Use New Coin Designs to Promote Numismatics
As the forthcoming of new designs on U.S. coins develop, new numismatic enthusiasts begin joining the hobby.
Sometimes people become interested in numismatics because of their personal connection with the person who introduced them to the hobby. It could be a family member or a friend.
However, it is also possible that forthcoming new designs on U.S. coins could also attract new collectors. Just letting more people know about what is coming over the next few years could spark their interest into digging a little deeper into the subject.
For instance, the American Innovation $1 coin program started in 2018 and will run through 2032. The first 17 coins of a total of 57 different issues came out by the end of last year. Coins #18 through #21 will be issued by the end of 2023. That means that right now there are about 38 more opportunities for collectors in their respective states, District of Columbia or territories to promote numismatics by talking about forthcoming coins for where you live. In my situation, the Michigan Innovation Dollar comes out in 2025. There are a number of ways to use the appearance of this coin to share the hobby through schools, youth groups, churches, adult organizations and just among your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors.
Another opportunity will come up nationwide when unique one-year designs will appear on circulating coinage in 2026 that commemorate the 250th anniversary of America’s independence (which the U.S. Mint calls the “Semiquincentennial”).
You can leverage the existing and soon-to-be released American Women’s quarters to discuss numismatics while celebrating Women’s History Month.
Black History Month each February is another opportunity to use existing and forthcoming coins honoring African Americans on U.S. coinage.
How can you promote numismatics when up to 20 U.S. quarters will be issued from 2027 to 2030 to honor different youth sports? Or with the four half dollars issued those years with a reverse to celebrate athletes with a range of disabilities?
There are plenty of opportunities to promote the hobby because money is something children and adults handle throughout the course of their life. It could be a simple spending the newest coin issue and mentioning a bit about the piece as you give it to someone else. These efforts to promote numismatics don’t have to be expensive or necessarily take a lot of time. Most of all, they can be fun.
Will you give it a try?
Patrick A. Heller was honored as a 2019 FUN Numismatic Ambassador. He is also the recipient of the American Numismatic Association 2018 Glenn Smedley Memorial Service Award, 2017 Exemplary Service Award, 2012 Harry Forman National Dealer of the Year Award and 2008 Presidential Award. Over the years, he has also been honored by the Numismatic Literary Guild (including in 2021 for Best Investment Newsletter), Professional Numismatists Guild, Industry Council for Tangible Assets and the Michigan State Numismatic Society. He is the communications officer of Liberty Coin Service in Lansing, Mich., and writes Liberty’s Outlook, a monthly newsletter on rare coins and precious metals subjects. Past newsletter issues can be viewed at www.libertycoinservice.com. Some of his radio commentaries titled “Things You ‘Know’ That Just Aren’t So, And Important News You Need To Know” can be heard at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday and Friday mornings on 1320-AM WILS in Lansing (which streams live and becomes part of the audio archives posted at www.1320wils.com).
