ANA FUND-RAISING NEARS $300,000; "RED BOOK" SALES AND eBAY AUCTION TO HELP BUILDING RENOVATION

The American Numismatic Association (ANA) building fund is near the $300,000 mark.

"Our goal of raising $3 million to fund the renovation of the ANA's Money Museum and Library is still a long way off, but we continue to see steady support from our members," says ANA Executive Director Edward C. Rochette. "Work continues on this important undertaking that not only will benefit the ANA, but also will be a great asset to the numismatic hobby. We are looking forward to re-opening the Museum and Library on July 14."

To help the ANA in its fund-raising effort, St. Martin's Press has donated 500 copies of its 2002 edition of A Guide Book of United States Coins (popularly known as the "Red Book") to the Association. These special-issue reference books, signed by Editor Kenneth Bressett and bearing the "Target 2001" building renovation fund logo, will be sold by the ANA for $100 each. The $50,000 raised from the sale of the books will go to the "ANA Target 2001" building fund. Previous special-issue "Red Books" have become collector items, with values far exceeding their original issue price.

When finished this summer, the remodeled ANA Money Museum and Library will stimulate visitors' interest in numismatics with intriguing windows on the worlds of history, art, geography, religion, economics, sociology and architecture. In addition, the ANA web site (www.money.org) will feature virtual exhibits based on the ever-changing displays in the museum.

Among the largest donations and pledges recently received are two $5,000 contributions - from ANA Librarian Nancy W. Green and Newport Beach sports agent and coin collector Dwight Manley, managing partner of the California Gold Marketing Group. Both donors at the Gold Level - $5,000 and more - they receive recognition on the donor wall; a recognition plaque; an "early entry" pass to the next two years of ANA convention bourses; two commemorative medals; recognition in The Numismatist; and a link on the ANA donor web page.

The Central States Numismatic Society donated $2,500 and ranks at the Silver Level - $1,000 and more. Contributors at the Silver Level receive recognition on the donor wall; an "early entry" pass to the next year's ANA convention bourses; one commemorative medal; and recognition in The Numismatist and on the donor web page.

Larry and Brenda Bishop; Jack Denton; Polly Dodson; Arthur M. Fitts III; Douglas Harms; Louis Landi; I. Edward Price; Texas Numismatic Investments, Inc.; and Donald Young all contributed $500 or more, placing them at the Bronze Level. They will receive recognition on the donor wall; one commemorative medal; and recognition in The Numismatist and on the donor web page. Many other donations have been made for lesser amounts, each donation being equally as important.

To celebrate the re-opening of the Money Museum and Library and recognize donors, a black-tie optional dinner at the Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs will be held on the evening of Saturday, July 14. Donors at the Gold and Platinum levels ($5,000 and $10,000, respectively) as well as ANA Benefactors and Grand Benefactors ($25,000 and $500,000, respectively) will receive free tickets to the dinner. Others interested in attending can purchase dinner tickets for $100 each. Reservations must be made by July 1, 2001.

An auction of donated rare coins, paper money, tokens, medals, books and other numismatic material will be held by one of the Internet's largest and most respected auction companies, eBay™ Inc., on June 11-21 to benefit the "ANA Target 2001" building fund drive.

Among the donated items, the eBay auction will feature:

• A number of error coins
• Commemorative Austrian gold schillings
• 1974 gasoline ration coupons
• An Early American copper piece
• A Hobo nickel by "Bo"
• Scarce paper money
• A number of numismatic books

Two of the most appealing coins up for auction are an 1883 3-cent nickel displaying tremendous eye appeal, mark-free surfaces and a strong strike; and an 1881-CC Morgan dollar graded MS66 by PCGS that is a "frosty white well struck gem," according to the auction description. The Internet auction will feature various five-coin sets from America's Favorite Coins, which contain an Indian Head cent, Buffalo nickel, Mercury dime, Bicentennial quarter and silver Kennedy half dollar. The Internet auction also includes the Americana Series featuring several five-coin sets, including "Vanishing Classics," "President's" and "Yesteryear" collections.

To make a donation or for more information about ANA Target 2001, contact the American Numismatic Association, 818 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903-3279; telephone 719/632-2646; fax 719/634-4085; E-mail rochette@money.org.

For more information about ANA Target 2001, contact ANA Governor Barry Stuppler at 5855 Topanga Canyon Blvd., #330, Woodland Hills, CA 91367; fax 818/594-8599; or E-mail ANA2001@coinmag.com.