1939 TWENTY FIFTH ANNIVERSARY 1964

CEDAR RAPIDS COIN CLUB

HISTORY OF

 

 

The Cedar Rapids Coin Club was founded in 1939 when the meeting was called to order by Arthur E Washburn. This was the first organized meeting of Coin Collectors to organize a Coin Club and was held at the YMCA. on October 23, 1939. Acting committees appointed at this first meeting were as follows:

 

Arthur E. Washburn, Chairman

L. H. Alexander, Secretary and Publicity Chairman

Royal Holbrook, By-Laws

A.  W. Jenista, Chairman of Applications

Gilbert W. Borschel and Ray Harmon, Investigating Committee

Frank Gorup, Royal Holbrook, and A. W. Jenista, Board of Directors

Frank Gorup, Treasurer

 

 

On October 31, 1939, at the Montrose Hotel, a second meeting was called by acting President Arthur E. Washburn.

 

At this meeting Charlie Marsden was appointed Club Librarian and Gilbert

W. Borsche1 was named Assistant Librarian.

 

At this meeting a coin exhibit was being planned for December 3rd in conjunction with the Cedar Rapids Stamp Club.

 

A ladies night meeting was also planned for the November 14th meeting.

 

 

Then on November 14 1939 an organization meeting was held. Drawn up were Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, these were accepted by a unanimous vote of those present.

 

 

On November 28, 1939 in a meeting in the Corn Room of the Montrose Hotel Arthur E. Washburn, acting as chairman conducted the Election of Officers and the First Officers of the Cedar Rapids Club elected  were as follows:

President - Frank E. Gorup

Vice President - Earle Waite

Sec and Tres - Hellene Alexander

 

Plans were then formulated for the first show. It was agreed that on December 2nd and 3rd that the Cedar Rapids Coin Club would join as co-host

                                                      with the Cedar Rapids Stamp Club in their 8th Annual Banquet Exhibition and

Bourse at the Montrose Hotel. Attending this show were the Coin Clubs from Waterloo, Burlington, Muscatine, Independence and others from this territory.

 

There were 39 Charter Members (these names were compiled from a scrap book which was not complete) and are as follows:

1. Arthur E. Washburn - Steward and Program Chairman

2. Helene Alexander - Sec-Tres and Local Publicity

3. Gilbert T. Borschel - National Publicity and Asst. Librarian

4. Frank E. Gorup - First President

5. Arthur Ray Harmon - Membership Chairman

6. Royal H Holbrook - By-Laws and Steward

7. Adolph W. Jenista - Steward aid Expertizer

8. Chas H Marsden - Librarian

9. Rudolph Abraham

10. R. 0. Bodell

11. Walter P. Bohler

12. George Beem

13. Harry X. Boosel

14. C. E. Briggs

15. Floyd P. Brant

16. Corn Belt Coin Club, Waterloo

17. Mrs. John Culbreth

18. Lewis K. Ferguson

19. John Flerder

20. Walter Raynes

21. Roy Jackrnan - Exhibition Co-Chairman

22. Fred Jewell - Membership Co-Chairman

23. Arthur M Kagin

24. Milo J. Kouba -  Sergeant at arms

25. Mrs. B. K. MacGaw

26. Lola Mann

27. L. 0. Maring

28. Henry R. Peters - Membership Co-Chairman

29. Raymond Rieck - Official Host Show

30. A. 0. Reinhardt

31. M. Vernon Sheldon

32. Robert H. Snodgrass

33. Robert B. Stahl - Program Chairman

34. Dr. Howard W. Staves

35. Earle Waite - Vice President

36. Fred Wentz

37. E. H. Wilhelm

38. Harry E. Winn - Exhibition Chairman

39. A. O. Zahradnik

 

List of Prize Winners from the First Cedar Rapids Coin Club Show held on December 3rd 1939 with the Cedar Rapids Stamp Club were as follows:

 

U. S. Mixed Award

            1st        Oliver Schulte, Waterloo

            2nd       M. O’Conner, Waterloo

            3rd       Frank E. Gorup, C. R.

 

U. S. Minor Award Paper Currency

            1st        F. C. Schiel, Waterloo

            2nd       Frank E. Gorup, C. R.

            3rd       Earle Waite, C. R.

 

Paper Currency

            1st        A. W. Jenista, C. R.

            2nd       Fred Jewel, C. R.

            3rd       Oliver Schulte, Waterloo

 

Roman Lettered Rudolph Abraham, C. R.

 

Oriental

            1st        George Emery, Independence

            2nd       Ray Harmon

 

U. S. Gold

            1st        Frank E. Gorup, C.R.

            2nd       Oscar Schulte, Waterloo

 

Foreign General

            1st        George Emery, Independence

            2nd       Rudolph Abraham, C. R.

 

Judges were:     Walter P. Hohler, Ames, Iowa

                        Clarence Hahn, Muscatine, Iowa

                        Fred C Schiel, Waterloo Iowa

 

The Auctioneer for the Show was Clarence Hahn of Muscatine and tellers were L. W. Marig, Frank E. Gorup and Fred C. Schiel of Waterloo.

 

 

Meanwhile, the Cedar Rapids Coin Club was being formulated in Cedar Rapids, over at Des Moines, Iowa the scene of the 1938 State Convention of the Iowa Numismatic Association recognized 3 Cedar Rapids A.N.A. members for being long time members.

 

They were Charles Briggs, #307 who became a member in May 1901 at the age of 42. Burton H. Saxton, #907 who became a member in September 1907 at the age of 31. Both men were sponsored by Dr. Heath, the founder of A.N. A. And Bert Gillham, #1369, became a member in 1910, sponsored by Max Mehl.

 

 

On March 31, 1940, a Banquet and Exhibition was held in the Crystal Room at the Montrose Hotel with the Cedar Rapids Stamp Club. This coincided with the National Coin Week, March 30 thru April 6th. An Auction followed the banquet.

 

 

June 2, 1940, the Corn Belt Coin Club of Waterloo extended an invitation to members of the Cedar Rapids Coin Club to meet at Marings Cottage on the Cedar River near the Old Oken Bucket, half a mile north of Cedar Falls on Highway 218. A Pot Luck dinner was served.

 

 

On November 17, 1940, a Sunday the 9th Annual Stamp and Coin Exhibit was held. A Junior Competition for the 4 high Schools in Cedar Rapids, was the highlight of this show. Judges were M. J. Oilman of Des Moines, H. S. Sarsen of Dubuque and Harry E Winn of Cedar Rapids.

 

 

In the spring of 1941 the Cedar Rapids Club was chosen to supervise the organization of a new chapter in the river city of Dubuque. In the discussion plan, local Officers will be assigned to various stations until Officers of the new chapter are chosen.

 

 

An Exhibit aid Banquet of Stamps and Coins was held on June 22 1941.

 

 

Cedar Rapids hosted the Iowa Numismatic Association when the Cedar Rapids Coin Club with the Cedar Rapids Stamp Club participating, on October 18, 19, 1941. Bourse tables cost $5 for an 8 foot table.

 

 

March 29, 1942 the Cedar Rapids Stamp Club with the Cedar Rapids Coin Club held a Banquet and Exhibit.

 

 

The INA Meeting aid Convention was held in Cedar Rapids on May 20, 21, 1944 at the Roosevelt Hotel with displays valued at over $400,000. Principal speaker at this Banquet was nationally known Hans M. F. Scbulman of New York City.

 

The first mention of Burton Sexton, the Editor of the Numismatist, which is the official magazine of the ANA, was noted.

 

State Officers at the 1944 Show in Cedar Rapids were President Milton A. Radke of Des Moines, 1st Vice President Lloyd Gettys of Davenport and 2nd Vice President C. David Pierce, of Ottumwa and Lester S. Wright of Davenport representing eastern Iowa and Secretary-Treasurer. About 20 members of the Chicago Club attended as well as members from Waterloo, Des Moines, and Dubuque.

 

 

At this meeting Lloyd Getty of Davenport was elected President of INA to succeed Milton A. Radke of Des Moines who is retiring. The other Officers were retained respectfully.

 

Also attending the 1944 INA in Cedar Rapids were Lewis Regan of Brooklyn, Henry Reprista and R. S. Yeoman of Racine, Wisconsin. Max Mehl of Fort Worth, Texas and James Kelly of Dayton, Ohio, all Prominent Numismatists.

 

Two important Resolutions came out of this Convention: The first was the INA would work for a Commemorative Silver Dollar for the 1946 Iowa Centennial, and the second was that they would make every effort to secure the 1946 American Numismatic Association Convention site here in Iowa.

 

 

In January of’ 1947 the Iowa Commemorative Half Dollars were coming out at this time and caused a furor amongst Numismatists outside the great state of Iowa when they were placed on sale at $2.50 for Iowans thru the banks and only about 5,000 to the out of staters at $3.00 each, with a. total issue of 100,057 pieces minted.

 

The Iowa Centennial Half Dollar commemorated the One Hundredth Anniversary of Iowa’s Statehood, was designed by Adam Pietz of Philadelphia. The obverse shows the Iowa State seal and the reverse has the first state capitol building at Iowa City. The entire issue was disposed of in a few weeks.

 

         On March 2, 1947, the Cedar Rapids Coin Club with the Cedar Rapids Stamp Club in conjunction with the Iowa City Club put on a Fraternal Exhibition and Dinner. The Iowa City Club President was Edward Barton, Vice President was Dr. E. M. MacEwen and SecTres was Leo W. Sweeney.

 

 

On October 12, 1947 the Cedar Rapids Club adopted its emblem, created by Member Charles Bartman then Vice President of the local club. It is emblematic of the heraldic eagle, characteristic of United States Coinage surmounting a scroll with the word IOWA engraved on it.

 

 

President Robert Stahl of the Cedar Rapids Coin and Cedar Rapids Stamp Clubs extended a bid for the 1950 Fall Convention and Show of the INA which was accepted and held in Cedar Rapids in conjunction with the Cedar Rapids Stamp Club and was called Mid-Century Stamp and Coin Exhibition.

 

 

In 1951 James F. Cowden of Cedar Rapids was named a Director of the INA. He is a widely known coin and stamp collector.

 

The 1955 Fall Meeting of the INA was held in Cedar Rapids and noted the 15th year for INA. Gold lapel pins were presented former Presidents. This meeting started a successful Membership Drive for new members for INA and was pushed thru the combined efforts of outgoing President Elmer Laurent and the new president Burton H. Saxton of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

 

 

An out of town Coin Club meeting was held May 12, 1954, featuring a surprise picnic supper when members of the Cedar Rapids Coin Club met in Mechanicsville, Iowa honored Mrs. John Culbreth, a charter and Life Member of the Cedar Rapids Club, who was also secretary and Treasurer for the Club several years.

 

The Wendy Cakes Supper Club was the scene of the Coin and Stamp Club Christmas Party on December 15, 1954. Gifts were exchanged which carried a C for Coin and S for Stamps and L for Lady and M for Man and Santa Claus distributed these gifts.

 

In 1954 James F. Cowden of Cedar Rapids was elected Vice-President of INA and Burton H. Sexton of Cedar Rapids elected President of INA. Burton became the Advertising Manager of the Numismatic Magazine about this same time.

 

In December of 1955 another combined Christmas Party was held at the YMCA Keen-Teen-Room with the 2 Clubs Coin and Stamp joining together for a dinner. Door prizes and a special film of interest to all collectors were shown.

 

At the November 1955 Convention held in Des Moines, Iowa, the INA reelected James Cowden Vice-President and Burton H. Sexton President of INA.

 

The First out of door meeting was held with a get-together with the Stamp and Coin Clubs at a Dutch Lunch in Ellis Park River Pavilion on Sunday, June 17, 1956.

 

In September of 1956 the Stamp and Coin Clubs staged a Philamatic Show at the YMCA, over 100 frames of coins and stamps were placed on display. Burton H. Saxton and Milton Heitman of Marengo won first place in coin and stamps divisions, respectfully. Sexton’s coins were a display of English Crown pieces issued since 1551. Heitman’s stamps were stamped covers with old time advertising and other illustrations from A to Z.

 

In 1958 on September 15th Burton H. Sexton, nationally known as a coin collector died of a heart attack in Los Angeles, California, while attending a Numismatic Convention. He was serving as the Advertising Manager of the Numismatist Magazine, the national news organ of the ANA. He was a former Secretary Treasurer and President of the INA and the C. R. Coin Club. His specialties in coin collecting were ancient coins, covering 400 years of Great Britain’s History down to Elizabeth 2 and Medalic Art including coins far predating the birth of Christ. Burton also had an extensive Library of Books on coins and was noted that he could find the answer on Numismatics if you asked him as he was always of assistance to the coin hobbyist.

 

On September 10 1961 the Coin Club sponsored the first 2 day Coin Show at the Sheraton—Montrose Hotel. Featured was Col. Ray Janusick of Lostant, Illinois as the Auctioneer. Show Chairman was Joseph C. Schindler.

 

In 1962 on September 8th and 9th the second successful Coin Show was held.

There were 2 Auctioneers featured, Shan Campbell of Fairfield, Iowa aid Col. Ray Janusick of Lostant, Illinois. General Chairman of this show was Joseph C. Schindler.

 

Again in 1963 on September 7th and 8th, Vice-President James R. Maupin was General Chairman of the 3rd Successful 2 Day Coin Show which was held at the Sheraton-Montrose with Col. Ray Jariusick of Lostant, Illinois, Auctioneer.

 

0FFICERS OF THE CEDAR RAPIDS COIN CLUB

 

TWENTY FIFTH ANIVERSARY

1938 Thru 1964

1939

Pres. Frank E. Gorup

V.Pres. Earle Waite

SecTres Hennene Alexander

Board of Stewards Arthur E. Washburn, Royal H. Holbrook and J. W. Jenista

Librarian Charles H. Marsden

 

1940

Pres. Earle Waite

V.Pres. Robert B. Stahl

SecTres Mrs.  John Culbreth

Sgt at Arms Milo J. Kouba

Librarian Chas. H. Marsden

 

1941

Pres.  Arthur Ray Harmon

V.Pres. Milo J Kouba

SecTres Mrs. John Culbreth

Sgt at Arms Roy Jackman

Librarian Charles H. Marsden

Board of Stewards Frank E. Gorup, A. W. Jenista and Robert B. Stahl

 

1942

Pres. Arthur Ray Harmon

V.Pres. Milo J. Kouba

SecTres Mrs.  John Culbreth

 

1943

Pres. Arthur Ray Harmon

V.Pres.

SecTres Louis E. Strochota

 

1944

Pres. Arthur Ray Harmon

V.Pres. H. L. Walkup

SecTres Louis E. Strochota

Directors Mrs. John Culbreth, Robert B. Stahl, and James F.  Cowden

 

1945

SecTres C. O. Boatman

 

1946

Pros. Robert B. Stahl

SecTres Charles O.  Boatman

 

1947

Pres. Glenn Webster

V.Pres. Robert B. Stahl

SecTres Charles O. Boatman

 

1948

Pres.  Arthur Ray Harmon

V.Pres. Charles Bartman

SecTres Wm. E. Harmon

Directors Burton Saxton and James F. Cowden

 

1949

 

1950

SecTres Edith S. Stahl

 

1951

Pres. Burton H. Saxton

V.   Pres. James F. Cowden

SecTres Edith S. Stahl

Board Members Peter Funcke and Mrs. John Culbreth

 

1952

Pres. Burton H Sexton

V.   Pres James F Cowden

SecTres Edith S. Stahl

Board Members Peter Funcke and Mrs.  John Culbreth

 

1953

Pres. Burton H. Saxton

V.Pres. James F. Cowden

SecTres Gilbert T. French

Board Members Mrs. Bessie M. Culbreth and Mrs. Marie Smith

 

1954

Pres. Gilbert T. French

V.Pres. William J. Dougherty

SecTres Leo R. Sears

Board Member Burton H. Saxton

 

1955

Pres. Gilbert T. French

V.Pres. William J. Dougherty

SecTres Leo R. Sears

Board Member Burton H. Saxton

 

 

1956

Pres. Gilbert T. French

V.Pres. William J. Dougherty

SecTres Leo R. Sears

 

1957

Pres. Joseph A. Marshek

V.Pres. Dr. Earl M. Eaton

SecTres Leo R. Sears

Board Members Gilbert T. French and Robert B.  Stahl

 

1958

Pres. Joseph A. Marshek

V.Pres. Ralph E. Wilson, Atkins

SecTres Leo R. Sears

Board Members Mary K. Wilson, and Joseph A. Schindler

 

1959

Pres. Joseph A. Marshek

V.Pres, Ralph E. Wilson

SecTres Leo R. Sears

Directors Joseph Schindler and Mrs. Ralph E. Wilson

 

1960

Pres. Joseph A. Marshek

V.Pres. Joseph C. Schindler

SecTres Leo R. Sears

Directors Ralph E. Wilson and Vearl F. Brumwell

 

1963

Pres. Joseph A. Marshek

V.Pres.  Joseph C. Schindler

SecTres Leo R. Sears

Board Members Arthur O. Reinhardt and Ralph E.  Wilson

 

1962

Pres. Joseph A. Marshek

V.Pres. Joseph C. Schindler  -  Show Chairman

Sec Leo R. Sears

Tres James E.  Reed

Board Members Arthur O. Reinhardt and Ralph E. Wilson - Lawrence Finch

 

1963

Pres. George E. Finn, Marion, Ia

V.Pres.  James R. Maupin         -  Show Chairman

Sec Leo R. Sears

Tres James E. Reed

Board Members Joseph A. Marshek, Lawrence Finch and Clifford C. Lyon

 

1964

Pres. Joseph A. Marshek

V.Pres. Kenneth L. Korp

Sec Leo R. Sears

Tres James E. Reed

Board Members George E. Finn, William J. Dougherty and Clifford C. Lyon

Show Chairman Joseph C. Schindler

 

1965

Pres. Burton H. Sexton

V.Pres. Wes D. Kendall

Sec Leo R. Sears

Tres James E. Reed

Board Members Joe Marshek, William J. Dougherty and Robert Fandry

 

1966

Pres. Truman J. Ramsell

V.Pres. Wes Kendall

Sec Leo R. Sears

Tres James E. Reed

Board Members Joe Marshek, William J. Dougherty and Robert Fandry

 

1967

Pres. Oscar Engstrom

V.Pres. Albert B. Hansen

Sec Leo R. Sears

Tres Stanley Miller