by Dave Provost

I’m definitely a coin junkie! I like to look at coins, learn about coins, talk about coins, and (as the balance in my bank account can attest) buy and collect coins! One of the ways I keep myself immersed in the hobby between RCC meetings is by staying active in a number of national, regional, and specialty clubs. What I have found is that no matter what area I decide to collect or learn more about, it’s very likely that there’s a club out there for me to join! 

Of course, the American Numismatic Association (ANA) is a logical place to start if you’re looking for an organization that offers the broadest possible resources for an information-starved numismatist. The ANA publishes The Numismatist, an outstanding monthly magazine, boasts a lending library of over 30,000 books, has a world-class numismatic museum, and offers members discounts on numismatic books, supplies, and more. Annual dues are $29.00 for adults and $11.00 for those 17 or younger (new members also pay a one-time $6.00 processing fee in addition to their dues). You can learn more about the ANA and request membership information by writing to the ANA at 818 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903-3279. You can also learn more about the ANA by visiting their web site at WWW.MONEY.ORG.

Closer to home, there is the North Carolina Numismatic Association. Dues in this statewide organization are just $10.00 a year, and include a subscription to NCNA’s quarterly journal which features articles on assorted numismatic topics written by NCNA members. Talk to Halbert at the next RCC meeting for details about the Association, or write to NCNA, PO Box 20653, Greensboro, NC 27420 for a membership application. 

If your collecting interests are more specialized, have no fear, there are plenty of specialty clubs located throughout the country!  

One of my favorites is the Society for U.S. Commemorative Coins (SUSCC). The SUSCC is a terrific source of information for commemorative issues from both the traditional period as well as the modern era. Each issue of the group’s Commemorative Trail journal is packed with informative, well researched articles that are great for both beginners and advanced collectors. As a special bonus, articles are often contributed by some of the hobby’s biggest names - Q. David Bowers and Anthony Swiatek are regular contributors! Information on the SUSCC can be had by writing SUSCC, PO Box 302, Huntington Beach, CA 92648. 

If your numismatic interests extend beyond coins into currency, tokens, medals, and other forms of exonumia, there are many clubs looking to add you to their membership rolls! 

If you enjoy collecting tokens or medals without any particular specialization, the Token and Medal Society (TAMS) might just be the organization for you. The group’s bimonthly, award-winning journal is full of interesting articles on all sorts of tokens, medals, and related items - I look forward to every issue! Membership details can be had by writing TAMS at PO Box 366, Bryantown, MD 20617. 

If you specialize in Civil War Tokens, or simply would like to learn more about them, a membership in the Civil War Token Society (CWTS) could be the best $10.00 you’ve ever spent. The CWTS Journal is published four times a year, and contains excellent research articles on many facets of CWT collecting. The society also has at least one auction a year with a wide variety of lots to bid on. Contact the CWTS by writing to Dale Cade, Civil War Token Society, 26548 Mazur Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. 

Well, that’s a quick look at just a handful of the more than 100 national and specialty clubs available to numismatists. If you’d like to see if there’s a club out there that matches your interests, stop by the next RCC meeting. I’ll bring an extensive club directory and make it available to anyone who’s interested!