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Full House Enjoys

The 35th annual CSNA Educational Symposium and Exhibits was held at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in Fullerton, California on Saturday, March 15, 2003. In spite of the heavy rainfall that continued throughout the day, one of the largest crowds in memory coming from San Diego in the South to Fresno in the North, enjoyed four brilliant presentations, a great buffet lunch and previews of a book on Indian Peace Medals and a Lewis and Clark Medal.

Chairman Dr. Tom Fitzgerald opened the proceedings and introduced C.S.N.A. President G. Lee Kuntz who welcomed those in attendance. Dr. Fitzgerald, after introducing various dignitaries in the audience, reminded everyone that: “We are observing the 35th anniversary of this annual educational program and the year 2003 commences a significant bicentennial year in our nation’s history, the Lewis and Clark Expedition.” “In addition, we are celebrating the 50-year history of Krause.”

He then introduced the first speakers, ANA President John Wilson and his wife Nancy, who is a governor of the Florida United Numismatist. The title of their presentation was “Rare Numismatic Items You Can Afford.” Using slides showing items from their own collections of exonumia and currency, the couple shared the microphone as they described each piece and explained that many similar items are available to anyone at a modest price. “You have to look and find them,” John Wilson explained, “but they are out there.” These treasures included tokens, broken bank notes, fractional currency and advertising pieces. They urged all to focus their collecting on collections that are interesting, historical and attractive.

The second presenter was Cliff Mishler, recently retired and now a consultant to Krause Publications. The title of his talk was: “Numismatic News and Krause Publications – 50 Years of Growth and Evolution.” He recounted the story of what led to the establishment and publication of “Numismatic News” in 1952 and how this one page-advertising sheet grew and developed into the weekly publication. Numismatic News started the evolution that was to become the entity known as Krause Publications.

Mr. Mishler recounted several stories that led to the decision by Chet Krause to publish a number of numismatic items including the “Redbook” for world coins, “The Standard Catalog of World Coins,” resulting in the need to expand to other collectibles and shows. There was the constant growth both in the number of employees, the number of publications, the size and number of buildings and the increase of the publishing business in Iola, Wisconsin.

Two special introductions were reserved for this 35th symposium.

Dr.Rita Laws introduced her book: “Indian Peace Medals and Related Items.” She brought a number of the books with her and autographed them for the collectors who added this book to their libraries. Sculptor Alex Shagin created a Lewis and Clark medal for the bicentennial of the expedition. He unveiled his latest medal and showed a number of other recent medals. If you want more information concerning these items, please contact Dr. Fitzgerald at 526 E. Comstock Ave., Glendora, CA 91741.

Almost 50 people enjoyed the opportunity to meet the speakers at the Saint Patrick Day Buffet Luncheon hosted by Mo Fitzgerald. Guests at the luncheon included five young numismatists who were hosted by the Numismatic Association of Southern California. Cliff Mishler donated a number of copies of the book: “Pioneer Publisher – the Story of Krause Publications’ First Fifty Years” that were given as door prizes at the luncheon.

Following lunch, Dr. Rita Laws took the podium. She described the seven categories of Indian Peace Medals. Dr. Laws said: “these medals represented three hundred years of peace and friendship” and described the symbolism of these pieces. “Government representatives, traders and others gave Peace Medals to the Indians to symbolize a promise of peace and friendship,” she said. Dr. Rita Laws is a third generation coin and medal collector and is a member of the Oklahoma Choctaw tribe. A number of Indian Peace Medals, bearing the bust of President Jefferson, was carried by Lewis and Clark to present to the Indians.

The fourth and last speaker of the day, Ludd A. Trozpek titled his talk, “In the Dust of the Lewis and Clark Trail.” The year 2003 marks the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase. This acquisition was soon followed by the epic journey of science and discovery known as the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It was planned in 1803, organized in the spring of 1804 and was completed in 1806. Mr. Trozpek has been studying this expedition for more than 30 years. He shared the story as told by rare books over the past 200 years. His talk was illustrated by slides. Mr. Trozpek reported, “There is more to be found and more to learn.”

The day concluded as Phil Iversen, acting as moderator, took questions from the audience for all of the speakers who sat as a panel. By this time in the evening, the rain had stopped and, as the audience returned to their homes, all agreed it had been a most enjoyable day, perhaps one of the best symposiums in the 35-year history of this unique educational event.