American Numismatic Association member Greg Schenewerk and his bronze Carnegie Medal for Heroism are ready for their close up. When both appear on an upcoming episode of The History Channel's popular series "Pawn Stars," the ANA's Summer Seminar will be the likely beneficiary of the taping.


It all started when Greg picked up the bronze medal in a Bakersfield, Calif., pawn shop. The back of the medal Greg purchased is inscribed to "John L. Bell/who helped to save/Arthur E. Rivers/from drowning/Swansboro, N.C./August
13, 1931."
 
 
The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission issues medals to people who perform heroic acts in civilian life and provides financial help to those disabled because of their heroism. Steel baron Andrew Carnegie started the fund after hearing inspiring rescue stories following a mine disaster that killed 181 people. Since the fund's inception in 1904, there have been more than 9,500 honorees. The medals have become popular collector items.

(Photograph: ANA member Greg Schenewerk will try to sell this Carnegie Medal for Heroism on the History Channel show, "Pawn Stars.")

 
While in Las Vegas last November, Greg stopped by the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop made famous by the TV series. He
showed the Carnegie medal to an employee, who took it to the back of the shop to let owner Rick Harrison examine it. Returning with the medal, the employee took a picture of it and told Greg that she would pass along information to
producers at The History Channel.


"I got the call the next day," said Greg, a professional photographer who lives in San Diego. "I couldn't film that
week, so I set up an appointment for the next time I was in Vegas for work."
 
 Yesterday, Greg spent two hours filming a segment. He plans to donate all the proceeds from the
medal's sale to the ANA's Summer Seminar YN Scholarship Fund - and he's got plans to maximize the amount of money from the sale.


See, this isn't the first Carnegie medal Greg as sold. He previously purchased a silver Carnegie medal for $100
and sold it for $1,500 at an auction. The buyer was one of the country's biggest Carnegie medal collectors, who just so happens to live in San Diego. Recently, Greg showed the collector his latest find. So when Greg walked into
the Las Vegas pawn shop, he had an offer of $350 for the medal.


"Since I already have an offer, I figured I could drive a hard bargain at the shop," Greg said.


While Greg has never attended Summer Seminar, his son, Cole, has attended several times and benefited greatly from
it. "Based on what my son has learned at Summer Seminar, I'm happy to support the program," he said.

(Photograph: Greg Schenewerk with his son, Cole, who has attended
the ANA's Summer Seminar for several years.)

Did Greg sell his medal at the Las Vegas shop? Check back in a few weeks, and we'll have details on when Greg's "Pawn Stars" episode will air. Interested in attending Summer Seminar? See the full course catalog here.