Letters to the Editor (Oct. 31, 2017)

Is proof set’s cost greater than sum of its parts?

Just thought I’d ask. Apparently the 2017 set with the “S” Eagle didn’t sell out yesterday because I received an email that looks like today at 1 p.m. saying household limit lifted. This set didn’t sell well? I can call the Mint when I get home, but another not-so-hot item, I guess.

I didn’t try to get this set. The whole in this instance is selling for more than the sum of its parts, meaning I could buy all the other items except the “S” Eagle for less.

Am I missing something?

Thanks for the question on the supremacy of the American dollar as the currency of choice in this world. After everyone has been hacked to death by the Internet, maybe we won’t be solvent.

Anne Burke
Address withheld

Trump ad in NN hurts both readers and advertisers

I read this article the other day. I did not see an author credited for writing this so I’ll make the assumption that you wrote it. Whoever did write it however had it right. These pieces would not be “limited edition coins” but medals or rounds. So why couldn’t you have gotten this right when NN ran a full page ad a few months ago selling Trump Make America Great Medals calling them coins. You wrote to me to explain something about “a new Internet reality” when in fact you [exploited] your [publications ’] principles for a quick buck. The real reality is that as a leading numismatic publication, you let your readers (who will get a real shock if they attempt to sell their $295 set of “coins” ) and your advertisers who will be thought of as “crooks” when they offer $25-$50 to buy a set from them from one of your less knowledgeable readers, both down. If someone else wrote the article, you can learn something from them.

Also when we had the email exchange about the Trump medals ad, I specifically told you that my email was not for publication and you published it anyway. Well this email is for publication. I dare you to publish it.

J. Vogel
New York, N.Y.

Silver dollars mean artistry, history to collector

When I got your email today about the silver Eagles, I thought about it for a long while. This is what I came up with. The American Eagle silver dollar represents a lot of things to me. For one, the beauty of it and then you have the art design, which hasn’t changed since 1986.

I believe I told you once before that holding a silver dollar, whether it’s a Morgan silver dollar or a Peace dollar or an 1986 American Eagle silver dollar or one just minted, to me they are all representative of our country.

When I hold one of my Morgans, I can almost feel what it took to make that dollar, the back-breaking work. I really don’t have the words to express what I want to say when I pick one up. It’s like going back in time.

Bob D. Allen
Address withheld

Gene Hoy, Charles Ricard truly served our hobby

Most all Numismatic News readers certainly would have not known or have met the late Gene C. Hoy (1932-2017), whose passing was informed via a mass email from his home coin club, the Liberty Numismatic Society of Millbrae, Calif.

Gene is fondly remembered. “Everyone who knew Gene thought the world of him.” Clearly a fitting tribute and testimonial.

But Gene did much more than present a pleasant and positive personality: he served. For the Liberty Numismatic Society, his service spanned decades and included all offices: president, secretary, membership, meeting room facilitator and more, never failing or refusing a chore or job.

Only when his late wife, who predeceased him, required full-time care-giving did Gene step down and withdraw, and not without regret and sorrow. He loved the Liberty Numismatic Society.

My favorite recollection was telephoning him to drive his Toyota Tacoma pickup and claim numerous boxes, and I mean lots of boxes, of books and references bequeathed to Liberty from the estate of the late Gordon R. Donnell (1935-2010). When we filled the Toyota’s bed, the weight was evident; but the opportunity to assist Liberty with this generous gift out-weighted the traffic, toll and trouble, plus much hard work to unload alone and store those boxes. That was Gene’s attitude.

Gene was not, and is not, alone. Across our vast nation and even into Canada, also home to many local coin clubs, there are many Genes, who without regard or reward or recognition dedicated themselves to their coin club, provided countless hours and work, making their coin club contribute to its members and our “world of money” hobby.

My letter here is to remind readers that Gene was and is not alone. Readers do know of others with equal devotion and service. They are the glue that holds a coin club together, including the chore of emptying the trash when a meeting is closed.

Continuing, Gene’s obituary recorded his work career, family, Air Force time and his passions, which including our hobby; it noted that he “thrived on being active, productive, and helping others.”

Closing, in remembrance for Gene and in respect to the hundreds as him today and yesterday, let these words by the great Albert Einstein be fitting testimonial: “only a life in service to others is worth living.”

R.I.P., Gene.

Another one whom we’ve just lost is a 2003 Farren Zerbe Award honoree, Charles J. Ricard (1930-2017).

A Token and Medals Society past president, his August passing was announced in the September/October 2017 TAMS Journal.

My contacts with the late Mr. Ricard were few and infrequent and always during an American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money. But, these few and infrequent crossing of paths confirmed that he was a true gentleman of the “old-school”: quiet, personable and pleasant, and not one to seek or to solicit the limelight.

My recollections shall remain talking to him, with Charles doing mostly listening, offering a sage brief comment or short reminisce, plus always dressed in a nice pressed suit with crisp tie.

He served the ANA and TAMS, as well as the Rochester Numismatic Association, an incubator for many numismatic servants, and the prestigious Chicago Coin Club.

Charles typified the highest essentials of our hobby: service, researcher and writer, and passion for the world of money.

It is often remarked upon that the passing of fellow acquaintance or “good man,” as Charles was described in his TAMS obituary, he or she shall be missed. To me, this misses the real point: that we the living continue and emulate what a “good man” or “good woman” needs to be.

Legendary martial arts actor Bruce Lee once stated that “The key to immorality is first living a life worth remembering.” Charles certainly and clearly earned that distinction.

R.I.P., Mr. Ricard.

Michael S. Turrini
Vallejo, Calif.

More Collecting Resources

• Keep up to date on prices for Canada, United States and Mexico coinage with the 2018 North American Coins & Prices guide.

• Is that coin in your hand the real deal or a clever fake? Discover the difference with U.S. Coins Close Up, a one-of-a-kind visual guide to every U.S. coin type.