Mid-American Rare Coin Galleries is dedicated to proudly serving the hobby of numismatics. Because the rare coin business has been very good to us over the years, giving back to the coin collecting community is a high priority for all of our associates. Below are some examples of how we have served and continue to serve our hobby:
Our founder, Jeff Garrett, began his career selling coins at a local coin club near Tampa, Florida. In the early 1990s, Jeff founded the Bluegrass Coin Club in Lexington, Kentucky — today considered one of the best clubs in the nation, with more than 30 coin collectors in attendance each month. Jeff and Mid-American still actively support this coin club, contributing regularly to the education and growth of its membership.
Jeff has also been a member of the prestigious Professional Numismatic Guild (PNG) since 1982 and recently served as president of the organization. In 2003, PNG awarded Jeff the Abe Kosoff Founders Award, the group's highest honor, for work promoting both the hobby of numismatics and the organization itself. Jeff Garrett was also awarded the PNG Art Kagin Ambassador Award in 2009 for his “tireless efforts promoting numismatics.” In 2015, Jeff was awarded the PNG Lifetime Achievement Award for his "excellent reference books, his dedication to the hobby and profession, and his efforts to help the Smithsonian continue to expand and exhibit the National Numismatic Collection." Jeff instills in every Mid-American associate the values that won him these awards — making Mid-American a committed community leader dedicated not only to its customers,but also to promoting the hobby of numismatics.
In 2009 Jeff successfully ran for a highly coveted seat on the board of governors for the American Numismatic Association (ANA), the largest numismatic organization in the world. In 2015, Jeff announced he would be running as a candidate for ANA President. He was successful and served as the the 59th ANA President from 2015 until 2017.
For nearly 15 years, Jeff Garrett has served as a consultant to the Smithsonian Institution and its National Numismatic Gallery. He was fundamental in fundraising for several exhibits and helped secure more than $1.2 million for a 1,000-square-foot exhibit within the National Museum of American History. The "Value of Money" Exhibit opened in the summer of 2015 and has been praised by collectors, dealers and visitors alike. Thanks to Jeff's leadership, this interactive exhibit will hopefully inspire collectors for generations to come! Mid-American is honored to contribute to the work the Smithsonian Institution has done and continues to do to preserve the history of numismatics for future generations of coin collectors.
Jeff Garrett has also worked with the Secret Service to stop the importation of counterfeit coins into the United States.This work has shown Mid-American’s dedication to both the promotion of the hobby of numismatics, as well as the protection of it.