BUFFALO NICKELS SOUGHT FOR JUNIOR RANGERS

The Bison Inspires

Antelope Island is the largest island in Utah's Great Salt Lake. Being isolated from the mainland it has been the home to American Bison since they were first brought on island in 1893. Pioneers first took up residence on the island in 1848, and the old farmhouse at the Fielding Garr Ranch is the oldest pioneer building still standing on its original foundation in Utah.

The Garr ranch is now a museum with the old buildings and original farm equipment maintained. The entire 28,000 acre island is a Utah State Park. Anywhere from 500 to 700 Bison roam freely over the fifteen mile long five-mile-wide island. Over a million people a year visit, and the numbers will only increase now that the new 15,000 sq ft visitor center was completed just a month or so ago.

For collectors of elongated pennies, the group Antelope Island Friends has funded two elongated machines. One is at the Fielding Garr Ranch on the south end of the Island. The other is at the new visitor center on the north end. Each has four distinctive designs and costs 25c and the penny. The Ranch designs are a Bison, Mule Deer, Brine Shrimp, and an Avocet.

But mostly, people come to see the herds of Bison. It is much like a Yellowstone experience where cars line up to see them close and far. It is actually very cool and a short drive from Salt Lake City.

Part of the Park experience for young folks visiting the ranch is having the opportunity to meet the park rangers and become a Junior Ranger themselves. Kiddos get taught a few things about the animals and plants on the island, must go out and do some identification, then answer some questions about nature or the island. Having done this, they take an oath to protect nature, the environment, animals and the planet. The Ranger signs their official certificate, and they receive a Junior Ranger pin. They earn it while learning more about the natural world around them.

Personally, I am a fan of coins with strong graphic images such as Mexico's Caballito peso and Pratts Gold Indian Half Eagle. I thought the young rangers would appreciate the immediately recognizable images of the classic Buffalo Nickel, just as I do. It is a wonderfully unique coin that even worn to a no date condition is still immediately identifiable.

Since no date buffalo nickels have little value, I asked the ranch manager Owen Carrol if they would give out a no date nickel to every junior that completed the short course. He agreed, and I have since provided hundreds of no date buffalo nickels that Owen says the kiddos are loving. They came to see the Bison and went home having had an exciting experience, gained new knowledge and earned a pocket sculpture. A memento to remind them of an experience they will likely long remember. Now we are seeing that many hesitant kiddos or their siblings are joining in just to get their coin. Earn their coin, more precisely. It's the only way to get one at the Ranch. This is a recent addition to the parks program and will only be offered at the Garr Ranch. Aspiring Junior Rangers can earn their badge in most Utah state parks. But you have to get your buffalo nickel where the Bison roam. It is my expectation that over time this little giveaway will spark the interest of more young people to collect coins.

Every badge & nickel earned puts a priceless smile on a young persons face and is a seed planted towards future collecting. We need thousands of no-date or partial date Buffalo nickels. Just worn, not damaged. We want all the kiddos that get one to be happy and carry that nickel to school or play show and tell. That's a routine we all know so well as collectors. Just maybe, of the seeds planted, some will mature into new members of our numismatic community. Please send us your nickels so we can keep the program going indefinitely.

Thank you.

Contact Allan Schein in Salt Lake City for shipping details or more information.
801-942-8002
Allan@taekwondograndmaster.com

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