Frequently Asked Questions

Where and when do you meet? The club meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. Find us at Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Do I need an invitation or other arrangements to come? No advance arrangements needed. Simply show up.

Is there a fee for the meeting? No.

Many clubs stopped meeting in 2020 and 2021. Are you meeting in person again? Yes, we meet in person at the time and place above. 

Where can I reach you? Please email occoinclub@gmail.com

Febuary 14, 2024 meeting

Presentation is "Half Dimes." Also includes the usual show and tell, auction, refreshments, and socializing. 7pm to 10pm, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA.

January 10, 2024 meeting

Presentation to be announced. Also includes the usual show and tell, auction, refreshments, and socializing. 7pm to 10pm, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA.

December 13, 2023 meeting

Annual Christmas potluck. Bring a dish to share.  No show and tell, speaker, raffle, or auction. Instead,we will have bingo or other games with prizes. If you bring your spouse or a guest to only one meeting, this is the best one. 7pm to 10pm, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA.

November 8, 2023 meeting

Presentation is a special guest speaker: Michael Berman of Michael Berman Secure Document and Numismatic Art and Design.  Michael handles art and design for all things numismatic, including coins, bullion, packaging, and logo design.  We will sell the best of Frank Cook's Numismatic Nerds donations in a special auction before the speaker. Also includes the usual show and tell, auction, refreshments, and socializing. 7pm to 10pm, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA.

October 11, 2023 meeting

Presentation is "The Wurst of Times: the Coinage of Bavaria." Also includes the usual show and tell, auction, refreshments, and socializing. 7pm to 10pm, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA.

September 13, 2023 meeting

Presentation is "Early Toy Coins of the 18th, 19th, and 20th Century." Also includes the usual show and tell, auction, refreshments, and socializing. 7pm to 10pm, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA.

August 9, 2023 meeting

Presentation is "World Travel and Numismatics" Also includes the usual show and tell, auction, refreshments, and socializing. 7pm to 10pm, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA.

July 12, 2023 meeting

 Annual Bourse Night. This is a mini coin show where any member can purchase a table to sell coins. Table fee is $8, or half a table for $4. As always, the meeting is no charge to members and the public. An opportunity to buy coins from your friends. Beginning early at 6:30. Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA

June 14, 2023 meeting

Presentation is "The Restoration of Columbian Iconography: One Collector's Vision for the Renewal of Face of US Money" Also includes the usual show and tell, auction, refreshments, and socializing. 7pm to 10pm, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA.

May 10, 2023 meeting

Presentation is "World War II Medals of Sgt. Yoneto Nakata, US Army, MIS." Also includes the usual show and tell, auction, refreshments, and socializing. 7pm to 10pm, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA.

April 12, 2023 meeting

Presentation is "Cut and Countermarked World Coins." Also includes the usual show and tell, auction, refreshments, and socializing. 7pm to 10pm, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA.

Our secretary Nate Butler's book about German Notgeld is finally finished! You can learn more about it here: https://notgeldbook.com. Nate will bring copies to the meeting.

March 8, 2023 meeting

Presentation is "Introduction to Collecting Mexican Coins." Also includes the usual show and tell, auction, refreshments, and socializing. 7pm to 10pm, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA.

February 8, 2023 meeting

Presentation is "O Solde Mio: An Introduction to the Coinage of the Italian States." Also includes the usual show and tell, auction, refreshments, and socializing. 7pm to 10pm, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA.

January 11, 2023 meeting

Presentation is "Basics of Grading." Also includes the usual show and tell, auction, refreshments, and socializing. 7pm to 10pm, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA.

December 14, 2022 meeting

The Greater Orange County Coin Club's annual Christmas potluck is Wednesday, December 14 at 7 pm. Bring a dish to share. No show and tell, speaker, raffle, or auction. We will have bingo or other games with prizes. Also, Collector's Universe provided a special gift. If you bring your spouse or a guest to only one meeting, this is the best one. 7pm to 10pm, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA.

November 9, 2022 meeting

Presentation is "Pocket Change Profit, Part 1: 1 cent, 5 cent, $1, $2, and $5." It's quite likely that every single one of us have unwittingly paid $100+ for something as cheap as a pack of gum or a hamburger—not just once, but on many occasions throughout our lives. Being coin people, we are much more aware than the average person about what to look out for in our pocket change, but new things are being discovered all the time! I will be presenting a wide variety of currently circulating coins and paper money to look out for in your pocket change that could bring you a nice payday if you're patient, eagle-eyed and little lucky. Also includes the usual show and tell, auction, refreshments, and socializing. 7pm to 10pm, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA.

September 14, 2022 meeting

Presentation is "Orange County Tokens and Medals." A discussion of collecting local tokens and medals, using examples from the speaker's Orange County collection. Also includes the usual show and tell, auction, refreshments, and socializing. 7pm to 10pm, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA.

July 13, 2022 meeting

July is Bourse Night. This is a mini coin show where members can set up tables to sell coins. Tables $8 - pay when you arrive. No presentation, auction, or other activities. The usual refreshments provided. Be sure to bring money to buy from your friends.  7pm (although you can set up about 6:30) to 10pm, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA.

June 8, 2022 meeting

Presentation is "An Introduction to the Soho Mint, Part 2." Also includes the usual show and tell, auction, refreshments, and socializing. 7pm to 10pm, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA.

May 11, 2022 meeting

Presentation is "An Introduction to the Soho Mint." Held in person, with masking not required. Also includes the usual show and tell, auction, refreshments, and socializing. 7pm to 10pm, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA.

April 13, 2022 meeting

We will be forgoing the typical club meeting format this month and instead we'll be having a special tribute meeting in honor of Roy Iwata! The meeting will be a potluck, so please bring a dish to share if possible, and there will be some nice prizes which everyone who attends will get a ticket with a chance to win. 

Roy will be joining us for the festivities around our normal time, but this month's meeting will likely be shorter than usual so please do your best to arrive no later than 7pm. 

We will have 5 silver coins we will be giving away at our pot luck. Everyone who attends will receive a ticket for the drawing. Also, we will be selling tickets for our next GOLD coin drawing. A beautiful 2008 “Discover Australia 1/10 ounce 0.9999 fine GOLD Dolphin coin in its original box! Roy donated this coin to our club! Thanks Roy!

Roy Iwata - A Reflection

What is the best part of the coin hobby?

The people. 

You know our friend and member Roy Iwata. It’s impossible not to know him. Roy served as an officer of nearly every numismatic organization in Southern California. Each issue of The California Numismatist carries his name somewhere in its pages. He is a pillar of our coin community. 

Let’s give an example. In 2016, the ANA World’s Fair of Money came to Anaheim. Roy manned the exhibits tirelessly, staying at his post throughout the week. Most of us walked the floor buying, selling, and networking. But Roy’s only thought during the ANA was, “How can I help?”

We’ve seen him do the same many times, manning tables at Long Beach, CSNA, and other shows. He worked behind the scenes at clubs, shows, and more. We also appreciate his many donations of time and treasure. The last meeting was difficult for Roy to attend, but he agreed to come at least one more time. 

The best part of coins is the people, and Roy is the type of coin people we all want to be. 

We offer respect and honor, Roy. 

March 9, 2022 meeting

Presentation is "Philippines, Part 2." Held in person, with masking not required. Also includes the usual show and tell, auction, refreshments, and socializing. 7pm to 10pm, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA.

January 12, 2022 meeting

Presentation is "Let's Make a Numismatic Book." Held via Zoom. See here for the newsletter and links to the online meeting.

November 10, 2021 meeting

 Presentation is "Coins of the Philippines." Also includes the usual show and tell, auction, refreshments, and socializing. 7pm to 10pm, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 2845 Mesa Verde E, Costa Mesa, CA.

October 13, 2021 meeting

 Annual Bourse Night. This is a mini-coin show where any member can purchase a table to sell coins for $8. As always, the meeting is no charge to members and the public. An opportunity to buy coins from your friends. Begins at the usual 7 pm, but feel free to come early to set up and buy.