WILLIAM MICHAEL HINKLE (1953-2024)

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V27 2024 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 27, Number 26, June 30, 2024, Article 4

Tom Mulvaney passed along word of the passing of Kentucky numismatist Mike Hinkle. An obituary (linked below) stated that he "...was considered to be in the top three in the world at grading U.S. rare coins." Here's a profile (courtesy the Newman Numismatic Portal) from the New England Rare Coin Galleries Inventory Selections, Number 53, April 16, 1979. -Editor

Don't let that relaxed Southern manner fool you. W. Mike Hinkle (Mike to his clients) is a sharp, thoroughly professional numismatist who has spent almost half of his life collecting, studying and dealing in rare U.S. coinage. Mike was born in Lexington Kentucky. His first experiences in numismatics began in 1966. At that time, silver coinage was being pulled from circulation by the U.S. government. Mike decided it would be fun to collect examples of these coins before they disappeared. During the next few years, Mike's interest and experience in rare coins grew rapidly. He frequented coin shows, bought and sold coins for high school friends and, in 1971, made his first professional numismatic contact: Jonathan Kern. Kern was so impressed with Mike's numismatic knowledge and enthusiasm that he took Mike with him on business trips.

Upon graduation from high school, Mike enrolled at the University of Kentucky. His education was temporarily interrupted, however, when, at the tender age of 21, W. Mike Hinkle became Director of Sales for the Steve Ivy Rare Coin Company. I learned a lot at Steve's. I gained the ability to service all sorts of collector needs. I developed the capacity to survive the pressures of a big coin company. And I gained particular expertise in Morgan Dollars, Peace Dollars, rare gold and patterns. A lot of what I picked up then helps me make the right decisions at NERCG now.

Mike left the Ivy Company to complete his education. He received a B.A. in December of 1977 and, after marrying the former Elizabeth Cornn, he joined NERCG in 1978. I like the New England area. It's a good place to study and collect coins. It's historic. Besides, I knew the rare coin market was about to take off. NERCG was one of the few places that had the facilities to take advantage of that. There are some real numismatic geniuses here.

Mike feels that there are still some pitfalls to collecting rare coins, but he's bullish about rare coins' investment potential. And he enjoys passing his knowledge on to collectors. Collectors have got to be shrewd. And if they haven't developed the expertise, they should find someone who has. Experts keep you from getting trapped.

"Mike was very active in the coin business, mainly with a firm in New England before the Coin Crash of 1980. I am sure many of the old timers will remember him. Although he lived in the area, he has not been active in coins for some time. I knew Mike, but not well. It's been many years since I've seen him."

"Mike was a brilliant coin dealer starting in the 1970's. He was one of a few great coin dealers who grew up in Lexington Kentucky including Jon Kern and John Saunders. During his prime he handled many important coins and collections. A medical condition that developed in the 1980's sidelined him from the top ranks in the business. He continued to enjoy the hobby for decades afterwards. His quirky personality and excitement for the hobby will be missed by all who knew him."