The U.S. Mint will issue the reverse proof version of the Pennsylvania Innovation dollar coin on Dec. 5. This will be struck at the San Francisco mint, and will be sold in a large cardboard package at a hefty premium over its face value.
To order coins from the U.S. Mint, visit their website at www.usmint.gov, or call them at 1 – 800 – USA – MINT.
A sports card and coin show will be held on December 1 at the Boys and Girls Club of Chicopee at 580 Meadow St. in that city. Hours are 9: a.m. – 1:30 p.m., with door prizes awarded every hour.
Off-street parking is free, but there is a small admission charge to benefit the club.
A large railroad hobby show will be held on Dec. 7-8 at the Royal Plaza Trade Center on Route 20 in Marlboro (two miles west of exit 24 off I-495). Parking is free, but there is an admission charge (less for kids). Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 1- a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
This column will begin our annual series on advice for those seeking to give holiday gifts with a collectibles theme. The first major consideration is to make sure the gift is appropriate to the level of the collector.
A beginning collector doesn’t need an advanced level price guide any more than an advanced collector needs a beginner’s guide. Make sure the collector does not already have a current version of the guide, or subscription to the hobby periodical that you want to give them.
Advanced collectors may only need certain types of hobby supplies, such as an album or stock book, or packages of individual holders for their items. You need to check with your recipient to learn what they need. Beginners may be able to use almost anything, but make sure that you don’t give a U.S. coin or stamp collector a world wide price guide!
Next column will discuss price guides for collectors.