Three lucky PCGS Set RegistrySM members have been selected to receive scholarships to the popular American Numismatic Association Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs, Colorado this year.
The ANA (www.money.org) and the Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com) are jointly offering tuition, meals, lodging and airfare for each of the three to attend one of the two week-long Summer Seminar sessions.
The winners, who will be attending an ANA Summer Seminar for the first time, are Christopher Bryan, James M. Bucki Sr. and Gerry Fortin.
"Winners were selected based on their set display and a brief explanation of why they should be selected for a scholarship," said BJ Searls, Set Registry Manager.
Bryan’s set, known as "Route 66 — Tazman," is listed under Carson City Morgan Dollars, Circulation Strikes (1878 – 1893), and can be found online at www.pcgs.com/setregistry/publishedset.aspx?s=44824&ac=1.
"Christopher hopes to learn more about coins at Summer Seminar and, in particular, learn how to make the hobby better for everyone. He named his set ‘Route 66’ because he hopes to eventually have all his coins graded Mint State 66.
It’s clear from his set description that he loves the hobby. His set now contains five of the highest-graded CC dollars certified by PCGS. Each coin is imaged and described in detail," explained Searls.
Bucki’s set, named "JMBCoins Jeff Nickel Basic Proof," is listed under Jefferson Nickels Basic Set, Proof (1965 – present) and is online at http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/publishedset.aspx?s=50513&ac=1.
"James is a father of six and is actively involved in the Buffalo, New York Numismatic Association. He’s the Scouting and Youth Coordinator for the club. In addition, he has instructed over 850 Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts on the Coin Collecting Merit Badge.
He hopes to pass on to youths in his area what he learns from the ANA seminar. His entry had a great description of his set with detailed information and images for each coin."
Fortin’s set, "The Gerry Fortin Liberty Seated Dime Collection," is listed under Liberty Seated Dimes with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1837 – 1891), and is online at www.pcgs.com/setregistry/alltimeset.aspx?s=605.
"Gerry has been researching and collecting Liberty Seated Dimes for many years, and as a result has become an expert in the field," said Searls. "He’s published a web-book on the subject (www.SeatedDimeVarieties.com), and is the IT and Marketing Director for the Liberty Seated Collectors Club.
From his ANA experience he hopes to pick up the tools to develop a course on Liberty Seated coinage and variety research. His entry provided detailed information about each coin in his set and an image of each coin."
"Summer Seminar is the best educational experience in numismatics," said ANA Executive Director Larry Shepherd when the joint ANA-PCGS scholarships were announced in April. "Our students learn from the best instructors in the hobby, interact with fellow numismatists, make new friends, expand their knowledge and, each year, find something new to get excited about."
This year’s two ANA Summer Seminar sessions will be conducted Saturday, June 26 to Friday, July 2, and from Saturday, July 3 to Friday, July 9. Winners now will select which seminar session they want to attend and design their own curriculum from available classes.
The 2010 ANA Summer Seminar catalog with detailed descriptions of this year’s available courses and additional information about ANA Summer Seminar is available online at http://www.money.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Summer_Seminar2&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=15295
As part of this scholarship project, the ANA will cover tuition, meals and six-nights lodging at the double-occupancy room rate, and PCGS will provide roundtrip airfare to Colorado Springs for the three winners.
"Numismatic education is crucial for our hobby and the hobbyists. We encourage collectors and dealers to take advantage of the annual ANA Summer Seminar to expand their knowledge and enjoyment of collecting," said Don Willis, President of PCGS, a division of Collectors Universe, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLCT).
About American Numismatic Association
The American Numismatic Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and encouraging people to study and collect coins, paper money and related items. With 32,000 members, the Association serves the academic community, collectors and the general public who have an interest in numismatics.
The ANA helps all people discover and explore the world of money through its vast array of programs including its education and outreach, museum, library, publications, conventions and seminars.
PCGS Information
Established in 2001, the PCGS Set Registry (http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry) now hosts over 48,000 sets.
For additional information about PCGS and its services, visit www.PCGS.com, call PCGS Customer Service at (800) 477-8848, or email at info@PCGS.com.
