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Stewart Blay and I in New york City
lloydmincy
Posts: 1,861 ✭
I don't even know how to start this thread. Lord Master gave me full permission to post this!
I was invited to a venecian-style wedding reception from a Christie's auction ex-employee Dec 3rd. I knew I would go to NY for a longer stay, and immediately called Stewart to see if we could meet. I asked him if he was around then, and he said for sure, and we tentatively planned:
I asked him if I could see any "goodies". He told me when I flew in on Dec 1st, to immediately meet him at his "bank". We were going to go into the Vaults!!!
I arrived 2:00pm, checked into my Hotel Wales on 96th and Madison at around 3:00pm, and with my "Christie's" hostess, took a cab as FAST as I could to meet him at the bank. The whole time I was worried there wouldn't be enough time, since the bank closes at 4:30pm. The cab takes us to the corner of midtown where I was supposed to meet him, and I at first panicked, because I couldn't find his bank. Was about to call him, and there standing in front of another bank, was the master, looking like a hitman waiting for payment. I yelled, "Lord Master!!", and then I said, "this is the bank?". He said, "Yeah, I guess I didn't know the name of it!!" Has this major collection in it, and he doesn't know the name???
We proceed to go into the bank to the safe deposit section, and it is now 3:30pm. We get our "room", and I still feel we are parched for time, and he says "relax". He gets this "crate" from the bank employees, and looks at me with this cat-in-the-hat grin.
I am about to see, what I feel now/today, is one of the greatest collections of U.S. coins in existence.
He starts off slow: With my loop in hand, the first coin is a 1925 s/s, and it I think was a 65 rd. Then he slowly shows me other "error" coins - all in PCGS holders. They are STILL 1925 s/s!!! Then come different d/d, s/s, d/s, - There were too many to remember. All of them looked like they were made yesterday.
He knew what ones I would want to see, and I said, "make sure I see the princess!!". He says, "Don't worry - she will arrive!".
Now he starts his format. Starts with the lincoln cents. And he starts shoveling them to me. 1909. Out come at least TEN from that year. I first look at a 67RD 1909-S VDB. IT is the best I have ever seen. I'm not going to tell you HOW MANY!!! He asks me about the 1909 VDB. Amazing, and then I almost PASSED the 1909-s. 67RD, one of THREE of course, forgeting THAT coin was worth as much as the s-VDB's. Then comes 1910. Amazing. 1911. He looks at my friend and says, "This is one he'll really like!!!" and out comes the 68RD 1911. I looked at that one a LONNNGGG time. I could not find ONE THING wrong with it. It was one of the nicest lincoln cents I had ever seen. I (had) two 67RD's, but they were/are chump change to that 68.
He is now moving slowly still, and I keep thinking the bank is gonna boot us. The "guard" ask's us how much longer, and he says "1/2 hour". We're O.K. 1913, and then 1914. I was so much in awe by ALL of them, I didn't have enough time to appreciate them. There were just SO MANY. 1914 has the 14-d, of course, and he shows me a bunch of them, spotless and perfect of course, but I had ALMOST FORGOTTEN the 1914 P, and the 1914-S were just as newsworthy. He has the ONLY 66RD s, (the other one was fedex stolen, and where abouts still unknown), and the 1914 P, only 3 67RD's. 1915, a 68, 1918, a 68. It just never ended!!!
Then the cat-in-the-hat grin comes again. Here she comes. The 1919 69RD.
I had a hard time looking at it, because I couldn't keep still. There are pictures (shylock) available to check it out, but in person, it is RIDICULOUSLY FLAWLESS. It looked like it just came off the press yesterday.
1922 NO D, with a 64RD and a 65RB. I told him they both looked the same to me. He agreed. I told him so many of his doubles looked like they could upgrade. Response: "PCGS is afraid of me!!!". I knew what he meant. Upgrading and increasing the value of some of these to boost the guarantee clause, gives PCGS a headache when Stewart is walking near their booths!!!
Then he lines up all the double dies. Including the latest purchase everyone has heard about - the 1958 DDO MS65RD. Along with it was 55's (yes, more than one, and you know they are all reds..), and the 1969-s 65RD. I knew I would never see another 58 or 69 that nice in my life - ever- again.
Then come the early years. Flying eagles, etc. and before. He showed me a GREAT example of the 1858/7 DDO. The doubling of the obverse was all over the coin. He then shows me (and my hostess), an 1857. I looked at it and IT had an OBVIOUS DOUBLING on the date, and the eagle. Stewart's response? "Oh wow. You're right. Yeah, but it is not as good as the other labeled one". BUT IT WAS STILL A DDO!!!
MS high grade after another. Then the IHC's. Same ole' story. I had tons of them in front of me. The 1877, "the princess" shows up. And so one.
Every copper red cent to me will look like junk now since I've seen this collection....
Then the proofs. The nicest 1859, 1909-s IHC I have ever seen, let alone the in-between years. The 1909 VDB I think, or the 1909, was a 68 PROOF. 68!!! I shook my head so many times, I thought it would fall off.
Somehow, we were allowed to stay in the bank until about 6:30pm. He paid the guard a nice tip, and he closed up shop. I know he is a big barber and other stuff collector, but never got to them. I forgot - his cent PATTERNS. So many I always wondered where they were. No need to wonder anymore...
We then walked around town for a long time, and went to his place to see some of his sculptures. Very good stuff. And his coin stories. They are all amazing- present and past what is happening.
If you ever get the chance, ask him about the 1958 DDO story. It is truly so amazing, and the story exemplifies what a true PASSIONATE and DETERMINED collector will do to get that coin that he/ she wants - no matter what.
We proceeded to go out to dinner, with my TWO girl friends now, and had a blast. Stayed out late enough, but the next morning, he was involved in the Philadelphia private coin auction, and I had to do more things. But is was unbelievable. It was a red copper standard that I feel no one these days will be able to achieve at his levels...
Me and Lord master about to go into the "vaults"
with my hostess watching, the "mini vault" is about to open...
Here they come...
Cat-in-the-hat
The shoveling begins
The "princess"
"The only cat I will ever own. A dead one!" At Maxine's and Mandibles "bone" and other science store. He wanted it for sculpture practicing purposes...
At his home office. Notice his screen saver. The 1919 69 RD, of course.
The only thing I could find in New York worth more than Stewart's box at the bank!!!
I was invited to a venecian-style wedding reception from a Christie's auction ex-employee Dec 3rd. I knew I would go to NY for a longer stay, and immediately called Stewart to see if we could meet. I asked him if he was around then, and he said for sure, and we tentatively planned:
I asked him if I could see any "goodies". He told me when I flew in on Dec 1st, to immediately meet him at his "bank". We were going to go into the Vaults!!!
I arrived 2:00pm, checked into my Hotel Wales on 96th and Madison at around 3:00pm, and with my "Christie's" hostess, took a cab as FAST as I could to meet him at the bank. The whole time I was worried there wouldn't be enough time, since the bank closes at 4:30pm. The cab takes us to the corner of midtown where I was supposed to meet him, and I at first panicked, because I couldn't find his bank. Was about to call him, and there standing in front of another bank, was the master, looking like a hitman waiting for payment. I yelled, "Lord Master!!", and then I said, "this is the bank?". He said, "Yeah, I guess I didn't know the name of it!!" Has this major collection in it, and he doesn't know the name???
We proceed to go into the bank to the safe deposit section, and it is now 3:30pm. We get our "room", and I still feel we are parched for time, and he says "relax". He gets this "crate" from the bank employees, and looks at me with this cat-in-the-hat grin.
I am about to see, what I feel now/today, is one of the greatest collections of U.S. coins in existence.
He starts off slow: With my loop in hand, the first coin is a 1925 s/s, and it I think was a 65 rd. Then he slowly shows me other "error" coins - all in PCGS holders. They are STILL 1925 s/s!!! Then come different d/d, s/s, d/s, - There were too many to remember. All of them looked like they were made yesterday.
He knew what ones I would want to see, and I said, "make sure I see the princess!!". He says, "Don't worry - she will arrive!".
Now he starts his format. Starts with the lincoln cents. And he starts shoveling them to me. 1909. Out come at least TEN from that year. I first look at a 67RD 1909-S VDB. IT is the best I have ever seen. I'm not going to tell you HOW MANY!!! He asks me about the 1909 VDB. Amazing, and then I almost PASSED the 1909-s. 67RD, one of THREE of course, forgeting THAT coin was worth as much as the s-VDB's. Then comes 1910. Amazing. 1911. He looks at my friend and says, "This is one he'll really like!!!" and out comes the 68RD 1911. I looked at that one a LONNNGGG time. I could not find ONE THING wrong with it. It was one of the nicest lincoln cents I had ever seen. I (had) two 67RD's, but they were/are chump change to that 68.
He is now moving slowly still, and I keep thinking the bank is gonna boot us. The "guard" ask's us how much longer, and he says "1/2 hour". We're O.K. 1913, and then 1914. I was so much in awe by ALL of them, I didn't have enough time to appreciate them. There were just SO MANY. 1914 has the 14-d, of course, and he shows me a bunch of them, spotless and perfect of course, but I had ALMOST FORGOTTEN the 1914 P, and the 1914-S were just as newsworthy. He has the ONLY 66RD s, (the other one was fedex stolen, and where abouts still unknown), and the 1914 P, only 3 67RD's. 1915, a 68, 1918, a 68. It just never ended!!!
Then the cat-in-the-hat grin comes again. Here she comes. The 1919 69RD.
I had a hard time looking at it, because I couldn't keep still. There are pictures (shylock) available to check it out, but in person, it is RIDICULOUSLY FLAWLESS. It looked like it just came off the press yesterday.
1922 NO D, with a 64RD and a 65RB. I told him they both looked the same to me. He agreed. I told him so many of his doubles looked like they could upgrade. Response: "PCGS is afraid of me!!!". I knew what he meant. Upgrading and increasing the value of some of these to boost the guarantee clause, gives PCGS a headache when Stewart is walking near their booths!!!
Then he lines up all the double dies. Including the latest purchase everyone has heard about - the 1958 DDO MS65RD. Along with it was 55's (yes, more than one, and you know they are all reds..), and the 1969-s 65RD. I knew I would never see another 58 or 69 that nice in my life - ever- again.
Then come the early years. Flying eagles, etc. and before. He showed me a GREAT example of the 1858/7 DDO. The doubling of the obverse was all over the coin. He then shows me (and my hostess), an 1857. I looked at it and IT had an OBVIOUS DOUBLING on the date, and the eagle. Stewart's response? "Oh wow. You're right. Yeah, but it is not as good as the other labeled one". BUT IT WAS STILL A DDO!!!
MS high grade after another. Then the IHC's. Same ole' story. I had tons of them in front of me. The 1877, "the princess" shows up. And so one.
Every copper red cent to me will look like junk now since I've seen this collection....
Then the proofs. The nicest 1859, 1909-s IHC I have ever seen, let alone the in-between years. The 1909 VDB I think, or the 1909, was a 68 PROOF. 68!!! I shook my head so many times, I thought it would fall off.
Somehow, we were allowed to stay in the bank until about 6:30pm. He paid the guard a nice tip, and he closed up shop. I know he is a big barber and other stuff collector, but never got to them. I forgot - his cent PATTERNS. So many I always wondered where they were. No need to wonder anymore...
We then walked around town for a long time, and went to his place to see some of his sculptures. Very good stuff. And his coin stories. They are all amazing- present and past what is happening.
If you ever get the chance, ask him about the 1958 DDO story. It is truly so amazing, and the story exemplifies what a true PASSIONATE and DETERMINED collector will do to get that coin that he/ she wants - no matter what.
We proceeded to go out to dinner, with my TWO girl friends now, and had a blast. Stayed out late enough, but the next morning, he was involved in the Philadelphia private coin auction, and I had to do more things. But is was unbelievable. It was a red copper standard that I feel no one these days will be able to achieve at his levels...
Me and Lord master about to go into the "vaults"
with my hostess watching, the "mini vault" is about to open...
Here they come...
Cat-in-the-hat
The shoveling begins
The "princess"
"The only cat I will ever own. A dead one!" At Maxine's and Mandibles "bone" and other science store. He wanted it for sculpture practicing purposes...
At his home office. Notice his screen saver. The 1919 69 RD, of course.
The only thing I could find in New York worth more than Stewart's box at the bank!!!
The Accumulator - Dark Lloyd of the Sith
1
Comments
BST successful dealings with:MsMorrisine, goldman86
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
You think there is a reason Stew could not remember the name of his bank? I do!
It probably has been bought out and merged 5 times in the last 10 years! Who can remember those silly things?
By the way, your pics remind me of the many times I got to see the Norweb collection personally with Ambassador and Emory Mae Norweb in Cleveland in the 1970's. A thrill of a lifetime.
Too bad you didn't go to his other bank!
09/07/2006
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
Now I know why the Coins I see look like such trash
THEY ARE!
Got to buy more Lottery Tickets!
Tales like this bring home the point that PCGS has seen most of these MONSTERS and compare our coins to them in their minds when they are grading our stuff. Sometimes we forget that fact when we think our coins should grade at such and such a grade.
Stewart, if you come to Long Beach, you can stay at my place if you bring a couple of indians to show
Tom
Lot of eye candy in that room.
Thanks, LM.
Clankeye
Fly-In Club
My PCGS Registry Sets
Nice job! My kudos to you both!
BTW, is that painting a VanGogh?
Ira
Cameron Kiefer
I remember seeing one Stewart's registry sets at the PCGS table in Long Beach several years ago. It was great. I would like to see that 1793 cent in 65. It sure sounds like you had a great time in NY.
And great point, TDN.
<< <i>I would like to see that 1793 cent in 65. >>
<< <i>65BN 1793's. >>
Plural
There are a couple Stewarts coins I would like to see and they aren't copper.
Although the 93's would be a treat.
Here's a warning parable for coin collectors...
Lloyd,
I'm at a loss for words. So, how about I just say...YOU SUCK!
Jack
Yes - 'Starry Night' at the Museum of Modern Art
Coin's for sale/trade.
Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
<<You have two girlfriends??>>
They're not twins, so it shouldn't upset you much.
O'K, now that I've settled down a bit I do have to reiterate what has already been stated. Stewart takes a little heat now and then. He can be a little rough around the edges. However, this thread speaks more about him than most realize. He's a good guy and is a passionate collector. What he and Lloyd and "little missy" shared is what this hobby is all about.
Way to go Stewart!!
Jack
a never to forget kind of coin!
designset
Treasury Seals Type Set
Great story, great collection. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Is that a check book on the printer? Stewart why don't you write me a check for the nice compliment.
Russ, NCNE
Did you tell Stewart that you were a practicing "sleight-of-hand" master and that you always carry some spare PCGS lincolns with you
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
A great private showing
My posts viewed
since 8/1/6
Stewart really is a great guy
Go BIG or GO HOME. ©Bill
Andy
Make you wonder when Laurie will chip in
Marc
You saw the painting that's in this painting!
Jenness Cortez ~ Cortez Classic Gallery
Thanks for a great post! Thanks for the great pics! You've shared a very interesting numismatic event
My congrats to Mr. Blay for bringing together a terrific group of coins
KJ
Bottom right is Actress Kelly Rutherford. In "E-Ring" with Dennis Hopper, NBC on Wednesdays at 8pm EST. Was on "melrose place"
And I didn't forget about you, Cameron. Every year, a friend and I use our West Hollywood house as a Halloween after party, which always is the after-hours party for the Playboy Mansion's Halloween party. (My buddy is now married, we bought the house originally for investment because we have to go to LA/Orange so much, but we don't live there. He is an event planner, and we rent it out a lot for Grammy party's etc., to pay the bills and then some...). This year, I was a 60's hippie! These are the pg-13's!
My bodyguard. Do you know of a better one???
Just for you, Cameron!!!
Russ, NCNE