Omaha Coin Club

The Omaha Coin Club was organized in Omaha, Nebraska on Sunday, May 6, 1934, at the home of Mr. Nelson T. Thorson. Since its organization the club has met monthly at a variety of locations. The first regular meeting was held June 1, 1934, in the Byron Reed Collection Room of the Omaha Public Library.

The charter members of the Omaha Coin Club, all but one which were present on the date of organization are: V.H. Rathsack, A.G. Blaufuss, Orris E. Bradford, J.P. Cleland, J.A. Danielson, A.P. Ford, W.F. Hendricks, Kenneth L. Hunt, Stanley J. Mead, H.S. Olds, A.J. Pierson, H.H. Smith and James L. Way. Mr. Danielson was not present.

On July 1, 1934, the Omaha Coin Club became a regular corporate member of the American Numismatic Association (Membership number 4508) and was admitted to Life Membership September 1, 1935 (Life Membership number 36). In February 1973, the A.N.A. notified the club that it had changed the Life Membership number to Club Life Member number 0005. In July 1984, the club became a Life Member of the Central States Numismatic Society (Life Membership number 343).

Three members of the Omaha Coin Club have held the position of Presodent of the American Numismatic Association; Nelson T. Thorson, 1933; Lloyd B. Gettys, 1947; and Dr. J. Hewitt Judd, 195. Nelson T. Thorson served as an A.N.A. Board Chairman from 1929-1932. Dr. J. Hewitt Judd received the A.N.A. Medal of Merit Award in 1949, the Howland Wood Award in 1952 and the Farran Zerbe Award in 1955. Loyd B. Gettys and Aubrey E. Bebee received the A.N.A. Medal of Merit Award in 1951 and 1969 respectively. In 1983, Aubrey E.. Bebee became a Fellow of the American Numismatic Society. Leonard M. Owen has authored several articles on Nebraska broken bank notes and has served as a member of the Board of Governors of the Central States Numismatic Society since 1978.

The club has been engaged in numismatic activities from its inception. It was the first club in the nation to endorse the Heart of America Numismatic Association's resolution in 1934, condemning the method by which commemorative half-dollars were distributed and was active in supporting action opposing President Roosevelt's Bill to discontinue the minting of commemorative half-dollars.

In 1965, Omaha was tentatively chosen as the location for the headquarters of the American Numismatic Association. Representatives of the Omaha Coin Club, Chamber of Commerce, Joslyn Liberal Arts Society, Boystown Philamatic Center and the Byron Reed heirs cooperated in presenting Omaha as a suitable home for the A.N.A. Subsequent events in Omaha resulted in Colorado Springs, Colorado being selected as the location of the A.N.A. headquarters.

When the City of Omaha attempted to sell the Byron Reed Collection in 1972, the club organized a front organization (The Byron Reed Historical Society) and lobbied effectively to prevent its sale.

In 1947, the club acted as host to the Iowa numismatic Association and in 1955 hosted the American Numismatic Association's 64th Annual Convention. Additionally, the club hosted the following Nebraska Numismatic Association Conventions: 2nd, 1957; 4th, 1959; 14th, 1969; and 19th, 1974. The club sponsored its own show on November 12-13, 1960 and has since that time made this an annual event.

As would be expected, the club's Constitution and By-Laws have gone through numerous revisions. During the 50 year existence of the club only two members have ever been expelled. Club members are expected to maintain high standards.

The club has conducted many projects over the years. Medals have been issued to commemorate its 25th and 50th anniversaries, as well as the Nebraska Centennial in 1967. A founder's medal, present to the club by Mrs. Wren Culkin in 1967, is awarded periodically to a club member that has shown exemplary service to the club. This award has been presented only six times since 1968. "The Coin Club Newsletter" is issued monthly and serves to provide members with up-to-date club news, dates of area coin shows and other numismatic information. Paid advertising by local and area dealers supports publication.

Throughout its existence the club and its members have dealt with adversity and change, the good times and the bad. It is a credit to the membership of the past that changes and adversity were met and overcome. It will be a challenge to future members to insure that the Omaha Coin Club survives and continues to grow.

Each member of the club should occasionally read and contemplate the object of the club as stated in Article II of the Constitution. Article II essentially states that the object and purpose of the club shall be to encourage and promote study and interest in the science of numismatics and cultivate friendly relations among collectors, students and dealers, that the club exists for the educational and social benefit of its members. These concepts form the cement of a shared interest which will insure the club's survival.



	The Omaha Coin Club was organized in Omaha, Nebraska on Sunday, May 6, 1934, at the home of Mr. Nelson T. Thorson. Since its organization the club has met monthly at a variety of locations. The first regular meeting was held June 1, 1934, in the Byron Reed Collection Room of the Omaha Public Library. The charter members of the Omaha Coin Club, all but one which were present on the date of organization are: V.H. Rathsack, A.G. Blaufuss, Orris E. Bradford, J.P. Cleland, J.A. Danielson, A.P. Ford, W.F. Hendricks, Kenneth L. Hunt, Stanley J. Mead, H.S. Olds, A.J. Pierson, H.H. Smith and James L. Way. Mr. Danielson was not present. On July 1, 1934, the Omaha Coin Club became a regular corporate member of the American Numismatic Association (Membership number 4508) and was admitted to Life Membership September 1, 1935 (Life Membership number 36). In February 1973, the A.N.A. notified the club that it had changed the Life Membership number to Club Life Member number 0005. In July 1984, the club became a Life Member of the Central States Numismatic Society (Life Membership number 343). Three members of the Omaha Coin Club have held the position of Presodent of the American Numismatic Association; Nelson T. Thorson, 1933; Lloyd B. Gettys, 1947; and Dr. J. Hewitt Judd, 195. Nelson T. Thorson served as an A.N.A. Board Chairman from 1929-1932. Dr. J. Hewitt Judd received the A.N.A. Medal of Merit Award in 1949, the Howland Wood Award in 1952 and the Farran Zerbe Award in 1955. Loyd B. Gettys and Aubrey E. Bebee received the A.N.A. Medal of Merit Award in 1951 and 1969 respectively. In 1983, Aubrey E.. Bebee became a Fellow of the American Numismatic Society. Leonard M. Owen has authored several articles on Nebraska broken bank notes and has served as a member of the Board of Governors of the Central States Numismatic Society since 1978. The club has been engaged in numismatic activities from its inception. It was the first club in the nation to endorse the Heart of America Numismatic Association's resolution in 1934, condemning the method by which commemorative half-dollars were distributed and was active in supporting action opposing President Roosevelt's Bill to discontinue the minting of commemorative half-dollars. In 1965, Omaha was tentatively chosen as the location for the headquarters of the American Numismatic Association. Representatives of the Omaha Coin Club, Chamber of Commerce, Joslyn Liberal Arts Society, Boystown Philamatic Center and the Byron Reed heirs cooperated in presenting Omaha as a suitable home for the A.N.A. Subsequent events in Omaha resulted in Colorado Springs, Colorado being selected as the location of the A.N.A. headquarters. When the City of Omaha attempted to sell the Byron Reed Collection in 1972, the club organized a front organization (The Byron Reed Historical Society) and lobbied effectively to prevent its sale. In 1947, the club acted as host to the Iowa numismatic Association and in 1955 hosted the American Numismatic Association's 64th Annual Convention. Additionally, the club hosted the following Nebraska Numismatic Association Conventions: 2nd, 1957; 4th, 1959; 14th, 1969; and 19th, 1974. The club sponsored its own show on November 12-13, 1960 and has since that time made this an annual event. As would be expected, the club's Constitution and By-Laws have gone through numerous revisions. During the 50 year existence of the club only two members have ever been expelled. Club members are expected to maintain high standards. The club has conducted many projects over the years. Medals have been issued to commemorate its 25th and 50th anniversaries, as well as the Nebraska Centennial in 1967. A founder's medal, present to the club by Mrs. Wren Culkin in 1967, is awarded periodically to a club member that has shown exemplary service to the club. This award has been presented only six times since 1968. "The Coin Club Newsletter" is issued monthly and serves to provide members with up-to-date club news, dates of area coin shows and other numismatic information. Paid advertising by local and area dealers supports publication. Throughout its existence the club and its members have dealt with adversity and change, the good times and the bad. It is a credit to the membership of the past that changes and adversity were met and overcome. It will be a challenge to future members to insure that the Omaha Coin Club survives and continues to grow. Each member of the club should occasionally read and contemplate the object of the club as stated in Article II of the Constitution. Article II essentially states that the object and purpose of the club shall be to encourage and promote study and interest in the science of numismatics and cultivate friendly relations among collectors, students and dealers, that the club exists for the educational and social benefit of its members. These concepts form the cement of a shared interest which will insure the club's survival.


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