The American Numismatic Association has contracted with its official paper money grader, Paper Money Guaranty, LLC to encapsulate, grade, appraise and provide a complete certification report for the ANA Bebee Collection of Paper Money.
The collection, donated to the ANA Edward C. Rochette Money Museum by Aubrey and Adeline Bebee in 1987, is one of most comprehensive collections of U.S. paper money ever assembled.
It features 904 notes including national bank notes from virtually every state and territory and perhaps the finest collection of large-sized notes outside of the Smithsonian Institution.
The Bebee collection, displayed on the ANA website at www.money.org (select "visit the Money Museum," then select "The Bebee Collection" — or go to www.ana-museum.org), will be encapsulated in time for its inaugural display at the summer ANA World’s Fair of Money in Boston, August 10-14, at the Hynes Convention Center.
"This agreement with PMG makes it possible for the ANA to share this fabulous collection with numismatists and paper money aficionados who, otherwise, might never have an opportunity to see the spectacular rarities collected by Aubrey and Adeline Bebee," said ANA Executive Director Larry Shepherd.
"The Bebees entrusted the ANA to protect and preserve their life’s work — but we also know that they hoped this special collection could be shared with the numismatic community.
It’s a great feeling to know that we’ll now be able to expand our use of these notes for educational purposes, share them with the numismatic community, and preserve them for future generations."
"This is such a special collection," said Glen Jorde, manager of PMG, which along with NGC and NCS serve as the ANA’s official grading and conservation services. "So many of the Bebee specimens are either unique or the finest we’ve ever seen. The national bank note collection, with nearly every state and territory represented, blew me away. And the collection of large-sized U.S. notes is simply one of the finest anywhere outside of the Smithsonian."
Beginning this month, PMG will accurately and safely grade and encapsulate each note into a holder designed for long-term protection. Three PMG graders will examine each of the notes to confirm authenticity, attribution and to render an opinion on its condition. Once graded, each note will be encapsulated along with a certification label. The information will then be recorded in PMG’s data management system and provided to the ANA. The project is scheduled for completion by June 11.
PMG will also provide the ANA with a fair market estimate of the value of the notes based upon the rarity and condition of the notes, which will enable the ANA to determine an overall value of the collection for insurance purposes.
"This collaboration between PMG and the ANA is really a landmark project for the community of paper money collectors. PMG certification will provide sharper insight into the exact contents of the collection, allowing its true importance to be more widely recognized.
Because notes will be in holders that allow them to be safely handled, the collection can be viewed by more researchers, students and hobbyists than ever before, and the collection can be more easily preserved for future generations," said Mark Salzberg, chairman of Certified Collectibles Group. PMG is a member company of the Certified Collectibles Group.
Accurate condition analysis by PMG also establishes the baseline for an upgraded preservation plan for the collection. Once the project is completed, PMG will assist the ANA in the periodic assessment of the notes’ condition and, at the request of the ANA, remove selected notes to assess their condition and stability. Assessments can be conducted, as necessary, in three-to-five-year intervals for up to 25 years.
In future years, the ANA will expand its Summer Seminar paper money seminars, utilizing the Beebe collection as a resource, and create courses specific to the collection. In addition, notes from the collection will be featured attractions in future Museum Showcase displays at ANA conventions.
Aubrey (ANA Life Member 110) and Adeline (ANA Life Member 4570) Bebee were among the most prominent numismatic collectors of the 20th century, and were ardent supporters of the ANA. Aubrey began assembling his world-class collection of U.S. paper money in 1941.
The Bebees also donated an 1804 dollar (Idler/Bebee specimen) and 1913 Liberty Head nickel (McDermott/Bebee specimen) to the ANA Edward C. Rochette Money Museum, along with several other prominent pieces.
The Bebees were honored with the Farran Zerbe Memorial Award in 1988 and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992; Aubrey received the Medal of Merit in 1968. Aubrey passed away in 1992 and Adeline in 1998.
About ANA
The American Numismatic Association is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to encouraging people to study and collect money and related items. The ANA helps its 32,000 members and the public discover and explore the world of money through its vast array of education and outreach programs, as well as its museum, library, publications, conventions and seminars. For more information, call 719-632-2646 or visit www.money.org.
About CCG
The Certified Collectibles Group (CCG) is a group of independent companies focused on the impartial, independent, and expert certification of collectibles. CCG services the numismatic space with four companies: Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America (NGC), the world’s largest coin grading company; Paper Money Guaranty (PMG), the expert third-party grading service in currency; Numismatic Conservation Services (NCS), the first professional conservation company focused on the field of numismatics; and the Collectors Society, an online community frequented by 100,000 collectors.
