Happy Thanksgiving Day and weekend from all of us at Stack’s. We have a lot to be thankful for. All we need to do is switch off the television set, look at the world around us indoors and out, and contemplate the assets in our lives.

A recent feature on National Public Radio had to do with gratitude, which is, of course related to thanks. It was an interesting discussion, an hour long, that raised many points. An example was given of a drink of Coca-Cola, and I paraphrase a bit here:

If someone sees another person appearing thirsty, and without any particular knowledge of this person, gives him or her a glass of Coke, a warm thank you will probably result, a gesture of gratitude by the recipient. In fact, not to say thanks would be impolite. Expressed gratitude is mandatory in our society.

On the other hand, if someone goes to a soda fountain and orders a Coca-Cola, and pays $2 for it, “Thank you” will probably be said, but some patrons won’t. The store clerk is probably used to a combination of thanks and silence from various buyers. However, if someone does express thanks, as usual, is this gratitude or simply a custom? The store employee is simply doing his or her job, not bestowing any favor upon the recipient.

In the third instance, if $2 is paid into a vending machine and a bottle of Coca-Cola dispensed, the same result occurs, a refreshing drink, but few if any people will express gratitude to the machine or even think about gratitude. On the other hand, if the machine jams, anger or annoyance may be felt and also possibly expressed.

All of this prompted me to think about numismatics and gratitude. As a dealer, I often receive warm letters of thanks when someone buys something at auction or by direct sale. They are appreciative of being able to acquire something they need, possibly like buying a Coca-Cola from a store clerk. However, the appreciation often goes beyond that, such as if a coin is found to be quite nice, or the buyer had been looking at it for a long time.

This expression of gratitude is a win-win situation. I am thankful that my customer is happy and, as part of that, I am thankful that here, indeed, is someone who will probably come back and buy more items. My customer is thankful for the nice coin and, by my acknowledging his gratitude, feels he has a friend in the rare coin business.

What if there is no future reward in expressing appreciation? I think altruism defines that—giving without expectation of gratitude or reward. In numismatics I recall that after the conclusion of selling their immense collection of United States coins, the Norweb family invited our entire staff to visit their summer home at Boothbay Harbor, Maine, where they treated us to a lobster fest and other activities. Their collection had been sold, transaction had been closed, and this was pure and simple gratitude—something none of us ever forgot. Altruistic I think.

Again, Happy Thanksgiving. And, thank you for being a part of numismatics. And, if you are a customer of Stack’s, thank you some more!

Dave Bowers
Chairman, Stack’s

Comments? E-mail me at my private address: qdbarchive@metrocast.net