ANA To Host Fund-Raising Auction on eBAY

ANA News Release
April 13, 2001

ANA To Host Fund-Raising Auction on eBAY

The American Numismatic Association (ANA) will host its first on-line auction with one of the Internet's largest and most respected auction company, eBay· Inc.

All of the proceeds raised from the June 11-21 auction of donated rare coins, paper money, tokens, medals, books and other numismatic material will benefit the "ANA Target 2001" building renovation fund drive.

The ANA is in the midst of a $3 million remodeling of its Money Museum and Library. When finished this summer, the new facilities will stimulate visitors‚ interest in numismatics with intriguing windows on the worlds of history, art, geography, religion, economics, sociology and architecture. In addition, the money raised will allow the ANA's web site (www.money.org) to feature a virtual tour of exhibits based on the ever changing displays in the museum.

Andrew Coleman, director of collectibles at eBay and a member of the ANA Target 2001 Committee, has volunteered eBay's experience and expertise with on-line auctions to assist the ANA in making the auction a success.

Anyone, professional numismatists and new collectors alike, can participate in this historic auction. (Learn how by visiting www. anatarget2001.org.) Four Internet banners are available to coin dealers, so their clients can link directly to the ANA Target 2001 web pages. A form letter also is available for use by coin dealers seeking donations for the ANA renovation project.

This is not the first time donated numismatic material has been auctioned to help finance an ANA building project. In 1965, more than $53,000 was raised at a fund-raising, donation auction for the establishment and construction of the Association's home and headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The ANA headquarters was dedicated on June 10, 1967, with a second floor and expanded first floor added 15 years later.

The impetus for the ANA's current renovation project is the creation of a spectacular, vault-like, exhibit area in the Money Museum for the most comprehensive collection of America's gold coins, patterns and large-sized paper money assembled by the late Harry W. Bass Jr. (The Harry W. Bass Foundation and the Harry W. Bass Jr. Research Foundation are financing the creation of the exhibit.)

Numismatic material donated for the eBay Internet auction is being cataloged by the ANA Museum and Library staffs. It must be received no later than May 25, 2001. On-line viewing and bidding will begin June 11 at www.ebay.com (select: Search, then: By Seller, and enter ANA AUCTION). Bidding will close on the evening of June 21.

Because of the costs associated with photographing and cataloging the material, donated numismatic items must have a value of $100 each or more. Donors will receive special awards and recognition. (See www.anatarget2001.org/awardlevels.htm.) Most gifts to the ANA are tax deductible; donors are advised to consult their tax advisors.

Numismatic material donated to the eBay auction should be sent via registered, insured mail to ANA Target 2001, American Numismatic Association, 818 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903-3279.