Grant Shobar, 17, of Laguna Niguel, California is the winner of the 13th annual Professional Numismatists Guild’s Young Numismatist Scholarship competition.
Courtesy of PNG, Grant can now attend one of the two-week-long 2017 ANA Summer Seminar sessions (www.money.org/summer-seminar) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. PNG will cover the costs of airfare, meals, tuition, and dormitory accommodations.
Grant started collecting coins five years ago, according to PNG, and will be a senior this fall at Dana Hills High School in Dana Point, California. He started the Numismaniacs Coin Club at the school during his freshman year.
"My passion for coin collecting never ends, and every hour I spend, whether organizing or analyzing a coin I am interested in buying, flies by and I enjoy every moment of it," Grant explained. "I was so thrilled when I learned that I won this year’s scholarship.
Grant’s trip to the ANA Summer Seminars will not be his first. He also attended sessions in the past two years.
"It definitely brings collecting to a whole new level. This scholarship will help me expand my interest in the hobby and collecting," said Shobar.
This year he wants to take the class on Seated Liberty coinage.
Grant also has written articles for various hobby publications, including the ANA’s magazine, The Numismatist, and enjoys attending the Long Beach Coin, Currency, Stamp & Sports Collectible Show.
His parents, Mark and Cathy Shobar, and his sister, Hayleigh, have been delighted with Grant’s enthusiasm for collecting.
"He literally lives and breathes coins; that’s all he talks about. He’s so passionate about the hobby. His sister loves to listen to Grant talk about coins. He teaches us all," said Cathy Shobar.
"I think this scholarship is a great opportunity for kids, a win-win for parents and their children. Not only are they learning about coins, a very valuable hobby, it teaches them more about many other topics. We’re very blessed that he has such a passion for coins," she added.
Money for the scholarship is provided by PNG’s Gerald Bauman Memorial Fund. Bauman, who died in 2001, was an active and prominent coin dealer for many years with Manfra, Tordella & Brookes in New York City.
The Professional Numismatists Guild is a nonprofit organization composed of many of the top rare coin and paper money dealers in the U.S. and six other countries. PNG member-dealers must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics in the buying and selling of numismatic merchandise. For additional information, visit the PNG’s website at www.PNGdealers.org or call (951) 587-8300.
