PNG Now Accepting Applications For Prospective Coin Dealer Mentoring Program
(Temecula, California) — Do you want to turn your numismatic hobby into a professional career?
The Professional Numismatists Guild (PNGdealers.org) now is accepting applications for “Promoting Numismatic Growth” (pngdealers.org/Promoting_Numismatic_Growth_Internship_Program.pdf), an education and mentoring program to recruit and train the next generation of coin dealers. Four of the country’s most prominent numismatic companies now have joined the project and will provide paid internships for applicants who are selected to participate and successfully complete training for the unprecedented project.
Applications (pngdealers.org/Professional_Numismatist_Guild_Internship_Application.pdf) now are being accepted from candidates 21 to 32 years of age for expense-paid internships that will begin in 2014. 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 PNGdealers.org under the “Promoting Numismatic Growth” navigation links near the top of the PNG’s home page.
“The internship requirements are rather strict, and the education and training part of this exceptional program will be extensive, but the potential rewards for successful interns can be great for building and enhancing their careers as professional numismatists,” said PNG Executive Director Robert Brueggeman.
“Those who are selected for the first internship program will have the opportunity for hands-on work and mentoring at American Precious Metals Exchange (APMEX), Heritage Auctions, Numismatic Guaranty Corporation and Stack’s Bowers Galleries. These four outstanding companies now have partnered with PNG on this important program,” said PNG President Terry Hanlon.
The PNG has hired Carol A. Raia, a long-time human resources executive with extensive experience in recruitment and training, to be administrator of the ambitious mentoring program.
The recently formed PNG Edward Milas School of Numismatics Committee has developed an extensive online, multi-media education and training curriculum in conjunction with the University of Rare Coins.
“The first part of the course, Level 100, is the qualification stage. We want to make sure prospective interns have sufficient, broad-based basic knowledge about numismatics before moving on to more advanced topics,” explained Brueggeman.
Among the Level 100 topics are coin purchasing, selling, marketing and auctions; third-party certification; coin shows; and numismatic organizations and industry resources.
Those who successfully complete the Level 100 courses will be invited to move on to the advanced curriculum. A $250 fee will be required for the Level 200 course that includes metallurgy and technology in the science of numismatics; the minting process and errors; and the history of monetary systems and development of coining.
Interns will then be selected from those who have successfully completed both levels of courses. Arrangements will be made to provide transportation and housing for each intern to work, three-months-at-a-time at APMEX, Heritage, NGC and also Stack’s Bowers starting in 2014. Companies hosting the interns will provide salaries to them during their internships.
“The goal of this program that we initially announced this past May is to ensure industry growth through the education and mentoring of future professional numismatists. We are all delighted that so much has been accomplished in just a few months so we can now offer prospective young dealers the opportunity to submit internship applications,” said Brueggeman.
For additional information about the Professional Numismatists Guild and the Promoting Numismatic Growth program, visit online at PNGdealers.org, or contact the PNG by phone at (951) 587-8300 or by email at internship@PNGdealers.org.
