John Wilson (Numismatist)
Encyclopedia
John Wilson, Jr. grew up on the south side of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
. He was President of the American Numismatic Association
from 2001 to 2003. In 2007, he was honored with the Farran Zerbe Memorial Award
. It was an honor that was also given to his wife, Nancy Opitz Wilson.
Following graduation in 1961, Wilson enlisted in the US Naval Reserve. From 1962 to 1966, Wilson enlisted in the United States Marine Corps
, and served one year in Okinawa and one year in Vietnam
.
In 1967, Wilson signed on with the 128th Air Refuelling Wing of Wisconsin’s Air National Guard.
It was his wife, Nancy, a lifelong collector, that encouraged him to pursue collecting. They would attend various coin club meetings, and their specialty would evolve into tokens, medals, and paper money from Wisconsin.
In later years, Wilson would gain employment as a deputy with the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department. In later years, he would train deputies and tested security features in new facilities. Wilson’s claim to fame is that he finished as a bailiff and opened court in the trial of Jeffrey Dahmer
.
banknotes and obsolete $3 bills from every state.
Wilson has served in various leadership capacities throughout his numismatic career. He served as a board member of the American Numismatic Association from 1995 to 2005, while his wife, Nancy, served on the board from 1987 to 1995. Nancy is a current member of the Florida United Numismatists Board. Other leadership roles for Wilson are as follows:
Over the years, Wilson has been the recipients of numerous awards. Among honors given by the ANA, Wilson was the recipient of the 1993 Glenn Smedley Memorial Award and the 1994 Medal of Merit. He was the National Silver Dollar Roundtable (NSDR) Man of the Year in 1998. Along with his wife, Nancy, they have been recognized as Numismatic Ambassadors by Numismatic News in 1990, along with the ANA’s Presidential Award in 1998. The Wilson’s also received the FUN’s A.J. Vinci Memorial Award for Excellence in Numismatic Excellence in 1998 and the NSDR’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. Their most recent honor is the awarding of the Farran Zerbe Memorial Award
in 2007.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. He was President of the American Numismatic Association
American Numismatic Association
The American Numismatic Association was founded in 1891 by Dr. George F. Heath in Chicago, Illinois. The ANA was formed to advance the knowledge of numismatics along educational, historical and scientific lines, as well as enhance interest in the hobby.The ANA national headquarters and museum is...
from 2001 to 2003. In 2007, he was honored with the Farran Zerbe Memorial Award
Farran Zerbe Memorial Award
The Farran Zerbe Memorial Award is the highest honor conferred by the American Numismatic Association. The award is named after Farran Zerbe, a one-time president of the American Numismatic Association. It is given in recognition of numerous years of outstanding, dedicated service to numismatics...
. It was an honor that was also given to his wife, Nancy Opitz Wilson.
Early life
Wilson attended grade school at St. Gerard’s, and competed in wrestling and football at Bay View High School. He was the second of five children born to John and Melita. His father, John, Sr. was a professional wrestler from the 1950s to the late 1970s.Following graduation in 1961, Wilson enlisted in the US Naval Reserve. From 1962 to 1966, Wilson enlisted in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
, and served one year in Okinawa and one year in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
.
In 1967, Wilson signed on with the 128th Air Refuelling Wing of Wisconsin’s Air National Guard.
Return from Vietnam
Upon returning from his tour of duty, Wilson met Nancy Opitz, and the two were wed in April 1968. Wilson’s first exposure to numismatics came at this time. He was employed with the Wisconsin Novelty Company and serviced phonographs, games, and pool tables. Through his work, he came across various silver circulation coins.It was his wife, Nancy, a lifelong collector, that encouraged him to pursue collecting. They would attend various coin club meetings, and their specialty would evolve into tokens, medals, and paper money from Wisconsin.
In later years, Wilson would gain employment as a deputy with the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department. In later years, he would train deputies and tested security features in new facilities. Wilson’s claim to fame is that he finished as a bailiff and opened court in the trial of Jeffrey Dahmer
Jeffrey Dahmer
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer was an American serial killer and sex offender. Dahmer murdered 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991, with the majority of the murders occurring between 1987 and 1991. His murders involved rape, dismemberment, necrophilia and cannibalism...
.
Numismatics
After retirement, Wilson and his wife Nancy relocated to Ocala, Florida in 1999. Their time has been devoted completely to numismatics. Some of the more novel aspects of the collection include a collection of Santa ClausSanta Claus
Santa Claus is a folklore figure in various cultures who distributes gifts to children, normally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to Santa Claus...
banknotes and obsolete $3 bills from every state.
Wilson has served in various leadership capacities throughout his numismatic career. He served as a board member of the American Numismatic Association from 1995 to 2005, while his wife, Nancy, served on the board from 1987 to 1995. Nancy is a current member of the Florida United Numismatists Board. Other leadership roles for Wilson are as follows:
- Chairman of the ANA 100th Anniversary Convention in Chicago in 1991
- American Numismatic Association President (2001–2003)
- Patron co-chair at the 2007 ANA World’s Fair of Money
- Past President of the Central States Numismatic Society
- Current director of the International Bank Note Society
Memberships
John Wilson belongs to at least 75 clubs, while his wife Nancy Opitz-Wilson belongs to 35 clubs. Some of these clubs include:- American Numismatic SocietyAmerican Numismatic SocietyThe American Numismatic Society is a New York City-based organization dedicated to the study of coins and medals.-Introduction:...
- Central States Numismatist Society (CSNS)
- Florida United Numismatists (FUN)
- National Silver Dollar Roundtable (NSDR)
- Society of Paper Money Collectors
Awards and honors
Wilson served as the general chairman of the ANA’s 100th Anniversary Convention in 1991. The event was attended by more than 21,000 people at the Rosemont/O’Hare Exposition Center in Chicago.Over the years, Wilson has been the recipients of numerous awards. Among honors given by the ANA, Wilson was the recipient of the 1993 Glenn Smedley Memorial Award and the 1994 Medal of Merit. He was the National Silver Dollar Roundtable (NSDR) Man of the Year in 1998. Along with his wife, Nancy, they have been recognized as Numismatic Ambassadors by Numismatic News in 1990, along with the ANA’s Presidential Award in 1998. The Wilson’s also received the FUN’s A.J. Vinci Memorial Award for Excellence in Numismatic Excellence in 1998 and the NSDR’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. Their most recent honor is the awarding of the Farran Zerbe Memorial Award
Farran Zerbe Memorial Award
The Farran Zerbe Memorial Award is the highest honor conferred by the American Numismatic Association. The award is named after Farran Zerbe, a one-time president of the American Numismatic Association. It is given in recognition of numerous years of outstanding, dedicated service to numismatics...
in 2007.