NCA Grading Class to Debut at Whitman Baltimore Expo

BEDMINISTER, NJ — John Albanese, president of Numismatic Consumer Alliance (NCA), a New Jersey non-profit dedicated to reducing numismatic fraud, has announced a new consumer-education program sponsored in partnership with Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo, LLC.

“We’re seeing continuing increased interest from the dealer community in protecting the public from fraud,” said Albanese. “Hands-on grading classes have already proven to be an effective method of sharing the knowledge and skills that advance and protect our hobby best. We’re offering access to a program that will expand the basic knowledge and skills needed for personal numismatic self-protection.”

The initial class will be held at the upcoming Baltimore Expo, November 15-18, 2012. Lead instructor will be NCA Education Director Rick Sear, a long-time dealer with experience in evaluating both wholesome and deceptively altered coins. Taught with other dealers and supported by local volunteers, these “mini-seminars” on basic grading principles and techniques will be open to the public.

Class size will be limited to 20 students.  A $35 fee will be charged. Study and reference materials are supplied. A limited number of scholarships will be available for students under 18 years of age. Applications should be submitted through the NCA website (stopcoinfraud.org) by October 12, 2012 with notification of acceptance by the end of that month.

The seminar will be held at the Baltimore Convention Center in room 301, 9 a.m.–12:45 p.m. on Saturday, November 17, 2012. Morgan Dollars are the first series to be presented.

“Whitman is pleased to help bring this level of consumer education to the hobby community,” said Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo general manager David Crenshaw.

Albanese added, “We anticipate these classes making a small but important contribution in advancing industry-wide efforts to support a healthy hobby environment. The Baltimore area is rich with collector interest and we expect our efforts to be useful. It would be great if we could do this later at some other venues. A lot of industry leaders have the knowledge and resources to provide more direct education to the public. We need increased outreach for our hobby to thrive.”

Tags: 2012, Grading Class, John Albanese, NCA, November, Numismatic Consumer Alliance, Press Release, Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo