We come together as numismatists, bound by a common love for the collection of valuables. These artifacts have shaped the world’s cultures since the dawn of man, and they continue to do so today. Coins, medallions and notes are collected by us for their monetary worth, for their embodied wealth of historical and cultural information, and for their sheer beauty.
We need to exist in a secure place. As pragmatic and even anti-social as it may sound, it is a simple fact. The one bad apple that would steal from a collection necessitates the need for security procedures for all. However, once inside a safe haven, in the presence of only other trusted citizens, collections will be opened up, discussed and enjoyed.
We are intellectuals and historians. We want to know about the times and the intentions that went into the creation of these coins. We are archeologists. We are PhD students, Doctors and Professors of this highly selective field. We are bibliophiles – our library of books about coins numbers over 100,000. We appreciate the beauty of the object, the art of the design. We will spend what we must to attain these treasures.
Some would say that numismatists are wealthy on average (I would have to agree). Some would say that we are proper and old-fashioned in our mannerisms (I call it civility). Some say that we are private and exclusive, and that we have secret meetings in undisclosed and mysterious locations (once again, not untrue).
Sterling; something either made of silver or something thoroughly excellent – in this case both. Enclave; a place completely set apart from the surroundings, both mentally and physically. A sterling enclave indeed.
