A Rose is a Rose

The announcement of ACCG's latest initiative brought out the expected tongue lashings by archaeologists Paul Barford and Nathan Elkins. Sadly, it was the same old tune with no surprises. I have to admit that the entertainment value of their posts is fading fast. In perfect harmony, the two continue to harp on their favorite refrain calling the guild a "dealer lobby". Frankly, I don't get it. They seem to have some distorted mental framework that considers this mischaracterization an insult or degradation. When they first started tossing out this supposedly injurious claim, I tried to correct what I thought was merely an innocent misconception. After all, the ACCG represents more than 5,000 individuals. There aren't that many ancient coin dealers on earth. In fact, there probably aren't 1/10th that number. But, that was apparently not a convincing argument because the Barford-Elkins tag team kept right on hurling that claim, as if it were a rock.

They offer as "proof" the observation that all of the members of the ACCG board of directors have at some time been coin dealers, or have worked for the trade. OK. What does that mean? Is it a disgrace to have been involved in some way with a legitimate business that is recognized worldwide by both institutional and independent scholars alike? The current members of ACCG's Board of Directors are, through their aggregate published works, responsible for inspiring and nurturing more classical numismatists than any similar group in history. Every one of the directors was elected by the general membership and serve at the pleasure of the guild's members. The slings and arrows of Barford/Elkins aside, the group is very highly acclaimed by their peers. Whether they have any present or past affiliation with the trade is absolutely irrelevant. But, even if the ACCG were a "dealer lobby", so what? How would that change anything? If I said that Barford and Elkins were advocates for nationalist governments would that discredit them? Hardly.

The ACCG has goals and develops initiatives to further its goals. That Barford and Elkins disagree with those goals, is also irrelevant. What they think or say about the ACCG is equally irrelevant. All that really matters is that the ACCG remains true to its charter and defends the free and independent collecting of ancient coins. In the process, it is inevitable that the trade will be defended as well. That is exactly what the guild is doing and the Barfords and Elkins of the world will have no impact whatever on the outcome. Call the ACCG a dealer lobby if it makes you feel better, a rose is still a rose.