Anthony Swiatek: What Every Collector Should be Aware of before Buying Coins at a Coin Show (2011)

The Maryland State Numismatic Association (MSNA), in conjunction with the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo, is pleased to present its third speaker in the MSNA Distinguished Lecturer Series: Anthony Swiatek, one of the country’s leading numismatic writers and educators. The world’s leading expert on U.S. commemorative coins, he has a book forthcoming this summer, Commemorative Coins of the United States. To his prior credit (as co-author) is the book Encyclopedia of United States Silver and Gold Commemorative Coins 1892-1954. Anthony has received numerous honors and awards, but he is most proud of his long-standing efforts to promote education in the world of numismatics.

Among his many achievements, Anthony served on the American Numismatic Association (ANA) board of governors for ten years, including a term as its fiftieth president (1997-1999). He was general chairman of the 2002 ANA anniversary convention in New York City, and he competed eight times in the World Series of Numismatics with teammate David T. Alexander, winning that event five times. For his service to the ANA, he was awarded its highest honor, the Farran Zerbe Memorial Award, in 2000.

The National Silver Dollar Roundtable (NSDR) honored Anthony with its Man of the Year award in 2002 and its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. The Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) presented him its Significant Contribution Award in 2008. For his writings, the Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG) has recognized him for Best Book of the Year, Best Newspaper Article of the Year, and Best Investment Newsletter of the Year. The NLG honored Anthony with its highest award, the Clemy, in 2008.

Since 1982, Anthony has struck more ceremonial coins at a U.S. Mint striking ceremony than any other individual, and he has been invited to participate in numismatic ceremonies at the White House. He has honorary life memberships in four different numismatic organizations, and he will soon add MSNA to that list.

Lecture was held June 17, 2011 at the Whitman Baltimore Coin and Currency Expo.

Mr. Swiatek had an old-fashioned slide show that included many counterfeits and altered coins, including coins with added mintmarks and smoothed surfaces. He also described how evolving grading standards and coin slabbing have impacted the coins market. As a recognized expert in US commemorative coins, Mr. Swiatek gave the audience some pointers on which recent commemorative issues contain valuable varieties. A good number of anecdotes and other humorous stories complemented much of Swiatek’s discussion on the photos or immediate subject matter. At the conclusion of the lecture, Mr. Swiatek accepted an honorary life-time membership to MSNA and a presentation set of MSNA medals. He also donated back our honorarium, which will help keep MSNA in the black this year.