Welcome Banquet
Last week I made a trek to Pittsburgh to attend part of the American Numismatic Association National Money Show. After driving up Wednesday morning andvisiting an uncle after lunch, I checked into the Hampton Inn & Suites across from the Pittsburgh History Center. About 6pm I met up with our NBS webmasterBruce Perdue who had driven in from Chicago. We walked over to the Westin and hopped aboard the shuttle bus that would take us to the Welcome Banquetco-sponsored by the ANA and the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists (PAN).

Aboard the bus I found John and Nancy Wilson, Bryce Doxson and Simcha Kuritsky in the front seats. Other passengers included Mark Lighterman, former U.S.Mint Engaver Don Everhart, Don Kagin and Ken and Tom Hallenbeck. Bruce showed me some souvenirs from the recent Chicago Coin Club 1,200th meeting. Don Kaginhanded me a nice gold-colored token promoting his candidacy for the ANA Presidency picturing an octagonal $50 gold slug on the reverse.

After a slog through rush-hour traffic we wended our way up the long hill above the Monongehela river to the LeMont restaurant and its commanding view ofdowntown Pittsburgh.

As we waited to enter our dining area several of us enjoyed the artwork on the restaurant walls.

Guests were treated to a live performance by the Washington, PA Jazz Orchestra. The sound overwhelmed the small space making conversations difficult attimes, but it was very enjoyable. I walked around a bit and spoke with ANA Executive Director Kim Kiick, Museum Director Doug Mudd, Membership Director CaryHardy and the new advertising sales manager Nathan McAllister. Other attendees I spoke with included PAN Chairman of the Board Don Carlucci, PAN PublicityDirector Pat McBride and other locals including Dick Gaetano, Larry Korchnak and Tom and Gosia Fort.

It was great to visit with old friends. Gosia, Tom, Larry and Bruce Perdue shared my table. We caught up on family news, and Larry showed me part of hismanuscript on Obsidinal Coins of the World (1453-1902).

LEFT: Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States
RIGHT: David J. Ryder, 34th and 39th Director of the U.S. Mint

The crowd was treated to a stirring performance by Abraham Lincoln impersonator Dennis Boggs and an excellent talk by U.S. Mint Director David Ryder. PANknows how to throw a great event. I'll stop there - a much more detailed report with photos will be published by PAN in their journal and on the club website.

As the event wound down I had a chance to speak briefly with Director Ryder. On the right is a photo of a photo - the event photographer captured theofficial picture while Tom Uram snapped this pose.

LEFT: David Ryder and Wayne Homren
RIGHT: Pat McBride, David Ryder and Wayne Homren

The National Money Show
After breakfast Thursday morning I headed over to the convention center. I spoke to a number of people including Pittsburgh natives Dick Gaetano and LarryDziubek, and out-of-towners Greg Ruby, Jon Sullivan, Tom Caldwell and Chris Clements of Northeast Numismatics, Clifford Mishler and Barbara Gregory, editor ofThe Numismatist. Here are some photos I took around the hall.

John and Nancy Wilson

Nancy Wilson (seated), her husband John and former ANA employee (and now ANA National Volunteer) Sandi Hill manned the Future Conventions booth.

Jessie Zhang

Dealer Jessie Zhang of California and I had a nice conversation about her business and upcoming coin shows.

Jeff Shevlin

I met the "So-Called Guy" and former ANA Executive Director Jeff Shevlin and his wife at their table. Jeff is hard at work on an update to theHibler-Kappen So-Called Dollars book. At right is his priceless dog-eared, annotated copy of the reprint.

John Dannreuther

I sat down at the table of John "JD" Dannreuther and had a long discussion about his research with Craig Sholley on the Fugio Cent dies.They're doing some great work and I'll look forward to the publication of their conclusions. I took this cameo shot of the master at work poring overphotographic evidence.

ANA Exhibits
The ANA Museum had some nice exhibits. Here are the Bebee paper money errors and the copper 1943 cent.

It was a whirlwind trip. I had to leave long before I was done having fun and seeing everyone I wanted to. I took a nice walk thru downtown Pittsburgh toview all the changes that had taken place in the years I've been away. I stopped at our family plots in Allegheny Cemetery and met with our accountant tofinish up our 2018 tax forms before hitting the road after a fast food dinner at 6pm.

Along the drive I was listening to tunes on Spotify when I heard a nicely done ad for the National Money Show at the Pittsburgh Convention Center. I made ithome to Virginia by 10pm, just in time to unpack, call it a night and get back to my office on Friday. 'Til next time!

Pat McBride reports: