Community Voice Responses (June 27, 2017)

From the June 2 Numismatic News E-Newsletter:

Does celebrity involvement help persuade people to collect coins?

Here are some answers sent from our e-newsletter readers to Editor Dave Harper.

I have been collecting coins for nearly 35 years with a huge variety of coins thus far. I am not at all influenced by celebrities in anything that I do, much less for anything as important as coin collecting.

Dan Chihos
Fargo, N.D.

Not if the celebrity is Kathy Griffin!

Max Stucky
Colorado Springs, Colo.

As a dealer and somewhat of a collector, I think that some people will react to a celebrity and start collecting or buy a single piece.

The problem in Europe, especially the northwestern part, is that collectors are being overfed with issues and stop collecting. “You can’t own them all” is their opinion. Or mintage is so low that people who has missed out on the initial sale have to pay dearly. And I think that is somewhat the same problem in North America?

I read the news concerning this in the States quite regularly, and it is somewhat worrying me because it is my living and it keeps me awake at night. Over here many collectors are getting old and there are no young collectors following in their footsteps.

Erik van Gemst
Gorinchem, Netherlands

No. In fact it is likely to alienate the hobbyist! Just because you’re a celebrity doesn’t mean you have more insight into coin collecting or politics than anyone else – yet they seems to think so.

Ron Brown
Address withheld

No it does not. In fact, celebrity endorsements makes me question the advertisement.

William Johnston
Address withheld

I assume that by celebrities you’re talking about movie stars or sports stars. I’m sure there are those who like to follow the interests of their favorite movie or sports star. Me, I got into collecting coins from my mother at the age of 8, so I guess in a way I did follow a star, but I would not take up stamp collecting just because Buster Posey collects stamps.

Bob D. Allen
Address withheld