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Years Do Fly By Thursday, May 8, 2008 As June 2008 approaches I realize that I will be beginning my 61st year as a full-time professional numismatist, from day one at Stack's. Actually I have been engaged in numismatics for a longer period, but after I left college I became involved on a full-time basis. Prior to that, my college days before 1947, I worked on demand. The demand came from Morton Stack (my father) and Joseph B. Stack (my uncle). Each treated his sons in a similar manner. If we were away from elementary school, high school or college, we heard at home, "If there is no school, we need you at the office and store". Ben and Norman, Joseph's sons, and I responded to the call and became the early indentured help of Stack's. Needless to say, the constant handling of coins, sorting, grading, enveloping, buying and selling was the best experience a budding numismatist could have. The collectors and dealers I met all were teachers for me. I learned about varieties from the Dr. Willliam H. Sheldon, M.H. Bolender, F.C.C. Boyd, Harold Bareford, Martin Kortjohn, Wayte Raymond, J.F. Bell, the budding genius of John J. Ford, Jr., John J. Pittman, Hans M. F. Schulman, James Risk, and dozens and dozens more who were active in the 1940s and 1950s. Many visited our store, which often had a fraternal or clubhouse atmosphere of good times and conviviality. Other times we met at conventions nationwide. Unfortunately the type of coin facility that was developed by Stack's, with a store front location on an important street in a large city, with sit-down counters, with a library for collector reference, with highly educated and trained salespeople to provide information for the public to learn more about coins, has not been further nurtured by other dealers in the field. In recent times, the personal element and the desire to learn about coins and enjoy other "coin people" has been lost in the activity of the marketplace. There are some exceptions, however, in specialized fields-such as colonial coins, medals, and others in which a high degree of knowledge is needed. Otherwise, it is fading away. Many dealers today are merchants first and foremost, with numismatic appreciation being only of secondary importance. It seems to me that it is time, actually long overdue, that true numismatics gets more exposure at conventions, shows, seminars, and magazine and newspapers, and encourages more one-on-one expansion as was done in yesteryear. In June I am happy to report I will also reach four score (80) years . I sincerely believe that numismatics, collectors and coins, along with the pleasure I have in reviewing the development of the hobby has kept me active and young. I wish all my friends will continue to have good health and enjoyment. I look forward to meeting and greeting you whenever you visit us in our offices in New York.  Return

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