John Brush Takes Over PNG as Young Collectors Fuel a Rare Coin Market Surge
Veteran rare coin dealer John Brush will lead the Professional Numismatists Guild during a fast-changing era for the coin market, as younger collectors and dealers continue to reshape the hobby.
The Professional Numismatists Guild has selected veteran rare coin dealer John Brush as its new president for the 2026-2028 term.
Brush serves as president and owner of David Lawrence Rare Coins (DLRC) in Virginia Beach, Virginia. DLRC identifies Brush as its president, and his DLRC author profile notes that he has collected coins since age five.
The PNG, founded in 1955, is a nonprofit organization made up of rare coin and paper money dealers. The organization focuses on ethics, professionalism, and collector confidence. PNG’s official mission states that it works to ensure integrity, instill confidence, and promote professionalism for collectors and numismatic professionals.
According to the PNG announcement, the organization now includes more than 350 rare coin and paper money dealers in the United States and seven other countries.
John Brush Calls PNG Presidency “Truly an Honor”
Brush said the new role carries special meaning because he once viewed PNG membership as a distant goal.
“It’s truly an honor to be elected as the PNG President. As a young numismatist, I was always interested in the history of the profession as a whole, and membership in the PNG seemed like something that would never be obtainable,” Brush said.
Brush joined the PNG in 2005. He also served as PNG vice president during the previous two years.
“I’m excited to be able to follow in the footsteps of a literal ‘Who’s Who’ within the coin profession,” he added.
John Feigenbaum Sees a Strong Moment for PNG
PNG Executive Director John Feigenbaum welcomed the chance to work with Brush again.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to reunite with ‘JB.’ We worked together at DLRC for decades, and his advancement to President of PNG comes at a very exciting time for the organization. I am confident that our past experience together will be a huge plus for the organization going forward,” Feigenbaum said.
Feigenbaum also explained how PNG selects its officers.
“Under PNG Bylaws, member-dealers of the organization elect the board members at large, and then the elected board members select the officers from within their group,” he said.
PNG used the same officer-selection structure for its 2024-2026 term, when the organization named James Sego president and John Brush vice president.
Brush Wants PNG to Build on Recent Momentum
Brush said the PNG has made important progress during the past four years. In his view, the organization has widened its reach and strengthened its role in a growing numismatic marketplace.
“The PNG has taken major strides in the last four years to not only make the organization relevant, but to widen its reach into a growing numismatic marketplace,” Brush said. “I want to continue this welcome trend and see the organization grow in relevance and strength to continue its important mission to ensure integrity and confidence within the coin marketplace.”
Looking ahead, Brush said he feels eager to work with Feigenbaum and the new board.
“With the addition of so many new, younger faces to the board this year, I see the PNG falling in line with the overall coin marketplace, with more youth entering the profession,” Brush said. “It’s an exciting time for the PNG, and I’m honored to be its new President.”
Rare Coin Market Enters a “New Frontier”
Brush described the current numismatic market as a “new frontier.” He said dealers and collectors continue to learn more about this new phase each day.
He sees one major challenge at the top end of the market.
“As someone who makes their livelihood in buying coins from other coin dealers to place with collectors, we’re finding high-quality coins much harder to find,” Brush said. “This has been the case for at least five to six years since the pandemic as high-end collectors have been aggressively buying. Those coins are leaving the market and are being held by strong hands, so they are not for sale.”
However, Brush sees fresh energy beyond the high-end segment.
“What we’re seeing now is that the mid-quality and lower-end coins are also wildly picking up steam,” he said. “This is a result of the growth in the hobby overall, as we’re seeing new collectors in all price ranges and venues. This is also a result of the new online live-selling marketplaces.”
Younger Collectors Reshape the Coin Market
Brush believes online live-selling platforms now bring more coins to the general public. As a result, these venues open the hobby to new collectors around the world.
He also sees a major demographic shift.
“I would argue that this is also bringing down the average age of collectors and dealers,” Brush said. “These new additions in the hobby are rejuvenating the overall profession and we’re at an exciting stage of growth for the overall coin market.”
Brush said many dealers now call this the strongest coin market they have seen.
“I’ve heard many say that this is the best coin market they’ve ever experienced, and I think it’s safe to say that it’s accurate for the current generation of coin dealers,” he said.
Brush Also Serves the ANA and NCBA
In addition to his new PNG role, Brush serves as a governor of the American Numismatic Association. The ANA lists John S. Brush as a governor on its current Board of Governors page.
Brush also served as chairman of the National Coin & Bullion Association, formerly known as the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. NCBA’s current board page lists Brush as Immediate Past Chair, and a previous CoinWeek report noted that his four-year term as chair ended in 2023.
PNG Announces 2026-2028 Officers and Board
The PNG’s other officers for the 2026-2028 term are Vice President Dustin Johnston, Treasurer Jeff Garrett, and Secretary Greg Allen.
The PNG Board of Directors also includes Kenny Duncan, Jr., Brian Kendrella, Andrew Reiber, Past President James Sego, and Brian Timmons.
Brush encouraged dealers and other interested members of the numismatic community to contact him.
“If you’re interested in joining the Professional Numismatists Guild, are curious about its purpose, or have ideas as to how the PNG can help grow the overall profession, I look forward to hearing from you!” Brush said.
How to Learn More About PNG
Collectors and dealers can search the PNG member-dealer directory through the organization’s official website. PNG also lists its headquarters at 27890 Clinton Keith Rd., Suite D141, Murrieta, California 92562. The organization can be reached by email at [email protected]
or by phone at 951-587-8300.
