HARVEY STACK'S MEMORIES OF CHET KRAUSE

Creating Numismatic News
I remember when I first met him in 1961 when he visited Stack's in New York to sit down and talk to my Uncle J.B. (Joe Stack) to discuss his idea of publishing a Coin Newspaper.

During the conversation with Chet, my uncle encouraged him to go ahead and publish a coin newspaper, weekly, which Chet was entitling NUMISMATIC NEWS. J.B. told Chet such a source of weekly news was really needed to encourage and inform collectors to learn more about their hobby. J.B. told him that there was a lack of current information then available, and he cited  The Numismatist and Numismatic Scrapbook, but these were only published monthly and so the news was quite old.

The other major source for the general public was the Guide Book of United states Coins, Wayte Raymond's Standard Catalog (which was sporadic in issue), and some weekly editions of the New York Times, the Sun and the Chicago Tribune and sometimes the Washington Post would have a small article on a hobby page. So information on new issues was scarce, auction results hardly ever published, and there was a need to keep collectors more informed.

Chet hit on a great idea and J.B. endorsed and encouraged him to go ahead. Shortly thereafter the NUMISMATIC NEWS was born. J.B. said Stack's would like to be an early advertiser and we did become closer through the years.

Chet was a wonderful Numismatist and person to know. Whenever he made a trip into New York, Stack's was one of his stops, to visit the shop and chat with J.B. and the rest of the Stack's. At shows around the country he always came over to our table to say "Hello" inquire about the family.

Supporting Legislation
Chet supported me when I fought the government to lift the Gold Importation Regulation in force from 1961-67, implement the Hobby protection act of 1973, (where I was the industry representative).

He was also a staunch supporter of my idea submitted to Congress in 1995 to make a circulating commemorative coin, THE STATEHOOD COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE, which was helpful to get the legislation passed.

Numismatic Hero
As I got older and saw Chet go from a cane, to a wheelchair and then drive his own motorized cart about the convention and show halls. I said to myself, there goes a "hero" for coin collecting. I always had a tear in my eye as I watch him grow frail, but always was thankful for his retaining, I'm sure to the day he passed on, his sharp mind and sense of humor, for which we all should try it imitate and do for ourselves.

Chet was 4 years older than me, but he always made me feel young. I will miss my wonderful Midwesterner, who taught and listened to all and will surely be missed dearly by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

My sincere condolences to his family, friends and all who had known him for a moment or for a lifetime.

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web