Coins and bills showcase history

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Calling all coin collectors. If you love to buy, sell, trade or just look at history in the form of money, the Azalea Festival Coin Show is for you.

Coin enthusiasts from all over enjoyed the annual Coin Show at the American Legion in Wilmington Saturday. Young and old came out to search for treasures, and some even got lucky while panning for gold.

Lower Cape Fear Coin Club Secretary O.T. Thompson said coin collecting is a hobby that takes you out of reality and back in time.

“People have actually devoted their lives to this hobby, and everybody I’ve talked to enjoys it,” Thompson said. “They’re a little eccentric at times, some of us, but it’s been an enjoyable hobby and a lifelong hobby, and that’s what it’s all about, just enjoying the history and the love of coins.”

The Coin Show has been part of the Azalea Festival for more than 30 years.