HARVEY STACK ON SUPPORTING YOUNG NUMISMATIST PROGRAMS

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V13 2010 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 13, Number 38, September 19, 2010, Article 12

Harvey Stack forwarded these thoughts on supporting young people in getting started in our hobby. -Editor

I am working on a book the Kevin Flynn is doing on how to get younger people into the hobby. As you know, for years the Stack Family supported the Young Numismatists when Florence Shook got them together at various ANA shows. We also supported an ANS project of having school children visit the ANS and get lectures on coins. In addition, back in the late 40's and 50's we worked with the Chase Money museum in New York, Vernon Brown curator, to encourage young collectors.

The family's interest in the Young Collectors gave me the inspiration when testifying before Congress and I proposed a face value commemorative quarter series which is the STATEHOOD QUARTER PROGRAM.

The thought for this program was to provide at FACE VALUE a series that could be interesting, each different in design, with the object to get all 50 states. As the ANA has only 30,000 members, the coin papers boast of some 100,000 readers and the magazines less, than I ask where is and who is helping the beginner collector to get started?

The Mint in its "modest way" claims the program that there were as many as 140 million people collecting the Quarters, so I ask WHERE ARE THEY? Even 1% would make our hobby grow, fill the coin collector clubs and shows around the country, and develop a new group to take over for the collectors who no longer collect.

So you see why I am interested in a book for Young Numismatists and of course more senior collectors as well.

I sincerely believe that The E-Sylum, directed at a somewhat more advanced collector, provides the incentive to learn more about Numismatics, Keep up the great work you do!

We do have a number of younger E-Sylum readers, and I hope to attract more someday through Facebook and other venues. Although we do cover some advanced numismatic topics, The E-Sylum keeps it interesting, personal and fun. Reading it on a regular basis exposes people to all facets of the hobby.

When I present programs to groups of young people I start off by telling parents and kids that I won't be talking down to them - I don't have to, because numismatics is such an approachable hobby. Sure, things can get very technical and very expensive, but they don't have to. I tell them to reach into their pocket, take out a coin, and LOOK at it. I teach them to see and observe things they've never noticed before. Then I say, "Congratulations - now you're a coin collector."

I never cease to be amazed at how approachable and helpful everyone in this hobby is. Every one of us should take some time to give back to the hobby in some form, and one great way is to reach out to new collectors. -Editor