Scout Program Debuts at Tidewater Show
The Tidewater Coin Club of Virginia Beach, Va., sponsored the Virginia Beach Coin Show Oct. 12-13.
The show was attended by more than 720 visitors from the general public and another 80-plus dealers, their helpers, and club members.
The bourse floor activity was robust, especially on Saturday. Most dealers stated they had a good to excellent show, according to the club’s report
Club volunteers were on hand to facilitate dealer set-up, load-in and load-out as well as meet and greet the general public. Members also sold raffle tickets for gold, silver, and other numismatic prizes.
ANACS was on-site to provide grading and authentication services.
Club members set up displays to showcase a variety of collecting interests. In all, there were nine display cases for the general public to view.
Free numismatic material was given away, and Young Numismatists each received a gift bag of goodies.
New this year was a Scout Coin Collecting Merit Badge program. With hopes to expose youth to coin collecting, Brian Wierzbicki, a Tidewater Coin Club member, and an Eagle Scout registered as a merit badge counselor with the Tidewater Council in southeast Virginia. The idea to create a program for the Scouts was based on a long-standing program hosted by the Virginia Numismatist Association (VNA) at its annual show.
This Oct. 20, Scouts from 13 troops completed their requirements. All Scouts who completed their merit badge received a free, one-year membership sponsored by the Tidewater Coin Club.
Also new for October, a treasure hunt was included with the youth activities. Fifteen young people successfully completed the treasure hunt.
The Tidewater Coin Club plans to expand the merit badge program for 2020 by offering two sessions for more flexibility and more opportunities for Scouts to attend. The next Virginia Beach Coin Show is scheduled for Feb. 8-9, 2020.
The Tidewater Coin Club is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the numismatic needs of collectors in the Tidewater, Va., area. The club was established in February 1956 and has met continuously since.
For more information, visit www.tidewatercoinclub.org.
