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My parents are in the process of relocating to a smaller and less stressful place of residence. After nearly fifty years at the same address over in Southwest Houston I know it is a rough transition, but it is one they are greeting with a collectively positive spirit. In the process we are going through closets, draws, and various other secured spots throughout the house.

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of going through what was left of “my” stuff in “my” room. Granted I vacated the room back during the Nixon administration and most of the items that remained after my departure have been removed throughout the decades since. I did, however, find an old file cabinet that I used during that time. Most of the material in it was good for land fill. There were only a few treasures including my membership card in the Bellaire Coin Club for the years 1965. Before you get any ideas about my exalted age, please keep in mind that I was a “junior member” at the time. Certainly this card came from an era when my numismatic interests were more eclectic than specific.

Finding the card brought back some specific memories of people and events of my early days of collecting. I remember active Bellaire Coin Club adult members who would pass over a lot at the club auction, or let one go with only minimum challenge in order to be generous to one of us junior members. I also recall the specific attention to questions that I received from more experienced collectors and some advice about how to go about collecting in a way that I wouldn’t regret later on. Basically it was the nurturing care and enthusiasm of others that helped me develop a life-long interest in the numismatic arts.

One of the areas I appreciate about the Greater Houston Coin Club, and of all of the clubs in the area for that matter, is the fact that we are willing to help encourage new and prospective collectors. There are youth auctions and seminars offered. Scout merit badge leadership for both Girl and Boy Scouts. For example, the GHCC sets up at the annual Boy Scout Fair on “merit badge row.” We also offer merit badge seminars at the January show. Scholarships are offered for ANA workshops. Besides the youth auction our annual coin show features a treasure hunt which is graciously supported by the dealers who attend the show. Overall, many of those same dealers willingly take time to answer questions or look at a specific item brought in by a novice collector of any age.

My thanks to all of you for your willingness to participate, encourage, and even challenge the “juniors” of the community to find their specific interest in coins, medals, paper money, tokens, bank notes, etc. There are definitely benefits to collecting. We’ve discussed some of these previously. I am thankful for those back in the 1960’s who encouraged and helped me to nurture my interests. Support and fellowship are so much a part of the hobby. As I’ve said before: “there is more to numismatics than simply collecting coins.”

See you at the next Greater Houston Coin Club meeting, or before . . .

Regards and God Bless,

Richard