What is it that got you started in the hobby?

SanctionII

For me, my dad gave me a Whitman Album when I was seven.

123cents

My dad buying me a Coin Price Book.

TAClough

Spending time with my dad and grandfather when I was little looking at their collections (which I have now).

CoinHusker

Looking for a "father & son" activity we could enjoy together. The problem is, I've had a hard time keeping up with my son.

Dentuck

I remember the first "rare coin" I ever laid eyes on—an old nickel that was special for two reasons: because it was so strange and exotic looking, and also (this was more of a feeling than a conscious thought) because it was a gift from my oldest brother. Mike was (and is) 13 years older than me, so when I was a tyke going into kindergarten, he was leaving home to join the U.S. Marine Corps—definitely someone to look up to!

One day, home on leave, Mike gave me a coin from the steamer trunk that held his collection. We sat down and he showed me a copy of the Red Book. Together we looked up this unusual coin, and compared its physical traits to the grading standards listed. I was excited to learn that it was in Very Good condition—that sounded promising! He patiently explained that Very Good was better than Good (which made intuitive sense), but not as good as Fine. Okay; I obviously had a lot to learn, but with the Red Book I had the right resources, and thanks to that "rare coin"—actually, a super-common 1937 Buffalo nickel, worth all of $0.30 at the time—I was hooked on this great hobby. I read the book from cover to cover, absorbing its arcane and wondrous knowledge.

I’ve enjoyed numismatics since then, from United States types to world coins (and most recently focusing on European medals and tokens). Now, years later, I’m living a collector’s dream: actually working as a member of the Red Book’s editorial team. A career in communications and publications has led me to Whitman Publishing, the maker of the famous scarlet tome. I count among my co-workers Kenneth Bressett and Q. David Bowers—how much more fortunate can a collector get? Ken’s Guide Book of English Coins was the first world coin book I ever bought, back when I started to branch into British and European material. And of course there was many a Bowers title on my numismatic bookshelf.

Working for Whitman Publishing, I feel a sense of history and a connection to other coin collectors. I can’t help thinking of the thousands—millions—who have been introduced to the hobby by Whitman coin folders, and sustained and nurtured through their learning process by Whitman books.

I still have that 1937 Buffalo nickel, and the first Red Book I purchased on my own. I wouldn’t trade either one for an 1804 dollar.

lkrarecoins

Good ole Uncle Norman....he gave me a whitman folder half-filled with Lincolns....
My dad supported my hobby, and took me to various coin shows/stores as a child.

I've been addicted ever since....

MarineEAS1999

Grandpa.

My first post says it all.

frankieboywonder

In 1962, at the tender age of 14, I found a well worn 1913-D Lincoln cent in change from my lunch purchase in high school. I was fascinated by that coin and it propelled me directly into a lifetime of coin collecting!!!

Mesquite

Five years ago, at the age of 48, I discovered SAE proof coins and proof state quarter sets - I liked them and bought some. Bought Scott Travers book (Survival guide, I think) - read it cover to cover. Shortly thereafter I discovered toned Morgan dollars. I've been hooked ever since.

frankieboywonder

<< <i>Five years ago, at the age of 48, I discovered SAE proof coins and proof state quarter sets - I liked them and bought some. Bought Scott Travers book (Survival guide, I think) - read it cover to cover. Shortly thereafter I discovered toned Morgan dollars. I've been hooked ever since. >>




Nice going!

291fifth

My grandfather gave me an 1843-O quarter in 1956. He had gotten it in change in 1933. I still have the quarter.

BillJones

My uncle give me the two Whitman cent folders and the 13th Edition of the Red Book on Christmas morning 1959.

Veep

Metal detecting. My Dad and brothers would spend hours every day looking in an old park that dated back to the late 1800's. Everyday I'd come home from playing baseball and see the day's treasures sitting on paper plates on the table. Man, they found a ton of coins! Eventually, I got interested. Its ironic that today, my interest continues to grow and their has waned.

LanLord

<<One day, home on leave, Mike gave me a coin from the steamer trunk that held his collection. We sat down and he showed me a copy of the Red Book. Together we looked up this unusual coin, and compared its physical traits to the grading standards listed. I was excited to learn that it was in Very Good condition—that sounded promising! He patiently explained that Very Good was better than Good (which made intuitive sense), but not as good as Fine. Okay; I obviously had a lot to learn, but with the Red Book I had the right resources, and thanks to that "rare coin"—actually, a super-common 1937 Buffalo nickel, worth all of $0.30 at the time—I was hooked on this great hobby. I read the book from cover to cover, absorbing its arcane and wondrous knowledge.

I’ve enjoyed numismatics since then, from United States types to world coins (and most recently focusing on European medals and tokens). Now, years later, I’m living a collector’s dream: actually working as a member of the Red Book’s editorial team. A career in communications and publications has led me to Whitman Publishing, the maker of the famous scarlet tome. I count among my co-workers Kenneth Bressett and Q. David Bowers—how much more fortunate can a collector get? Ken’s <I>Guide Book of English Coins</I> was the first world coin book I ever bought, back when I started to branch into British and European material. And of course there was many a Bowers title on my numismatic bookshelf.>>

Dentuck, what a great story, is your brother Mike jazzed that you work on the Redbook team?


BTW, I got started collecting back in the late 60s when I had just moved to a new city (Tustin, Ca.). I met a kid about my age across the street and he was headed over to a place called "The Wooden Nickel". It was a little hole in the wall coins store that really caught me once I walked in. I started collecting because I put a quarter in a gumball machine and got a 1885 IHC in a plastic bubble.

A couple years later I worked at that store for a whopping $1 an hour, only to be used as buying from store stock. I ended up getting a type album for Christmas that year and that really turbo charged my interest.

I've been collecting on and off since that time. Pretty much seriously since my father died in 1995 and I ended up with his collection. He had a nice group of commems and a few other things. I now look at what I have and wonder if my father could see it if he would be jazzed or what?

jmj3esq

I dont even remember

Leiana

As a Numismatist,

My dad gave me a Morgan Dollar and a Redbook. Here I am!

-Amanda

Dentuck

<< <i>Dentuck, what a great story, is your brother Mike jazzed that you work on the Redbook team? >>



Yes, he is! Interestingly, his collecting has waned over the years, while mine has increased. He's currently overseas, and we keep in touch on various numismatic topics including the availability of Chinese counterfeits in Afghanistan's bazaar markets, the ornamental use of coins in Nepalese ghurka-knife sheaths, etc.