Age Is Not a Factor for These Collectors

Question: I have always thought old coins were beautiful. About 15 years ago I started putting away any I came across, and eventually they went into a safe-deposit box. I now have a grandson 10 years old who I know would enjoy this hobby. Where would I or we start to learn about it? I read your column recently for the first time and see there’s a lot to learn (like your jargon, “California fractional gold”).--R.C.

Answer: You can’t be too young or too old to learn about numismatics. A joint effort by parent and child or grandparent and child should only double the pleasure of the hobby.

There are many ways to approach such an enterprise, and there’s no telling where your interests and budget will lead. Most beginners start with cents, trying to complete a date set; others are attracted to other denominations, often the dollar, or commemoratives, tokens, bills or what have you. Type sets, which are examples of each type of U.S. coin minted, are also popular. And, as you learned, there’s also California fractional gold, sometimes known as pioneer gold, plus foreign and ancient coins.

Before deciding your area of interest, attend a coin show. Fortunately, there’s a good one this weekend at the Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

It is the Pasadena Pavillion Coin and Stamp Expo, sponsored by the Numismatic, Philatelic and Monetary Conference, a division of Century Coins in downtown Los Angeles. More than 65 dealers are expected, so you’ll have plenty of professionals to discuss all aspects of collection with, including coins, stamps, jewelry and baseball cards.

After that, buy a copy of “High Profits From Rare Coin Investment” by Q. David Bowers, or “The Coin Collector’s Survival Manual” by Scott A. Travers, and perhaps “A Guide Book of United States Coin” by R. S. Yeoman. Then, after reading the books with your grandson, find a local dealer with whom you are comfortable, perhaps someone your grandson can talk to on weekends or after school, and have some fun. It need not be expensive; it definitely can be educational and wholesome.

For information on this weekend’s show, contact Century Coins at (213) 626-4027 or the Pasadena Convention Center at (818) 793-2122.

Coin News The fourth and final issue of the official 1988 Seoul Olympic commemorative coin program is now available. The program contains a 1-ounce gold coin (pictured) with each issue limited to 22,500 for the 1-ounce gold and 110,000 for the 1-ounce silver coins. Series IV includes the 1-ounce gold pagoda, half-ounce gold seesaw plus the silver cycling, top spinning, soccer and wrestling. For information, contact Marie Caliendo at MTB Banking, 90 Broad St., New York, N.Y. 10004, telephone (800) 221-5240.