About Me












I enjoy coin collecting, as well as rock, gem, mineral, Indian artifact, and treasure hunting.  My
hobby is hobbies and I have explored many different activities from sculpting stone and wood to
general woodworking, from oil painting to metal casting (foundry).  I enjoy all I have explored and
still pursue most of them at least occasionally as the inclination strikes me and time and money
allow.


Coins:   After collecting 19th and 20th century US coins for over 30 years, I became somewhat
bored with them and more than a little disillusioned by the high prices many of the better grade
coins command.  I did explore collecting modern US Commemoratives and that kindled an interest
and curiosity about their diversity and historical setting.  It is still a mystery to me where my interest
in commemoratives came from as prior to then, I didn't considered commemorative coins to be
"real" coins and to tell the truth, considered them boring.  In anticipation of completing that set; I
researched other coin series from around the world that similarly commemorated a wide range of
subject matter.  Austria's coin's diversity initially caught my eye as did the German 2, 5 and 10
Mark coin series.  
One thing led to another and while I still collect US coins, some German, Canadian and far too many others as well; I settled in
to spend a few years exploring Austria's numismatic legacy.  The fact that many examples can be acquired for modest prices
(at least compared to US coin prices) didn't escape my notice and played no small role in my attraction to Austria's coins,
medals and tokens.

As I considered the vast scope of Austrian numismatics, I was overwhelmed as to what to collect first or where or even how to
begin.  Surely I needed to define my collecting goals more narrowly than simply "Austrian stuff".  So in the beginning I
concentrated on the coins of the Second Republic (1946-present).  

Over the next couple years, my interests gradually expanded to again include all "Austrian Stuff".  So presently I collect any
and all Austrian coins, tokens and medals as opportunity and funds allow.  I did narrow my focus slightly by deciding not to
collect modern proof issues.  I make some exceptions for a few modern proofs if they are only minted in proof.   For older coins
with mint marks, I only collect the "A" mint and I do not collect Gold coins (too expensive).  Considering coins minted prior to
1803, I am attempting to collect one coin example from each of the archbishops of Salzburg (19 coins).  With those modest
restrictions, I am not likely to ever finish but it allows me to choose from a large variety of items when I can make a purchase
and spend countless enjoyable hours exploring its story.



I welcome, enjoy and reply to all non-commercial email.  However, I do not buy (but very very rarely) and I do not
sell any coins pictured on this site (might consider trying that in the future).  Please feel free to email me with
your questions, comments, discussions, corrections or additional information about anything on this site.

                                                                  My Email
Austrian Coins,
Medals & Tokens
I was born in central Texas (USA), SW of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex
and spent most of my life in the surrounding area (I no longer live there
however).  I was married in 1974 and she is still hanging around....God
knows she must be a Saint!  We have a daughter 28 and a son 19.

After many years working at this and that and everything in between, I
attended the local University and completed a Science degree in Hydrology
and Water Resources with a Minor in Geology as well as completing
considerable graduate work in Environmental Science.  I presently work for a
multi-county Groundwater District Government as Assistant
Manager/Hydrologist.