THE JUNIOR NUMISMATIC CORRESPONDENCE CLUB

I joined the American Numismatic Association in the Fall of 1973, and soon thereafter joined the JNCCA. I even served as Librarian for a time in 1976, and by 1978 the organization was folded as the ANA was finally getting their act together and major coin shows were starting to have YN programs (Started in NY by Vinnie and Aggie Alones and Florence Schook in Michigan nearly at the same time in the early 1970s, and then eventually co-opted by Schook on a national level, and finally morphed into the programs by Larry Gentile, but that story is for another day).

At that 1976 ANA NY Convention, I got to meet Lorry Kiessling, (who at the time lived in North Hills, PA) and another fellow... that other fellow, I re-met on eBay about three years ago when I sold him a medal. (he is the one hugging Lorry). At that show I also meet Larry Jackson, and Larry Hample of Georgia (Hample is flipping me off in the photo).

At that NY ANA, they paired up YNs and other presenters, I got to work with Tom DeLorey and Kurt Kreuger explaining the Sheldon 70 point grading system, which was just breaking out from the copper group into the mainstream. I also got to meet for the first time, David R. Cervin who started the YN Roman coin project. He treated me to both a Yankee and Mets game during the week. So, this color slide is from 1976 ANA.

Michael Davidson, David R. Cervin (standing), Tom DeLorey

This B/W photo is from a YN meeting at the 1977 Grand Central Show (the fall Long Island Coin Club's event). Margo Russell at the podium and Florence Schook at left. On at least one occasion, Schook brought Lee Minshull to a NY show. Others involved were Evan Bloom, Douglas Winter and Scott Travers.

Florence Shook (far left), Margo Russell at podium, Evan Bloom, Michael Davidson

The outcome of those events was that by the London Convention of the CNA, a group of YNs had formed a new group called COYN - Confederation of Young Numismatists. Which included me as newsletter editor, and members Ted Banning of Toronto and others. Photo of Mrs. Pittman with COYN newsletter! (She was very encouraging).

So, involved, well at least three became professionals - Jackson, Minshull and Travers, I went into the scholarship/publishing end with jobs at the American Numismatic Society and Krause Publications, and after a career in the private sector Paul Johnson has become the CNA executive director.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: QUERY: THE JUNIOR NUMISMATIC CORRESPONDENCE CLUB (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v17n25a17.html)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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