Butternut Bite #3:Creating Young Collectors

Shame on us!  With the exception of a few dedicated individuals, Early American Coppers, American Numismatic Association, American Numismatic Society and all the other fine clubs and organizations do very little to seek, interest and retain young collectors.  We do have a handful of young enthusiastic collectors; however, by in large, our membership, like so many other coin clubs, is graying.  The graying appears faster than one wishes.  Take a good look in your mirror, it is happening to all of us senior collectors! 

Here are some thoughts why we should all be concerned for the future of collecting.  Not only will it affect our economics, it will affect an educational legacy that we must preserve.  My thoughts reflect a bias toward copper coins, but the principle applies to all types of coins.

After attending hundreds of coin shows and talking to thousands of collectors, dealers and hobbyists, I noticed a few trends that began to emerge.  First, most collectors begin collecting at a young age.  Usually, they begin collecting Lincoln Cents.  Then, they branch-out and start collecting some nickels and dimes, or, even a few Indian Cents.  Then in most cases, the interest comes to an abrupt halt when they discover perfume or gasoline! 

When the two are mixed, the combination has a tendency to weaken the collecting interest—as it does for most of us!  Resources spent on collector’s ages 16 through 24 need to be re-evaluated.  If a collector survives those confusing years, his/her interest possibly could be renewed if they are again welcomed into the fold.  Hopefully, mom kept her baby’s coin collection along with the other stuff that mom’s tend to save.

When the born again collectors look back at their joyous youth years—generally through a bunch of little round holes partially filled with well worn pennies, the desire is sometimes sparked once again. 

The conversation usually starts with “I have this album of coins that I collected years ago, and I have a few holes in it I would like to fill”.  What is said next will determine whether a collector is reborn or discouraged forever more.  If the viewer responds, “this is a wonderful set, and you should complete and improve it,” the spark can again become a fire!  However, if the response of the viewer is, “this is a bunch of low grade junk, and I would just get rid of them as they are not worth keeping”,  the collector’s spark is doused, and with it the joy of a lifelong study and a hobby filled with tremendous satisfaction.  Unfortunately the second scenario is usually repeated hundreds of times, every week, in coin shops and coin shows across America.

If the spark survives this assault and through some miracle is kept alive, the natural progression in copper is from a Lincoln set to a set of Indians, and then perhaps going further back, deeper in the history of United States Cents, to those elusive Large cents or the “Fat Pennies” so many of us enjoy, in every grade and condition.

I do have a few thoughts of how we should address this potential demise of so many Numismatists.  These could be the “Seven Deadly Sins”, if we as a group do not as a minimum, do the following: 

1.     Continue our junior membership programs, but let’s not keep it the best-kept secret in all of numismatics.   We all need to recruit, encourage and give a gift of membership to any young folks who show an interest in collecting coins.  We should ensure that our Web site devotes a bunch of space and lots of action to junior membership.  Remember, they are use to playing “Mario in its 39th Laser packed edition.”

2.     Ensure that all our officers and board members are “on board and in tune” with supporting the Youth programs of our clubs.  One board member should have the sole overall responsibility for gathering and retaining our young collectors.  All board members should give, get, or get off.  The last thing any volunteer organization needs are a bunch of advisors.  A good word of advice is to avoid homesteading in a position, and mentor your replacement.  Nearly in every case in a volunteer organization, longevity does not create experience, only mildew.     

3.     Include a free date set album with every new junior membership. As an example, if the club is orientated towards Early American Coppers, it should also include a ½ page for Half Cents and ½ page for Colonials.  The album should have a paper facsimile plug in the holes of 1793, 1799, 1804, 1809, 1823 and 1857. All the other years can be a challenge, but each will not cost more than going to a movie with snacks.

4.     Assist and help fill the holes.  That means encourage, not discourage!  We should not be so quick to criticize what is in their collections based on our personal preferences and standards, rather we can give suggestions to “filling the holes”.  Remember, they cannot afford, nor do they give a hoot about pristine choice examples.  Most likely, their set will be dormant for 10 to 15 years from when they start college till that 2^nd or 3^rd job kicks in and gives them the economic stability required to complete and possibly upgrade their sets.  We are planting seeds that may well grow into a Clapp, Newcomb, Brown, Robinson, Reiver or Reale.  

5.     Make yourself known to the local Boy and Girl Scout and youth organizations and let them know you would be more than willing to give a brief presentation on Numismatics and United States Cents to include Early American Copper.  Have a participation quiz, with a prize being a low-grade copper coin. At every club sponsored, regional and national coins show devote a free table for youth activities.

6.     Make sure that your local coin show has a drawing for Young Numismatics that include a Indian and Early American Copper coin. 

7.     Share your collection and information.  Pictures and books are good, but nothing excites kids more that the real thing.  Have examples on display, with coins that they can touch and hold.  Let them feel the weight and view the coin.  Be sure to involve the history of the coin along with the times of our country and its influence in the design of coinage.   

These are only a few thoughts and suggestions to the problem.  I am sure that the combined efforts of what is the quintessential group of all numismatic collectors, and perhaps the most knowledgeable, will have some terrific ideas.   I hope so, if nothing more than from a pure greed factor.  If we continue at our current rate, or we will have no one who has interest in or cares about our treasured collections that we have so dearly pursued over the years.

So when that collector shows you a half filled album of worn common Lincoln cents, engage your brain first, before inserting your foot.

Your thoughts and ideas are always welcomed.  Address them to: Colonel Steven Ellsworth, c/o BUTTERNUT, Post Office Box 498, Clifton, VIRGINIA 20124 -0498 Phone: 703.802-0252       FAX: 703.830-9176 E-mail: butternut@butternut.com. Web site: www.Butternut.org.