Exhibit Judging Guidelines at an
American Numismatic Association
Anniversary Convention


last update: Nov 22, 1998

Making a Good Exhibit

The purpose of your exhibit is to share your knowledge with others. But your knowledge of your area is not the only thing which you should place in your exhibit. Spend some time and effort in the organization and presentation of your information.

Here is a typical rating sheet that the exhibit judges will use when evaluating all competitive exhibits. Consider these areas when creating your exhibit; they are useful hints for every exhibitor, not just those with competitive exhibits.

Title and Scope - 5 points
The title should be obvious. If necessary there should be an explanation of what the exhibitor intends to show.
____/5
Basic Numismatic Information - 15 points
The numismatic specifications of the exhibited items should be described to the extent needed by the exhibit's scope to answer the questions of another numismatist. Examples: mint and mintage, composition, dimensions, designer, engraver, variety identification.
____/15
Special Numismatic Information - 15 points
Enough additional information should be given to answer the questions of a general viewer. Examples: historic, biographic, geographic, economic, artistic, and bibliographic information.
____/15
Creativity and Originality - 10 points
The exhibit should be novel and imaginative.
____/10
Attractiveness - 10 points
The exhibit should be neat, well-designed, and eye-catching; the color scheme should be pleasing and effective. The title and text should be easy to read and not faded or dingy from repeated display.
____/10
Balance - 10 points
The numismatic items, the information, and the related materials in the exhibit should be balanced and related to the exhibit's scope.
____/10
Completeness - 5 points
The exhibit should present all of the numismatic material necessary to support the title and the statement of scope. Allowances should be made for lack of material that is not generally available to collectors or for which there is insufficient exhibit space.
____/5
Degree of Difficulty - 10 points
The exhibit should show dedication to collecting, in that the numismatic material or the related information was difficult to assemble or to present. Examples: multiple rare pieces, new research, a collection taht took years to assemble.
____/10
Condition - 10 points
The numismatic material should be the best taht is reasonably available to the exhibitor, who may make a statement about availability for the benefit of viewers or judges.
____/10
Rarity - 10 points
Rarity is judged by the number of like pieces believed to exist, not by the value of individual pieces.
____/10
Total ______


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