Show me the money in 2012

I am already making numismatic plans for the opening months of 2012. How about you?

The Florida United Numismatists convention will start the year off for me at the beginning of January in Orlando and the end of the month will see me winging my way to Berlin, Germany, to give the 2012 Coin of the Year Awards for coins dated 2010. Overall, my stay in Berlin will be eight days, which is just long enough to get over the jet lag and then to start it up again after I return home.

It’s exhausting just thinking about it, but it is also exciting.

Two Krause Publications events will follow.

The Chicago Paper Money Expo commences March 8 and runs until March 11 at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Rosemont, just a hop, skip and jump across the freeway from O’Hare International Airport.

The Chicago International Coin Fair will be held at the same location April 26-29.

There is something to be said about returning to familiar locations for these annual shows. You know where to park your car, or are familiar with the airports. You know where the good restaurants are. But most importantly, you know which dealers you are likely to see and where their tables are.

You probably could find some of this in your sleep – and that’s a good thing when jet lag is the issue.

Yet I wouldn’t want to miss events like this. Numismatics is ever changing and it is important to be a part of it as it happens.

My mind will soon shift into holiday mode and I want to be sure things are lined up beforehand. On Thursday I will be most grateful for the many opportunities the numismatic field has afforded me and I look forward to what the beginning of 2012 will bring.