Let’s Take a Numismatic Walkabout

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This article is sponsored by CAC Grading, the collectors’ choice, inspiring confidence through accurate and consistent coin grading.

The traditional Australian walkabout is a rite of passage in which a youngster learns the ways of survival through his transition to adult life. The adventure generally begins at around age 10 and may continue for several years. In a sense, it is the Aboriginal form of apprenticeship or succession to a family business.

Likewise, every serious collector should consider the benefits—and sincere necessity—of passing their interest in numismatics on to a future generation. Without such a continuity of effort, there would be no motivation in preserving the history of coinage and the value of a coin collection. It would be rare today for any child to suddenly become interested in collecting and appreciating coins simply for their artistic and historic merits unless an elder in their life who has regard for the hobby passes along their knowledge of the obvious benefits and rewards that collecting provides.

Our current fast-paced world offers an abundance of interests and activities that seem far more exciting than a sedate collecting hobby. Most of today’s generation of collectors began to save miscellaneous things ranging from bugs to stamps, coins, and whatnot around ages 8 to 10. Without proper guidance, the current generation of teenagers can quickly be drawn to electronics, social media, and so forth. Hobbies can get lost in the fold.

Hobbies, Revisited

Many of those who embark on hobbies late in life do so by returning to something that was important to them in their youth. As a member of the Greatest Generation, I was fortunate to participate in the hobby during significant moments over the past eight decades. But there’s one numismatic walkabout that I’ll never forget. My mentor, acclaimed numismatist Eric P. Newman (1911-2017), has had the biggest impact on my numismatic life. In 1962 we coauthored The Fantastic 1804 Dollar. Some of our findings were controversial at the time of publication, but our combined forces proved how impactful collaboration, mentorship, and good scholarship can be. 

Many of those who embark on hobbies late in life do so by returning to something that was important to them in their youth.

While it often feels like we never have enough time for leisure activities, there usually is some available time that can be devoted to something that enriches our life. If you already have a hobby or two that by now are habits, you can renew your enthusiasm by exploring new avenues that will offer new experiences. It’s a well-known fact that challenging, entertaining, and engaging hobbies have the power to make us happier and healthier. Perhaps equally beneficial is that some turn out to be financially rewarding.  Scientists say participating in an absorbing hobby may also extend your lifespan and increase your energy levels. 

Conclusion

So, why not take a page out of Eric’s book? Become a mentor yourself. Take a numismatic walkabout with your offspring and lead the way around a coin convention floor, a dealer’s shop, or browse through your own coin collection and demonstrate the path to becoming a successful adult collector. This just might continue a slow burn that will last for generations to come.