Benefits Of Numismatic Exhibit Judging
Serving as a numismatic exhibit judge offers collectors a chance to expand their knowledge, encounter remarkable material, and learn from fellow numismatists while giving back to the hobby.
I know. I know. People tend to be so busy with their lives that the thought of volunteering for one more activity isn’t worth consideration. Still, the benefits you may receive by volunteering to be a numismatic exhibit judge could make it well worth the time you invest. It has for me.
Major coin shows invariably include a section of exhibits where collectors can share their numismatic knowledge and treasures with attendees. Some exhibits present breathtaking items that you would never be able to view anywhere else. Others may introduce you to an obscure numismatic niche that is well worth the time to peruse. Every time I view exhibits, it broadens my numismatic knowledge and appreciation of history.
Around a decade ago, after selling my company but still working there, I freed up enough of my time at major coin shows where I accepted a request to qualify as an exhibit judge. This required taking an hour-long judges’ training program early at an American Numismatic Association convention, then passing a test judging in selected categories at the same event. I qualified to be a judge for tokens and medals.
Since then, I have judged exhibits at several subsequent American Numismatic Association, Michigan State Numismatic Society, and Texas Numismatic Association conventions. At times, I have filled in to judge other categories of exhibits.
Judging an exhibit involves evaluating whether its contents reflect the title, the extent of numismatic information provided, the quality of the exhibit layout and presentation, and the significance of the items displayed. Beyond simply judging the exhibit, the judges are also supposed to compliment what was good about the exhibit and where it could use improvement. The exhibitors are given copies of the judges’ reports to review (there are three judges for each category to reduce the impact of any judge’s personal biases) so that they may improve this or another future exhibit.
At last year’s ANA World’s Fair of Money in Oklahoma City, one exhibit I judged received the highest total points of any exhibit I have ever viewed. The other two judges for the category also commented that this was their experience.
The exhibits I have judged have almost all been on subjects outside my previous numismatic exposure. Along with many numismatists, I love history. Therefore, one of the benefits of serving as a numismatic exhibit judge is enjoying a new historical perspective. I have viewed some extraordinary pieces of history, several great rarities, and gained a greater appreciation of the wide range of numismatics.
Numismatic judges tend to be seasoned collectors. A significant percentage of them are themselves exhibitors (where judges are not allowed to judge categories where they might have their own exhibit), a few are coin dealers (being a judge may involve 3-5 hours of your time at a convention, which may preclude sole dealers being able to be away from their table for that long), and several are noted numismatic researchers or authors. Another benefit of being an exhibit judge is the opportunity to meet and learn from some people I might otherwise not encounter.
If you are a collector who attends major coin conventions, consider the benefits of becoming a numismatic exhibit judge.
Last column’s numismatic trivia question.
Last time I asked, “What was the first U.S. coin to read “U.S.A.?” All U.S. coins bear “United States of America.” The Carver-Washington Commemorative Half Dollars struck at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints from 1951 through 1954 featured a map of the continental 48 states on the reverse, on which was superimposed “U.S.A.” The coins honored educator Booker Tamiel Washington and agricultural scientist George Washington Carver. In theory, the funds received from the sale of these coins were to be devoted “to oppose the spread of communism among Negroes in the interest of national defense.”
This week’s trivia question
Here is this week’s question. Which person depicted on U.S. currency was first elected to the U.S. Senate as a member of the Free Soil Party? Come back next week for the answer.
Patrick A. Heller was honored as a 2019 FUN Numismatic Ambassador. He is also the recipient of the American Numismatic Association 2018 Glenn Smedley Memorial Service Award, the 2017 Exemplary Service Award, the 2012 Harry Forman National Dealer of the Year Award, and the 2008 Presidential Award. Over the years, he has also been honored by the Numismatic Literary Guild, Professional Numismatists Guild, National Coin & Bullion Association, and the Michigan State Numismatic Society. He is the communications officer of Liberty Coin Service in Lansing, Michigan, and writes “Liberty’s Outlook,” a quarterly newsletter on rare coins and precious metals subjects. He now volunteers with the National Coin & Bullion Association as its Industry Issues Advisor. Past newsletter issues can be viewed at www.libertycoinservice.com. Some of his radio commentaries, "Things You ‘Know’ That Just Aren’t So,” and “Important News You Need To Know,” can be heard at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday and Friday mornings on 1320-AM WILS in Lansing (which streams live and becomes part of the audio archives posted at www.1320wils.com).
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