Mid-American

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July 29th — August 3rd

ANA Convention

Baltimore Convention Center

Member of

Member # 329
Since 1982

PNG

Life Member # 3124
Since 1976

ANA

Member # 1682

ANS

Life Member 472

FUNS

Life Member # 379

CentralStates

Co-Founder

SGS

Founder

Bluegrass

Gold & Silver Prices

Mid American Rare Coin Gallery - America's Gold Specialist

Welcome to Mid-American Rare Coin Galleries, Inc. America's rare coin resource for over 30 years. Mid-American offers the finest quality coins with the utmost in expertise and experience. Our president, Jeff Garrett has handled nearly every United States issue and his knowledge of rare coins is considered among the best in the industry. Let our company work for you to locate that rare coin you have been looking for at the best possible price. If you have any questions, please call us toll free at 1-877-836-0833.

Serving Lexington, KY and the nation for 30 years!

Mentors Make the Difference

Jeff Garrett and his daughter, Morgan, during the ANA's anniversary convention in Denver in August. Her parents named her after the Morgan dollar... and yes, she enjoys sharing the hobby with her dad.

Jeff Garrett fondly remembers two fellow club members and a man in a white suit.

[Colorado Springs Co] As a young numismatist in the early 1970s, Jeff Garrett could have chosen any number of life's paths. But two mentors and an icon in a white suit gave him inspiration, and the ANA provided a destination.

Garrett, who founded Mid-American Rare Coin Galleries in 1984, is ANA life member #3124, president of the Professional Numismatists Guild, co-author of 100 Greatest U.S. Coins, and winner of some of the hobby's most prestigious awards.

It was Florida numismatists Ed French and Jeff Means who took Garrett under their wings. Garrett was a junior officer of the Clearwater Coin Club and active in other groups. But getting to meetings was a problem, as his father often was away on business and his mother didn't drive.

"These guys would pick me up and take me to coin club meetings, and afterward we'd go to Denny's and talk about coins and other things," Garrett says. "I became super engrossed in the hobby."

Means and French rewarded Garrett's interest in 1974 by taking him to the ANA convention in Miami. "It was an awe-inspiring experience," Garrett recalls. "I have one vivid memory: (numismatic legend) Abe Kosoff was there in a white suit with two suitcases. In one was a Syracuse decadrachm, in the other, a 1907 Ultra High Relief double eagle. And all I remember is seeing this guy standing there holding court with his two coins."

The same year, Garrett took his first plane ride-- to Colorado Springs, where he attended the ANA Summer Seminar on a scholarship. There was no turning back. Garrett has attended every ANA convention since being captivated by the man in the white suit. He has shown unwavering support for the Association and its efforts to get the next generation of numismatists involved in the hobby and its traditions, stories and camaraderie.

Now, Garrett is using the lessons he learned from French and Means to inspire other young numismatists. He started the Bluegrass Coin Club in hopes of bolstering the hobby he loves, but admits it's a struggle getting kids interested.

"So many things compete for their attention," he says. "The key element is one-on-one mentoring. I think clubs are very important and belonging to the ANA is the proper first stem for anyone who is interested in coins."

For years, Garrett has generously supported ANA fund development efforts. "Giving back to the hobby is critical for the future of numismatics," he says. "We all enjoy the labors of those who have come before us, (but) sometimes we take for granted the many opportunities we have to enjoy the hobby we love so much. The ANA has been the leading collector organization since I began my interest in coins over 35 years ago. I am sure we all want the ANA to be strong and vibrant for future generations."

This article appeared in the December 2006 edition of Numismatist magazine.