By Bill Brandimore, Bank Note Reporter March 15, 2010

I’ve been thinking about the low number of young people involved with this hobby. It’s not really that surprising an observation, but there are very few collectors in the 12 to 30 age group. I’m sure most of you have noticed this.

By contrast, most of us older collectors began collecting while we were in that age group. It was usually the result of a job such as peddling papers or clerking in a mom and pop store when we discovered this neat hobby where we could collect things for free. We could put an item away for its face value, and many times the item would be worth a dollar or two.

I found a 1916-D Mercury dime on my paper route. At the time it was worth $5.

Later, especially if we were history buffs, we would hook up with paper money. My early stamp collecting experience let me fall quickly in love with intaglio printing on a large enough scale that you didn’t need a magnifying glass to enjoy it.

Those kinds of free collecting incentives no longer exist. If we want to see a healthy population of collectors that will buy our collections when the time comes, we need to do some personal mentoring.

Mentor was the good friend of Odysseus, who agreed to teach his son Telemachus how to be a man while Odysseus was away fighting in the Trojan War. Mentor did, and Odysseus found a good man in Telemachus when he returned 20 years later to reclaim his kingdom. The secret was getting them young.

My Dad gave me the Christmas envelopes to play with when I was 8 or 9. I enjoyed putting things in an album.

I went to the post office and bought 12-cent plate blocks. I learned so much. To this day I remember that Ohio came into the Union in 1803, because a 1953 stamp was issued to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Ohio’s statehood.

On my paper route I got a few Barber coins and Liberty Head nickels. I enjoyed filling the holes in my albums. Later I discovered paper money, in particular, Fractional Currency of the Civil War era. I was definitely hooked.

How do we hook our children and grandchildren today? How do we capture the neighbor kids for numismatics?

The American Numismatic Association puts a lot of emphasis on Young Numismatists programs. A local club I belong to, the Wisconsin Valley Coin Club, draws a crowd at its annual show by putting out a bucket of cents and folders for youth who accompany their parents to our show. It’s a big hit, as the kids enjoy it and the parents are free for a while to explore the dealer inventories.

A personal touch, however, with follow-up, seems to be even better. We need to invite these kids to our meetings, sign them up, and make sure they have a ride to meetings.

Perhaps interest them in a Lincoln Cent collection featuring the Memorial reverse. After all, these coins go back 50 years now, and you can get them free out of change. It really is like a treasure hunt.

As the youthful practitioners get into the swing of things, we can introduce them to $1 Federal Reserve Notes, district sets, fancy numbers, and on and on.

So, take a personal interest in the youth that might be in your coin club. Give away a few Lincoln cents, an Indian Head cent or a Buffalo nickel. It might have the same magical affect on them as it did for us.

What really got me excited back in 1952 was finding a very well worn 1909 Barber quarter. It was older than my Dad, and it was free for face value.

I really believe there is something genetic about collecting. None of my kids are interested beyond assuring me that they think my currency is really cool. They might even spend five or 10 minutes looking at my treasures before their eyelids droop.

At the same time, there are young people out there who are latent collectors if we can only press their genetic collector button. Give it a try, it worked for Mentor.

Show business this month of April includes the Military Payment Certificate Collectors Fest at Sandusky, Ohio. George Cuhaj and I are making it a point to attend.

From all reports, this is one of the most enjoyable collector encounters you are likely to attend. Everyone I talk to who has been there returns. These specialists are enthusiastic collectors.

For information, drop a line to Fred Schwan at the BNR Press, 132 E. Second St., Port Clinton, Ohio 43452-1115-04 or call 419-732-6683.

Other April attractions include the Wisconsin Valley Coin Club Show, April 25. It works if you’re in the north central Wisconsin area.

Central States Numismatic Society holds its annual convention in Milwaukee, April 29-May 1. This show has lots of dealers, exhibits, educational sessions and great camaraderie. This show always seemed to have a good deal of paper money, and this was true even when paper money wasn’t nearly as hot as it is now.

Whatever you do this spring, get out to a coin show. You never know what you’ll find.

One nice feature of small shows is that frequently the dealers at these shows are not up on all the paper money fields. If they haven’t bought the book, you might make a great find.

Looking a little further ahead, we’re all eagerly awaiting the International Paper Money Show in Memphis, Tenn., this June. This will be Lyn Knight’s first Memphis event as the show’s owner. I know we can count on a great auction and splendid exhibits.

It is also pretty hard to beat all the restaurants on the Mississippi. I generally take a nice evening ride on a trolly car. It is quite refreshing after a hard day on the floor, and a great meal. So mark your calendars for June 17-20.

On the market side, it looks as if prices truly are beginning to respond a bit—especially better Nationals and large-size type. If you’re looking for a bargain, pick up on Fractional Currency, Colonial currency and the notes of the Continental Congress. Small-size is offering some bargains, as well, but nice small-size is still bringing nice prices.

As always, e-mail me at billb3883@verizon.net. I enjoy your questions and comments. If you’re at a show I’m attending, come on up and say hello.



More Resources:

• Subscribe to our Coin Price Guide, buy Coin Books & Coin Folders and join the NumisMaster VIP Program

• 2010 U.S. Coin Digest, The Complete Guide to Current Market Values, 8th ed.

• State Quarters Deluxe Folder By Warmans

• Standard Guide to Small-Size U.S. Paper Money, 1928 to Date

• Strike It Rich with Pocket Change, 2nd Edition