THE EARLY ANA PIN AND THE FIRST ANA SEAL

I read with high interest Pete's reference to Nick Graver's pins and the ANA membership medal. I'm definitely interested and hope he doesn't liquify them. I recently wrote an article on the first medal issued by the ANA in early 1911 – The Heath Memorial Medal. It's been submitted to The Numismatist for consideration.

The membership medal referenced by Pete was issued in late 1911 and has the same reverse as the Heath medal. The membership medal is pictured in The Numismatist, but not the pin, which is instead described as "of like design, about the size of a dime, with exception of the words "De Profundis." This design originated with the first ANA seal proposed in 1892 by Joseph Hooper.

Nick's pin displays the ANA's first motto, De Profundis, and is not the pin described in 1911. Still, it is very similar to the design of the Heath medal's reverse depicting the ANA seal. Undoubtedly, this pin was inspired by and adapted from the ANA seal.

The pin also seems to portray similar inscriptions on the book, although being too small and crude for any detail. From its 1892 proposal – "A volume of Ancient History underneath the Numisma Student lamp; meaning that Science takes first place as a truthful historical record and is above written history. The rays of light thrown out from the flame signify the light thrown on ancient history by our science."

In January of 1903, The Numismatist printed an open letter from B. P Wright calling for members "to submit their ideas on the subject to ex-President A. G. Heaton, who has kindly consented to act as chairman of the medal committee." This call for an Association medal failed, but likely inspired designs, including adaptation of the original seal and could have led to Nick's pin.

By its crude nature, I'd say Nick's pin was the clandestine work of an ANA member and definitely pre-dates the Heath medal. Although similar, the inscription on the book is lost, while the shape of the lamp's handle is retained. This suggests that it inspired the reverse of the Heath medal and was therefore known to its designer.

1910 – New York Numismatic Club – American Numismatic Association Convention Medal. Edge: CONV. N.Y. 1910. Bronze. 38.5mm diameter. NYNC seal by Victor D. Brenner. Courtesy of Stack's Bowers Galleries.

However, the first actual appearance of this reverse was on the ANA's New York Convention medal, which was actually designed and issued by the New York Numismatic Club in 1910. The obverse is the NYNC seal, which was designed by Victor D. Brenner. It also, more prominently depicts a magnifying glass. The implication is that Nick's pin was known to the NYNC and became its inspiration, perhaps in more ways than one.

What exactly is portrayed above the lamp's center was also originally described in 1892 – "The aid of Education is shown by the hand pouring, from an ancient vial, oil into the lamp." This symbolism was later lost in translation, particularly between the pin's designer and the designer of the 1910 convention medal. The new symbolism seems to show a magnifying glass materializing as a vaporous apparition, perhaps after the lamp was rubbed?

The Heath medal was actually first proposed at the September 1st, 1910 meeting of the NYNC by Albert Frey. He declared that many NYNC members were also ANA members who "now proposed to issue a medal for Dr. Heath with the seal of the ANA as the reverse."

This makes it conceivable that Nick's pin may be the product of the NYNC or one of its members. However, it is too crude, in my opinion, for such an origin. The NYNC was far more sophisticated and well-funded in its undertakings. Most members were very prominent in numismatics – consider their Club seal was designed by Victor Brenner, a NYNC member who also happened to design the Lincoln cent in 1909. Other members of the time were, Edgar H. Adams, Thomas L. Elder and William H. Woodin.

Further intrigue is supplied by the 1910 ANA Year Book that stated the Heath Memorial medal was proposed two years earlier by Farran Zerbe, who had prepared drawings for its design. He is still credited today by the ANA for its design. I have not been successful in locating any such drawings by Mr. Zerbe. Perhaps E-Sylum readers know something?

Nonetheless, this makes Mr. Zerbe a possible origin of Nick's pins or at least its design. He could have done so between 1907 & 1908, during his ANA presidency and while considering the Heath Medal. More likely, the initial adaptation of the ANA seal would have come earlier, maybe as a result of the ANA's 1903 call for designs. From his work with the World Expositions of 1904 & 1905, he was known and derided for perhaps less sophisticated designs, which were produced as charms, jewelry, tokens and other ephemera, much to the chagrin of the NYNC elite.

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: OCTOBER 18, 2026 : Query: Mystery "ANA" Pins (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n42a12.html)
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: OCTOBER 25, 2026 : The 1911 ANA Association Medal (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n43a12.html)

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