Who are the Greatest Collectors of All Time?
Zoins
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David Tripp considered Virgil Brand the greatest American collector. Agree or disagree?
Who else is in contention?
Here's some info from Tripp comparing Eliasberg to Brand.
https://www.coincollector.org/how-much-did-louis-eliasberg-spend-on-his-collection/
Louis Eliasberg’s cost was the lower figure of $400,000 (which, remember, was an enormous sum of money in those days).
Some of more expensive purchases included: The 1822 Half Eagle 1 of 3 [two of which are in the Smithsonian] cost him 14,000 in 1945 (which was sold in 1982 for $687,500); the unique 1870-S Three Dollar cost him $11,550 in 1946 (also sold in 1982 for $687,500).
But, the single biggest expenditure was in 1942, for the core of his collection: the Clapp Collection in its day was considered virtually complete, and so much of what Eliasberg did after its purchase was upgrade and fill-in. The price was $100,000.
So you can see, $4,000,000 is much too high.
As a frame of reference Virgil Brand, the greatest American coin collector of all time spent about $3,000,000 between 1889 and 1926. His collection comprised 368,000 coins [including 2 Brasher Doubloons; the finest known 1804 Dollar; about 40 1879 Flowing Hair Stellas etc etc …and this doesn’t include the galaxy of Foreign and Ancient Coins]. His collection today would dwarf in value any other collection you could name (at today’s prices probably [well]over a billion dollars).
Comments
Virgil Brand for the early 20th Century, and Mrs. Norweb for the latter.
QDB's book on Brand is pretty great.
I should add that I know vaguely of great European collections (what little I know was gleaned from Mrs. Stefanelli). Many of those great collections had the advantage of being multi-generational. Even George III of Great Britain was an enthusiastic numismatist.
I guess it depends on what ones definition of “greatest” collectors is. We all probably have different measuring sticks.
m
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
What are yours?
Im not a completist so I lean towards quality over quantity.
I’m not in the camp that top pop means it’s the best coin. Sometime the best coin is a grade or two lower. Aesthetics over grade.
I’m kind of into how collections are formed over time
Extra credit for shrewdness of acquisition.
Guys like Gardner and Pittman I might have higher on the list then others may
Brand is a nice pick
mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Good criteria. What makes Gardner stand out for you?
He had a lot of great sets. In general I liked the “look” of his collection. Gardner formed the all time greatest collection of Liberty Seated coins. His barber sets were excellent As well as his silver bust coins. Wasn’t too shabby in copper either. He seemed very savvy.
Also he and Pogue were recently auctioned off so I got to see this first hand while others I just read about. I actually got to view most of the coins.
m
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Greatest collectors?
I think that there aren't the greatest collectors but more greater collectors.
The greatest collector was/is a dedicated individual of modest means who pursued/pursues his/her hobby in a manner of the highest ethical standards. His/her name will never be known because "greatest", by the standards of too many collectors, simply means someone who was very wealthy and spent huge sums on collectible coins.
Imelda Marcos had the world's greatest collection of shoes...Over 1000 pair....Does that count?
Cheers, RickO
I vote for CrazyHoundDog.
..................and Roger for the title "Collector of Stories".
Then there's that Eliasberg dude.
Pete
To me “great collector” should include a level of knowledge and appreciation what you have. Colonel Green had a big collection, but I’m not sure that he knew that much about what he was buying. From what I’ve read about Brand, he bought coins, put them boxes and never looked at them again. If that’s true, it makes him sound more like an accumulator than a collector.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3883930/most-armed-man-america-dragon-mel-bernstein-colorado-guns/amp/
The guy who had the most fun doing it, says I.
Probably some guy in Wisconsin stuffing pocket change into folders.......
I'm not sure Pittman gets the credit he should. He had U.S. coins that Eliasberg didn't and a lot of non-U.S. material.
I have always held Pittman in high esteem
I have never really researched the famous numismatists but I'm certainly aware of a few, I'd suggest Eric P Newman for the discussion.
How about chuck link today? he goes to just about every show. Is a walking encylopedia on Bust halves, he owns the greatest set ever, he sharees his knowldge
oh yeah, and that guy Simpson too is one of the greatest ever!!
The Norweb Collection.
Mr. Tripp is not an expert on US coins. His expertise is in ancient coins.
I think you have to be dead to receive this title.
Is the quote from him above incorrect?
Here's some commentary on John Jay Pittman.
https://invest.usgoldbureau.com/news/the-legendary-coin-collection-of-john-jay-pittman/
Seems like he had:
Was he greater than Eliasberg, Garret, and King Farouk as stated?
At 12,000 auction lots, the collection seems a lot smaller than the Brand collection at 368,000 coins.
Each of us, in our own way, are the “greatest collectors” with the “greatest collection.” Just like those folks with the most well-known collections.
The quote is not reliable as a secondary source of information. Others are competent to examine Eliasburg vs Brand, et al. (Other than amassing a bunch of coins, neither contributed anything to improved knowledge of American numismatics.)
It seems like the criteria in the OP quote is how much they spent. I don't personally think that how much money you can throw at something defines "greatness". Off the top of my head I would pick Eric P. Newman, for using his collection to leave a lasting legacy of education and research.
But is it known to be incorrect?
Well, I’m not sure I would include those buying modern counterfeits....
The OP can decide. I have learned that anything Mr. Tripp says about US coins must be verified.
Before I read the OP, just seeing the title, I thought "it's gotta be Brand."
I think Jules Reiver deserves a mention because his collection was pioneering in the way it included all the different die marriages he could get. I also like that he had quite a few well-circulated coins.
Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association
Me. For focusing on Bullion only.
My tribe always has openings.
No mention of Garrett yet?
Parmalee had a great collection. Atwater too
Garrett was mentioned but in the context of Pittman being greater. Agree or disagree?
I think the greatest American collector has been, and is, the Smithsonian.
One might consider a "great collection" from the aspect of what knowledge did the owner gain and disseminate to numismatists from the collection. In this context, Brand's volume of coins cannot stand up to Reiver's, Overton's, or several others.
Honorable mention... Dr French and his Large Cent collection, as well as an extensive stamp and art collection.
Sold to B Max Mehl circa 1929
BST: KindaNewish (3/21/21), WQuarterFreddie (3/30/21), Meltdown (4/6/21), DBSTrader2 (5/5/21) AKA- unclemonkey on Blow Out
Nah, that’s the auction company’s job. A great collection stands on its own
anyone whose name is on this thread and is no longer with us did something right if we are still talking about their collection long after they are gone.
1st: The People of the US via the Smithsonian
2nd: Garrett
Latin American Collection
The lasting value of a collection is in the knowledge that is gained from it either by an owner's careful research, or its use as a lever to improve what we think we know.
Monetary value, completeness, storage space or personal ego satisfaction are ephemeral and vanish when the accumulation is dispersed.
That collectors remember names of a few large collection owners tells us nothing useful - unless we think lists of owners of things merit the time. Brand's collection is long gone - its only value is in contents of his notebooks.
Possibly myself... nobody knows that but me though.
Click on this link to see my ebay listings.
Virgil was a great collector but also a hoarder as his collection got out of control. He never married and lived above his fathers brewery. When he died there was so much that some was given to his ex sister in law when she divorced his brother. She had crates of exonumia still sealed in her garage that she left to her cleaning lady when she died.
I bought these in 2016 which came from wooden crates the cleaning lady inherited.
From the recent discovered Virgil M. Brand hoard of so called miscellaneous tokens & medals.
For me:
Gerald Forsythe who is hands down finest Walker collector who ever lived.
Also, James Bennett Pryor, Eric Lane, Gene Holland, Bob Marino and Ann Kate Collection and Ally collection were all great Walker collectors.
In general:
Louis Eliasberg, Bass, Pittman, Eric Newman and Colonel Greene.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Having large amounts of money does not make someone a best collector IMO. There is always a tendency for folks to state just that - dude has money, dude spends it for the best coins because dude can afford them, therefore dude is the best. Just because someone has the resources to buy a $10 million coin does not mean they are the best dude. To me, someone who can be patient enough to find great moderately inexpensive coins in XF in a series to put together a set over a decade or 3, is as much of a best collector as are the rich folks.
With that in mind, a collector like Steve Crain comes out to me as one of the best ever, spectacular set of half dimes collected on a life long journey where many of his hd's today can be had for $100. But oh are they spectacular $100 coins that tell an amazing story and provide crucial jumps in knowledge in the half dime field. Now thaz a collector.
Just sayin'............
Best, SH
@tradedollarnut @Boosibri
What made Garrett so great for you both?
The coins that I’ve seen from the collection are in outstanding condition and the breadth of the collection was extensive
I am ashamed for forgetting Gerry Forsythe. He is by far the King in all the series he has MULTIPLE collections in. I'd guesstimate at one point his coin collection was worth over $50,000,000.00! His drive is to be #1 in any series he is collecting.
He will be displaying his incredible Liberty Nickel set -with the 5C 1913 PCGS PR66 CAC at the PCGS table at the ANA Show. We are proud to say PCGS made special holders for him that I believe will be available to the public after ANA. I helped him get his sets regraded and pedigreed last month. I did not like the other substandard sets with + creeping near him on the stupid registry. His coins have been off the market 20+ years when you could buy really nice coins! And yes, he is still buying today.
"I am ashamed for forgetting Gerry Forsythe. He is by far the King in all the series he has MULTIPLE collections in. I'd guesstimate at one point his coin collection was worth over $50,000,000.00! His drive is to be #1 in any series he is collecting."
Yup rich dudes who could afford the best........... So what?
Seems too many equate best collector with monetary value.
Just sayin'
Best, SH
Would definitely put Virgil Brand in a top spot, also Garrett, Parmalee, Mickley, and and maybe Farouk.
Your hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need it.