Steven Andrew Sales was born on March 14, 1964 in Gander, Newfoundland, to Wayne G. and Sharon L. (Grashe) Sales. As a child, Steve had a curious nature and was far more worldly than his years. He was an avid collector of postage stamps from distant countries and was an amateur radio operator who recorded conversations with fellow “hams” in many foreign countries. He grew up with a global perspective, partly due to growing up in a military family with frequent relocations. After leaving Gander, the family lived in North Carolina and Florida before moving to Türkiye for two years. There, many enjoyable weekends were spent exploring ancient Greek and Roman sites and absorbing the local culture. Subsequent homes in Wisconsin, California, Texas, and Mississippi helped expand Steve’s world view. In 1973, the family moved to Athens, Greece and enjoyed two years of adventure travel in that historic land, including an overland trip through Yugoslavia, Austria and Germany to Paris, France in a Volkswagen camper bus. Having developed a fascination with ancient Egypt at the age of 10, Steve and his mother visited the pyramids as part of a Mediterranean cruise. Weekend sailing in the Saronic Gulf and trips to the beaches of Greece were frequent occurrences for the family during that time.
Steve’s high school years were divided between Amery, Wisconsin and Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Steve became interested in computer programming in 1981 while at Mascoutah High School. He had a natural affinity for computers and later studied computer science at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. By the late 1980s, Steve was teaming up with his father in producing a monthly hobby publication, cellator, For collectors of ancient coins. He took to ancient coins like a duck to water. His writing, editing and computer skills served the publication well and he was promoted to publisher/editor in September 1995. Steve also contributed to several major book projects in the ancient coin collecting field as production manager and proof reader. during his years cellator, He was a familiar face at coin conventions across the country, where he kept abreast of market and hobby news and activities. More recently, Steve was self-employed in the construction business.
Steven Sales died unexpectedly of a heart attack on Friday, July 15, 2016. He was 52 years old. He is survived by his mother, Sharon Gresche of Juneau, Wisconsin; father and stepmother Wayne and Doris Sayles of Gainesville, Missouri; brother Scott Sales of Gainesville, Missouri; sister Stephanie Sales of Middleton, Wisconsin and grandmother Betty J. Sells of Coupeville, Washington. Sales.