Coin show next weekend

Call it Emil Torp’s lucky penny.

Out of habit Torp was searching through a jar of change looking for a numismatic find. That’s when a penny caught the coin collector’s eye.

The 1985 Denver penny had a line running between the 19 and 85, where the die had broken. Then, more interestingly, a fingerprint Torp initially suspected to be dirt turned out to be imprinted into the coin. That 1 cent was later appraised at a value of $100.

Such finds are what inspire Torp’s passion for coin collecting. It’s an enthusiasm that he hopes to share with fellow coin collectors and pass along to children at next weekend’s Coeur d’Alene Coin Club Coin Show at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.

“I want to get the younger kids interested in it,” said Torp.

The show runs next Saturday and March 2 and will feature dealers of American and foreign coins and paper currency as well as stamps, antiques and other collectibles. About 600 people attended last year to buy, sell and trade.

A visiting coin collector will also lead a treasure hunt for children where they can search for various coins and other items amongst the vendors’ booths and then answer coin-related questions to win prizes. They also keep what they find on the treasure hunt.

Torp specializes in U.S. Mint proof sets. These sets of coins include each amount minted for a particular year and have never been touched by human hands.

“I stress to kids not to touch them because the oil on your fingers will damage the coins,” he said.

Of course, many kids can’t resist.