What is the ANA and ANACS?

The American Numismatic Association (ANA), chartered by the U.S. Congress, set about creating the American Numismatic Association Certification Service (ANACS) in 1972. It began with two experts in Washington D.C., close to the Smithsonian’s numismatic collection for comparisons and the Secret Service, part of the U.S Treasury Department. In 1976, ANACS moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado and began grading coins in 1979. Before 1990, ANACS issued a photo certificate showing both sides of the coin, the grade for each side, and any comments about the coin. In 1989, ANACS discontinued the use of photo certificates and began encapsulating coins in tamper-evident plastic holders. A year later, ANACS was sold to Amos Press, publishers of Coin World. In 2007, EKW, LLC purchased ANACS and relocated the company to Englewood, Colorado.