NEWS RELEASE

The American Numismatic Society Broadway at 155th Street New York, NY 10032 Tel. (212) 234-3130 Fax. (212) 234-3381 info@numismatics.org http://www.numismatics.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Pamala Plummer-Wright, Director of Development and Public Programs
(212) 234-3130 ext. 231, wright@numismatics.org

Dedication for the John J. Ford Jr. Reading Room
of the American Numismatic Society Library

A reception in honor of the new John J. Ford Jr. Reading Room will be
held on Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 6:00 pm.

John J. Ford Jr. is one of the nation's best-known coin dealers and
an expert on all aspects of US numismatics.  Ford's career began in
the late 1930s when he was just fifteen years old, working for J.B.
and Morton Stack. In 1950 he joined Charles Wormser at New
Netherlands Coin Co., and with the help of Walter Breen, he built it
into the premier auction house of the 1950s.  When he left New
Netherlands in 1971, Ford flourished as an independent dealer. Ford's
interests are wide-ranging and include Colonials, Hard Times tokens,
Merchant tokens, Colonial currency and Confederate bonds. Over the
past sixty years, he has assembled the most complete collections in
several of these areas as well as a superb library. Ford currently
lives in Arizona.

The dedication will take place at our new building at 140 William St
(at Fulton). Parking is available at William St./Beekman St. (two
blocks north of Fulton).  By subway, take the 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, J, M, Z to the
Broadway-Nassau St./Fulton stop.

RSVP by May 7, 2004
Please contact Juliette Pelletier at (212) 234-3130 ext.230 or
pelletier@numismatics.org