?Wow, what a show,? said Don Rinkor, a coin dealer from Santa Rosa, Calif., at the Money Show of the Southwest held Jan. 26-28 in Houston, Texas.

?There was a significant amount of dealer-to-dealer activity and a good group of collectors? he explained. He particularly singled out for praise the hospitality of the staff and the local Texans whose work make the show possible.

Show chairman Carl Schwenker said the attendance of 4,400 and sales of 70 Early Bird badges were both records.

This year, Schwenker?s hard work paid off in more than one way. American Numismatic Association President William H. Horton Jr. took the opportunity to fly down to the show and present Schwenker with an ANA Presidential Award at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Carl Schwenker, center, was given an ANA Presidential Award Jan. 26 by American Numismatic Association President William H. Horton Jr. Assisting in the presentation was ANA Governor Patti Jagger Finner, left.

Horton cited Schwenker?s efforts to rebuild the show. The award was such a surprise Schwenker was at a loss for words, which friends noted is something very unusual for him.

Besides the award certificate, Schwenker received an inscribed thermometer/barometer weather instrument from Horton.

The Money Show presented a comprehensive youth program, with two youth auctions, a youth treasure hunt, a Boy Scout and Girl Scout merit badge clinic managed by ANA Governor Patti Finner and a ?Kids Day at the Money Show? for students from 12 Harris County schools.

There were hourly $10 door prizes and drawings for quarter- and tenth-ounce gold pieces.

The educational presentations Jan. 26-27 covered numerous subjects of interest.

The Money Show was the first club show in the nation to sponsor an associated ?Coins in the Classroom? mini-seminar presented by ANA education department staff and graduates of the course. The participating teachers not only received continuing education credits, but doctoral credits as well.

The show staff is proud of its security arrangements and it was announced that there were no security incidents, robberies or thefts.

Schwenker says the show was the first in the nation to electronically and visually check the dealers? cars for magnetic GPS units as they left the loading ramp on Sunday. These devices have become popular with coin show thieves. The also provided dealers upon request with security transportation to the local airports.

The Money Show of the Southwest is the largest numismatics show in the nation run entirely by local club volunteers, Schwenker says. It is the annual fund-raising event for the Greater Houston Coin Club, Inc., a non-profit educational organization whose motto is ?Education Through Numismatics.?

For information about the GHCC, or its programs, write to P.O. Box 2963, Houston, TX 77252-2963.