“The United States Mint Invites you to attend…”
Wait a minute. Did you say The United States Mint? These were our thoughts too when this particular invitation came across our CEO’s desk, but if we could, let’s finish that official invite.
“....the 2019 Numismatic Forum.”
For the fourth year in a row, the U.S. Mint hosted members of the numismatic community to this invite-only event geared towards strengthening their relationships with said members while working towards “reinvigorating the coin collecting hobby.” Taking place in late October at the Federal Reserve Bank in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Andy and Brock jumped at the chance to soak up this informative event while taking part in the critical dialogue needed to move the business further.
Speakers included none other than the Director of the United States Mint, David J. Ryder, and the 13th Chief Engraver, Joseph Menna. With a jam-packed schedule that included a trip to the Philadelphia Mint, agenda items featured U.S. Mint Leadership Change and Challenge, Mint and Bulk Program Updates, U.S. Mint Service and Functionality Improvements, Break out discussions, Educational presentations, and Exclusive sneak peeks including the San Francisco American Eagle One Ounce Silver Enhanced Reverse Proof Coin.
While taking a number of notes throughout the entire forum, Andy was able to speak directly one-on-one with the current chief engraver.
“We had a quick conversation but I think I surprised him when I told him he was a huge talking point for our show,” Andy said. “I told him I bring him and John Mercanti and a number of others up all the time when we have certain items on the show. He didn’t really know what to think and was taken back that he would be mentioned. That, in turn, surprised me.”
Aside from the quick conversation, Joe Menna also gave a presentation that talked about his background and how he came to be in this new position.
“He talked about Frank Gasparro and how influential he was especially during his post-graduate studies overseas,” Andy stated. “A huge influence to him obviously as well was his mentor and 12th Chief Engraver, John Mercanti. He talked about how he looked up to him but that Mercanti couldn’t have been a tougher person on him. All this was before Mercanti was even named chief engraver. Joe talked about the story when he finally asked Mercanti what was going on with him and why he was so hard on him and Mercanti told him, “Joe, one day you’re going to be chief engraver.” Joe continued on saying that when he was appointed the chief engraver position, he called John up and he couldn’t have been happier for him.”
In addition to a stroll down to the Philadelphia Mint, an address from the 13th Chief Engraver, and a number of other break out sessions regarding how the Mint operates and other educational conversations, Director Ryder also talked about some new things coming from the Mint.
“He talked about the colorizing of coins, particularly the new basketball commemorative coming out next year,” Andy said. “He also talked about more collaborations with other world Mints based on the success of the collaboration they did with the Royal Canadian Mint and the Pride of Two Nations sets. It looks like there are definitely going to be some new and interesting things coming our way in the next couple of years.”