Faran Zerbe ca. 1908
In early 2021, the Board voted to remove Faran Zerbe’s name from the award based on unproven accusations. Based on the Board’s statement, they accused Zerbe of “hucksterism and fraud” for a collectible created in 1904 for the Louisiana Purchase Expo. However, contemporary accounts do not support this accusation, and Zerbe went on to serve as head numismatist for the expositions in 1905 (Portland) and 1915 (San Francisco).
The Board also accused Zerbe of “unscrupulously obtained personal ownership of The Numismatist in 1908 from relatives of the ANA’s late founder, Dr. George F. Heath.” Their statement even said it was an “allegation” and has never provided documentation to confirm their allegations.
It is difficult to argue against creating an award for Chet Krause, and his work and dedication to the ANA and the hobby deserve an honor. But honoring Krause should NOT diminish the contribution of Zerbe, and the ANA should have created a separate award or renamed the award the Zerbe-Krause Distinguished Service Award.
Instead of joining the politically correct “woke” crowd, the ANA Board of Governors should be working on ways to expand the association’s reach and impact. There is so much the Board can do to better the ANA than play these games.
Loading ...
Scott
ANA members should not give the ANA another penny. I am going to the WFM, but I won’t pay them to be a patron or anything else.
Also, let’s vote against all the incumbents in next year’s elections.
Sincerely
Bob
Although we agree most of the time, I’m going to disagree with voting all of the Board out. There are a few members that should stay. It is difficult to vote against Chet Krause and I think the other votes were “go along to get along.”
I am generally not in favor of relitigating the reputations of long departed folks, but after an informal poll of my own, I have been pressed to find anyone heavily involved with ANA’s history who had much good to say about Zerbe. The ANA had given out their last remaining medal featuring Zerbe, and it was time to either extend to far more Zerbe’s, without financing, or honor another, WITH FINANCIAL BACKING. Guess which won. The ANA is in dire financial shape.
Kurt and Scott
If the ANA is in dire financial shape, it’s their own fault. First, I suggested years ago that they hire a professional fund raiser or at least consult with one. The response was very negative, just like it is to any new idea.
Second, ANA leadership is never interested in trying to get the hobby to grow. If the hobby was growing, so would the ANA’S financial base. Instead, I have met people who want the hobby to shrink until all that’s left is the wealthy. That’s a recipe for disaster.
These are more good reasons to throw the bums out in next year’s ANA elections. As I have said, the ANA isn’t getting another penny out of me.
Sincerely
Bob
Bob,
As a member of TWO ANA committees, let me assure you that current membership is not the issue. There are over 27,000 current members, a number HIGHER than at any time since I became more active in 2011. The problem is expenses. The Exhibiting Committee is spending $25,000 on enhanced “goodies” to exhibitors, but they haven’t notified anyone about it. Only the committee members even know about it.
Kurt and Scott
Thanks for a very informative and interesting reply. We are having a better discussion of issues than Congress will have all year.
But, I stand by my statement that the ANA isn’t interested in new ideas. I first suggested broadcasting ANA Conventions to ANA officials at the New Orleans NMS in 2013! You know how far that has gone in almost a decade.
I sent an email to the Numismatist regarding the ANA’S Hotel room policy that should be changed. The Numismatist would not run it. Dissent was stifled.
During ANA elections, candidates are never asked the questions I would like asked. How much more do I need to tell you?
The ANA had better shape up. People these days are buying on the internet more than ever. People are quitting jobs in search of work they can do mostly from home. The country is full of once prosperous malls that are closed.
These trends will affect numismatic shows. Already, the auctions are done via the internet. Many dealers have websites. So does Whitman. People can save money and stay home.
What is the ANA’S response to changing times? Absolutely nothing. So, let’s throw the bums out.
Sincerely
Bob Graul
The ANA has studied your ideas, Bob. They are not affordable. They are prohibitably expensive. It would literally cost MILLIONS to “broadcast ANA conventions”. It’s completely out of the question fiscally.
Just as one example, Bob, MERELY having a Zoom account that allows the ANA to host meetings of the Board and Committees runs the ANA a very high 5-figure amount, and that has a hard limit of a couple of dozen folks.
There are other ways to broadcast the ANA and the Board of Governors’ meeting than Zoom and can cost less. This is why the ANA is in dire need of a professional who understands the technology to work with the association.
At Chicago/Rosemont in 2013, Matt Dinger of Indianapolis and Mike Nottelmann of Chicago broadcast (and recorded for later watching) their podcast live from the ANA show. The cost was utterly ridiculous. Not because of technological reasons – oh no no no. Because of the abusive rates that ALL convention centers charge for ALL technology services. They have a monopoly and they use that monopoly power to charge abusive rates for everything.
There is a difference between the connected world of 2013 and 2022.
There are also alternatives to using convention center technology services including wireless broadband.
Convention services are different in 2022 than they were in years past. Remember, in the post pandemic world, they are bending over backwards to ensure shows continue to operate. For another show that I am working with (non-numismatic), technology costs are reduced from what they were in 2019.
Kurt, this is my area where I did the research for the ANA (before Steve Ellsworth fired me) and continued researching to include shows in Baltimore for other organizations. It is not as expensive as it was last year.
I am familiar with the alleged ANA study of broadcast ideas. The study was flawed and does not reflect reality. I drafted a response that was buried because it did not fit someone’s agenda. There are ways to broadcast from the show for a lot less money even if a professional crew was hired to produce the broadcast.
Gentlemen
Actually, ANA Governor Charles Morgan told me in Baltimore Penn Station after the last Whitman Baltimore show that the ANA has the money to broadcast but needs to hire someone to run it.
Charles is very nice and I didn’t want to insult him, but my thoughts were that I will believe it when I see it. With me it’s more than just being angry regarding broadcasting, I think that times have changed and numismatic leaders are handling it like Czar Nicholas II did in Russia.
For more information, ask Charles. Thinking about applying Scott?
Sincerely
Bob Graul
The ONLY numismatic business I ever transact over the Internet is with national mints (plural). I refuse categorically to ever buy classic coins via the ‘net. I go to shows, I’ve never let COVID deter me, I have four vaccinations, and I’ve never gotten COVID, DESPITE being in a thoroughly public facing role – Dealer Registration.
The interviews have already been done and a decision on hiring will soon be made. It is an eLearning position and all applicants were licensed educators.
Sorry Scott, it’s EVERY BIT as expensive as it ever was. Rosemont actively still JAMS wireless broadband access other than their own, and even having show WiFi, which was detectable but not usable, was quoted at over a quarter of a million dollars.