Born in Slick Rock, Barren County, Kentucky. Attended business college 1955 to 1957. Married to Joyce Ann Smith November 24, 1971. He has a daughter, three sons and a step-son. Served active duty in the military 1957 to 1971 including three combat tours in Vietnam 1967 to 1970. Employed as a supervisor with Philip Morris Industries 1971 to 1975. Employed as a metal fabrication instructor for a branch of the U. S. government 1975 to 1989. He retired February 14, 1989.

Romines is a specialist in the minting process and has discovered thousands of die varieties. He served on the board of directors of CONECA in 1983 and as an authenticator for die varieties. In 1990 he estimated that his collection included a half million coins. He issued a personal "Hobo Token" in December 1981. He has also produced dies for other exonumia. In 1981 he was named Adult Advisor of the Year.

He was named a Numismatic News Numismatic Ambassador in 1988.

In 1994 he was inducted into the CONECA Hall of Fame.

Author of Hobo Nickels, Shopkeeper Nickels and Prison Nickels in 1982. He is the author of several articles on die varieties and die deterioration.

He died at Norton’s Hosparus Health Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

profile: CW/CP 10/31/1990 bio by correspondence, 1991

obit: E-Sylum 2/18/24