An Eagle Scout's dream of coin collection comes true

Tim and wife Tammie Callahan outside their new business on opening day. Photo Contributed.

As a young Eagle Scout in 1975, who received a coin collecting merit badge, he dreamed of some day having a coin shop of his own. For years, Tim Callahan kept coins in his desk drawer and when he married in 1984, he of course, moved the coins to his new residence.

On October 18, Tim's dream of nearly 50 years came true. He and wife Tammie Callahan opened the business, Rutherford Gold and Silver, on Oak Street Extension in Forest City.

Although it was decades before opening his own shop, Tim never gave up on his dream.

After children came along, Tim said he thought about collecting some gold for them that could be used for college expenses.

His mother-in-law gave him a $5 gold piece later in life and his passions for coin collecting was renewed.

"I met Norman and Betty Jenkins in 2004 and Norman was very helpful in educating me on numismatics, the study of coins, medals, and tokens," Callahan said.

He started working on a Morgan dollar collection and it turned into the #140 set on PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) registry set in the world.

Tim said while other collections followed and a huge inventory was established, coin shows and coin meetings followed. Although he collected other coins, Morganton silvers were Callahan's passion.

"Today, I collect gold and silver coins along with bullion (money itself). Rutherford County is rich with national recognition with the Bechtler Mint here in 1835. The Bechtlers minted the first $1 gold coin minted in the United States. Rutherford County is mentioned at numerous shows all over the country," he said.

Rutherford Gold and Silver carries all types of gold and silver bullion. Inventory includes mint products, mint and proof sets. Morgan and Peace dollars graded and ungraded are also available.

"We have 90 percent silver and specialize in Engelhard silver rounds and bars. Engelhard silver is highly collected all over the world.

The shop is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9am to 4pm. Saturday hours are 9am to 1pm.

Also available in the shop for sale are crafts from his wife Tammie Callahan.

The couple's daughters are Sarah Cummings, a doctor of physical therapy at Spartanburg Regional and daughter Whitney Callahan, a math teacher at Chase High School.

Tim worked 42 years in the transportation industry with the last 33 years with Southeastern Freight Lines in sales management.