Grant Shobar, PNG 2017 YN scholarship winner. (Photo courtesy of Shobar Family.)

“This year’s PNG scholarship is being awarded to Grant Shobar, 17, of Laguna Niguel, California. It will cover airfare, tuition for one of the two week-long American Numismatic Association Summer Seminar (www.money.org/summer-seminar) sessions, meals and five nights of dormitory accommodations on the campus of Colorado College, site of the ANA headquarters,” announced PNG Executive Director Robert Brueggeman.

As a youngster, Grant collected an assortment of items ranging from hotel room keys to football cards, marbles and stamps. He began collecting coins five years ago and has been an avid young numismatist since then.

“My passion for coin collecting never ends, and every hour I spend, whether organizing or analyzing a coin I am interested in buying, flies by and I enjoy every moment of it,” Grant explained.

“I was so thrilled when I learned that I won this year’s scholarship. I went to the Summer Seminars the past two years, and the experiences were incredible. It definitely brings collecting to a whole new level. This scholarship will help me expand my interest in the hobby and collecting,” added Grant who wants to take a Summer Seminar class on Seated Liberty coinage.

He will be a Senior this fall at Dana Hills High School in Dana Point, California. He started the Numismaniacs Coin Club at the school during his Freshman year. Grant also has written articles for various hobby publications, including the ANA’s magazine, The Numismatist, and enjoys attending the Long Beach Coin, Currency, Stamp & Sports Collectible Show.

His parents, Mark and Cathy Shobar, and his sister, Hayleigh, have been delighted with Grant’s enthusiasm for collecting.

“We were excited (when Grant was notified about the PNG scholarship). He literally lives and breathes coins; that’s all he talks about. He’s so passionate about the hobby. His sister loves to listen to Grant talk about coins. He teaches us all. Now we’re always looking at all the coins and currency that come through our hands. We learn from him,” said Cathy Shobar.

“I think this scholarship is a great opportunity for kids, a win-win for parents and their children. Not only are they learning about coins, a very valuable hobby, it teaches them more about many other topics. We’re very blessed that he has such a passion for coins,” she added.

Grant offers this advice for prospective collectors: “Everyone considering collecting should delve into the hobby. Knowledge is key. Coins are really the best hobby because it is so diverse, there’s an option for everyone.”

This is the 13th consecutive year of PNG YN scholarships for the popular, annual ANA educational Summer Seminar programs.

“The money to pay for the annual PNG YN Scholarship is administered from PNG’s Gerald Bauman Memorial Fund.  Bauman, who died in 2001, served for many years as a prominent coin dealer with Manfra, Tordella & Brookes in New York City,” explained PNG President Dana Samuelson.

The PNG is a nonprofit organization composed of many of the top rare coin and paper money dealers in the United States and six other countries.  PNG member-dealers must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics in the buying and selling of numismatic merchandise.  For additional information about PNG, visit online at www.PNGdealers.org or call (951) 587-8300.