Poll Question: Are you a part of a coin club? If so, what have been some of the benefits?

As a dealer, it is vital to be a member of as many clubs as possible. Not only does it make you available to members, but it expands your market by allowing you to give presentations on various topics.

Peter M.McDonald, Numismatist & Vice-President of the Lakeshore Coin Club, Pointe Claire, Quebec

Our coin and currency club is quite well-attended for our area. Each meeting features an expert member giving a presentation on a particular niche. We talk about trends, we have a giveaway as well as raffle prizes, we talk about shows members attended, there's a "guess the country" contest with the winner going home with a 1 oz. silver bar from that nation. And, of course, there's the auction. I've been able to sell several of my coins there and pick up one or two. Just as important is the camaraderie among members. No one puts on airs, no one has a big head. The dealers and experts among us always take the time if we have a question. Our dues are low. I bring my senior pup to all the meetings, and I'm pretty sure they appreciate her more than me. And the club offers inexpensive bus service to 2 or 3 shows a year; cheaper than driving yourself and paying for parking.

Jody D., Florida

I am a member of four coin clubs, which are an hour to 3 hours from my home. I regularly attend the club meetings. I spend the time and money to do this because I enjoy the good people in each of them. We all have the common interests of enjoying our hobby and loving God and country.

Larry Vann, Arkansas

Being around other collectors who feel the same way that I do about collecting.

Share our stories of how we acquired certain items we collected.

Sharing things that help us to identify different features of coins that make them more valuable. Informing each other about the counterfeits that are being made available on websites and internet auction sites.

Having auctions during the meetings that allow us to handle and buy coins, etc., that we can add to our collection, or be able to sell duplicates of what we own.

Dave, Address withheld

I am a proud member of many coin clubs, locally, nationally, and internationally.

While living in California, I was a member of six local clubs (when I say local, I mean within a 2-hour drive), of which I had the pleasure of presiding over two. Now that I'm in Idaho, I am the past president and current V.P. of the Idaho Falls Eagle Rock Numismatic Society. I'm also a member of TEC, IOWMC, FUN, and a few more.

Each of these clubs enriches my knowledge in numismatics. I've heard and seen many presentations about coins, currency, tokens, elongateds, wood money, and much, much more, from experts in their fields, and this knowledge is second to none, coming from first-hand knowledge, with the ability to ask questions and inquire more about the fascinating subjects they were talking about.

I've seen and held many interesting items that were brought to Show-and-Tell, attended club coin shows, bid on items & won some in club auctions, bought raffle tickets and won some goodies, participated in holiday parties, club picnics & BBQs, celebrated birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and sadly, heard of good friends who were ill or passed away, and went to their funerals and memorials. A good coin club can become another "family" you belong to, or at least a group of great friends who share the same interests!

I've also had the privilege to share my knowledge with my fellow club members. Some that come to mind, are about Elongated Coins, Pop-Up / Push-Out / Repousse coins, The U.S. Dollar Bill, Operation Bernhardt, Wooden Nickels & flats, Owls on numismatics, Lincoln on numismatics, purposely "mutilated" coins for artistic value (punched, stamped, repousse, holed, HOBO, etc.), as well as one-per-country world coins (collecting at least one coin from every country & ruler). As you can see, my interests are off the beaten path of "usual" collectors of U.S. coins, which makes belonging to a coin club so rewarding, as you get to learn about so many interesting things about numismatic items you don't actively pursue, collect, or have a specific interest in.

To sum it up, belonging to a coin club is well worth your time, and if you don't belong to one, go out and find one!  

The ANA's website provides a list of great clubs that belong to the

aNA:  https://www.money.org/club-directory.

Oded Paz, ANA District Representative – Idaho, Arco, Idaho

Benefits of Joining a Coin Club 

Tony Swicer, Palm Beach Coin Club 

Many years ago, I joined the local coin club, and the benefits have been many. Most of the 187 members are over the age of 50, with an average age in the 60s. There is so much experience that you can't help but learn from them.  Benefits to me included:

+ Learning more about international coinage.

+ A place to ask my questions.

+ A place to buy and sell coins.

+ Access to multiple dealers.

+ And a place to build friendship. 

It's really nice when people come to see you to ask questions about your area of expertise, and they continue to come back for more questions. Coin clubs are an excellent way to expand your knowledge and make new friends.

Del Mineard Jr, Address withheld

I have three of my six grandchildren enrolled and enjoying everything that the “old timers” have to offer. Their kindness to the kids is wonderful. They participate in our auctions while growing and learning. They can’t stop talking about the meetings, the coins and currency, and the different personalities they encounter each month.

Michael Emmerson, Danbury Ct Coin Club