President of the ANA visits Littleton Coin
Littleton Coin Company President David Sundman (left) personally led ANA President Gary Adkins (center) and his wife Jeannie (right) on a tour of the facilities.
Located in New Hampshire’s scenic White Mountains, Littleton Coin Company (LCC) gives tours to many collectors and customers during summer and fall. But we were especially pleased when Gary Adkins, president of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), and his wife Jeannie paid us a visit.
The ANA is the nation’s largest non-profit organization promoting the study and collecting of coins and currency. Founded in 1891, its programs include the ANA’s museum, library, publications, conventions and seminars. Gary Adkins, the current ANA president, has been a well-respected coin dealer in Minnesota for over 50 years and long-time friend of LCC president David Sundman.
Gary had “won” a personal tour of LCC with David, lunch and overnight lodging with a bid in an auction to benefit the ANA scholarship fund. Visiting Littleton in early August also gave Gary and Jeannie the chance to see our scenic area during an ideal time of year. Their visit took place shortly before Gary officiated at the American Numismatic Association’s 2018 summer convention, where Littleton was an active participant.
2 Littleton displays at ANA World’s Fair of Money
The 2018 ANA World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia from August 14-18 honored the roles of that city and its famous former citizen Ben Franklin in the origins of our nation and currency. The theme of the show was Fugio to Franklins: The Influence of Poor Richard. Items from David Sundman’s personal collection were presented in two displays relating to this year’s theme and location.
Philadelphia – Home to America’s first Mint and also the U.S. Capital from 1790-1800 recalled the roles of President George Washington and first U.S. Mint Director David Rittenhouse in the establishment of our mint and coinage. The first U.S. Mint at Seventh and Filbert streets in Philadelphia was in operation until 1833. Coins from the original facility such as Capped Bust silver dimes are in great demand.
Philadelphia – Home to Benjamin Franklin – An American Genius honored Franklin’s work in currency production and his critical diplomatic efforts in Europe during the Revolutionary War. You can read more about the displays in a Littleton Coin Company blog.
Maynard Sundman/LCC Lecture Series at ANA show
The annual Maynard Sundman/Littleton Coin Company Lecture Series honors the memory of LCC founder Maynard Sundman and takes place at each ANA summer convention. The 2018 lecture series on Wednesday August 15th featured four presentations on Ben Franklin’s impact on our currency and included a gourmet luncheon.
You’re probably familiar with some of Franklin’s quotes on money. “A penny saved is a penny earned,” and “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” But the Maynard Sundman/LCC presentations discussed Franklin’s larger impact on our country’s currency:
- “The Influence of Ben Franklin on Early American Money” by Ray Williams
- “Benjamin Franklin – A Lightning Rod for American Numismatics” by John Colley
- “Franklin’s Correspondence on a Contract Coinage for the United States” by David McCarthy
- “Benjamin Franklin and His Influence on Modern Coinage” by Rod Gillis
As the site of the first U.S. Mint and home of Benjamin Franklin, Philadelphia was the perfect place to look at the origins of our nation and its money. As usual, the Littleton table on the bourse floor was a busy place as our buyers made some excellent acquisitions for our customers.
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