Monroe Coin Club
History
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Monroe Coin ClubHistory |
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The Monroe Coin Club was founded on May 1, 1962, and revived an organized interest in coin collecting that had flourished under the leadership of Dr. Heath at the turn of the century. Twenty coin collectors came to that first meeting and became members of the fledgling club. The club grew steadily, and by February, 1963 had reached a membership of 63. During these early growth years, Florence Schook, prominent in national numismatic circles, became a lifetime member. Knowledgeable members soon looked beyond the monthly meetings for numismatic projects. In 1964, numbered silver and bronze medals of General George A. Custer, a noted Monroe resident, were struck. The medals drew favorable reactions from numismatic circles as well as Custer fans. You can view these medals Here. From its earliest beginnings, the Monroe Coin Club has emphasized coin collecting as a family activity. Junior members are encouraged. Exhibits and informational programs appealing to all levels of age, knowledge, and interest are offered. In 1971, the Monroe Coin Club extended to the Monroe community at large when it held its first coin show. These highly successful shows drew participation from neighboring communities and states, and continued annually in an almost unbroken string since that beginning date. The show still boasts a sold out room full of dealers, exhibits, and a nice selection of raffle prizes every year. It's held the second Sunday of October, and now has returned to its original location at the Holiday Inn on Dixie Highway. In 1973, a patch honoring Dr. George F. Heath was produced, and drew widespread interest from numismatists. The patch was followed by a Heath medal in 1974. There were one hundred medals minted in silver (pictured above), and one thousand minted with an antique bronze finish. The next Heath project was conducted with the cooperation of Monroe City officials. A historical marker at the site of Dr. Heath's medical office was dedicated April 8, 1978. When the ANA Convention was hosted in Detroit in 1984, the Monroe Coin Club participated in a variety of ways, including the striking of an ANA token. Throughout the 1980's club membership hovered around 40, including several charter members. In 1988, the Monroe Coin Club ventured into a paper money project. Two dollar bills, embellished with a stamp portraying President James Monroe (Monroe, Michigan's namesake) and a hand-stamped postal date of January 22, were created to celebrate the bicentennial of Monroe, the 175th anniversary of the Battle of the River Raisin in 1813, and the sesquicentennial of Michigan's statehood. After a short hiatus, the club's annual coin show was resumed in the 1990's. The Knights of Columbus Hall in downtown Monroe was the site for the first few shows. But to provide a more convenient location for show attendees, we moved the show back to its original location at the Holiday Inn (near I-75). The show has been sold out and the attendance has been high ever since. In 1996, the club donated $1,000 towards the construction of a memorial for the veterans of World War II, that is proudly displayed at the Veterans Park in Monroe. Since its inception, the Monroe Coin Club has had a total membership of over 500. Presently, there are over 30 paid and life members. It is the hope of the Monroe Coin Club that the pleasures of coin collecting will remain as accessible to people from all walks of life 100 years from now as it does today. This website has been created to help in the attainment of that goal. For more information, you can contact the Monroe Coin Club by email at : MonroeCoinClub@yahoo.com Or by snail-mail at :
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The Working Man's Rare Coins |