Purpose
To encourage and promote the science and history of numismatics through discussion, investigation and study of coins, currency, medals, tokens, and financial systems of the world, to encourage and assist beginners and new collectors, to foster the interest of youth in the subject, acquire and disperse numismatic knowledge in the form of books and other publications, and to cultivate an atmosphere of numismatic fellowship among club members.
Our Story
The Metropolitan Coin Club of Atlanta (MCCA) began as the Doraville Coin Club, founded in April of 1964 by Bob Baker, Fred Glass, Joe Merch, Joe Nesbit, James Maloney, Jimmy Going, Herbert Beaty, and Charles Hawkins. They originally met in the Northeast Commercial Bank Building on Buford Highway, which was located near the current I-285 interchange in Doraville. From the early days, young members were very active in the club. They even strongly influenced a membership vote to meet twice a month on Saturday evenings. This tradition of Saturday night meetings has continued to this day.
The club held annual coin shows in the early years, usually in area hotels, and later even had one at Perimeter Mall. Membership in the early 1970’s was over 100 collectors with over 40 members attending each meeting. During the early 1970’s, the club moved to another bank at Clairmont and Briarcliff Roads. They met there for over 20 years and continued drawing members from all parts of metro Atlanta. As a result, in late 1982 a decision was made to change the name of the club from Doraville to Metropolitan Coin Club of Atlanta (MCCA).
Part of the tradition of the club has always been to have a Christmas Party as its last meeting of the year. In the 70’s and 80’s, the party was held in the club’s regular meeting facility and was a “pot luck” buffet with members bringing favorite dishes. The Christmas party eventually was moved into local area restaurants and broadened with a gift exchange.
In 1973, President Frank Barber donated a plaque for the Outstanding Junior Member Award. The winner was announced each year at the Christmas Party and his or her name was added to the plaque. The Metropolitan Coin Club of Atlanta continues this tradition of fostering strong youth development in collecting today with a formal Young Numismatist program that features separate monthly meetings and encourages participation in ANA-sponsored YN programs. MCCA YNs give club programs, act as “runners” during the auction, and work as pages at local and regional coin shows.
In the 1990’s, the club moved its location to downtown Decatur for a few years until moving to the Perimeter Mall area, where meetings are still held today. The club membership count has fluctuated over the years between 40 to over 100 members. Today, there are over 80 members and they live in many states besides Georgia, even as far away as Hawaii and California.
After 50 years, the club continues the heritage of emphasizing a strong, regular meeting agenda of education, YN development, minimum business topics, refreshments, lively auctions, and above all else—fun in numismatics!