Poll Question: Is there another collector who has inspired you? How so?

Yes there was. When I was about 8 or 9, one of the older teenagers brought to the park where we were playing baseball, his entire coin collection, mostly housed in blue Whitman coin folders. I was simply blown away at all the new types of U.S. coins I had never seen before, like Bust coinage and seated coinage, and complete collections of standing liberty quarters and walkers, plus Indian head cents. I had seen a few of these before, but nothing like a complete collection. I knew instantly from looking at his collection that I wanted to do that as well. So I started to go through my dad’s coins that he brought home at the end of the day, and then to the local bank exchanging rolls to look for coins I wanted, and eventually went to my local coin store. This was pre-1964, so we had silver circulating freely. I also started to go to the local library to see what books I could find on coin collecting. All were basic beginner books, but they were all helpful to me. Been collecting for 60 years now and don’t intend to stop. The only difference is the amount I am spending and the quality of the coins I am adding to my collection.

Roy, Address withheld

Yes, there was. On my walk home from school, I would stop into this men’s barbershop that was owned by Mr. Calabrese. On his walls, there must have been at least 200 framed sets of coins and bills from all over the world. I would spend about an hour just looking at them. Unfortunately, these days you would be unable to have such a collection just hanging from your walls, what a shame. I thought maybe I could start my own collection one day!

Name and Address withheld

My dad inspired me. He had been collecting coins, possibly since I was born. I was a collector of comic books as a teenager, but not interested in coins until I was in my thirties. My dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and I spent more time with him and started seeing the beauty in coins. I asked him if I were to begin collecting, what should I start with? "New Orleans Mint" was his answer.

I started there, then saw the beauty in other areas.

Name and Address withheld

My father collected Morgan Silver Dollars and would tell me stories about the different coins, such as this one could have been held by Wild Bill Hickock or Wyatt Earp, and this one could have been used to purchase a whiskey in the saloon or pay for a stagecoach ride. That is how I got interested in coin collecting.

Name and Address withheld

Yes, my Uncle Joel Rettew in California inspired me to be a collector of coins. He is a rare coin dealer, and I always admired him for getting me into an awesome hobby.

Name and Address withheld

My father's job took him to several countries around the world; he always brought home coins for my brother and me. My brother never took an interest, but it brought me into numismatics, and I have honored my father by making coin collecting part of my life to this day. I will leave my collection to my heirs, two beautiful granddaughters. One has taken an interest and the other not so much, oh well, like my dad used to say, "What goes around comes around." Thanks. Dad!

Roger Quintana & The Q-Crew, Idaho

Yes, "Mike Ellis" for variety collecting.

Ron Brown, Address withheld

My father!

Name and Address Withheld

In 1959, attending Shawnee Jr. High in Louisville, my 7^th-grade Social Studies teacher was a collector. By the end of the school year, Mr. Tucker had all the boys in class interested in looking through rolls of pennies and putting them in our little blue folders.  At that time, all the rolls were full of wheats, and some decent dates, although well circulated, could be found. I still buy bags of wheat cents from my coin shop and spend time going through them. Of the tens of thousands I've seen, I only found one very rare one - a '22 plain, verified authentic. I got the same thrill I had 65 years ago!

Larry, Address withheld

Q. David Bowers

William Choate, Via Facebook