starting a coin club?

Geoman

I tried searching, but did not pull up a lot of threads regarding how to start a coin club. I do remember a few months back that someone asked for donations, and asked what activities to have. But couldn't find that. Here are a few more questions. Please note that I live in a smaller city (ie: pop. ~80,000) and there is only one coin dealer in town.

How many people do you have to have come to make it a successful club? I realize that you may start small, and bulid up. But if only 3-5 people call and express interest, is it worth while? Do you need a certain number to do certain things; such as running an auction, dues, etc.?

Average price for dues?

How often to meet?

What other activities do you see at a coin club meeting? I have never been to one, probably because there isn't one within 150+ miles of where I live.

How much work is it?

Any other thoughts/ideas?

mbbiker

I don't know how to start one but the one i'm a member of it's $3.00 for YN's (under 18) and $5.00 for adults. We have about 15-20 per meeting. They are held every other Tuesday. We talk about all sorts of stuff new counterfits, the FUN auction stuff like that. After the meeting we hold an auction, club members can bring in stuff to sell and whatever money is made goes to the club member.

danglen

My town doesn't have a coin club, but it did have a stamp club. I started attending meetings about a year ago figuring stamp collectors might also have coins. Some did, but as the year ended, and they were looking for a new president, they asked me if I would consider it. Since I know less than nothing about stamps, I told them the only way I would consider it would be if they made the club into a stamp and coin club. So as of January first, we have the Flagler County Stamp and Coin Club. Fortunately, we are blessed with a two coin clubs in the area (within thirty miles), so I have some numismatic speakers to bring in for meetings. The American Philatelic Society (the ANA of stamps) publishes a book called "Building Better Stamp Clubs". Wherever the word stamp appears, I just substitute it for "coin". Now, if I can only figure out a way to get rid of all those stamp collectors......

Geoman

maybe I should save those 2 dimes and auction them off if I start a coin club

mbbiker

If you want to thats fine. one thing i forgot to mention is that the dues goes to pay for the club ANA dues. We also hit the 1000 meeting mark halfway thrugh last year.

coppercoins

I am a member of four "local" coin clubs, but can't remember how much dues I pay to each of them. I'll do a bit of research and let you know. I'm pretty sure they are less than $10 annually each.

Ozarks Coin Club
Johnson County Coin Club
Kansas Numismatic Assicoation
Manhattan Coin Club

Also members of the following:

ANA ($30?), CONECA($25), NCADD($25), TAMS(??), EAC(??), SLCC($20).

Conder101

<< <i>How many people do you have to have come to make it a successful club? I realize that you may start small, and bulid up. But if only 3-5 people call and express interest, is it worth while? >>


Sure 3 - 5 can be a worthwhile start for a club



<< <i>Do you need a certain number to do certain things; such as running an auction, dues, etc.? >>


Yes you do. If the club is as small as you think it may be then there would really be no need for a more formal type of meeting and possibly not for dues either. The main reason for dues is to pay the expenses of the club. If you only have 3 to 5 members there isn't much sense to pay for a meeting room or a newsletter. Meet at a members home and have the officier in charge call the members to remind them of the meeting. A very small fee might be charged to provide refreshments, or the meeting could be held in a resteraunt and each person pays for their own. The whole idea at this point is to simply provide an environment where collectors can get together to talk, show off new purchases to each other, and maybe do a little buying and selling between each other. As attendance rises and the membership grows then you can start adding in the more formal activities of a "club". Business meeting, charging dues, taking minutes, an auction etc.



<< <i>Average price for dues? >>


At first zero, as the club grows and you start having expenses then the dues will have to rise to meet them unless some other way is found to cover them.

How to start it? I'd start by posting an anouncement at the coin dealers establishment expressing interest in forming a club and giving your contact information. Make sure that the notice is large enough to be noticable. See if the dealer will also mention it to his customers that the club is forming. Active clubs mean active collectors, and active collectors are buying collectors!



<< <i>How often to meet? >>


Once a month is typical, and many small clubs don't meet during the summer months because attendance drops due to vacations or other outdoor activities.