NASC honors top members

Forty-three boy, cub and girl scouts earned their coin collecting merit badge or the fun with money patch at the 58th annual Golden State Coin Show (GSCS) sponsored by the Numismatic Association of Southern California (NASC), Aug. 23-25.

During the three-hour Saturday afternoon workshop program, scouts of all ages were given a hands-on interactive and fun educational experience on everything numismatics from coins and paper money worldwide to odd and curious barter items and medals, woods and elongates.

The scout coin collecting workshop was coordinated and taught by three adult scout leaders, merit badge counselors and longtime numismatists: Albertus Hoogeveen, Troop 93 out of Orange County Council; Marc Mussman, Troop 915 Los Angeles Area Council and Walt Ostromecki, Western Los Angeles Council merit badge counselor and current ANA President.

North American Coins & Prices is three books in one!

As the counselors covered each of the 10 merit badge requirements in the workshop, scouts who spoke up and answered questions posed in the workshop received special rewards of “P” and “S” mintmark America the Beautiful quarters.

At the end of the program each scout and scout leader and parent toured the bourse floor and had the opportunity to view millions of dollars of coins, currency and exonumia offered for sale at 55-dealer tables. They also had the opportunity to see the 21 cases of collector exhibits, where the top attention grabber was a two-case display on Paranormal Coins and Currency from Verdugo Hills Coin Club Vice President John Duff.

Upon completion of the merit badge requirements each scout received a Continue the Numismatic Experience bag full of collectibles. Donors included the U.S. Mint; BEP; ANA; Whitman Publishing; NASC; and show coin dealers, Armando Nieto, Michael Aron, Glenn Schinke, Universal Coin, the Nona Moore Estate, Tim Yeager, Henry Garrett, Garret and Michelle Burke, Harold Katzman, and Don Berry.

This year’s program also featured special guest speakers, Garrett and Michelle Burke. Garrett was the concept designer of the California state quarter issued in 2005.

The 35th annual Nona G. Moore Club Member Benefit Drawing offered up 35 gold coins to be raffled off. The yearly member club benefit is designed to help NASC member clubs add needed revenue to each treasury. Four chance ticket books sell for $3 dollars. The selling club retains a $1.50 for their club treasury and turns in the other $1.50 into the NASC to defray the cost of the purchased 35 gold coins. NASC’s half from the sales for 2013 easily cleared $4,800 dollars. Clubs have been known to earn up to $1,500 dollars as a result of this program, which was established in 1978.

The NASC’s annual awards recognition banquet was held on Saturday evening. Serving as the events master of ceremonies was newly installed ANA President, Walt Ostromecki, who was introduced by NASC President Alex Jaramillo. NASC Past Presidents in attendance were: Albertus Hoogeveen, 1984; Walt Ostromecki, 1992-93; Jerry Yahalom, 1996-97 and 2009-12; Harold Katzman, 2000-1; Phil Iversen, 2002-3; Don Foster, 2004-5.

The association’s top honor, the Richard P. Goodson Memorial Award went to long time NASC worker and hobby promoter, Angus Bruce. Outstanding Speaker of the Year was claimed by Jim Wells. The Maurice M. Gould, Junior Achievement Award went to Will Berry of the Verdugo Hills Coin Club. “If ever a middle school youngster had a deep love and passion for numismatics in today’s local hobby, it’s Will,” said NASC President Alex Jaramillo during the presentation.

The National Awards recognition highlight which capped off the evening came through ANA President Walt Ostromecki. He presented Roy Iwata and Don Foster each with specially engraved ANA Presidential Certificate as a “Numismatic Point of Light.”
Ostromecki initiated this award which is designed to recognize and honor local individuals in the national numismatic community for their many years of commitment, generosity and service to numismatics as shinning points of light.

Each behind the scenes honoree has truly made a difference in the numismatic hobby experience for others, Ostromecki said. The program is based on the Daily Point of Light national volunteer program developed by President George H. Bush.

For more information about the coin show activities visit: www.NASC.net or www.calnumismatist.com