Up On The Numismatic Soapbox

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Originally posted by crystalk64

Nope, not at this time! Just an opinion from a 30 year collector of U.S. coins that still sees no reason to belong. If I want a book, I buy it! Other than a library what do they have to offer me the average Joe? I don't need the ANA membership number to show the world I am a somebody because I collect coins and I don't need it to purchase coins and I am sure we wouldn't get discounts because we have a membership so why bother? I guess one would need the "I got to get recognized (newpaper or TV) to prove they actually belong in a specific organization and to do that we would have to set up a table on a court house square or protest to get the media out to take a few photos. Boy, can I name the groups that do that!

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Thakx Terry
This all made sense
Funny - I feel I get real value and education from the ANS (Australian Numismatic Society) WINS and this forum.

I just couldn't find the reason at present to belong tto yet another group just to have more initials after my name
Richard CCBW (Chief Cook & Bottle Washer)

Stujoe, What Magazine? Am I supposed to be getting a Magazine? I have never gotten a thing from them! Mike[:0] I even paid for two years!!!!1

Absolutely you should be getting the magazine! It is the most tangible benefit. It is typically a pretty good read.

You know, I had forgotten most of these things you have been writing about related to the ANA. I gave it all up some 20 years ago and haven't looked back. At first it was an organization that IF you lived close enough to Colorado, you could really get involved and accomplish what needed doing. But over the years it became just another "good old boys" club and positions were handed out to reward someone for who you knew, not what you have done for the hobby. Like I said in an earlier post, this years line-up of officers, look awfully "white".

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Originally posted by national dealer

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Originally posted by crystalk64
what do they have to offer me the average Joe?

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You bring up a great point. What would you like to see from a numismatic organization? It is not important for members to join, but what if they offered something for all? What makes a organization good for the whole group?

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I am certainly a n00b to this field, but pay for membership in a number of organizations relating to other aspects of my life. Some of these provide little in the form of benefits, which I have always found frustrating.

After thinking about it a little, I would like to see both tangible and intangible benefits from ANA, were I to join:

Tangible:
1) Publications, including a monthly magazine or newsletter (or both), rife with educational articles from knowledgeable experts. Booklets on specific topics, perhaps ancillary to numismatics (e.g., metal detecting, treasure hunting, the Great Depression, gold standards, world coins, grading standards, specific series, error detection, etc.), would be great as well.
2) Other stuff of some value. I like stuff, but I don't want a drawerful of junk. How about a laminated wallet-size card with a list of rarer modern coins to keep an eye out for? Or maybe a comprehensive type-set list, or a yearly BU penny with information card designed to give to a youngster? Just spitballin' ideas here...

Intangible:
1) Influence in the political realm, specifically related to design and denomination changes. In all honesty, before I began collecting, I couldn't care less as to what our coins looked like. Now, however, I feel similarly to other numismatists who would prefer something other than dead presidents on our coins. I won't go into my preferences here, suffice to say that I would hypothesize that they would be more interesting, thought-provoking, and reminiscent of our heritage and ideals.
2) Discounts on US Mint products. I don't know how feasible this would be, but I'm certain it would increase membership. If possible, discounts from foreign mints would sweeten the deal.

Those are just some thoughts that popped to mind while reading the thread. If more would be useful, I could come up with some.

Regards,
~neuron

For years I didn't join the ANA because they bashed the coins I loved.
Even in their promotional literature that was designed to entice child-
ren to join there would be statements about modern coins being uncollect-
ible. The magazine was usually worse but did sometimes carry quite good
articles abiout clads or moderns. When they changed the editorial policy
around 1996 I considered joining but there's usually a charge for new mem-
bers which I won't pay. It's still a little difficult to justify this ex-
pense also since the magazine is not worth the price of membership and lit-
tle of their other activities interest me a great deal.

One of these days I'll join up and stay a member, but not yet.

Well Mike, It looks like you & I are in the same boat, going down that creek, without a paddle. I also joined the 1st of the year, for 2 or 3 years. I didn't receive a "welcome package" but after 4 months I did call them up & asked about a magazine... I did finally receive 1, the May issue. I haven't seen anything of a ballot either.
To tell the truth I would be satisfied with just a regular magazine subscription.
Pretty sad so far IMO.