To encourage teenagers to enter and stay with the hobby, the Professional
Coin Grading Service (PCGS) again will offer a $5,000 college scholarship as
top prize in its third annual numismatic essay contest.
The grand prize also includes an expense-paid trip for the winner and a
parent or guardian to the American Numismatic Association’s 107th anniversary
convention in Portland, Oregon this summer. Two runners up in the nationwide
essay competition each will receive $500 college scholarships from PCGS, the
world’s largest rare coin authentication and grading service.
The contest is open to high school students. Participants will choose their
essay topic from one of three numismatic subjects. Entries must be received
by PCGS by June 1, 1998.
"Because young collectors are the lifeblood of the numismatic
marketplace, we must continue to encourage young people to participate in a
hobby that is good for both students and the future of the hobby," said
David Hall, PCGS Chief Executive Officer.
This is the third year PCGS is conducting an essay contest with a $5,000 top
prize. Last year’s winner, 18 year old Jeremy Haag of Marrero, Louisiana,
wrote a composition entitled, "American Wartime Coinage."
Information about this year’s essay contest will be publicized in
advertisements in various hobby publications, press releases to scholastic and
education publications and letters from Hall to ANA member clubs across the
country.
"We also are urging all 900 PCGS authorized dealers to do everything they can
to encourage young collectors. The scholarship program is one way to do it,"
Hall explained.
Interested high school students should submit a typewritten essay of five to
ten pages on one of the following topics:
- The history of the rare coin market or any part of that history.
- Any individual United States coin series.
- A coin variety or group of coin varieties.
Judges for the essay contest will include well-known numismatists Hall,
John Dannreuther and Q. David Bowers. Winners are selected at the sole
discretion of PCGS and the judges. Employees and family members of employees
of PCGS or its related companies are excluded from participation.
Entries must be received by June 1, 1998 and should be sent to:
PCGS Essay Contest, P.O. Box 9458, Newport Beach, CA 92658.
For additional information call Lisa Manley at PCGS at
800-447-8848.
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