Maximizing the Rewards
What are the rewards of coin collecting? Ask some, and
they'll say the rewards are investment, investment, and investment. But as you
know by this time in the present text, my view differs. I suggest that you can
maximize the rewards of numismatics, including investment, if you widen your
interest to include history, romance, art, camaraderie, and excitement.
History? Consider the coins shown to visitors in the halls
of the Smithsonian Institution, where I was honored to give a talk, which I
titled "Maximizing the Rewards," to numismatists who had come from all
over the country. Only a few steps away in the same building were the treasures
displayed in the National Numismatic Collection. I paused to reflect upon some
of the pieces on view, and considered their incredible backgrounds. The present
text is adapted from that talk.
Who can doubt that a $5 piece minted in Oregon in 1849 from
gold brought north from California, and a $1 Continental Currency note printed
in the midst of the American Revolution, are not history you can hold in your
hands?
Romance? What about coins of the Spanish Main, the
legendary pieces of eight and gold escudos of pirate fame?
Art? Augustus Saint-Gaudens, considered to be the greatest
sculptor in America at the time, designed the new American gold $10 and $20
coinage for 1907.
Camaraderie? Gathered there in the lecture hall in the
Smithsonian were many old friends of mine, and many new faces as well - all
together in the spirit of numismatics, to hear what I and other speakers had to
say - all united by the common theme of numismatics. Some had traveled great
distances to attend.
Excitement? The thrill of the chase is ever present in
numismatics - whether you are collecting and are looking for a key silver dollar
to finish a set of Carson City issues, or a scarce Newcomb variety of large cent
dated 1824, or are engaged in research - like a number of people are - and are
endeavoring to see how many times an Uncirculated 1840 Liberty Seated dollar has
crossed the auction block during the past century.
All of the above equates to a final result: having a good
time. Let me discuss each aspect in turn.
