Table Of Content

New Jersey Numismatic Journal The Journal of the Garden State Numismatic Association Summer Issue 2006 Volume 31, Number 2 Frances Cackowski, Editor What a Fabulous Convention for 2006!!! Coins, Tokens, Supplies, Exhibits, a Grading Seminar, and 95 New Members. Mai and Joanne Heckman celebrating their efforts with Ron Thompson, GSNA Treasurer. GSNA LEADERSHIP President: Spencer Peck, spencer.neckfc/ usna.oni First Vice President: Jim Majoros, jim.maiorosfc/ usna.oru Second Vice President: Ray Williams, ray.williamsfr/ usna-oru Treasurer: Ron Thompson Recording Secretary: Peter Wacker, pete.wackerfc/ gsna.oru Corresponding Secretary1: Tom Rothacker, tom.rothackerfo usna.oru Convention Chairman: Tom Hyland, tom.hvlandVusna.orti Membership Chairman: Dave Bailey Editor: Fran Cackowski: asifranfct yahoo.com WebMaster: Eric Knapp Assistant Editor: Erik the Red Table of Contents President’s Message Page 3 Letter from the Editor Page 4 GSNA Convention Pages 5 A Good Guy Page 10 Coins as Billboards Page 11 Honorary Members Page 12 Bill Dewey - In Memoriam Page 14 Exploring the ANA Page 16 A Lions Tale Page 18 Clubs Around the State Page 20 Advertising Pages 22 Application for GSNA Membership Page 24 Advertising in the Journal Interested in advertising in the next GSNA journal? 2006 Journal Rates: $100.00 Full page 50.00 Half page 25.00 Quarter page To advertise, call the editor at 718-761 -6596. 2 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE By Spencer Peck “A man without a hobby is only half alive.” Franklin Delano Roosevelt Franklin Roosevelt, the President who led this country through World War II made the above comment. Roosevelt was a stamp collector. How' true he was, and how lucky we are to have found this “Hobby of Kings”. Intellectual curiosity, the history of the human race, time to reflect, friendships. We have all of these bound up in this great hobby. There is no single magic formula. There is no one right way. Do whatever pleases YOU. Just think of all those who go through life like a plow horse, doomed to do the same thing day after day, year in and year out. Our hobby allows us to escape all that, if even for a short time. Friendships, too emerge which will last a lifetime. These are more valuable than gold. I read an article a while ago that indicated that men in the post World War II age generally have only two or three really good friends. This is a sad commentary on our times. We are so busy that we have no time to pause, no time to think, no time to reflect, no time to enjoy. What a dreary existence! Yet, in this hobby, we have hundreds, even thousands of friends. They can be from every state in the Union, and from countries around the world. As you become known as a “serious collector”, you will gradually become a member of a world wide fraternity. This fraternity will treat you as an equal, no matter what your station in life. They will share information and help you to grow in the hobby at no monetary cost. All that they expect is friendship, and even-handed treatment. The more you give, the more that you will receive in return. To begin your journey - Open your eyes: Read. To continue your journey - Open your ears. Listen to the knowledge of others. To complete your journey - Speak and share your knowledge and enjoyment of this great hobby with others. Roosevelt did have it right: “A Man Without a Hobby is Only Half Alive.” • Join a club • Build a library • Make lifelong friends • Share you know ledge • Live You'll only pass by here one time. Have a Great Summer, Spence 3 Letter from the Editor By Fran Cackowski WOW, what a wonderful show! It never ceases to amaze me how a show of such great quality can be put together solely by volunteers. Tom Hyland, our show chairman, was tndy deserving of the GSNA’s Presidential Award. The bourse floor rocked with activity, Larry Gentile conducted his popular YN program, awards were presented, exhibits were viewed, coins were auctioned, members were added, and a new supplies dealer held court in the lobby. Unfortunately, Joe Bums, our bookseller, had a problem. His van broke down on the way from Pittsburgh, and could not be repaired in time. We all hope that he comes back next year. This convention was especially meaningful to me since my husband, Dave Bailey, received the GSNA’s Numismatist of the Year Award. He is so very excited about this wonderful honor, calling it the “pinnacle of my numismatic life.” Having known Dave since he was 17 years old, I know how important the hobby is in his life - not just collecting coins; but researching, presenting and writing about them as well. I am a firm believer that numismatists make great spouses (more about this in another article,) and I am fortunate to be married to him. Note: I framed the certificate, and it is proudly displayed in our den. If, for any reason, you could not make this convention, please try to make it next year, and join in the fun. You will not regret it. Membership Update By Dave Bailey During the GSNA’s annual meeting during our convention, I was unable to present an accurate membership count due to the fact that the membership list required a major cleanup. In the past, members typically paid their dues at the annual convention in May. This year was the first year that dues were officially due at the beginning of the year, and, rather than just drop members who did not respond to the request for dues, it was decided that, for this year only, to wait until after the convention to give everyone one last chance. Including the ninety-five new members (thank you, Mai and Joanne), we have the following: • 7 Life Club Members • 7 Club Members • 10 Honorary Life Members including 1 Honorary Club Life Member • lOYN’s • 158 Regular Life Members • 312 Regular Members 4 The GSNA's 31- Convention By Jim Majoros In one of the best 3-day conventions in the northeast area of New Jersey and surrounding states, the GSNA completed the 31s1 anniversary convention at Somerset, NJ with an excellent turnout. Over 70 dealers packed the sold out bourse floor and there was nothing but outstanding comments on the way the show was run, as well as comments that they did very well with sales and purchases. Copper dealers Tom Reynolds of Nebraska and Doug Bird of California enjoy doing the show' every year and also attended the EAC/C-4 meeting on Saturday. Token and medal dealers Paul Cunningham from Michigan and A1 Zaika and Steve Middleton, both of NJ, were pleased with the results of the show. Steve Ellsw orth of Butternut Coins in Virginia, who deals with coppers as all types of U.S. was very satisfied w'ith the results for all three days. Prior to the convention, which opened Thursday, May 18Ih , a two day ANA Grading Seminar took place with 16 participating. Dr. Lane Brunner of the ANA administered the course. Friday evening, a coin auction was held by New World Rarities with similar results to last year's auction that netted $170,000. Meetings on Saturday included the annual GSNA general meeting where awards were presented. GSNA president, Spencer Peck presented Dave Bailey a $100.00 savings bond for being selected as the GSNA Numismatist of the Year and 12 year old Grant Mallalieu a $50.00 savings bond for the GSNA YN of the year. The GSNA Club of the Year award went to the North Valley Coin Club and club president Paul Turdo accepted a $100.00 check for the club. ANA Regional Coordinator Jim Majoros presented ANA Citation Certificates to Ron Thompson for his tremendous efforts and devotion to the hobby and Dave Bailey for his outstanding methods of promoting the hobby w ith education. Other meetings held at the site were the EAC/C-4 and the NJ Exonumia Society that announced a new incoming president. Pete Wacker, replacing George Skic. An outstanding YN program was conducted by Larry Gentile that included 28 juniors. A highlight of the YN program was the availability of Tim Grant of the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia w ho fielded a number of questions from the YN's. The GSNA also had five exhibits on display. They were “Angels in Numismatics”, (with over 100 medals by Chris Imperato). “Ocean County Money - 1840", (Bergen Iron Works Tokens by Jim Majoros). "Interesting Wildlife on Foreign Currency”, (an assortment of foreign currency with animals by YN Jessica Knueppel). “Edges through the Ages", (coins with different edge strikings) by Grant Mallalieu) and “Those were the Days", (obsolete coin journals over 70 year plus a few coins) by Dennis Berube. ANA president Bill Horton, Jr and ANA Governor Mike Fey attended the convention for the three days, distributing literature about the ANA, and answered questions as well. It was a great show!!! Participants in the 2-day ANA Grading Seminar conducted by Dr. Lane Brunner Exhibitors showing their certificates. Missing is Jim Majoros (photographer) 6 „ A Dealers and customers of all races, religions, and species attended the show! (Look at the T-Shirt!!!) Northern Valley Coin Club was Club of the Year. Paul Turdo accepted the award from GSNA president Spencer Peck, with five former Nonhem Valley Coin Club presidents joining in the honor. Note: the YN of the year also is a member of the Northern Valley Coin Club. They must be doing something right. / Current and past presidents of the GSNA - (1 to r) Bob Beels, Bill Horton Jr., Spencer Peck (current) and Amo Safran The ANA table was in full swing with ANA president Bill Horton Jr. (left), Jim Majoros (center), ANA Regional Coordinator, and GSNA Numismatist of the Year, Dave Bailey (right) 8 Cutting the ribbon to signify that the convention had begun!! Tim Grant of the Philadelphia Mint A great exhibit loved by young and old. 9 Larry Gentile Sr. - A “Good Guv” By Fran Cackowski Several years ago, before I had the great fortune to be allowed to follow Tom Rothacker as the editor of the WHCC newsletter, 1 had very limited experience in what “goes behind the scenes” in the numismatic community. 1 went to coin shows with my husband, Dave Bailey, and occasionally attended some of the Watchung Hills Coin Club meetings, but I was busy with my own things, like elderly parents, job and child. I really did not pay any attention to the tremendous volunteer work that has allowed the hobby to exist and grow. I now have an real appreciation for what is done. As your editor, I would like to recognize some of the great people that make the hobby what it is. This is the first of a series dedicated to thanking our selfless volunteers. Larry Gentile Sr. is known to the GSNA as “Mr. YN.” Every year he comes to the convention with enthusiasm, experience, knowledge, and a bag of fun delighting young people. He strives to instill interest in the hobby to those who are neophytes, and expand the interests and experiences to those who are already a part of the numismatic community. I have personally attended two of his presentations, and I was swept up in the excitement. He often travels long distances, at his own time and expense, to put on his show just for the love of it. When asked why, he responded: The program that I conduct for the GSNA is my way of trying to keep our hobby alive by introducing Coin Collecting to our young people. Each and every program is also a learning experience for me, and I am very> grateful to the GSNA for allowing me to continue my program at their conventions. / am very' happy and honored to be part of the GSNA. Thank you, Larry, for being a “Good Guy” to young and old alike. 10