Coin collections reflect history
Arizona Coin Collector
http://www.thealmanac.net/ALM/Story/02-04-Roamin-S-Hills-L-Gregus-1-pix-Info-box
Coin collections reflect history
By Lorraine Gregus Columnist lgr...@thealmanac.net
Comic books, matchbox cars, baby dolls, even stamps
were popular collectibles with me and my school
friends oh so many years ago.
Gathering a few of our favorite things kept us busy.
And we derived pleasure from such simple ownership.
Coins increased our collecting interest by leaps and
bounds as we grew to be teens. So often our parents
and grandparents unpacked Old World coins kept as
keepsakes from their heritage and we were thrilled
to compare them to U.S. coins.
Today it's not unusual for students to study abroad
and travel continues to increase around the world
making coin collecting more fascinating than ever.
But it can also be overwhelming if the collector
doesn't pick a theme to stick by.
Anticipating a collection of coins? Think about
choosing coins with certain topics such as animals,
ships, airplanes or even those focusing on a
profession such as doctors or lawyers.
Victorian Era, presidential dollars, Colonial
coinage and odd and curious coins in weird shapes
are fun and interesting, too. Square or triangular
or those used for trade such as axe heads or knives
offer even more to collect.
Before starting a coin collection:
. Choose a coin topic
. Search for auctions, dealers and private collectors
* Learn coin terminology
. Locate coin collectors and coin clubs
. Research Web links and library books
. Inquire about archival supplies: coin boards,
books and binders
"As a young paper carrier, I started saving odd
looking pennies and nickels I received from
customers," said Dale Abel, coin show chairman. "I
set aside my coins in my late teens but saved the
collection. U.S. Treasury state quarters raised my
enthusiasm again. I have them all. Now I'm back to
searching for missing coins needed to fill my
coin binders from when I was a kid."
"A favorite of mine is a gold coin found in the
sunken remains of the treasure ship SS Republic,
traveling New York to New Orleans in 1860," said
Richard Gaetano, program planner. "I also have an
ancient Roman coin made from bronze and silver.
"A three-legged buffalo nickel piqued my coin
interest as a young paperboy."
The U.S. Treasury celebration of individual state
quarters, so popular the past few years, will soon
be followed by coins from Washington, D.C. and
territories such as Puerto Rico and the Virgin
Islands. Quarters featuring state parks are to
follow.
Have you inherited coins as part of an estate and
know little about them? Are you interested in
starting a collection for yourself or a young
person? Would you like to have coins appraised?
South Hills Coin Club will host its 49th Coin
Show Feb. 7 and 8 at Crowne Plaza on Fort Couch
Road in the South Hills. Hours are 10 a.m. to
5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Dealers will answer questions on buying, selling
and grading. Admission is free and door prizes
will be presented hourly.
Coin clubs welcome adults as well as youth to
their programs and meetings. Members are
knowledgeable collectors from all walks of life.
They enjoy sharing information to help guide
beginners and are eager to do what they can to
make the coin collecting hobby safe.
South Hills Coin Club vice president Phil Christ
will talk on Augustus St. Gaudens, The Man and
the Coin, on Feb. 10. St. Gaudens designed the
$20 gold piece issued in 1907.
An auction of members' coins will be held during
the March 10 meeting.
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