This article was originally printed in the latest issue of Numismatic News.
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The American Numismatic Association has contracted with its official paper money grader, Paper Money Guaranty, LLC to encapsulate, grade, appraise and provide a complete certification report for the ANA Bebee Collection of Paper Money.
The collection, donated to the ANA Edward C. Rochette Money Museum by Aubrey and Adeline Bebee in 1987, is one of most comprehensive collections of U.S. paper money ever assembled. It features 904 notes including National Bank Notes from virtually every state and territory and perhaps the finest collection of large-sized notes outside of the Smithsonian Institution.
The Bebee collection, displayed online at www.ana-museum.org, will be encapsulated in time for its inaugural display at the summer ANA World’s Fair of Money Aug. 10-14 in Boston at the Hynes Convention Center.
“This agreement with PMG makes it possible for the ANA to share this fabulous collection with numismatists and paper money aficionados who, otherwise, might never have an opportunity to see the spectacular rarities collected by Aubrey and Adeline Bebee,” said ANA Executive Director Larry Shepherd. “The Bebees entrusted the ANA to protect and preserve their life’s work – but we also know that they hoped this special collection could be shared with the numismatic community.”
“This is such a special collection,” said Glen Jorde, manager of PMG. “So many of the Bebee specimens are either unique or the finest we’ve ever seen. The National Bank Note collection, with nearly every state and territory represented, blew me away. And the collection of large-sized U.S. notes is simply one of the finest anywhere outside of the Smithsonian.”
PMG will grade and encapsulate each note in a holder designed for long-term protection. Three PMG graders will examine each of the notes to confirm authenticity, attribution and to render an opinion on its condition. Once graded, each note will be encapsulated along with a certification label. The information will then be recorded in PMG’s data management system and provided to the ANA.
PMG will also provide the ANA with a fair market estimate of the value of the notes based upon the rarity and condition of the notes, which will enable the ANA to determine an overall value of the collection for insurance purposes.
“This collaboration between PMG and the ANA is really a landmark project for the community of paper money collectors. PMG certification will provide sharper insight into the exact contents of the collection, allowing its true importance to be more widely recognized,” said Mark Salzberg, chairman of Certified Collectibles Group, of which PMG is a member company. “Because notes will be in holders that allow them to be safely handled, the collection can be viewed by more researchers, students and hobbyists than ever before, and the collection can be more easily preserved for future generations.”
In future years, the ANA will expand its Summer Seminar paper money seminars, utilizing the Bebee collection as a resource, and create courses specific to the collection. In addition, notes from the collection will be featured attractions in future Museum Showcase displays at ANA conventions.
Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money
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