Convention

The numismatic exhibit program will be under the control and direction of the Central States Numismatic Society (CSNS), which reserves the right to reject any exhibit at any time. Exhibits will be accepted only upon receipt of the proper application form.
 
(1) WHO MAY EXHIBIT: Any collector of numismatic material, who is a member in good standing of CSNS, is eligible.

(2) For an exhibitor to be eligible for the use of space and display cases, an exhibit application must be filled out and mailed or given to a member of the convention's exhibit committee, at least (15) days prior to the opening of the convention.
 
(3) CSNS exhibits will be limited to five cases. CSNS members can have only one exhibit. No outside signs and/or lights may be used. Exhibit cases will be loaned for use at the convention upon receipt of the application with CSNS convention theme. See application for this years theme.
 
(4) The name or identity of any competitive exhibitor shall not appear in the exhibit, except as an author in a bibliographical reference. Such reference will be sufficiently general so that the exhibitor cannot be linked in any way to the exhibit. All clubs must be composed of material owned by the club or association itself and not by the members thereof. The exhibit chairperson shall keep a full and complete record of all exhibits.

 

(5) A counterfeit, copy, restrike, forged, or reproduction of any numismatic item that is not clearly indicated by the word "counterfeit", "copy", "restrike", "forged", or "reproduction" incused in the metal or printed on the paper thereof, except for items generally accepted by numismatists and not in any way represented as genuine. No such numismatic item displayed for educational purposes shall violate United States law or any government regulations. Struck or cast copies of numismatic items must be clearly labeled as such. Laser printed (photocopy) reproductions of numismatic items are permitted if allowed by law and many not be greater than 200% the size of the original, as well as at least one original example of such numismatic items must be included in the exhibit. Labeling the above numismatic item for exhibiting purposes must be either below or above the item. Any violation of this paragraph, even if unintentional, will result in total disqualification of the exhibit.
 
(6) Special security will be provided for the exhibit area during the convention. Normal precautions will be exercised. But no liability shall be incurred by the Central States Numismatic Society, its officers, members, and/or committees. Either in their respective official, individual, or personal capacities by reason of any loss of damages whatsoever sustained, either directly or indirectly in connection with the exhibits and/or convention.

(7) Awards for any exhibit will be made by the Central States Numismatic Society, in accordance with the procedures approved by the board. An exhibit that has won best of show or top prize cannot exhibit again.
 
(8) Exhibit judges should be selected with specific standards such as open mindedness and thorough knowledge of the exhibit being judged. Should show humility toward the task of judging, with willingness to ask for assistance and to give due credit to the opinions of others. A judge must have a willingness to explain a rating and to change a rating when an error, obvious or otherwise, has been made.​​​

 
The following point score system shall be used for judging exhibits: 

Title, Scope, and Completeness
The title should be obvious, with short statements of the exhibit's scope and of the story the exhibitor intends to tell. The exhibit should present all the numismatic material necessary to support the title and statement of scope.
 
Maximum Points:  05
 
Numismatic Information
The numismatic specifications of the exhibited items should be described to the extent needed by the exhibit's scope to answer the questions of the average collector of this type of materials? Examples: mint and mintage, composition, dimensions, designer, engraver, variety identification, bibliographic/catalog references. Enough additional information should be given to answer the questions of a general viewer. Examples: historic, biographic, geographic, economic, cultural, and artistic information. Is the information presented in a logical and easily understood matter?

 

Maximum Points: 40
 
Inspiration and Dedication

Does the exhibit stimulate an interest in this or related material and suggest ways to collect it? The exhibit should show dedication to collecting, in that the numismatic material or the related information was difficult to assemble or to present. Would a non-collector understand the exhibit?

Maximum Points: 10

 

Appearance
Does the exhibit display a striking or exceptional effect, or is it average in its overall appearance? The exhibit should be novel and imaginative in concept, content, scope, design, or presentation. The exhibit should be neat, well-designed, and eye-appealing; the color scheme pleaseing and effective; the title and text easy to read. The numismatic items, the information, and related materials in the exhibit should be balanced and related to the exhibit's scope. Grammar and typographic error should be addressed here. Does the exhibit provide an unusual opportunity to view and appreciate the material being displayed?

 

Maximum Points: 35
 
Condition

The numismatic material should be the best that is available to the exhibitor, who may make a statement about availability for the benefit of viewers or judges.

 

Maximum Points: 05
 
Rarity
Rarity is judged by the number of pieces believed/known to exist, not the value of individual pieces; exhibitor can advise.

 

Maximum Points: 05
 
Maximum total points 
100