GARY SNOVER (1938-2022)

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V25 2022 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 25, Number 25, June 19, 2022, Article 7

On June 16, 2022, Lyn Knight published by email this remembrance of paper money dealer Gary Snover. Thanks to John and Nancy Wilson for passing this along. His 1938 birth year is our best guess at the time of publication. If you knew him, please send us any memories or photos you may have. -Editor

It is with deep sadness that we report the death of Gary Snover; Gary passed away on June 14 from cancer. Even though he stopped doing shows in recent years, Gary was a respected colleague and friend in our numismatic community for many decades.

Lyn recalls his first meeting and having transactions with Gary at the LA In around 1972. As early as the mid-1960s, at shows where Neil Shafer could not gain entry because he was behind the Whitman table located outside the bourse, Neil had Gary enter the dealer area, buy whatever was there of world paper money, and run back to sell it to him.

The story goes that Amon Carter, Jr. was an important customer for Gary. Amon kept buying many pieces from Gary until one day he told Gary that occasionally a good customer appreciates a discount. Gary learned an important business lesson from Amon. For a young Joel Shafer (and assuredly many other young numismatists as well), Gary was a familiar presence who always had time for encouragement, conversation, and a friendly word. Gary will be greatly missed by many.

As International Bank Note Society (IBNS) Life Member #10, Gary was one of the first (perhaps even THE first) world paper money dealers in the US. Early on, Gary assisted the fledgling IBNS in various roles.

Some may not be aware that Gary was an expert on Traveler's Checks and wrote the Check List of World's Traveler's Checks back in 1986.

Gary set up at many shows, particularly in California, initially with his son John and later with first wife Lola. Gary and Lola collected paper money from Texas (where she was originally from [and Gary may also have originally been from there]). Later, Gary worked with Stanley Gibbons. Gary and current wife Vali enjoyed paper money from Brazil.

Gary must have learned the lesson from Amon well because he was not perceived as a dealer who tried to get every last dollar out of whatever he had in stock. Gary believed in offering high quality customer service (always with a smile and laugh) and fresh, appealing merchandise. Many came to him first to acquire new issues to add to their collections. Gary also served as a mentor for those who later would start their own businesses in this same area of new issues.

Along with being one of the last dealers to send out mailing lists, Gary started a popular website where many different levels of collectors could purchase nice pieces at reasonable prices.

Although it is said that nobody is irreplaceable, that is hard to believe with Gary. RIP, Gary

"He always had a smile on his face and never had a bad thing to say to anyone who crossed his path. He was also one of the most honest dealers we have ever known, and when you left his table you were happy about the purchase or sale you just made. He will be missed by the many hundreds of collectors and dealers who knew him. Prayers and thoughts to his family."

"I remember Gary Snover being one of the first dealers of world paper money I met in the 1970's. He was a good friend of my father Larry "Grizz" Lisot as well. Gary lived in San Bernardino and was a regular attendee at the Long Beach Expo and well as other paper money conventions. He was a fair and honest individual sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for the hobby of collecting with anyone. He also had an interest in vintage automobiles. Gary was part of the earliest generation of world paper money collectors. In spite of my best efforts he would never allow me to videotape him so I cannot share an interview with him. I will miss his smile and his laughter. May he rest in Peace."