Numismatic Profiles Video Archive
Meet the Icons of the Numismatic World
Explore the profiles and stories of the most influential figures in numismatics. Our collection of videos highlights collectors, historians, and industry leaders within the coin collecting community; as well as coin designs of specific subjects and personalities. Gain a deeper understanding of their contributions and the rich history that connects us all.
Mellon and Money: The Story of a Great Treasury Secretary
Instructor: Lawrence W. (“Larry”) Reed
Andrew Mellon, one of the longest-serving U.S. Treasury secretaries, ranks as a giant of enterprise, finance, and public policy in the first half of the 20th Century. In this lecture, Mr. Reed will explain Mellon’s critical role in shaping the economic policies of three administrations and why, if his views had prevailed in the 1930s, perhaps the Great Depression would have been a footnote instead of the catastrophe that it was.
Visual Strategies of Suffrage, the 19th Amendment & American Coin Design
Instructor: Steve Roach
This presentation is part of the ANA’s eLearning Academy. The visual language of women’s suffrage is rendered on contemporary U.S. coins, including Adolph A Weinman’s Winged Liberty Head (aka “Mercury”) dime and Walking Liberty half dollar, and on Hermon MacNeil’s Standing Liberty quarter dollar, all first issued in 1916. These coins draw on a rich, visual vocabulary used to promote voting rights for women.
Numismatic Contributions of Trailblazing Treasury Department Women
Instructor: Walt Ostromecki
There is undeniable, documented proof in the Department of the Treasury’s records that beginning in the late 18th century, women were employed in various divisions of the department and played a significant role not only in American history but in numismatic history as well. Their contributions to the field began in April 1795 when Henry Voigt of the Philadelphia Mint hired Sarah Waldrake and Rachel Summers—the mint’s first female employees. Their jobs? Coin adjusters! Their numismatic contributions? View the presentation to find out! Also highlighted will be the little-known and overlooked exploits and hobby contributions of other Treasury women—Augusta Owen, Jeannie Douglas, Annie H. Martin, Marion Bannister, Rae Biester, Eva Adams, and Bette B. Anderson—over the past 228 years.
The Influence of Anna W. Williams in Numismatics
Instructor: Jack E. Topping
This presentation will explore one iconic woman’s role in the advancement of circulating coinage in the United States and the lasting impact she has had on numismatics. Schoolteacher Anna Willess Williams’ rise to fame began in 1876 when U.S. Mint engraver George T. Morgan selected her as a model for the portrait on a new coin design. Christened the “Goddess of Liberty” by The Numismatist magazine in 1896, Williams was thrown into the spotlight and became an integral part of numismatics—her portrait became the world-famous “Lady Liberty” on the obverse of the Morgan Dollar, which was minted from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921. This presentation will discuss, in conjunction with Williams’ biography, the state of the economy and American society leading up to the design and creation of the Morgan dollar and the coins subsequent impact on numismatics.
Italian Numismatics: Insights Through Modern History
Instructor: Antonio Crisa
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.
CAC and its “Green Beans”
Instructor: Bob Bair
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.
Lewis & Clark: A Lasting Numismatic Legacy
Instructor: Phil Vitale
The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 doubled the size of our young country; however, the boundaries of this territory and what it contained were somewhat unknown. President Jefferson chartered the “Corps of Discovery”, led by Lewis & Clark, to explore the region, establish an American presence, establish trade with the native tribes, and document the flora and fauna that were previously unknown. Although relatively unheralded in the 1800s, the centennial and bicentennial anniversaries of the momentous undertaking spawned numerous examples of numismatic heralding as well as tokens. This presentation provides a historical background examples of numismatic interest.
Lives Joined in Genius—Laura Gardin Fraser and James Earle Fraser
Instructor: Bob Bair
James Earle Fraser and Laura Gardin Fraser were not just incredibly talented sculptor/artists, truly amazing people, and the separate artistic forces behind the iconic “Buffalo” Nickel, and the Alabama, Grant, and Ft. Vancouver Commemorative Coins (sharing the design of the Oregon Trail Commemorative), but they each created a broad and lasting artistic posterity.
Prince of Youth: Coinage Traces the Rise and Fall of Publius Septimius Geta
Instructor: Michael Kodysz
Discusses Severan-era Roman coinage illustrating the life of the Roman emperor Geta. This youngest son of Septimius Severus was propagandized on coins from childhood as destined to rule alongside his brother Caracalla. Coin types legitimizing Geta’s status as imperial heir include those featuring him as Princeps Iuventutis, meaning “prince of youth” or “first among the young.”
Lincoln: The Challenge
Instructor: Doug Mudd
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?
Women in Numismatics
Instructor: Mary Lannin
Sculptors and engravers, mint directors and civil servants, rulers and goddesses….women have been an integral part of the history of money. Although we are familiar with women as the subject of coins, who have we overlooked? Join us for a National Coin Week talk about famous and infamous women from 300 BC to the 21 st century.
Siege Stories: Tales of Courage & Defiance
Instructor: Lawrence C. Korchnak, Ph.D.
Part of the ANA’s eLearning Academy. Siege warfare has generated a fascinating area of numismatics. With it comes its share of heroes, heroines and villains. Dr. Korchnak will use coins, medals and tokens to bring these characters to life with excerpts from his soon-to-be-published work on siege coins, OBSIDIONAL COINS OF THE WORLD, 1453-1902.
Dr. Lewis Feuchtwanger and the Numismatic Legacy of His Tokens
Instructor: Brad Seidel
In 1837 Dr. Lewis Feuchtwanger petitioned Congress to use his “German Silver” alloy for coinage. He struck and circulated 1- and 3-cent pieces dated 1837 to bolster his case, but Congress declined. However, 20 years later, legislators “borrowed” his ideas when the Flying Eagle cent was introduced. Feuchtwanger can be considered the father of the small cent and pioneered the use of nickel in coinage.
Symbols of the Sun God on Coins of the Eccentric Emperor Elagabalus
Instructor: Michael A. Kodysz
The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, known to history as Elagabalus, served as chief priest of the Syrian sun god El-Gabal. This talk explores the significant proportion of Elagabalus’ coins that reference the sun god through symbols such as stars, stones, and the emperor’s priestly accouterments.
George Clapp, Charles Clapp & Robert Book—Pittsburgh’s Numismatic Copper Trio
Instructors: Charles F. Heck & Wayne Homren
The personal and numismatic lives of these three men are one of the most interesting stories that can be told. Unfortunately, much incorrect information has been published. This PowerPoint presentation will set the record straight by providing evidence from the archives of the ANS, the Carnegie Museum and the Archives of the Western Pennsylvania Numismatic Society.
The Occupation of Hong Kong and the Life of a Veteran
Instructor: Michael Souza
The presentation covers the numismatic and philatelic issues affecting Hong Kong before, during and after the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. In addition, it also incorporates the life of my late father who was one of the 14,000 defenders of Hong Kong, his internment as a POW, and his life after the war as an Olympic marksman.
The Leading Ladies of Rome
Instructor: Dave Michaels
As Rome transitioned from a republic to an empire, a significant change took place in its coinage—it began to feature portraits of women. Marc Antony was the first Roman leader to place an image of his leading lady, Octavia, on a coin. She was followed shortly thereafter by the appearance of Cleopatra VII, and in the ensuing centuries, it became commonplace to adorn coinage with portraits of Rome’s leading ladies. This presentation will discuss the evolution of such portraits, from depictions of largely adjunct figures in the 1st century to illustrations of distinction in the 2nd century and beyond. Also discussed will be the variety of portrait styles—from starkly realistic to rather emblematic, and back again—from the era of the Byzantine Empire and the Renaissance to more recent coinage.
Nixon’s Numismatic Hobby Legacy
Instructor: Walt Ostromecki
The presentation takes a look at the various numismatic hobby items/collectibles which came about during and through Mr. Nixon’s Presidency including legislation for the right for private citizens to once again own gold. This legislation is something he pushed for and was on his desk for signature when he resigned the office of President. Gerald Ford signed it into law a few days after Richard Nixon’s departure. The program will also cover the various official coins, medals and other collectible memorabilia issued during his presidency including the idea of a new $2 bill for the bicentennial.
Roane Iron Company of Tennessee: Paper Scrip, Political Scrip and Tokens
Instructor: Tom Carson
Union General John Wilder prospected East Tennessee for iron while fighting the Civil War. After the war, he purchased iron and coal bearing deposits near Rockwood. Paper scrip was issued in Rockwood and Chattanooga from 1868 until 1884. The scrip became hated by the miners and facsimiles of the Scrip with Political Text on the back were used against the Political Career of H. Clay Evans, Corporate Treasurer. Tokens were used by the company at the Furnace at Rockwood, Iron Mines at Chamberlain and Coal Mines at Wilder.
This presentation will intertwine the history and “money” of Roane Iron.
Politics, Ego & Tragedy – A Bold Tale of Political Intrigue
Instructor: Doug Mudd
Learn how coins can illustrate the history of one of greatest periods of history as the Roman Republic collapsed into chaos and Civil War during the mid-1st Century BC.