Viewpoint: Coins and Stamps: The Two Great ‘People Hobbies’

On page 11 of the Nov. 7, 2023, issue of Numismatic News was the report that the grand, national, and international “people hobbies” of coins and stamps were, for once, united with the periodicals of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), The Numismatist, and the American Philatelic Society (APS), The American Philatelist.

As a longtime member of both, I believe this was a positive and hopefully small step toward cooperation, collaboration, and coordination between what I called the “two great people hobbies.” As I have preached before, “Coins and stamps do not collect people; people collect coins and stamps.”

The unity, fellowship, and growth between these two great people hobbies must be understanding and enhancing the passion and pursuit of collecting, which is universal, enduring, and crosses borders, cultures, ages, and generations.

Scott D. English, the APS’ energized executive director, as well as a dear friend, strongly preaches, “I don’t care what you collect, as long as you collect.” That’s the point: to unite and create fellowship and growth for both coins and stamps.

As a multi-facet hobbyist, I acknowledge the same for milk bottles, old cars in tribute to the late and great Chester L. Krause, bottles, antiques, rocks and minerals, and model railroad. Collecting is, first and foremost, people. But let my remarks address coins and stamps here. To my fellow celebrants in those hobbies, the best is when we all use collecting to unite, create fellowship, and grow.

First, Numismatic News readers venture out—maybe when there is a local stamp club meeting, show, or First Day ceremony. Pay a visit and do not just bother with the dealer’s stock; instead, meet and mingle with stamp hobbyists, learning about their passions and pursuits. The same can be said for stamp hobbyists. We coin hobbyists don’t bite!

Second, read these two issues: The Numismatist and The American Philatelist. Learn from hobby stalwarts about the relationships and commonalities between these two great people's hobbies. You will be pleasantly surprised at how similar and enthused these two great people are.

Third, as ANA President Thomas J. “Tom” Uram said, “We share a love of history, enjoy learning and cherish the friends and experiences that collecting coins and stamps affords us.” Note his use of the word collecting.

Fourth, just try it. Find a stamp that matches a coin or a coin that matches a stamp. This would be a clear and concrete effort toward youth participation, and, beginning at a young age, would educate about the whole realm of human endeavors, achievements, and even sadness.

Regarding exhibiting: what a provocative and powerful display of coins and stamps having like designs or themes. It’s not very expensive to assemble or to arrange.

Fifth, on a national effort, there is talk – hopefully serious – of efforts for the World’s Fair of Money and the Great American Stamp Show to be held simultaneously at the same venue.

Wow! What an opportunity. If the 1804 dollar was exhibited next to the Inverted Jenny, it would be only once in a lifetime!

In closing, Mr. English mentioned that his inspiration toward the uplands of better cooperation and collaboration as well as coordination began in 2016 here in my hometown, Vallejo, Calif., and this December 2023, he and ANA President Uram shall cross paths, also locally, and share the joys that are the two great people hobbies.

I am sure some shall dismiss this and dismiss in their respective single-mindedness that there is nothing worthy of “that other hobby.” Such is, sadly, being narrow-minded, for the sum of history – since the before years were identified by A.D. and since before the 1840 Penny Black of Great Britain – has been shown on coins and stamps. As reminded, this crosses borders, cultures, ages, and generations. Truly, when a coin is spent or a stamp licked to mail, these are humanity and history in your hands.

Set your sails, chart with the winds, and navigate toward an upland of better cooperation, collaboration, and coordination.

This Viewpoint was written by Michael S. Turrini of Vallejo, Calif.

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