What is the matter with having an American Numismatic Association?”
American Numismatic Association (ANA)
In October of 1891, five men including Heath (William G. Jerrems, David Harlowe, J.A. Heckelman, John Brydon) held 26 proxies while meeting in Chicago and along with 61 charter members, formed and founded the American Numismatic Association. Heath was quoted after the formation as saying “The foundation of the ANA was not laid for today alone but for the long and distant future as well. Each member can do a little in contributing to its success.”
Since its official first beginnings, the ANA has grown to be the largest nonprofit numismatic organization ever created. The idea of a convention was introduced later on where numismatists could meet up annually. There are now two conventions held every year that allows for dealers, collectors, and friends to meet up while offering educational programs, exhibits, auctions, and meetings.
In 1912, a Federal Charter was granted to the ANA by President William H. Taft for a more permanent Charter and a larger Board of Directors for the Association. Finally, in 1967, a new home and headquarters was opened in Colorado Springs and remains their current home. 2017 saw the 125th Anniversary celebration of the American Numismatic Association and the organization continues to strive today.
Source:The ANA