Loos, Holcomb Receive ANA Presidential Certificate
During PNNA-Willamette MiniCon

News Release by ANA Governor Walt Ostromecki

Lisa Loos (left), Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association (PNNA) president and VP of Women in Numismatics (WIN) and Eric Holcomb (right), PNNA editor, webmaster, chief exhibit judge and editor of the ANA representative program newsletter, were both recognized for many years of unwavering volunteer service to local numismatics, the PNNA and the ANA by ANA President Barry Stuppler. Each was presented with an ANA Presidential Certificate of Appreciation Plaque by Governor Walt Ostromecki (center). The feting took place during the quarterly PNNA board meeting and dinner, Saturday, October 18, 2008 at the PNNA-Willamette ‘MiniCon’ convention in Portland, Oregon.

The 2008 Portland (OR) MiniCon convention, cosponsored by the PNNA and the Willamette Coin Club, saw a small drop in overall show visitor attendance from last years' 700 plus. “The show attendance was most certainly impacted by the current economic crisis,” commented General Chairman, Larry Gaye. Many dealers noted their overall sales were lower than last year’s pace and nary a bullion piece was to be found on the bourse floor. The hottest numismatic sales items were paper currency, modern US Mint offerings and mid grade (VF-XF) raw type coins. Dealer Dennis Reed, Lacey Rare Coins, WA noted, “We had to really deal, and I mean deal, to stimulate the public into buying. This was most unusual.”

“Local collector outreach and education were the two primary focuses of the show,” stated Gene Wiley, president of the Willamette Coin Club. “We were again fortunate indeed to have the exuberant and talented volunteer services of that passionate and family fun focused hobbyist, Walt Ostromecki, ANA Governor and long time PNNA member. Walt has spearheaded PNNA youth activities since 2001. He is truly amazing when it comes to relating to kids of all ages. I don’t know where he gets all his energy! He enlightened and educated not only the youth and families through a special Halloween theme YN Treasure Hunt and Scouting Merit Badge Program, but also conducted our free general public outreach program for show attendees: ANA’s Coin Collecting Basics 101 with skillful informative expertise and enthusiasm, introducing the joys of numismatics to well more than a hundred first timers.”

Eight outstanding and captivating top notch exhibits greeted show visitors. The display topics ran from 'Cat Crazy' coins to 'Project Apollo MACO Medals,' and from 'Zimbabwe’s 2006-8 inflation notes' to 'Byzantine Imperial Coinage.' “Judging was very keen. Only a couple of points separated the second place exhibit, 'Katt Krazy' from the first place winner, 'Byzantine Imperial Coinage,' stated exhibit chair, Larry Rowe. "The most popular display from the public standpoint was 'Project Apollo' (entered non-competitively). PNNA historian Del Cushing brought along five cases filled with PNNA convention history from the 1950's through 1970's.”

The next PNNA sponsored show (60th annual) was scheduled for April 17-19, 2009 at the Tukwila Community Center, Tukwila WA just outside Seattle.

The Willamette Coin Club meets the third Thursday of each month, Multnomah Art Center, Room 34, 7-9 PM. For more information contact Larry Gaye at light.man@verizon.net.

The PNNA also hosts a coin exhibit and information table during the month of September at the Puyallup (WA) Fair. The PNNA table saw in excess of 8,500 visitors during the 2008 Fair!

Return to current year fall convention page.