Connecticut Coppers at ANS

Yesterday I attended the first Numismatic Conversations lecture series at the American Numismatic Association. The topic was Connecticut Coppers.

There was a live web-cast of the event. Remote participants were on a conference call and could view the coins through a web site. As far as I know the remote option wasn't pre-announced — I certainly didn't know about it — but at least six folks were on the call, from as far away as California. I don't have any details on the software used. The next Numismatic Conversation is September 13th, the speaker is Geoff Giglierano and the topic is US Military decorations from Civil War to WWII.

Robert Hoge gave the lecture, which was held in the library. A down-facing video camera captured the coins and images were projected on a screen. The video tech worked flawlessly. I was in the back row and could clearly see the screen.

Although the coppers were in the room and being handled by Hoge's assistant they didn't 'feel' close. The lecture felt like a slide-show. (One participant was surprised at the end when informed the coins were present.) The slide-show feel is prehaps caused by the high quality of the projection system. Perhaps presentations such as these would benefit a locked display case holding the trays not currently under the camera?

Attendence seemed good for a numismatic event, about 35-40 folks including ANS staff were present. A much smaller Bronx Coin Club meeting followed the Connecticut presentation.