Rodney
Gillis, a former Middle and High School teacher of 15 years, is currently the
Executive Director of the ANA ( https://www.money.org/ ). He helped with
the proposal to have a commemorative dollar coin minted to honor the veterans
of World War I and helped write the legislation for the coin. The legislation
was signed into law and the coin will be minted at the start of 2018. He is the
proud owner of a 1951 Buick Roadmaster. He is married (29 years) and has a
Dachshund (Little Louie) and a Yellow Lab (Dixie).
1.
How
and/or when did you get you hooked on history?
My mother encouraged me to read at an
early age and I took an interest in the history of the presidents.
2.
What
role does history play or has it played in your personal life?
I have a collection of stock
certificates that includes the parent company of the Titanic. I also own an
antique car that I have worked to keep as original as possible.
3.
How
is/How was history a part of your professional life/career?
I was a history teacher for many
years. As the Education Director of the American Numismatic Association, I am
constantly looking for outreach opportunities to show that coins are really
primary historical documents.
4.
Why
is studying/knowing history important?
History plays an important role in
the study of cultures. History also gives us an example as to how we should
make decisions.
5.
What
is your favorite period or aspect of history to learn about and why?
My favorite period of history is the
1880s to the turn of the 20th century. So many innovations and
interesting characters.
6.
How
did you become a numismatist and what does your job as Education Director
entail?
My brother and I were walking down a
street in Puerto Rico and he pointed out a shiny object in the middle of the
street. I picked it up and it was a very old U.S. coin. I started to collect
soon after. As Education Director at the ANA, I teach classes on grading,
travel to local schools to conduct classes, put education content on our
website,
answer coin questions from the public and administer programs designed to get
youngsters involved in the hobby.
7.
How
do coins and coin collecting reflect history and how can coins be used in
history education?
Coins are really primary historical
documents. Their design reflects the cultural icons of the country that
produced them. It is always fun to imagine that a coin minted in a historically
significant year was actually in someone’s pocket at a famous event.
