Applications Now Accepted For Next Group
The Professional Numismatists Guild has announced the selection of the first four recruits who will begin year-long paid internships on March 1, 2014 in PNG’s “Promoting Numismatic Growth” project. Three other successful recruits will begin working in the coming months, and applications now are being accepted from prospective candidates who are interested in the program.
“Promoting Numismatic Growth is designed to provide education, training and mentoring for the next generation of coin and banknote dealers,” explained PNG Executive Director Robert Brueggeman.
“Four of the country’s most prominent numismatic companies will provide the initial, paid internships starting March first. Each of PNG’s first four interns are scheduled to spend three months at each of the four companies: Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. in Chicago, Illinois; Dillon Gage in Dallas, Texas; Heritage Auctions in Dallas, Texas; and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation in Sarasota, Florida.”
It is anticipated that some interns may not complete the full-year rotation because they may be offered full-time, regular employment by one of the companies. That would provide additional openings for other internship candidates to begin the rotation process there or at other participating companies.
The first four interns and their initial assignments are Monica Bacon of Indianapolis, Indiana who will start at Dillon Gage; Chris Salladin of Fernandina Beach, Florida will begin at NGC; David Sunshine of Easton, Connecticut will start at Berk’s; and Zeke Wischer of Abilene, Kansas will begin at Heritage.
The administrator of the PNG internship program, Carol A. Raia, a long-time human resources executive with extensive experience in recruitment and training, praised the first group of interns.
“They are enthusiastic about numismatics and eager to learn. To reach the initial qualification stage, they each successfully completed an extensive online, multi-media education and training curriculum of basic knowledge about numismatics that was prepared in conjunction with the University of Rare Coins. Then they began a second phase of study involving more advanced numismatic-related topics,” Raia explained.
The interns are being provided with transportation to and housing in the cities where they’ll be working, as well as salaries for their work at each company.
from left to right: David Sunshine, Chris Salladin, Zeke Wischer, and Monica Bacon
Sunshine, 23, also has attended an ANA Summer Seminar, completed a PCGS grading course, was an intern at Stack’s Bowers Galleries in the Spring of 2013 and has bought and sold coins at major conventions.
Salladin, 22, has been involved with numismatics for the past seven years, buying and selling on eBay and has attended an American Numismatic Association Summer Seminar. He wants to have his own coin store someday.
Wischer, 22, President of the Manhattan, Kansas Coin Club has focused his enjoyment in numismatics on coin grading and writing as well as buying and selling.
Bacon, age 29, previously worked for the online storefront and auction sites for Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana and has retail experience selling coins, currency and antiques.
Three other interns are expected to begin their work at participating PNG member-dealers’ companies later this year: Evan Brooke, 29, of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania; David Diegmueller, 24 of Cincinnati, Ohio; and Ian Connor, 21, of Arcola, Illinois.
“The goal of this program is to ensure industry growth through the education and mentoring of future professional numismatists. We are off to a great start,” said PNG President Terry Hanlon of Dillon Gage.
Applications now are being accepted for the next round of the PNG’s “Promoting Numismatic Growth” internship program. Candidates must be between 21 to 32 years of age. A $250 fee to pay for a background security investigation will be required from each candidate with the submission of their enrollment application.
Specific information about the internship program and how to apply is available online at www.PNGdealers.org under the “Promoting Numismatic Growth” navigation links near the top of the PNG’s home page. For additional information, contact the PNG by phone at (951) 587-8300 or by email at [email protected].
