Poll Question: Do you think that the numismatic hobby is at a crossroads between an older base of knowledge and a rebuilding on newer foundations?

Having attended a monthly coin club meeting for most months for 6 years, it's very apparent that the members respect our deep base of knowledge, BUT the younger adult members are building a new foundation on coins.  It's almost becoming apparent that younger collectors are interested in old coins, not the new Peace and Morgan and American Silver Eagles.  Although the price of silver has driven many from buying the newer ASE silver dollars, it's apparent that the shift is for older and not newer coins.

Del Mineard Jr., Sun Prairie, Wis.

Yes, I do believe that we are at a crossroads in our hobby. The old and new must meet and combine their knowledge to form a stronger and better hobby. Especially with all of the new coins that are being introduced.  By the way, the new designs for 2026 are indeed refreshing to me, and I hope that they do not go back to the old designs for 2027 and beyond. 

Dave Burdis, Charleroi, Pa.

I really believe that coin collecting is changing.  There are numerous reasons why: collecting is getting very expensive, younger people are not as interested in hobbies as much as they are in being entertained (no coins on their cell phones), and the mint has begun to ignore the sanctity of tradition.  Those are just three examples.  When I go to the coin shop, I rarely see anyone much younger than myself - 78.  When I view the mint's website, I see comic book crap and coins with uninteresting designs.  All this U. S. Mint stuff started with statehood quarters. When the mint found they could make money off coins, they haven't quit - and it gets more and more out of tradition and respect for the country.  Whoever thought they'd see a Looney Tunes character on a U.S. coin?

Larry, Louisville

If your question refers to all the grey hair or no hair at coin shows, then there is an older base of knowledge for certain. However, there is a younger generation moving quickly about the floor at shows armed with iPhones or equivalents, in chat groups, using social media and online platforms to share information and collect coins, currency, and more.

For me, the question is what the next generation is going to collect, and how they will organize their collections?  The classic coin series of the 19th century is in short supply today, as are many of the silver series of the early 20th century. The great melts of 90 percent silver coins could create some scarcity among otherwise common dates and denominations, but will anyone care?

Going forward, there is not much knowledge required to collect slabbed Silver Eagles and the modern output of the U.S. Mint.

Gary Burhop, Address withheld