BY ROGER SIBAG JR.
WHAT IS MONEY if it can’t buy you anything?
For Yzhary Pagayon, a fourth-year Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Social Studies at West Visayas State University, money is more than just its monetary value, it is a piece of history. As a 22-year-old numismatist who collects and studies money, he could attest that money can indeed buy happiness, but not in a sense of what you think it is.
FIRST FLIP
Yzhary can still vividly remember the moment when his interest in money was ignited. He was a Grade 8 high school student at Hua Siong College of Iloilo when his Lolo Monsweto Gonzales, his maternal grandfather, gave him a 1972 one-peso Rizal coin that he randomly found in his old wallet. Its physical features do not conceal the true age of that coin. Its luster had faded and dull, but it still did brighten Yzhary’s curious eyes.
“Coins and bills fascinate me because of their historical relevance and also because they are literal art,” shared Yzhary citing the Conant coins as an example which were carved by an Ilonggo sculptor, Melecio Figueroa during the American regime in 1903.
From that one 1972 Rizal coin he received six years ago, it multiplied multiple folds as he now owns about 40 local banknotes and around 60 from other foreign countries like Thailand and Mexico among others. He shared that these banknotes came from different sources. Some were bought from different coin and banknote stores within his locality and some were given by his older relatives just like an heirloom.
TRUE VALUE
His fascination with collecting money stems from his passion for learning history. And as he took BSED Major in Social Studies in college, it became not just a mere collection but also a medium for learning. As for Yzhary, money can be a reflection of the different historical events that happened during the period where it was made. He generously shares this knowledge with his fellow Social Studies students whenever he has a chance.
“Each time he shows his collection to us, I would learn new things not only about his coins but also about history as he gives us awesome trivia that even piques my interest and curiosity,” shared Christine Dhal Segundera, one of Yzhary’s classmates.
Yzhary is grateful to have his family members who are supportive of his hobby of collecting money, especially his father, Izhar Pagayon, who was once also a money collector and one of the first people who encouraged him to pursue his hobby.
“When I went home last few days ago, I gave him coins and bills from countries I went to from my last biyahe,” shared Izhar Pagayon who is a seafarer adding that he gave his entire coin and money collection when he discovered that he and his son share the same interest.
HEADS AND TAILS
Just like a coin, there were moments as a numismatist that left him tarnished. He recounted his experience when he got scammed when a coin seller convinced him to buy an 1892 Morgan dollar that is supposed to be made of silver. But when he cleaned it as he went home, it turned out to be brass. That experience taught him a lesson the hard way.
“If you don’t have that keen of an eye nor very little experience towards differentiating metal materials or counterfeits, you are doomed to lose money,” he shared adding that identifying authentic from the fake ones is one of the major difficulties he faces.
Storing pieces from his collection has also been a challenge for him. Ironically, in order to preserve his money collection, he has to spend some money from his own pocket. He uses acrylic cases, that are worth P150 per bundle, to store his coins and plastic sleeves for the paper bills. He also buys frames for some of the special pieces. However, he is aware that he cannot keep all of these pieces forever.
“I am planning to donate a part of my collection to a museum in due time and the rest maybe I would pass them down to my children or grandchildren if they are interested, and some of it are destined to be sold,” he shared.
KEEP ON ROLLING
Aside from his coin collection, Yzhary is also fond of collecting other things like postal stamps, vinyl records, cassette tapes, Lego sets, old photocards, and movie memorabilia. With all these numerous collections, he always ensures that his hobby will not fall into an unhealthy addiction.
“Start humbly, learn step by step, never be afraid to seek help or guidance from other collectors to equip you with more knowledge about it, and of course always be open for new ideas,” Yzhary said when asked to give tips for aspiring collectors like him.
The world has a diverse view of what money is. For some, money means power; for others, money means affording a meal that can get them through the day; for Yzhary, money means history. It indeed makes the world go round because if otherwise, no one will fight over a piece of paper or a metal, well except Yzhary. (Silak Media)
