American Numismatic Association
A nonprofit educational and membership organization dedicated to the study and collecting of coins, currency, medals, and related monetary objects.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The American Numismatic Association (ANA) is a United States nonprofit organization that promotes the educational, historical, scientific, and collecting aspects of numismatics. Founded in 1891, it developed from the efforts of George Francis Heath, a physician and coin collector from Monroe, Michigan, who used his small publication, The Numismatist, to connect collectors who were geographically isolated and had difficulty exchanging information and specimens. The association was created to provide a national structure for those collectors and to encourage the systematic study of money. The ANA serves collectors, researchers, educators, dealers, students, and institutions. Its activities include publishing The Numismatist, operating the ANA Money Museum and a major circulating numismatic library, organizing conventions and educational events, supporting local and specialty clubs, and providing programs for young collectors. Membership includes access to publications, educational resources, discounts, online services, and participation in the association’s events and governance. The organization has reported a membership base of nearly 24,000 individual members, although membership figures can change over time. The association’s principal public events are the National Money Show and the World’s Fair of Money. These conventions combine dealer bourses, auctions, educational talks, competitive exhibits, club meetings, youth activities, and opportunities for collectors to meet specialists. The ANA also operates the Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs, offering classes taught by experienced numismatists for both hobbyists and professionals. The organization received a federal charter from the United States Congress in 1912, signed by President William Howard Taft. In 1962, Congress amended the charter to make it permanent and permit a larger governing board. The ANA established its Colorado Springs headquarters in the 1960s; the facility opened in 1967 and houses administrative operations, the museum, and the library. The museum’s holdings encompass hundreds of thousands of objects representing the history of money and numismatics, while changing exhibitions place coins and currency in historical, artistic, archaeological, banking, and economic contexts. Youth education is a central part of the ANA’s mission. Its Young Numismatists activities include age-specific learning tracks, scholarships, contests, awards, conventions, auctions, and programs that allow participants to earn coins or educational rewards. The association has also recognized outstanding young collectors through its Young Numismatist of the Year award since 1968. Other institutional honors include the Numismatic Hall of Fame and the Chester L. Krause Memorial Distinguished Service Award, the ANA’s highest service recognition. The ANA remains an active membership association rather than a commercial consumer brand. Its role is to preserve and communicate numismatic knowledge, strengthen collector communities, support responsible scholarship, and make the study of money accessible to new generations. Its activities are primarily centered in the United States, but its publications, conventions, research resources, and subject matter have international relevance.
History
The ANA originated in the late nineteenth century, when collectors lacked dependable ways to exchange information and locate desired coins. George Francis Heath, a physician in Monroe, Michigan, began publishing a four-page periodical in 1888. The publication, titled The Numismatist, combined collecting notices with discussions of coins and monetary history. Its circulation connected collectors across the country and demonstrated the value of a national association. In February 1891, the publication raised the idea of establishing an American Numismatic Association. On October 7 and 8 of that year, Heath and four other organizers met in Chicago with proxies representing charter members. The meeting created the ANA and established a framework for national cooperation. Heath also promoted the idea of regular conventions, allowing members to exchange specimens, present information, and build personal relationships. Meetings were held irregularly during the association’s earliest years, becoming annual after the 1907 convention in Columbus, Ohio. Heath died unexpectedly in 1908. Farran Zerbe assumed responsibility for The Numismatist, and in 1911 W. C. C. Wilson acquired the publication from Zerbe and donated it to the ANA. The journal subsequently became a continuing institutional publication and remains one of the association’s most visible benefits. The ANA gained formal national recognition in 1912 when President William Howard Taft signed its federal charter. Congress later approved a permanent-charter amendment in 1962, signed by President John F. Kennedy, and expanded the permitted governing structure. During the 1960s the association raised funds for a permanent headquarters. Colorado Springs was selected as the site, construction began in 1966, and the building opened in June 1967. The Colorado Springs facility became the center of the ANA’s educational and cultural work. It houses administration, a major numismatic library, and the ANA Money Museum. The museum’s collection includes more than 250,000 objects covering the development of money from early monetary systems through modern coins and paper currency. Exhibitions address not only collecting but also art, archaeology, economics, banking, and social history. Members may use library and selected museum resources for study, with additional access available by arrangement. The association expanded its public role through conventions, educational courses, publications, and youth initiatives. Since 1978 it has generally organized two major annual shows, with the National Money Show traditionally held in spring and the World’s Fair of Money in summer. A short-lived attempt to add a third annual show took place in 2011 and 2012 but was not continued. The Summer Seminar developed as an intensive educational program in Colorado Springs, attracting collectors and professionals to classes led by specialists. Youth work became an important part of the ANA’s mission. Programs have included age-based study activities, free-coin incentives, scholarships, writing contests, youth auctions, and the Young Numismatist of the Year award, which has been presented annually since 1968. The organization also supports local clubs and specialty organizations, enabling a national network of collectors. The ANA is governed by a member-elected board of governors consisting of a president, vice president, and seven governors. Advisory committees assist with areas such as education, governance, awards, and strategic planning. The association’s honors include the Numismatic Hall of Fame, established at headquarters in 1964 with its first inductees recognized in 1969, and the Chester L. Krause Memorial Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes exceptional long-term service to the ANA and the wider numismatic field. In the twenty-first century, the ANA has continued combining traditional collecting infrastructure with public education and donor-supported programming. The 2022 launch of the Dr. George F. Heath Society created a formal recognition program for supporters. The same year, the Harry W. Bass Collection, previously displayed at the museum, was scheduled for disposition through auction by its foundation, with charitable beneficiaries identified. The association continues to operate as a nonprofit center for numismatic knowledge, community, events, and preservation.
- 2022
Heath Society launched
[1]The ANA established a donor-recognition society named for founder George F. Heath.
- 1978
Two-show annual schedule begins
[1]The ANA expanded its regular convention program to two major shows each year.
- 1967
Colorado Springs headquarters opens
[1]The association dedicated its new headquarters, museum, and library facility.
- 1964
Numismatic Hall of Fame established
[1]The association created a Hall of Fame at its Colorado Springs headquarters.
- 1962
Charter made permanent
[1]Congress approved a permanent-charter amendment and authorized a larger board structure.
- 1912
Federal charter granted
[1]The ANA received a federal charter signed by President William Howard Taft.
- 1911
The Numismatist transferred to the ANA
[1]W. C. C. Wilson acquired the publication and presented it to the association.
- 1907
Annual conventions adopted
[1]Following the convention in Columbus, Ohio, the association decided to hold conventions annually.
- 1891
Association founded
[1]Organizers met in Chicago in October and established the American Numismatic Association with charter members represented by proxies.
- 1888
The Numismatist begins publication
[1]George Francis Heath launched a small numismatic publication that connected isolated collectors and later became the ANA’s official journal.
Products and positioning
A national nonprofit authority and community platform for numismatic education, research, collecting, and youth engagement.
Publication · 1888
The Numismatist
The ANA’s monthly journal covers coin and currency research, collecting practices, historical subjects, market developments, association activities, and member contributions. It began as George Heath’s independent publication in 1888 and became association property in 1911.
Museum · 1967
ANA Money Museum
Located at the Colorado Springs headquarters, the museum presents the history of money through coins, paper currency, medals, and related objects. Its exhibitions connect numismatics with art, archaeology, economics, banking, and broader cultural history.
Convention
National Money Show
The National Money Show is the ANA’s traditional spring convention. It combines a commercial bourse with educational programming, exhibits, auctions, club meetings, and activities designed for junior and experienced collectors.
Convention
World’s Fair of Money
The World’s Fair of Money is the ANA’s major summer convention. The event brings together dealers, collectors, researchers, auction firms, specialty organizations, and educators for exhibitions, trading, lectures, and social activities.
Education
ANA Summer Seminar
The Summer Seminar offers intensive classes in Colorado Springs taught by numismatic specialists. Courses serve collectors and professionals and may cover coin identification, grading, historical series, paper money, research, and related subjects.
Youth education
Young Numismatists programs
The ANA’s youth activities use structured learning paths, contests, scholarships, free-coin incentives, youth auctions, and awards to introduce children and teenagers to coins, currency, exonumia, and numismatic research.
Brand decisions
2022
Dr. George F. Heath Society introducedOtherBackground
The ANA sought a structured way to recognize donors and support its educational and community programs.
Action taken
It launched a donor-recognition guild named after founder George F. Heath.
Aftermath
The society provided an additional philanthropic framework for supporting the association’s programming needs.
2012
Third annual show discontinuedStrategyBackground
The ANA experimented with an additional fall show in 2011 and 2012 alongside its regular convention program.
Action taken
The association announced that it would not continue the third show in 2013.
Aftermath
The regular National Money Show and World’s Fair of Money remained the principal annual ANA conventions.
1966
Colorado Springs headquarters projectStrategyBackground
The ANA sought a permanent facility capable of supporting administration, a museum, a library, and educational services.
Action taken
After a headquarters fund campaign, the association selected Colorado Springs and began construction.
Aftermath
The facility opened in 1967 and became the organization’s long-term institutional center.
1911
Transfer of The Numismatist to the ANAOtherBackground
The association needed a durable publication through which collectors could share research, collecting information, and organizational news.
Action taken
W. C. C. Wilson donated the publication to the ANA after acquiring it from Farran Zerbe.
Aftermath
The journal became an enduring institutional benefit and a principal channel for the association’s educational mission.
Recent events
- 2025
Young Numismatists club activity renewed[1]
Other
Young collectors associated with the ANA renewed interest in a Young Numismatists organization and launched a related publication during 2025.
- 2022
Harry W. Bass Collection auction announced[1]
Other
The foundation associated with the Harry W. Bass Collection announced the auction of the collection, with proceeds intended for Dallas-area charities.
- 2022
Dr. George F. Heath Society launched[1]
Other
The ANA introduced a donor-recognition society named for its founder to support the association’s mission and programming.
- 1967
ANA headquarters opens in Colorado Springs[1]
Other
The association dedicated and opened its Colorado Springs headquarters, which became the home of its administration, museum, and library.
- 1962
ANA receives permanent charter amendment[1]
Regulation · Other
Congress approved an amendment making the association’s federal charter permanent and allowing a larger board of governors.
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