This year's Advanced Grading class at the ANA Summer Seminar was the best yet and gave we instructors a huge boost due to the skills of the students.  What's more encouraging is that the "sharpies" in the class were the youngest and all in their teens or early twenties!  Speaking for myself, passing on my knowledge of over a half-century in numismatics is why I've taught 12 years now and seeing the enthusiasm of an entire new generation is really fun and especially rewarding.
     At the closing banquet, I was totally surprised with a particularly distinguished award from the ANA.  To say I was speechless is only semi-accurate; I was shocked!  In addition, my instructor-partner, Jeff Garrett also received the same award!  These are not given out too often, and I am honored and humbled to have received it.  
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     After a very active and successful Central States show, I'm off to Colorado Springs to instruct the Advanced Grading and Problem Coins class, along with fellow instructors, Jeff Garrett and Ken Park.  Class begins on Father's Day and is 4 days of intensive coin-grading activities.  We have a full class of 24 students and the three of us are looking forward to yet another fun-filled grading challenge!  
     This Summer promises to be busier than usual and am looking forward to a local show here in Reno in July and the ANA World's Fair of Money in August at the Rosemont Convention Center, adjacent to O'Hare Airport in Chicago.