theordquiz.com

By Kate Wolf
   No, Nebraska isn’t minting a new Husker coin, but Husker Coins is a brand new organization recently established for the collectors who love of all types of coins and currency.  Despite the push towards a “cashless society” we, as Americans, stubbornly cling to our dollars and coins not only for their intrinsic value, but because they are an integral part of our shared history as a nation.  They jingle in our pockets, decorate our dressers, frequently find their way into our washing machines, and many times end up in the cup holders of our vehicles.  But how many of us really look at them?
   On Tuesday evening, Oct. 7, the Ord Township Library hosted the inaugural meeting of Husker Coins with at least 16 interested individuals in attendance from all walks of life.  Guys and gals, young and old, working and retired, the eclectic group met to share their passion for collecting coins, currency and other precious metals.  Each one spoke about how they got started collecting coins, their specific area of interest, and how their own collections evolved.
   Speaker Aaron Wentz, of Double AA’s Precious Metals & Collectibles, LLC from Kearney, brought his very impressive collection to share with the group. Wentz, who is a plumber by trade, explained how sometimes very interesting things are uncovered in the course of his work.  He attends craft shows and gun shows in the Kearney area where other collectors often meet.  He first started collecting silver bullets of all sizes and caliber while his passion for collecting grew over the years.  He now has many safes, closets, chests and ammo boxes filled with coins.
   “You just have to know what a coin is supposed to look like,” Wentz explained, “The edges, the weights, and the various tests that verify the metal content.”  He described how to tell a counterfeit bill from a real one:  “If it’s a true bill, the ink never completely dries.  Rub a piece of white paper on it and if the ink comes off it’s legit.  If it doesn’t, it’s counterfeit.”  This applies to bills of any denomination regardless of age. 
   He also spoke about Confederate currency stating “if it’s thicker than single ply toilet paper, it’s probably not real.  It was often printed on old newspaper.  If you went to cash in a bill, the bank also paid interest on the face value from the date of issue.”
   At the conclusion of his presentation, Wentz commented, “It’s not about us.  It’s about what we can leave behind for the family.  Find a dealer you trust, not
somebody online, and leave a note for your family so they know where to take them when you’re gone. Also include special bequests to others who have entered your life.  I think it’s important to leave that message behind.”
   Three important terms are employed in coin collecting:  Valuation, which refers to the overall condition of the coins themselves; appraisal, which is the established value; and grading, where professionals breakdown the condition and clarity of the coin. Take a Lincoln penny, for example:  Is the beard imprint clear and completely visible?  Is there clarity and crispness to the facial features, numbers, dates and other factors?  Are there visible flaws?  The coins are intensely studied in much the same way as a jeweler would examine the facets of a diamond.
   So, the next time you lay down a dollar bill and some change to purchase a soft drink or a cup of coffee at your local convenience store, take a moment to really look at the currency you are spending….it just might be more valuable than the item you’re about to purchase.
     Husker Coins will meet on the first Tuesday each month at 7 p.m. in the lower level of the Ord Township Library. It is handicapped accessible and all interested individuals of any age are encouraged to attend.  They look forward to sharing their knowledge and expertise with others.

   There is more to the story! Pick up the Oct. 15 edition of The Ord Quiz!