Chicago Coin Club sets the standard

Congratulations to the Chicago Coin Club (CCC) on their 90th anniversary (1919-2009) celebration!

The day began with a club meeting at the Chicago International Coin Fair at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rosemont, Illinois. The CCC issued a beautiful medal celebrating the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth and its own 90th anniversary.

The medal features an image of the “Standing Lincoln” statue by Augustus Saint-Gaudens that is on the east lawn of the Chicago Historical Society in Lincoln Park. Carl Wolf, CCC secretary, handled the creation and distribution of the medals. He also personally welcomed each guest, and solicited and received several new member applications.

Robert D. Leonard secured a well respected speaker for the meeting. American Numismatic Society Librarian Elizabeth Hahn gave an interesting and informative lecture on “The ANS Library, Sicilian History, and Early Numismatic Literature.”

Ms. Hahn detailed the massive undertaking of moving the entire library to its new location in New York City. The meeting was adjourned briefly and resumed at Gianotti’s Italian Restaurant where the 90th anniversary banquet was attended by 56 members and guests.

The banquet speaker was author David Hendin, who spoke on “Economics, History, and Money in Judea and Early Christianity”. Members were treated to an enthralling presentation, given by the leading expert in the field. Each of the speakers was presented with the CCC’s Richard Cabeen Speaker’s Medal and an ANA Educational Certificate.

All attendees at the CCC Meeting received an educational card, one of several issued in an ongoing series, titled “Cornaline d’Aleppo Trade Beads,” which was researched by Robert D. Leonard.

But the true success of these and all other meetings is based on the many club officers and volunteers who give their all for the organization. Current CCC President Jeffrey Rosinia and 90th Anniversary Committee Chairman Mark Wieclaw should be congratulated for their leadership in this celebration.

By setting high standards and continuously improving a club’s image and outreach, the longevity that has blessed this group of dedicated and passionate numismatists will continue long into the future.

I look forward to the 50th anniversary celebration of the Token and Medal Society in 2010 and the 100th Anniversary of the Rochester Numismatic Association in 2012.

The Chicago Coin Club has set a standard of excellence for these clubs to strive for as they plan their own events.

Charles J. Ricard of Chicago, Ill., is the 2003 recipient of the American Numismatic Association’s Farran Zerbe Award and is the only person to have served as President of the Chicago Coin Club, the Rochester (New York) Numismatic Association, and the Token and Medal Society.

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