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From the PCGS Grading Room
YOUNG NUMISMATIST
YN Believes CoinsYOUNG NUMISAre Histor y in the Hand ST By Timothy ChenYOUNG NUMISTimothy Chen is a young numismatist with an eye for history and color! Courtesy of Timothy Chen. ST
Y N C O R N E R MIS MATIS MATIS
My name is Timothy Chen, and I’m a 19-year-old numismatist from Southern California. I am an enthusiast of 19th- to mid-20th-century U.S. toned coins. My journey into the world of coin collecting fi rst began at the age of 12 when I was given a worn 1936-D Buff alo Nickel in change after purchasing A Guide Book of United States Coins (“Th e Red Book”) from my local coin shop. Despite only having a value of just a few cents today, that nickel was the spark that ignited my irresistible urge to research and hunt for rare coins. From that moment, I was instantly hooked on learning more about our nation’s history and the captivating stories behind each coin.
It’s truly remarkable to own a coin from historically signifi cant events that ultimately paved the way to the world we live in today. For instance, holding an 1863 Liberty Seated Dollar is a feeling unlike any other because that same coin could have been in the pockets of a Union soldier fi ghting against the Confederates in the Battle of Gettysburg, which became the turning point of the American Civil War. Furthermore, not only are these coins minted with beautifully intricate designs, but they also represent the groundwork of our economic system.
As my passion grew, I went to as many coin shows as I could and picked the brains of many coin dealers who were patient enough to teach an overly excited 12-year-old kid about the ins and outs of the hobby. Although I was often the youngest collector at these shows by decades and, more often than not, the only Asian collector, I was still welcomed with open arms. It wasn’t before long that I became so intrigued by the sheer scale of numismatics that I began sharing my passion for coin collecting with my predominantly Asian community. Th e positive responses that I received were so great that I created my website, timsrarecoins.com, to teach new collectors how to get started with their own unique coin collection.
I gradually developed my eye and unique taste for coins and began turning what started as just an interest into a business by selling coins and currency to coin dealers from around the world. After graduating high school, I upscaled my business to online platforms, including eBay and Instagram, under my profi le name of Winged Liberty Rare Coins. Soon after, I was
Timothy Chen serves up his knowledge and passion as a coin dealer. Courtesy of Timothy Chen. invited to work at Alhambra Coin Center, where I learned from some of the most experienced and successful dealers in the hobby.
Currently, I’m assembling a PCGS Set Registry Showcase of high eye-appeal toned coins ranging from modern Lincoln Cents to classic Morgan Dollars. What I love so much about this area of the hobby is that every high-end toned coin has a personality of its own and is a jaw-dropping sight. As one can imagine, pricing toned coins is arguably the most subjective aspect of the hobby simply because a collector can’t just look up the value of a beautifully toned coin. Th e value can only be determined by the eye of the beholder, allowing particularly outstanding examples to sell for astronomical prices.
Along my journey, I’ve met so many young numismatists and renowned mentors who I am very lucky to call my friends. Th ey have taught me that coins are much more than old relics — rather, they represent the foundation of our country and a symbol of the world we live in. Subsequently, whether or not I enter the coin business in my professional career, the many lessons that I’ve learned from this hobby will unequivocally continue to have a valuable, lasting impact on my life.