Jim Bisognani: Our Numismatic Rites of Spring

Well, my fellow coindexters, somehow it is almost the end of April. The "spring" effect has been a welcome — albeit very subtle — transition for those in my neck of the woods. Yet, with the last remnants of the dirty, crusty snow gone and MLB in full swing, other rites joyously confirm the onset of this wonderful new season.

Yours truly, having personally run in eight Boston Marathons, was ultra-excited by the weather forecast on Patriots’ Day on April 20. Cool temps and a prominent tail wind boded well for participants lined up for the 130th running of the Boston Marathon. The elite runners took advantage of Mother Nature's gift, as the top three finishers each broke the previous record that was established 15 years ago!

OK, maybe a marathon isn't really what numismatics is about, but I'll share my favorite finisher's medal: the one I received from the 100th run, back in 1996.

It is quite the prize! The 100th anniversary medal was quite the departure from the previous year's pewter gray editions. Yet all eight of my medals are very important to me, and I would not trade any of them for any price. The time, effort, determination, memories, and the utter joy of participating is embodied in each of them — they are priceless.

As for the numismatic world, our rites of spring (in my opinion) have also opened this week. National Coin Week 2026 is well underway, taking place from April 19 to 25. The theme this year is "Striking Independence: 250 Years of American Numismatics," to honor the USA's 250th anniversary. Organized by the ANA, this glorious week highlights the history and artistry of money, including special 2026-dated coinage with 1776-2026 dual-dated coins. The US Mint is releasing special, one-year-only designs, including a Liberty Bell privy mark on circulating coins as well! For those on the west coast, Witter Coin is conducting their $50,000+ rare coin scavenger hunt in San Francisco, which concludes on April 25.

And for those coindexters who want hands-on excitement, the CSNS Convention is underway in Schaumburg, Illinois. Yes, my fellow coindexters, the Central States Numismatic Society is holding court to hundreds of dealers and a never-ending wave of collectors making the annual sojourn to be part of the bellwether event! This strategically located venue draws collectors from all parts of the country.

Although the price of gasoline being so high may have put a damper on some collectors who were planning to drive to the venue, I have heard from more than a handful that they will be carpooling. Joe from Nebraska told me, "After a grueling winter, it is fun to be taking the van with six of my buddies from my town, all gabbing about coins and taking turns driving to CSNS. Dividing it up among the six of us is not going to cost as much to get there and back as driving individually. Hey, there may be high engagement on digital platforms, but for us, there is nothing like being hands-on with coins."

I concur with Joe; the hobby is certainly evolving and the digital platforms are driving and fueling new collectors. Yet, for old-timers, hands-on is the way to enjoy and learn about the hobby.

And, in keeping with what has been tradition since the beginning of the pandemic, there will be no "named auction" held in conjunction with the Central States show. Instead, Heritage will have the name-only Central States Numismatic Society auctions wrapping up next week at their Dallas headquarters. The robust "marathon" of auctions begins April 29 and concludes on May 2! Five separate US sales and a like amount featuring ancient and world coins await determined dealers and calculating collectors.

Yes, coins, currency, and medals — all things numismatics have been part of my life for more than 60 years. My fellow coindexters, I still relish viewing, researching, and, on occasion, still acquiring neat items for my own collection. I guess being a professional numismatist and being ga-ga about coins... well, in my instance, it is truly having your cake and eating it, too. Whether holding a multi-million-dollar rarity or pulling out a Lincoln Wheat Cent from pocket change, the joy of the hunt and the history behind it make the hobby unique and, for many, a lifelong passion and commitment.

Just last week, I received a 1998-P Jefferson Nickel in change from a local supermarket. I hear some groans from my fellow coindexters... "So what?" you say. "Have you lost your mind? A 1998 Jefferson Nickel?" Ah, but take a look at the nickel...

Amazingly, this is the first Jefferson Nickel (or any nickel for that matter) that I've found, in circulation, with an off-center strike. This will go nicely with the few off-center Lincoln Cents that I had been lucky enough to have pulled from circulation. So, to answer the burning question — yes, you can still find valuable and cool coins in circulation, even in 2026!

Chris B., a good friend and fellow coindexter hailing from New Jersey, recently asked me, "Jim, do you ever worry that coin collecting will go the way of stamp collecting?" Chris was obviously referring to the fact that stamp collecting has fallen on much harder times over the last several decades.

I quickly countered with "no." To me, I think coin collecting is unique; it's something that's too personal. I think that part of it is the history, but it's the contact and the circulation here and throughout the world. I think of the intangibles and the tangibles, coins. This is something that was real and very meaningful.

Stamps, for the most part, were "one and done," so to speak. Stamps are issued, then they get canceled. They go on one journey; then their usefulness and mission pretty much end and they are not used again. Currency such as coins is much the same way — it circulates, it wears, and it passes on to various businesses and private use for generations to come. That's why finding valuable early currency or even colonial script in a wonderful state of preservation is such a joy. In this respect, much like coins, for many it is dumbfounding to think that a well-preserved prime piece of currency from the 1700s or 1800s still exists — one that isn't all folded and crumpled up!

Yes, my fellow coindexters, coins will always be relevant. The transparency and the advent of third-party grading has emboldened a new digital generation while preserving the collections of many veteran collectors.

Stamps and philately are noble and have a great history, too. While most may be used only once, and their journey from Point A to Point B completes their mission, those early engraved, colorful mementos of postal history may be lucky enough to be residing in a collector's portfolio. Yet for me, coins have a much longer lifespan and have many tales to tell across their travels. A lowly Lincoln Cent that could be a century old has likely passed through many hands before residing in a collection, perhaps one of a budding collector building their first Lincoln penny set.

So next time, my fellow coindexters, that you're lucky enough to pull a Lincoln Cent from the 1930s or 1940s out of circulation, place it in the hand of that budding collector. Perhaps that coin pulled from circulation will be the foundation of their collecting journey. Coins have a wonderful link to our history, as they have and will still circulate amongst the masses. They are part of a coindexter’s very DNA.

Enjoy spring, enjoy National Coin Week, and enjoy your hobby!

Until next time, be safe, and happy collecting!

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