Are numismatic memberships worth it?

I know you only get out of it what you put into it but what's your opinion on numismatic memberships, are they worth the cost? Here are a few of the major one's for the USA, I know there are countless others across the globe and regionally located within the US but these are the major ones:

NGC $25 - $299 annually
https://www.ngccoin.com/join/

ANA $35 - $55 annually
https://www.money.org/

ANS $69- $215 annually
https://numismatics.org/membership/

ACCG $50 - $250 annually
https://www.accguild.org/

PNG $300- $1250 annually
https://www.pngdealers.org/

NBS $25 or $45 annually
https://www.coinbooks.org/about/membership.html

 

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The ACCG (ANCIENT COIN COLLECTORS GUILD) does not really have any benefits like a quarterly glossy magazine or neat merchandise...they exist merely to protect the rights of collectors to buy (and sell) ancient coins.

 

The NGC membership for $149 gives you $150 in credits towards grading (they also have had specials where it's discounted anywhere from $15-$50 off). If you are planning to send something in for grading, then go for that level; the $25 membership isn't worth it since you will still be paying grading fees on top of that. If you don't plan on sending any coins in, then there is no point in getting the NGC membership.

 

I currently have this membership level for that exact reason. Since I only collect ancient coins, which should never be slabbed, I joined mainly to try out their conservation services (NCS). I'm sending in a couple of ancients today to see if they can do anything for them. I don't "collect" modern bullion coins, however I do purchase certified ones as I found it to be the cheapest way to acquire precious metals. Since I only purchase certified / slabbed bullion coins I don't really have a need for their grading / slabbing services. I most likely wont renew my membership after this year.

 

I am a member of your first 3. The ANA and ANS are merely to support the hobby. I enjoy both of their publications. Yes, both are wealthy organizations but without support they will be dry up eventually. The ANA does a great job trying to get youth involved.

 

@-monolith- Thanks for the interesting thread. I clicked on the links in your post, to find out more information, because I didn't know much about these organizations.
Of the 5 organizations in your post, the ACCG seems like it may be the most important advocate, for ancient coin collectors and museums. Also, it appears that one can join the ACCG for as little as $50 per year (for the "Friend" membership), or even as little as $15 per year (for the "Student" membership, if you are a full time student). Also, it seems that one can make a donation to the ACCG.
https://www.accguild.org/Membership
Here is a quote, from near the top of the ACCG home page.
"The Ancient Coin Collectors Guild has become a driving force in the ongoing effort to protect coin collectors and museums in which coins are stored from being forced to give up these items to foreign governments under the premise the coins are the cultural patrimony of the claimant nation."
https://www.accguild.org/

 

Yes, ACCG and ANA are protecting our rights so the federal government wont criminalize coin collecting. Everyone on this forum should donate time, money and/or resources to protect our rights. It's really only a couple of uninformed, uneducated politicians that are causing problems.

 

I wonder, if any Coin Talk members, are members of the ACCG, or have donated to the ACCG. I would be interested to know, what Coin Talk members think of the ACCG. Is it safe, to send money to the ACCG, via the ACCG web site, for a donation or membership?

 

This is the ngc membership I have and by renewing my membership early this year I saved $20, which is almost a free graded coin in the economy tier. I chose it as I usually only submit 2 times a year, but I'm already at three since September. I'd recommend this as you at least get the $150 grading credit, which would get 6 coins graded under the economy tier, with shipping/etc. not included. Plus, I think you get a discount off your first year at this level or above if you are also an ANA member.

I'm an ANA member simply to help support the hobby. I like their monthly magazine plus they have a nice website for members. You can view items at the money museum online, they host educational summer seminars in person, actively attempt to engage YN's, have weekly or bimonthly webinars on various topics that are recorded so one can watch them at any time. The goal of the ANA is more of an engagement and educational focus.
I'm not a member of the others, but I think the ANS is more research focused than the ANA.

 

Yes its safe to donate to ACCG and ANA, I have and continue to so they can lobby against the insane government policies.

 

Hi All,

Remember, American Numismatic Society (ANS) members get a 30% discount on ANS publications. This has saved me hundreds of dollars so far.

- Broucheion

 

I have Hugh Wood Insurance so you have to be a member of ANA to qualify for the insurance. I do like some of the literature they send me. Learn something new every time I get their bulletins.

 

Same here, it was much cheaper then any other insurance.

 

The ANS does a lot of great talks and has published a lot of great resources over the years, not to mention they have a really great library if you're ever in NYC. I'm pretty happy with my membership with them from that perspective. Unfortunately their leadership is currently filled with anti collector zealots like Nathan Elkins and Ute Wartenberg who among other things support MOUs that restrict US collectors often more than collectors in the source countries which they are signed with so I don't know what the future holds but I worry the organization will become anti-collector under this hostile leadership.

The ANA on the other hand is cheaper, they're starting to do more and more talks and things that you can stream and they have a great library as well. They're also unquestionably pro-collector.

 

I'm based in Ireland and a mamber of the ANS, RNS (Royal Numismatic Society) and NSI (Numismatic Society of Ireland). The first two have interesting annual publications - American Journal of Numismatics & Numismatic Chronicle - which are worth reading. They also have discounts on their other publications for members and virtual meetings/conferences which are good. The NSI has an "Occasional Papers" publication as well as a regular bulletin and I go to meetings as they're local to me and I'm on the committee. There's a Northern Branch too, whose next talk is on "Myths and Legends on Greek and Roman Coins", so I'll Zoom into that. I've gone to several BANS conferences around Britain and Ireland based on the NSI membership.

In short - well worth joining - if you have a society/club with local meetings, that's great to meet other crazy coin collectors; otherwise, the international societies are good too even if you can't get to the meetings very often.

ATB,
Aidan.

 

OP you are also missing ONS, Oriental Numismatic Society. I have been a member a couple of decades now.

 

I hadn't thought of ONS, that's a good one. I am or have been a member of ANA, ACCG, and ANS. I've used the ANA benefits (online library) and use the ANS benefits very often (the Long Table & other talks on Zoom, and member prices on books). Also my local coin club, which is always well worth it if you have one. I've been meaning to join ones in St Louis, Chicago, and Los Angeles (online) too.

This reminds me I have let another membership lapse that hasn't been mentioned:
The NBS: Numismatic Bibliomania Society. I enjoy their publications (E-Sylum and The Asylum).

 

Now my turn. I keep meaning to join the NBS. I get the Esylum, but really need to join that organization as well. Thanks.

 

Just added them to the list.