COMPLETE HOLIDAY COIN Gift Guide

EVERYTHING FOR THE 2020-2021 SEASON

- JOSHUA MCMORROW-HERN ANDEZ

YO HO HO HO… And a bottle of rum? While you might prefer a hard drink after this long and winding year, it’s finally time for some cheery ho-ho-ho-ing as we an at the holiday season and the long-awaited end of the 2020 calendar.

And while they often say there isn’t a Santa Claus in numismatics, there’s some good news for proverbial Virginia: Yes, there is indeed a Santa Claus. And that Santa Claus can be you. While you may not have the time and resources to shower glad tidings upon all the good coin collectors around the world, you can at least spread numismatic cheer to your family and friends… even the naughtier one if you care. But take note: A silver bar generally costlier than a lump of coal.

Playing Santa Claus is nothing new for many numismatists. Even the late, great Ed Reiter, the longtime former Senior Editor of COINage, whose personality was larger than life, once emceed a Numismatic Literary Guild awards bash playing none other than “Anthony Claus.” It was all in good fun, a holly jolly parody skit in which he paid satirical homage to the witty commemorative coin expert and hobby personality (and his dear friend) Anthony J. Swiatek. But seriously, y o t need to don a red Santa Claussto give the gift of numismatic light t those on your gift-giving list. Not that it wouldn’t help, of course!

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, or Festivus, the mid-winter holidays will be taking on a new look this year. Staying at home, minimizing bricks-and-mortar shopping, and avoiding crowds in light of the pandemic may be the only way we experience the holidays I the year due to COVID-19. Even the I e-honored family traditions of gathering around the table for holiday dinners or airing grievances around the aluminum Festivus pole may be most safely done this year through video conferencing.