One of the most intriguing aspects of our hobby — at least for me — is its truly unpredictable nature. You just never know when and where a long sought after piece will suddenly appear before you in a dealer’s case and create a hobby moment that you’ll never forget. A few weeks back, I had one of those hobby "moments!"

David Boitnott and I had traveled to Newark, Delaware and the campus of the University of Delaware for the New Jersey Token and Medal show. (I know what you’re thinking — A New Jersey show in Delaware? I’ll fill you in at the next club meeting.) I went with high hopes that I would find a number of scarce pieces to add to my medal collection, but came away without adding a single piece of note.

While attending the show, however, we heard about a coin show just outside of Washington, DC that was also taking place that weekend. As it was just off of I-95, David and I decided to stop in on our way back to Raleigh. By the time we arrived (around 3:00 PM on Saturday afternoon), a noticeable number of dealers were beginning to pack up and head for the exits (even though the show was scheduled to run through Sunday!).

As I made my way around the bourse, I came across a dealer who seemed to have a number of medals in his case. I couldn’t get a good look at them, however, as he was already working with two customers. I made a mental note to return to the dealer before leaving the show, and continued my tour of the floor.

Unfortunately, not much else caught my attention. So, after pausing at a numismatic literature dealer for a few minutes, I began to make my way back to the first dealer and his one case of medals. But let me digress...

More than a year ago, while pursuing my research into the national commemorative medals of the U.S. Mint, I came upon a Congressionally authorized medal for the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association. Since that time, I have been "on the hunt" for a specimen and have spoken to many of the major token and medal dealers throughout the country. Dealer responses to my inquiries generally fell into one of two categories. The first, and by far the most common, response was "I’m not familiar with the piece" or its close cousin "I’ve never seen one." The other response category was "I’ve only handled one, and that was years ago."

And now, back to my original story... With the bourse floor thinning, I made a return trip to the dealer with the case of medals I had caught a glimpse of before. As I scanned the case’s contents I noticed a chocolate bronze medal that featured a portrait of Jefferson — my heart picked up its pace! I then read the text on the flip’s insert: "The Thos. Jefferson Memorial Association 1903" My heart began to beat even faster! Could it be? I casually (at least I think it was casually) asked the dealer if I could take a look at the piece, and spent a few moments studying the obverse and reverse of the medal.

After determining that the piece was indeed the medal I had been searching for, I glanced at the price marked on the insert — $30.00! And though I would have gladly paid three or even four times that price for the piece, I asked the dealer if he had any "room" on the price. He proposed $26.00 and the sale was closed seconds later.

It’s hard to describe the feelings I had at that moment. I had actively pursued the Jefferson medal longer than I had searched for any other coin or medal since I’ve been collecting. I was ecstatic! Suddenly all the hours in the car traveling to Delaware seemed a small price to pay for such a terrific experience! I passed the time riding back to NC smiling and silently repeating the phrase "It just doesn’t get any better than this!"

I’ll bring the medal to our next RCC meeting for Show & Tell so that everyone who wants to can get a look at the medal. And while I don’t expect you to get quite as excited as I did, exclamations of joy and tribute will be heartily appreciated!