FIVE QUESTIONS WITH KENNY SAMMUT

Five Questions Answered by Kenny Sammut

1. When and why did you become a coin collector?
Back in 2007, my father purchased some of the newly released Presidential Dollars. I immediately took an interest to them and started to flip through the Red Book. Although at my age (I was only 5 or 6), I only truly understood values and dollar signs, however over time I grew to appreciate their history and designs. After a while, I decided to branch out into world coins. I started to skim the phone book sized Krause catalogues and fell in love with the beautiful designs. And over the years, I have branched out even further and now I know a little bit about exonumia and numismatic literature.

2. What are you currently collecting?
My main focus is on world coins. I do not focus on any country in particular; instead, I purchase whatever catches my eye. Historical context also plays a big role in what I purchase as I love connecting stories with my collection. A sub-collection of mine includes presidential campaign tokens, medals, and pins as they are rich in history.

3. What one thing has coin collecting taught you that you might have never learned otherwise?
Numismatics has taught me numerous business techniques. Along with my collecting, I run a numismatic eBay store where I sell world coins, US coins, tokens, medals, other exonumia, numismatic literature, and more.

4. Who has been most helpful in your personal coin collecting journey?
I have been fortunate over the years to have many numismatic mentors. A local coin dealer, George Mavrelos, owner of Pennies, Pounds, and Pesos in Media, Pennsylvania, has taught me so much since I was a fledgling coin collector. You can pick up any coin in his shop and he would tell you what was happening in that country at the time the coin was minted as well as interesting stories about the coin itself. I have learned so much history from him. Should I open up my own store someday, I would hope to be as interesting as Mr. George. Mrs. Pam and Mr. Dave Stitlely have also played a monumental part in my numismatic upbringing by supporting my love for the hobby and to help me become more involved with the local clubs and associations. They are committed to introducing and helping YNs get excited about the hobby as they know these children will become the future of our hobby.

And I can't go without mentioning Ken Bressett. I have been fortunate to attend the ANA Summer Seminar since I was 13. The ANA has a wonderful scholarship program and this is how I met Mr. Ken. He is so giving of his time and his excitement about collecting is very contagious. As I have gotten older, he and I have spent more time together during the seminar. I would love to accomplish one tenth of what he has. He is amazing.

5. You're the ANA President, name one thing you would do to make coin collecting more attractive to young people?
If I were the ANA president, I would have the ANA along with the US Mint and some younger actors, who are popular with children, create videos showing the many benefits and fun young people can have collecting coins. Benefits include learning history, math, politics, and geography as well as helping them with their reading and organizational skills.

Additionally, there is a story behind just about every coin. These stories can be told in a way a child will understand and will hopefully make the coin so much more than a coin. The younger child may not even realize he/she is learning about history, geography, and all of the other educational benefits. The older child will and for some they will become avid collectors and may even do better in history. Parents will appreciate that and hopefully support the child's new interest in coins.

As kids are visual and want to do cool things, the young actors will be a key in helping children see coin collecting as something they should try. Contests and rewards can be set up by the ANA and the US Mint. Parents can be given ideas on having their own contests and rewards for their children or grandchildren.

These videos might get children talking about coins and if the contests were fun and achievable it may generate some friendly competition amongst friends and turn enough of them into long term avid collectors so our hobby will continue and grow for many years to come.

Some background information:

• ANA LM
• PAN Member
• FUN Member
• Member of 5 local clubs along with several other clubs in the US along with a number of International Clubs and Societies
• 2019 ANA Young Numismatist of the Year
• Active on social media for the past seven years promoting numismatics
• Owner of a successful numismatic store on eBay for the past two years
• Offered an Internship with NGC this summer

For more information about the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists, see:
https://pancoins.org/

 

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