Each year at the ANA Summer Seminar, Young Numismatists conduct the YN Scholarship Benefit Auction. This event takes place during Sessions 1 and 2. The YN Benefit Auction for Session 1 will take place on Tuesday, June 23, from 7 to 10 p.m. The auction for Session 2 will be on Tuesday, June 30, from 7 to 10 p.m. Students, instructors, members and guests are all welcome to attend and bid on a wide variety of numismatic lots, including U.S. coins, ancients, paper money, tokens and medals.Young Numismatist Joshua Smith will head up the YN sale for Session 2. Here, he explains what he loves about Summer Seminar and the work that goes into putting on the YN Auction.
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What do you enjoy the most about attending Summer Seminar?
When I arrive at Summer Seminar I always wonder what is going to happen. You’re completely immersed in numismatics for an entire week with people who enjoy the same hobby as you. It is a place to relax and to be solely a numismatist.
What kind of items do you hope to see in the YN Benefit Auction?
Since most numismatists on the whole tend to be reserved (Don Bonser and Matt Kleinsteuber excluded, of course), I hope to see items that bring out each individual’s personality.
Can you describe the work that goes into putting the YN Benefit Auction together?
The first facet in putting the auction together is lot donations, where numismatists generously donate all lots sold in the auction. From there the lots are taken to cataloging, where the lots are recorded and used to create the auction catalog. On the evening before and the night of the auction is lot viewing, followed by the auction. During the auction the YNs keep track of all sales and provide bidders with receipts. Once the auction is over the YNs make sure the bidders receive the lots they purchased and collect all revenue from the auction. There is a lot of hard work that goes into making the ANA Summer Seminar YN Auction a success, however what we learn while at Summer Seminar far outweighs the work.
What do you enjoy the most about the YN Benefit Auction?
The people, the fun, the memories and looking forward to next year.
How has Summer Seminar helped you grow as a collector?
Well, I have met collectors from all over the country and some from other countries. It has helped me to get a better understanding of numismatics and make friends with people I would have otherwise never known.
Do you have a Summer Seminar course that you would recommend to other numismatists?
I’ve taken a lot of great classes at Summer Seminar but would recommend “Grading Coins Part 1.” Grading is the key to collecting. Grading 1 teaches you the basics that all collectors need to know.
How did you become a collector?
In 2011, I heard about the FUN Convention. While there, I met a member of the Brandon Coin Club who invited me to their meeting. They were very open and friendly so I decided to join. Now after four years I have never found a nicer group of numismatists. I am honored to have served as secretary and president for the club.
What advice would you give to a beginning collector?
Get to know other collectors. You will learn things you would have otherwise never known. The people in the numismatic community are phenomenal and I have yet to meet one who does not have a story to tell.
Jason Poanessa is the YN Auction organizer for Session 1. Read his interview here.