Letters to the Editor: April 5, 2022

California Association Marks Diamond Jubilee

The California State Numismatic Association (CSNA) celebrated on the last weekend of January 2022, in Arcadia, Calif., its Diamond Jubilee, 75th Anniversary, 1947-2022.

From a humble beginning in February 1947, CSNA evolved into an active statewide organization, enhancing organized numismatics in The Golden State.

During the Diamond Jubilee Coin Show and Convention, the CSNA was honored with the presence and participation of Kimberly S. Kiick, current American Numismatic Association (ANA) Executive Director, who brought greetings and recognition from the ANA. Kim readily enjoyed being present and meeting plus mingling with fellow coin hobbyists.

CSNA was certainly proud that the California State Legislature, both State Senate and Assembly, bestowed a special Joint Resolution, which was displayed.

The Coin Show and Convention was a successful gathering. Most all of the success can be credited to Coordinator Phil Iversen, who worked many hours starting months prior.

Adding to festivities, well-known national numismatic stalwart Bob Fritsch flew out from The Granite State, providing a program and meeting and mingling with attendees.

CSNA has lasted seven-plus decades and has striven to serve and to promote the world of money hobby statewide and around all of California. CSNA is equally proud that many noted national and statewide distinguished numismatists have been members and also held positions.

Much has changed in these past seven decades, and the current pandemic continues its disruption; yet, CSNA not only survived but walks into the next decades with the same effort that has been given these past seven-plus decades.

Inquiries from fellow coin hobbyists would be welcomed: emperori@juno.com.

Michael S. Turrini
CSNA President
Vallejo, Calif.

Viewpoint Not Exactly Encouraging to Newcomer

As a new subscriber and a new collector, Charles Hendrickson pretty well talked me out of the hobby before I hardly began. (“Filing a Few Coin Collecting Complaints,” Viewpoint, Feb. 22 issue.) What a depressing read!

Steve Lambert
Address withheld

Circulate ‘W’ Coins to Spark Hobby Interest

It is no secret that U.S. coin collecting is seeing a serious drop in the younger coin collectors.

Among U.S. circulating coins, there is virtually nothing of any future value. The collection of U.S. State quarters – even 40 years from now – will sell at 25 cents a coin since there are just so many of them. As I go through U.S. quarter rolls now, I am seeing an increasing number of very bright uncirculated quarters from even the first dozen or so years of the State quarter series as people are slowly realizing, when they try to sell their complete set of these quarters, they can only get 25 cents per coin and now are just dumping these quarters into the general circulating population.

However, the “W” quarters of 2019 and 2020, even circulated, are bringing a premium of at least $8 per coin – and this price is for circulated “W” mintmarks!

I propose that we all write the U.S. Mint director and ask that in the future, every year, that on the 1-, 5-, 10- and 25-cent circulating coins that a low number, maybe 30 million or so, be freely circulated mixed in with the regular “D” and “P” mint coins so kids – and adults – would have a reason to look through their change and have a reason to start collecting coins. Otherwise, the coin collecting world will continue to even more rapidly decline and have no interest to the younger generation!

I find it hard to get my nephews and nieces and now their school-age kids interested in coin collecting.

Willy Kapitan
Address withheld

Denver Mint Details Clarified

The details in the March 15 “Coin Clinic” letter about the Denver Mint were wrong, but its gist was right: In late 2020 the U.S. Mint responded to a Freedom of Information Act query by reporting new details for American Silver Eagle production from 1986 through July 17, 2017. The Mint’s report revealed which facilities (Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, and West Point) produced how many of each year’s bullion coins. The 4th edition of John Mercanti’s book American Silver Eagles, which debuts this month, is updated with these new production facts and figures. We’re grateful to the Mint for its clarifications.

Dennis Tucker
Publisher
Whitman Publishing, LLC

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