Currency Connectors: Cultivating the Next Generation of YNs

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Numismatics is, more than anything, a hobby of connections: whether it be connecting coins with history or connecting with other numismatists. As such, it is fitting that the capstone of the ANA’s educational programming for young numismatists (YNs) is centered around making connections.

When I joined the ANA, the main programs for teenagers were the David R. Cervin Ancient Coin Project and the Early American Copper Project: long-running involvement-based programs that are certainly nostalgic for the generations of YNs who completed them. 

Three years ago, Christian Strayhorn stepped in as the Association’s education director and, in response to developments in educational methodology, quickly got to work updating the educational programs, notably the Numismatic Diploma Program and the YN programs. Below is an overview of what the ANA offers now.

Three Levels of the Learning Continuum

The ANA’s new Learning Continuum has three levels. The programming for Coin Explorers (YNs grades K-5) is much like the previous Dollar Project: it covers the basics of the minting process, coin design, historical context, and numismatic research.

From there, YNs move on to be Money Study Buddies (grades 6-8). In junior high, they can complete an asynchronous track that emphasizes involvement in numismatics: expanding their horizons by writing, exhibiting, volunteering, and recruiting.

Finally, in high school, YNs become Currency Connectors (grades 9-12). At this point, students can choose from five learning-based Currency Connector paths: 

• David R. Cervin Ancient Coin Project, sponsored by Harlan J. Berk Ltd.
• Early American Copper Project 
• Scripophily and Exonumia
• Paper Money
• Other (choose your own topic)

Unlike previous programs, the Currency Connector projects reward YNs for digging deeply into topics that interest them. I’ve done multiple projects spanning from collector biographies to Continental Currency to how to start a coin club. 

Format of Currency Connectors

Each project requires successful completion of four steps. After each stage, students are rewarded with a numismatic item and YN Dollars (which can be used to bid on treasures in YN Auctions). Each step builds upon the previous one. Beginning with independent research, the process progressively deepens the student’s understanding of their chosen topic, ultimately culminating in the sharing of that knowledge with others. Let’s break down the steps.

1) Connecting with History

Through studying a variety of reliable references, responsibly documenting sources, and compiling them into a final project, YNs learn how to explore the vast world of numismatics by doing their own research. Diving into the historical narratives behind numismatic events and rarities is one of my favorite parts of the hobby, and the ANA makes this process particularly rewarding. Plus, the Dwight N. Manley Numismatic Library is often able to provide research assistance free of charge to YNs.

2) Connecting with Peers

Once a YN has completed the majority of their research, the next step is to engage others with their newfound knowledge. In the second step, YNs are given two options: an informative social media post or an interactive activity, either of which needs to hit certain benchmarks. I’ve found that interactive activities, when shared with a target audience, can often help me pinpoint what I need to emphasize in order to make the research engaging.

3) Connecting with Experts

I am constantly amazed by this part of the process. In this step, each YN is assigned a mentor for the project. The span and depth of their expertise truly shows the giving nature of the people in this hobby. These mentors contribute perspectives that I could not find anywhere else. Whether it be sharing their first-hand experience working with patterns in the National Numismatic Collection, or bringing decades of scholarship to questions surrounding Continental Currency, or calling local historians to uncover history pertaining to exonumia, these mentors have not only supported my research in each topic, but also provided insights that have changed the way I view numismatic history.

4) Connecting with the Community

With this newfound knowledge and perspective in hand, the final step of the Currency Connector project challenges YNs to share their passion with others. Each YN is given three options: recruit members to the ANA, give a presentation, or publish an article. Since I helped found the Young Numismatists of America last year, most YNs have opted for one of the latter two options: presenting their research at a monthly YNA meeting, or publishing in the YNA publication, The Young Numismatist. It is fitting that this is the last step, not only because it is the culmination of all the work they have already done, but also because sharing numismatics with others is one of the greatest joys of the hobby. As someone who often, for better or for worse, has a hard time getting out of the research phase of projects, giving back to the community by sharing my findings with other numismatists is a meaningful way to bring a research project to a close.

Conclusion

I have completed the Currency Connector track four times, and nine other YNs have completed the track at least once. I could not be more impressed with the Currency Connector projects, and I highly recommend any ANA YN to consider working through them. Because of the Internet, you can be supported each step of the way, whether by mentors, the ANA Library, or the ANA Education Department.

Currency Connectors provides something for every student: research instruction and support, an audience of fellow YNs, mentorship from hobby experts, and a platform for sharing one’s work. The structure itself offers a model for numismatic development more broadly. Ethical research, meaningful audience engagement, seeking mentorship, and disseminating one’s findings are practices every numismatist must embrace in order to explore the field effectively. Just as importantly, we have a responsibility not only to refine these skills ourselves, but also to cultivate them in others, ensuring that the knowledge and generosity that define this hobby continue to endure.

To get started, visit money.org/young-numismatist-activities!