Letters to the Editor (6/16/2015)

Should poorly struck silver proof sets be returned?

I recently received my annual 2015 silver proof sets from the Mint. Upon inspection I became aware of the poor strikes on the obverse of the quarters (five total coins).

Out of the two sets I ordered (10 total quarters) only three coins had any indication of a wave in Washington’s hair. My dilemma now is do I send them back to the Mint and take a chance of getting acceptable coins in return?

Don Pitcher
Sumerfield, Fla.

450 attend 55th NOW show in Iola

Thank you Numismatists of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Valley Coin Club, NOWs Iola Friends along with Show Chair Cliff Mishler for providing the American Numismatic Association with a free table at the 55th annual show held May 15-16 at the Iola Old Car Show Activity Center Building.

Forty-three dealers were set-up at 55 tables. Krause Publications was set-up and had a table full of their numismatic publications. Ray Dillard did a special elongated for the show.

Show registration was 450. Like many shows we have attended this year, some of the dealers did well and others so-so. We were able to sign up six new members for the Association and received a donation from Benjamin Bell, Civitas Galleries, Ltd., Middleton, Wis., for the shipment of the coin show kit. Iola has a population of 1,301 and is probably the smallest city in the world to hold a national state coin convention.

The show had some great exhibits: A coin board collection 1930s to 1940s; a military exhibit; Horicon, Wis., depression scrip and a Black Charter note from Wisconsin. Saturday morning included a Boy Scout Coin Collecting Merit Badge Clinic chaired by George Cuhaj; a slide program on a Wisconsin city set of Civil War Tokens by John and Nancy Wilson and the “Evolution of the Silver Certificate, 1928 – 1957” by Bill Brandimore.

The famous NOW Mystery Dinner was held on Friday night at the Iola “Grist” Mills – a Wisconsin Historical Society site. The Grist Mill was built around 1853. If it wasn’t for Tom Fucik, who purchased it and started restoration in 1996, the building probably would have been torn down. The ambience, food and talk on the Grist Mill history by Tom Fucik were outstanding. All 29 who attended had a great time.

We want to sincerely thank Cliff Mishler for all the work he did in organizing and running the show. Thanks again for the free ANA table. We look forward to seeing you at the next NOW show, which will be hosted by the South Shore Coin Club on March 31 and April 1-2, 2016, at the Crowne Plaza – Milwaukee Airport.

John and Nancy Wilson
ANA National Volunteers

Ike Philly coins a disappointment

I recently received my three rolls of U.S. Mint Eisenhower dollars. I have never had a problem with my dollars before this order.

I save a Denver roll and open a Philly and a Denver roll. I need seven good coins from each roll for my grandchildren’s collection. My Denver coins were fine as usual, but my Philly coins were a mess. They looked horrible. I picked the best seven of the roll and used the others in my pocket change. I was very surprised and disappointed.

I just hope that I received a bad selection of coins. It is just hard to believe that these coins could have escaped from the Mint in their condition. I really do like Ike, just not his Philly coins I received.

Leo Darmstadter
Vineland, N.J.

Time to say thanks for great service

Regretfully, due to the bustle and hassles of contemporary living, it is easy, quite easy, to forget or to overlook common courtesies and appreciation.

Recently, I have had correspondence and contact with two groups and two individuals seeking assistance and support, and now pausing during those bustled and hassled days, let me express my gratitude.

First, to Littleton Coin Company and specifically Lisa McCullough, who has been quite responsive and contributing to my appeals and need to obtain complimentary and informative information specific to new and novice coin hobbyists. She absolutely practices the motto of Littleton: friendly service. Thanks, Lisa!

Second, to the American Numismatic Association and specifically its Tiffanie Bueschel, the club communication coordinator, for her professional, pleasant, and prompt response to my periodic requests for The Numismatist and whatever else. She equally practices service to ANA Members. Thanks, Tiffanie!

With e-mails, texting, the social media, and rising postal rates, the old-school way of a kind handwritten thank-you card or greetings seems to have declined, yet the need to appreciate has not, and I am sure Numismatic News readers would concur.

So, as the days turn from spring into summer and as California endures a serious drought, it’s time to take a few minutes to say thank you.

Remember: Have fun with your hobbies, always serve others, enjoy your collecting and, create hope and do good.

Michael S. Turrini
Vallejo, Calif.

Martin Luther King good choice for $20

There’s a lot of talk about replacing Jackson on the $20 bill, and I see from your recent poll that three-quarters of your readers don’t want that replacement to be a woman.

How about a poll with some suggestions to see who collectors are leaning toward? My vote goes to replace him with Martin Luther King like they did in the “Over There” episode of “Fringe” from 2010.

Sandy Campbell
New York City, N.Y.

ANA, ANS offer different services

I found the article written by F. Michael Fazzari on “Making the Grade” interesting, however not because of the rude individual he had to deal with. He ended his article by saying: “…at the very least, join the American Numismatic Association,” implying that any serious collector would have already done so.

I am not a member, so I visited the ANA’s website and found that it is based in Manhattan, N.Y. The listed membership perks were not all that alluring considering the hefty $100 annual membership fee.

Amazingly, the ANA does not even bother to advertise itself in the Numismatic News publication. So I have to ask the question: What exactly does joining the ANA do for the common collector? What are the benefits of joining when I could use the $100 to perhaps purchase another coin for my collection? It would help if Mr. Fazzari would explain in more detail why anyone should bother joining.

Kirk Wayland
Irvine, Calif.

Editor’s note: It would appear that your web search took you to the site of the American Numismatic Society, not the American Numismatic Association.

The ANA is located in Colorado Springs, Colo. It does indeed advertise in Numismatic News from time to time.

The ANS is a scholarly organization with a lower profile run along the lines of a top European museum or university.

The ANA is a popular organization intended to help its members, starting with the basics, and moving up from there. It sponsors two major conventions each year as well as two weeks of Summer Seminar. Dues are $46 and can be cheaper if you take only an online membership. Check out the website at www.money.org.