Bernie Watts of Colorado, the winner of the RCW gold coin, presented by Jay Beeton and Kim Kiick of the ANA.
(Colorado Springs, Colorado) – A Colorado businessman, forced to sell his collection of San Francisco Mint gold coins to save his company during adverse economic conditions after the 9/11 terrorist attack, was the lucky winner of a 1914-S Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle in a random drawing for new members of the American Numismatic Association.
Bernie Watts was elated at his good fortune, twice. First, when he learned he could get two years’ membership for the price of the first year alone under a member recruitment program sponsored by Rare Coin Wholesalers of Dana Point, California. And second, as the lucky prize winner.
“Mr. Watts signed up for ANA membership when he registered to enter the ANA World’s Fair of Money convention in Denver. We had a random drawing among all the new members who have taken advantage of the second-year-free program that is being paid by Rare Coin Wholesalers,” said Kimberly S. Kiick, Manager of ANA Membership Operations.
A collector for many years, Watts was forced to halt his purchases in 2002.
“I’d collected San Francisco Mint gold coins for about 20 years, but sold most of the collection to keep my business in Wheat Ridge, Colorado financially afloat after 9/11,” explained Watts. “I’ve been slowly trying to put the collection back together, and I was flabbergasted when I won this coin. I’m still walking about six inches off the ground!”
“This is a great story with a happy ending with him winning the Double Eagle. He is one happy guy,” said Jay Beeton, ANA Marketing and Public Relations Director. The 1914-S Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, graded NGC MS-63, was presented to Watts by Beeton and Kiick during the ANA Member Appreciation Day at ANA headquarters, August 20.
New ANA members can save $36 on their initial dues in a member recruitment program funded by Rare Coin Wholesalers. The company is paying the second year of dues when new members apply for a one-year membership.
When he launched the program with the ANA this past May, ANA Life Member Steven L. Contursi, President of Rare Coin Wholesalers, stated: “I believe in the ANA, and every collector should, too. The ANA offers excellent educational benefits for all levels of collectors from beginning to advanced.
For additional information, contact the American Numismatic Association Membership Department, 818 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Phone: (800) 367-9723 x 140. Online: www.money.org.
News media contacts:
Jay Beeton, for American Numismatic Association, (719) 482-9864
Peter Cabral, for Rare Coin Wholesalers, (949) 488-9530