Recent trip to Colorado Springs allowed me to stop by a couple of coin shops.
Hallenbeck Coin Gallery (711 North Nevada Avenue) was the second stop for me. As is usual, the shop was a little busy. When Chad was finished with his client, he inquired if I wanted to see anything in the cases. While waiting, I looked at Linkcolns,
Buffalo nickels, WLH's, and
Washington quarters. Having my smarter than me phone with me, checking my want/need lists, I selected several
Washington quarters to view, in hand.
After viewing the Washington's (MS62 at best), I declined to purchase any of these, and asked if they had any other UNC Lincolns. Knowing that they keep a box or two of various series in the safes, he brought a couple out, allowing me to thumb through. Of note, I REALLY like it when series are organized by date and mintmark. Nothing worse to find a 1911 S mixed in with the 1945 D's...at least in my opinion.
When I found a slabbed Buffalo to purchase, I asked if I could interview Chad for my local coin club.
Started the interview with, "what got you started in coin collecting". Replied that a relative gave him some coins from overseas, that happened to be from countries composed of islands, which has been the focus of his collecting interests since.
My next question, "What is the most interesting item to walk in the door?" Chad smiled and said that he would be back in a minute. Handing me this:
https://www.NGCcoin.com/certlookup/3317152-001/The back story, yes, the customer definitely knew what they had.
WHAT a SLUG of gold! This felt VERY heavy in hand. For a cool "150", I could be the new owner.
Asked what could help our coin collecting passion with getting new and/or younger members into "the club". Anything and everything was the reply.
I indicated that I recently became reacquainted with the Boy Scouts, as they have a merit badge for coin collecting. Chad advised that Ken Hallenbeck, the person who started Hallenbeck Coin Gallery, actually write the guidelines for the BSA Merit Badge. I thought to myself, "wow, small world". Chad then told me that Ken was upstairs and asked if I would like to meet him. Would I? Would I? OH yeah...I definitely would like to meet Ken.
After walking upstairs, Ken was busy talking to a couple of customers, so I waited my turn, while viewing his numismatic related collection of odds and ends. During that time, another gent and I struck up a conversation. I met Terry Carver,
ANA Board of Governors Member and Assistant Treasurer. Terry is also heavily involved in the Colorado Springs Numismatic Society and Colorado Springs Coin Club. As we talked, I asked if he was going to purchase any of the centennial Gold Edition coins from the mint. During our discussion, I mentioned that I purchased the Dan Carr versions already. Again, small world, he knows Dan Carr and has been to the "Moonlight Mint" several times. Link to Colorado Springs Coin Club:
http://cscc.anaclubs.org/index.htmlKen was finally able to talk with me. Began with the introductions and that I would like to inquire about the Boy Scout coin collecting merit badge. His eyes lit up and told me that he took two days off of work to work on that subject.
Asked what was the most interesting coin that ever walked in the shop. Without hesitation, he replied with "Proof
Morgan dollar". Ken said the Proof, literally, walked in the door. Deal was made and the rest was history!
Before I left, Ken mentioned that he will have a table at the annual Colorado Springs coin show - June 24 through 26. As I was leaving, Ken gave me a couple of his "business cards" - wooden nickel, rolled penny, poker chip, and paper peso money.
Thanks to Chad, Terry, and Ken for a GREAT interview!!
Posted 05/03/2016 09:59 am
