Poll: Are you a member of a local coin club? Why or why not?

Editor’s note: Check out the American Numismatic Association’s Club Directory to find a club near you.

I'm not currently a member of a club. There isn't one where I live. I'm an online member of the numismatic club.

Name and Address withheld

I'm not a member of any, but I really enjoy coins.

Name and Address withheld

I most surely am. I'm a member of four local clubs, one regional club, and two national clubs. I'm not as active in some, but it gives me options.

I always tell newcomers to the hobby that joining a local club is the best thing they can do to learn what coins are worth and tap into the knowledge and skills of the members. They can get help learning grading, rarity, detecting fakes, and different kinds of coins that people collect.

Clubs are also a great way to get more involved in the hobby. Clubs always need people to assist with running them, helping with shows, or other things. Over the years, I have been President and Newsletter Editor of one club, and I'm currently Vice President of one and Membership Coordinator of another.

National organizations are another great resource and membership opportunity. I've been a life member of the ANA for a few years and find it very rewarding.

Club memberships can enhance your hobby and increase your satisfaction with the hobby.

Ben Brauchler, Address withheld

No, I'm not even sure if there are any.

Name and Address withheld

Yes, I’m a member of the Lansing Coin Club, established in 1952.

Name and Address withheld

Well, yes, and no. I was a member of our local club for years. However, as people aged and passed away or left, and it was hard to get any younger members, we finally disbanded after about 15 years.

I have been going to another club when I can, but it's a 90-minute drive. So not the best scenario. I sure miss that regular camaraderie though.

Brent, Northern Minnesota

Hello, I am a new member of a coin club called Nipmuck Coin Club in Oxford, Mass. Nipmuck is named after a local Indian tribe, and I am part Nipmuck Indian, so it was a fitting name. We meet once a month, we have show and tell, club news, we have dinner, and a speaker, sometimes a guest speaker, and at the end, we have an auction. People bring in up to 15 items to be auctioned off, and a small percentage of the proceeds goes to the club. Dues are only 15 per year. I have stage four cancer, I'm 53, and I'm also a single dad with a 7-year-old girl. This club is something I really enjoy and look forward to.

John Goyette, Address withheld

I am currently not a member of a coin club. The nearest club is almost an hour away. If the club were closer, I would probably join.

KE, Germantown, Ohio

I am a member and truly enjoy it. The knowledge shared by members is invaluable. It's a shame we only meet once a month!

Name and Address withheld

It’s on the other side of town, but I’m a member to support it because I enjoy attending their two major shows a year.

Name and Address withheld

Sadly, no. I know only one coin club in town (a city of about 650,000), and we only have three local coin shops. I know of…and in Texas, “local” could be a piece. The biggest reason I’m not is my being a 100 percent disabled veteran. My health issues would dictate my participation to be sporadic at best, and I don’t want to make commitments that I can’t keep. The coin club here does sponsor a coin show each year, and I do try to patronize it, but not being a collector of “certified” coins outside of some specific niche circumstances, it’s getting harder to find coins there that fit my collecting style…I like to study the coin, weigh, measure, compare, and look up the history. To me, that’s part of the fun.

Name and Address withheld

I have been a member of one coin club or another for the last 25 years or so. It's important to share and exchange information with other numismatists as much as possible. Knowledge gained is a good thing.

Pete, New York

Where else can I go to be with others who share the same passion for collecting as I do? We talk about our recent purchases, grades, and shows to go to, and I sell some of my coins at our monthly auction.

Dave, Address withheld

Yes, I am a member of a coin club. A club is one of the few places I am able to get the coins I need if they have one at the monthly auctions, and I trust the members. Some coin shops are sometimes shady.

There is one shop that I really trust. I’ve been doing business with them for many years.

Name and Address withheld

I am not. I don’t know of any in my area.

Name withheld, Baltimore, Md.

I'm not a member of any club because I'm not sure how how to choose a dependent one that works for me or inclusive!

Name and Address withheld