Selected Articles from the Winter 2001 Newsletter (no. 89)

Robert Hoge Appointed Curator of U.S. Coins and Currency

Robert Hoge has joined the Society as the first Curator of U.S. Coins and Currency, a new endowed position. Mr. Hoge, formerly curator of the American Numismatic Association for twenty years, took up his new position in September.

His broad knowledge of numismatics will be a particular benefit to the ANS in advancing the study and appreciation of our large and diverse collection, particularly the significant collection of U.S. coins and currency.
Over the last twenty years, he has published over two hundred articles and numerous publications based on his extensive research on a wide variety of subjects in numismatics. While much of his work concentrates on U.S. numismatics, he has also written on Chinese, medieval, Islamic and various other world coins. Mr. Hoge is a Fellow of the RNS and the ANS, a member of ICOMON and numerous other organizations.
President Donald Partrick, a member of the Search Committee, commented on the appointment: “We have been looking for the right person in this key position for over a year. Bob Hoge is a superb addition to our staff. The U.S. collectors and researchers will now have a well-known numismatist at the ANS who will help them with their questions and bring insight and expertise to their field.” Ute Wartenberg was particularly interested in the breadth of his knowledge and his experience mounting a variety of exhibitions. “His extensive experience at the ANA, a sister organization, will be invaluable at our new facility where we will be paying particular attention to education and outreach.”

As for Bob Hoge, “Moving to New York has been a challenge, but not daunting. I am pleased and honored to be able to serve such a distinguished organization as the ANS.”

Peter van Alfen named Margaret Thompson Assistant Curator of Greek Coins

Peter van Alfen, a Ph.D. student of Classical Philology at the University of Texas in Austin, and a graduate of the ANS Summer Seminar in Numismatics (1998), has been appointed Margaret Thompson Assistant Curator of Greek Coins. The appointment was announced by Prof. Thomas Martin, Chairman of the ANS search committee. Mr. van Alfen has an M.A. in Anthropology (Nautical Archaeology) from Texas A&M University. His thesis, “A Metrological Study of Amphoras from the 7th c. AD Yassi Ada Shipwreck,” was published in the Journal of Roman Archaeology in 1996. He earned a BA in Classics, graduating with honors from The University of Utah. Mr. van Alfen, former editor and project director of Studies in Mycaenean Inscription and Dialect (SMID), assisted in studies of 7th and 11th c. AD amphoras and in the design and construction of a full-scale replica of the 7th c. AD Yassi Ada ship for the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology in Turkey. His extensive arhaeological experience also includes work in Albania and Egypt. He worked most recently on the Tektas Burnu excavation, a 5th c. BC shipwreck, at a depth of 37-42m near Izmir, Turkey.

Mr. van Aflen has also done archaeological survey work in Idaho, Utah, Wyoming and Nevada and worked as an assistant conservator of iron, organic and ceramic artifacts from INA's Port Royal Excavation at the Conservation Research Laboratory at Texas A&M. Mr. van Alfen is the recipient of a Kress Joint Athens-Jerusalem Fellowship, an Institute for Aegean Prehistory Grant, an American Numismatic Society Fellowship, a Utah State Historical Society Editor's Choice Award, as well as various teaching and academic awards from the University of Texas and Texas A&M. His languages of study include Arabic, Aramaic, French, German, Classical and Modern Greek, Biblical Hebrew, Latin, Linear-B, Sanskrit, and Spanish. He is certified as a scientific diver by Texas A&M (160 ft.) and an NAUI advanced diver and has studied ship reconstruction and drafting, artifact conservation and illustration, photography, mechanical and carpentry work, and boat building.

Pamala Plummer-Wright Appointed Development Director

Pamala Plummer-Wright, appointed ANS Director of Development and Public Programs, began her responsibilities in September. She is currently organizing a series of events to coordinate with the New York International Numismatic Convention and the celebration of the opening of the ANS exhibition at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. She will be overseeing the Capital Campaign, and is planning events in Los Angeles and San Francisco to reach out to ANS supporters on the West Coast.

For nearly ten years, Ms. Wright served as the Executive Director of the Manhattan Guild, a prominent international non-profit organization established in 1949 devoted to serving the needs of hospitalized children throughout the world. She had sole responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the organization including all aspects of development and fundraising. Her responsibilities included planning and execution of major fundraising events, corporate donor programs, direct mail, annual appeals, and major individual gift solicitation. In addition, she oversaw the public outreach program, with over two hundred volunteers, as well as public relations matters encompassing all local and national press.

Prior to her position at the Manhattan Guild, Ms. Wright spent eight years as a staff member in the U.S. Senate in Washington D.C. She was a Special Assistant to U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater and later on became a Senior Advisor to U.S. Senator John Warner, where she refined her expertise regarding public policy issues and legislative matters, as well as public relations and speechwriting.

Ms. Wright has a Masters Degree in International Relations from Georgetown University and participated in doctoral level studies at New York University. She attended graduate school at the University of London, England, and spent two years in France at L’Universite Catholique de Lille. She resides in New York City with her family. She and her husband are avid collectors of American historical and political memorabilia and medals.
Caroline Hightower, former Director of Planning and Programs on a part-time basis for the past eighteen months, finished her planning responsiblities at the end of September. While at the ANS, she worked with the staff and Council to complete a five-year plan; obtained an Institute for Museum and Library Services grant from the American Association of Museums to advance ANS accountability and service to the public. This was a first step in regaining AAM accreditation. Ms. Hightower oversaw the process of completing the self-study with Council members and staff. The assessment process by museum professionals on audience and membership development will take place after the ANS is established in its new facility.

Ms. Hightower prepared a development plan and a case statement for the Capital Campaign, established an effective mid-year giving campaign, and wrote a number of grant proposals. She coordinated the development of the first ANS Advisory Committee as a vehicle for membership participation and developed a comprehensive questionaire to increase the effectiveness of ANS programs. Over the past year, she edited and wrote numerous articles for the ANS Newsletter. She will continue her work as an institutional consultant in New York.