Innerviews: ; Its Not Over for Me yet; at 83, Coin Shop Icon Still in the Money
Charleston Gazette › February 01, 2011
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Summary
Practically everybody in town knows Doug Bumgardner, iconic proprietor of Kanawha Coin and Relics on Brawley Walkway. Hes the king of collectibles, a wheeler-dealer in gold and silver, buyer and seller of jewelry, swords, stamps, war souvenirs, coal mine scrip, pocket knives, fountain pens and you-name-it et ceteras. Last month, he turned 83. He lived another life before the coin business. He earned a philosophy degree, a seminary diploma, taught public school and worked for Morris Harvey College (now the University of Charleston) as dean of men and manager of the new student union, among other titles. In 1962, he started the coin business as a retirement hobby for his father. Some days, they made a dollar. Some days, nothing. Today, ever watchful of fluctuating gold and silver prices, he depends on diversity to keep the busy little shop afloat. He struggles with health problems, but an eager mind keeps him on the job, determined to stand behind that counter as long as his legs will hold him.
"I HAVE a picture of me and my grandmother walking on Capitol Street. She would pick up everything. My dad carried mail, and he picked up everything on his route. One year, he picked up $20 in change.See the full content of this document
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Innerviews: ; Its Not Over for Me yet; at 83, Coin Shop Icon Still in the Money
"Passing papers, I would find coins, too. I started going to the coin clubs and putting $2 or $3 a month into those things.
"I graduated from Charleston High in '46. I just missed the war. They took a bunch of us to Fort Hayes in Columbus. A guy came in and said Truman had just signed a bill discontinuing the draft. The war had ended in Europe."I didn't have any plans to go to college. Somehow, s...See the full content of this document
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