Donald Groves Partrick's Amazing Collection

Zoins

Donald Groves Partrick was an amazing collector. Here's a brief bio from Heritage. Adjusted years below to his birth year as the article I'm quoting from is using his Brasher Doubloon ownership years.

Donald Groves Partrick ([1926]-2020) formed possibly the greatest collection of colonial coins, 1792 patterns, and Confederate coinage issues ever assembled. Beginning in the mid-1960s, with the help of his longtime friend and associate Jon Hanson, Partrick participated in such landmark auctions as Garrett, Brand, Roper, Norweb, and Ford, scrupulously seeking out the best pieces from those great collections for his cabinet.
[...]
Known as a "Long Island Specialist" in many pedigree records, Partrick was the head of an extremely successful real estate and development business in his home state of New York. He was a philanthropist on a grand scale, giving generously over the years to conservation concerns, educational institutions, community facilities, and numismatic organizations. He also owned a nature preserve in upstate New York.

https://coins.ha.com/itm/colonials/1787-dbln-new-york-style-brasher-doubloon-eb-on-wing-ms65-ngc-cac-w-5840-pcgs-487-/p/1326-18053.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515

From E-Sylum:

Donald Groves Partrick was born on January 4, 1926. He was a real estate developer living in Huntington, New York.
[...]
Partrick was a generous supporter of the American Numismatic Society, an active participant at ANS events and served as their president. It was the ANS that finally made the public announcement of his death. The absence of a death notice is not the result of an oversight, absence of close family or financial hardship. Perhaps in this case the lack of a story becomes as interesting as the story would be.
[...]
Partrick was a very private person. His family is continuing that practice, so little is known about him today. His work with ANS and his collection itself are his primary legacy to the hobby.

https://www.coinbooks.org/v23/esylum_v23n33a10.html

Here's a photo from E-Sylum showing Richard Margolis, Donald Partrick, Vincent Alones, John J. Ford at the 1986 Grand Central Coin Convention (Image courtesy George Cuhaj). I had perviously run across this searching or Vincent Alones.

Did anyone participate in the Partrick sale?

I made some bids but lost out on everything:

• 1837 Illustrious Predecessor Token - Low-19, HT-33A - NGC MS63 - $9,000
• (1831-36) Feuchtwanger Store Card - HT-260 - NGC MS63 - $9,600
• Selection of 11 Silver Augustus Sage Medals - Raw Mostly AU to Mint State - $6,600

It's okay as HTT aren't my primary area of focus. Still, it was good to see such strong prices!

I especially like this one because it says American Silver Composition. After seeing a lot of German Silver CWTs, it's nice to see American Silver!

cardinal

I was shut out as well; although there was nothing that I actually needed, so my bids were on the low side.

DCW

Not just hard times tokens, there were lots of desirable merchant cards as well.
These brought very strong prices:


This has to be a record by the way for a Feuchtwanger Cent! $28,800?!

Zoins

@DCW said:
Not just hard times tokens, there were lots of desirable merchant cards as well.
These brought very strong prices:

I was just looking at that in Rulau! That's a nice one and one I was following as well, just not bidding on.

This is a seminal collection so I'm not surprised the wallets opened for this sale.

Zoins

BTW, this is the first time I noticed Louis Feuchtwanger is a Doctor.

Does anyone know what he was a doctor of?

DCW

@ambro51 used to have an extensive collection of Feuchtwanger cents. He would be the guy to explain what Dr. Feuchtwanger practiced as well as if the difference, if any, between German and American silver

cardinal

Yes, is seems that the Medals and Tokens are getting more attention!

I was bidding in a different auction, and came away with this, dated 1790, with the credit going to Vicken Yegparian, who clued me in on it:

Zoins

Very very nice @cardinal! That's a great addition to your collection!

I was focused on another auction as well and came away with the following. In 1859, the Kentucky Legislature authorized gold medals for 6 living Kentuckians that served in the 1813 Battle of Lake Erie. This is one of 5 silver restrikes commissioned by Isaac Francis Wood. I've only seen one other, the specimen owned by Lovett collector Dave Baldwin.

cardinal

@Zoins said:
Very very nice @cardinal! That's a great addition to your collection!

I was focused on another auction as well and came away with the following. In 1859, the Kentucky Legislature authorized gold medals for 6 living Kentuckians that served in the 1813 Battle of Lake Erie. This is one of 5 silver restrikes commissioned by Isaac Francis Wood. I've only seen one other, the specimen owned by Lovett collector Dave Baldwin.

I had the Lake Erie medal on my list, as I grew up within a short walk to the Erie shore!

spacehayduke

I bid on a few in the HA auction, but even for the common HTT's, prices were strong to very strong. That is good for the 80 or so that I own........

Best, SH

kaz

I bid on a handful and was thoroughly shut out.

coinsarefun

I also had 3 hefty bids........at least I thought so, and lost all.
One I was the underbidder

Zoins

@coinsarefun said:
I also had 3 hefty bids........at least I thought so, and lost all.
One I was the underbidder

Sorry to hear that! I was really pulling for you!

Crazy that all of us were beat out. Who are the strong Hard Times Token collectors these days?

Mark

The auction (and, to be honest, @Zoins fascinating posts about his tokens) inspired me to buy and read Bower's book on HT tokens. The book is excellent. It definitely enhanced my understanding of HT tokens! Consequently, I bid on three and was the underbidder on two. I did win one, Low-62, HT-20, W-11-630a, R.1, MS64 Brown NGC. Here are Heritage's pictures:

Zoins

Congrats @Mark That's a very nice looking token! Glad to be an inspiration!

I bid on one of the silvers but lost out on that one too.

spacehayduke

There were quite a few of the 'common' varieties showing uncommon amounts of red under brown patina. All were super strong prices for the grade. It is great to see that there is still vibrant interest in the series. I just should have not been afraid to bid very strong.

Answer to Zoins on who was out there bidding strong - we have not heard from Broadstruck yet, he is a very serious HTT collector and likes them red........

Best, SH

DCW

I bid on several, and I lost on several.
But I was successful on the one I really wanted, an extremely rare piece to add to my collection of tokens and medals from diesinker, Joseph Merriam. Paid more than I wanted to, but it was a unique opportunity, and at least one other person valued it accordingly:
(1860) Edward Everett/ Joseph Merriam Storecard NGC MS66BN


Ive never seen Merriam's storecard muled with an Everett die, and this one is a actually a completely different die. Must have been used for a very brief time after the original die broke or vice versa. I have only seen this particular die twice, and both times it was muled with a Washington die. Interesting to find it on Merriam's actual storecard reverse.
Here are both for comparison:

Will do a separate thread on this piece when it arrives.

Zoins

@DCW said:
I bid on several, and I lost on several.
But I was successful on the one I really wanted, an extremely rare piece to add to my collection of tokens and medals from diesinker, Joseph Merriam. Paid more than I wanted to, but it was a unique opportunity, and at least one other person valued it accordingly:

Wow! That's amazing @DCW!

I looked it up and Heritage says it's possibly unique!

Another thing of interest is that it used to be part of the "Springfield Collection." I'm fascinated by Springfield because that's where John Adams Bolen lived. It would be great to learn more about this collection.

You should try to get the NGC PhotoVision photo with the blue background for it.

Congrats on picking up another super rarity for your collection

DCW

@Zoins said:

Wow! That's amazing @DCW!

Can't wait to get it in hand. Seems very eye appealing and that is a good thing, because it is extremely rare.

I looked it up and Heritage says it's possibly unique!

It may well be. Ive never even heard of this one.

Another thing of interest is that it used to be part of the "Springfield Collection." I'm fascinated by Springfield because that's where John Adams Bolen lived. It would be great to learn more about this collection.

I wonder if it was formed in Springfield or it just the name of the collection. Does anyone know anything about this collection? It was auctioned some 40 years ago.

You should try to get the NGC PhotoVision photo with the blue background for it.

Strange that when you type the cert # it doesn't link to the Photvision pic, but rather it goes to some crappy scan of the entire slab. I contacted the folks at NGC and they were more than happy to send the photos they took. However, they never did the side by side with blue background. He said he'll make one up for me and send soon.

Congrats on picking up another super rarity for your collection

Thanks, John. Im happy

GoldenEgg

@DCW said:
I bid on several, and I lost on several.
But I was successful on the one I really wanted, an extremely rare piece to add to my collection of tokens and medals from diesinker, Joseph Merriam.

>
>

The portrait of this obverse die is far superior to that of the more common design.

This particular piece appears to have been broadstruck or struck in a collar that was too large. The auction description identifies it as a plain edge. I would love to hear your assessment after you’ve inspected it in hand.

This piece has the trifecta: eye appeal, rarity, and history. Splendid medal!

Zoins

Wow, I just read that Donald Patrick passed away this year and was also a past ANS President.

I added both to the OP.

Heritage wrote the following and I can see more the reason for super strong prices now. Not that I didn't realize how rare these are, but how long they may have been off the market.

Donald Groves Partrick (1979-2020) formed possibly the greatest collection of colonial coins, 1792 patterns, and Confederate coinage issues ever assembled. Beginning in the mid-1960s, with the help of his longtime friend and associate Jon Hanson, Partrick participated in such landmark auctions as Garrett, Brand, Roper, Norweb, and Ford, scrupulously seeking out the best pieces from those great collections for his cabinet.

I changed the title to better accommodate his other areas including colonials, patterns and confederates. He has some great Brashers coming up!

coinsarefun

Such an amazing,collection.....so many increadible pieces

DCW

I really like when the people that are cataloging a collection are just blown away by the experience and share their thoughts.

From Heritage:

“It’s absolutely a thrill to handle this collection – and even a little overwhelming,” said Heritage Auctions Senior Numismatist Mark Borckardt, who in March was named 2020 Numismatist of the Year by the American Numismatic Association. “The Partrick Collection represents the pinnacle of my numismatic career as it pertains to early American copper and colonial coins. I’ve never seen anything better than this..."
"Everything about the Donald G. Partrick Collection is unprecedented,” said Borckardt. “From the scope and breadth to the quality. It is historic in every aspect, and this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Zoins

@DCW said:
I really like when the people that are cataloging a collection are just blown away by the experience and share their thoughts.

From Heritage:

“It’s absolutely a thrill to handle this collection – and even a little overwhelming,” said Heritage Auctions Senior Numismatist Mark Borckardt, who in March was named 2020 Numismatist of the Year by the American Numismatic Association. “The Partrick Collection represents the pinnacle of my numismatic career as it pertains to early American copper and colonial coins. I’ve never seen anything better than this..."
"Everything about the Donald G. Partrick Collection is unprecedented,” said Borckardt. “From the scope and breadth to the quality. It is historic in every aspect, and this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The only thing that would be better for me is if they were all TrueViewed before the sale.

This collection has been in the works since the 60s and is 50-60 years old. It's a great events when collections of such age is disbursed. Along the way, I wonder how many of his tokens were available to view to friends and at club meetings of the ANS.

I wonder how many of us are making these decades long collections of rare and incredible pieces!

MFeld

@DCW said:
I really like when the people that are cataloging a collection are just blown away by the experience and share their thoughts.

From Heritage:

“It’s absolutely a thrill to handle this collection – and even a little overwhelming,” said Heritage Auctions Senior Numismatist Mark Borckardt, who in March was named 2020 Numismatist of the Year by the American Numismatic Association. “The Partrick Collection represents the pinnacle of my numismatic career as it pertains to early American copper and colonial coins. I’ve never seen anything better than this..."
"Everything about the Donald G. Partrick Collection is unprecedented,” said Borckardt. “From the scope and breadth to the quality. It is historic in every aspect, and this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

On the very rare occasions when Mr. Borckardt asks me “Would you like to see something neat/cool”, he doesn’t have to twist my arm to get me to come look.😉

Zoins

@MFeld said:

@DCW said:
I really like when the people that are cataloging a collection are just blown away by the experience and share their thoughts.

From Heritage:

“It’s absolutely a thrill to handle this collection – and even a little overwhelming,” said Heritage Auctions Senior Numismatist Mark Borckardt, who in March was named 2020 Numismatist of the Year by the American Numismatic Association. “The Partrick Collection represents the pinnacle of my numismatic career as it pertains to early American copper and colonial coins. I’ve never seen anything better than this..."
"Everything about the Donald G. Partrick Collection is unprecedented,” said Borckardt. “From the scope and breadth to the quality. It is historic in every aspect, and this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

On the very rare occasions when Mr. Borckardt asks me “Would you like to see something neat/cool”, he doesn’t have to twist my arm to get me to come look.😉

Can you share some pieces that he's taken the time to show you?

MFeld

@Zoins said:

@MFeld said:

@DCW said:
I really like when the people that are cataloging a collection are just blown away by the experience and share their thoughts.

From Heritage:

“It’s absolutely a thrill to handle this collection – and even a little overwhelming,” said Heritage Auctions Senior Numismatist Mark Borckardt, who in March was named 2020 Numismatist of the Year by the American Numismatic Association. “The Partrick Collection represents the pinnacle of my numismatic career as it pertains to early American copper and colonial coins. I’ve never seen anything better than this..."
"Everything about the Donald G. Partrick Collection is unprecedented,” said Borckardt. “From the scope and breadth to the quality. It is historic in every aspect, and this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

On the very rare occasions when Mr. Borckardt asks me “Would you like to see something neat/cool”, he doesn’t have to twist my arm to get me to come look.😉

Can you share some pieces that he's taken the time to show you?

Nothing most people would care much about, unless they like Brasher Doubloons and other such widgets.

Zoins

@MFeld said:

@Zoins said:

@MFeld said:

@DCW said:
I really like when the people that are cataloging a collection are just blown away by the experience and share their thoughts.

From Heritage:

“It’s absolutely a thrill to handle this collection – and even a little overwhelming,” said Heritage Auctions Senior Numismatist Mark Borckardt, who in March was named 2020 Numismatist of the Year by the American Numismatic Association. “The Partrick Collection represents the pinnacle of my numismatic career as it pertains to early American copper and colonial coins. I’ve never seen anything better than this..."
"Everything about the Donald G. Partrick Collection is unprecedented,” said Borckardt. “From the scope and breadth to the quality. It is historic in every aspect, and this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

On the very rare occasions when Mr. Borckardt asks me “Would you like to see something neat/cool”, he doesn’t have to twist my arm to get me to come look.😉

Can you share some pieces that he's taken the time to show you?

Nothing most people would care much about, unless they like Brasher Doubloons and other such widgets.

Ah, I thought you would be proactively asking Mr. Borckardt to see those as they are not to be missed!

I was just looking at the Partrick pair on HA.com but would love to see them in person!

It's great that you can still see these during the COVID era

MFeld

@Zoins said:

@MFeld said:

@Zoins said:

@MFeld said:

@DCW said:
I really like when the people that are cataloging a collection are just blown away by the experience and share their thoughts.

From Heritage:

“It’s absolutely a thrill to handle this collection – and even a little overwhelming,” said Heritage Auctions Senior Numismatist Mark Borckardt, who in March was named 2020 Numismatist of the Year by the American Numismatic Association. “The Partrick Collection represents the pinnacle of my numismatic career as it pertains to early American copper and colonial coins. I’ve never seen anything better than this..."
"Everything about the Donald G. Partrick Collection is unprecedented,” said Borckardt. “From the scope and breadth to the quality. It is historic in every aspect, and this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

On the very rare occasions when Mr. Borckardt asks me “Would you like to see something neat/cool”, he doesn’t have to twist my arm to get me to come look.😉

Can you share some pieces that he's taken the time to show you?

Nothing most people would care much about, unless they like Brasher Doubloons and other such widgets.

Ah, I thought you would be proactively asking Mr. Borckardt to see those as they are not to be missed!

I was just looking at the Patrick pair on HA.com but would love to see them in person!

It's great that you can still see these during the COVID era

I get to see the coins sooner or later, one way or another.

Zoins

Wayne Homren wrote:
Partrick was a very private person. His family is continuing that practice, so little is known about him today. His work with ANS and his collection itself are his primary legacy to the hobby.

Given that he was so private, was the contents of his collection widely known?

DCW

11 days later and still no shipping notification from Heritage. Anyone have their lots shipped?

Zoins

@DCW said:
11 days later and still no shipping notification from Heritage. Anyone have their lots shipped?

I got an email from "Heritage Client Services" saying:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are experiencing small delays in processing and shipping orders. [....]

Coinosaurus

Keep in mind that the Partrick 1792 patterns already sold 6 years ago (HA FUN sale 1/2015) for about $10m!

Broadstruck

@Zoins said:

@coinsarefun said:
I also had 3 hefty bids........at least I thought so, and lost all.
One I was the underbidder

Sorry to hear that! I was really pulling for you!

Crazy that all of us were beat out. Who are the strong Hard Times Token collectors these days?

I got majorly flustered when the multitude of lots aired for review. It took me well over a week to review everything lot by lot. Without being able to do in hand lot viewing due to Covid I just had to go with my gut feelings. Knowing what original all non molested metal types should look like and what they photograph like felt this was an auction to just pass on. Many problematic tokens ended up in straight graded holders. Grading was also highly subjective as many with rub ended up in high MS holders. The few tokens I wouldn't have minded (less than 5) I felt it would be better to see if they resurface being sold direct than ending up in a bidding war.

Zoins

@Broadstruck said:

@Zoins said:

@coinsarefun said:
I also had 3 hefty bids........at least I thought so, and lost all.
One I was the underbidder

Sorry to hear that! I was really pulling for you!

Crazy that all of us were beat out. Who are the strong Hard Times Token collectors these days?

I got majorly flustered when the multitude of lots aired for review. It took me well over a week to review everything lot by lot. Without being able to do in hand lot viewing due to Covid I just had to go with my gut feelings. Knowing what original all non molested metal types should look like and what they photograph like felt this was an auction to just pass on. Many problematic tokens ended up in straight graded holders. Grading was also highly subjective as many with rub ended up in high MS holders.

Thanks for the good review and observations.

The few tokens I wouldn't have minded (less than 5) I felt it would be better to see if they resurface being sold direct than ending up in a bidding war.

Certainly feels that way if they appear. I've seen the same thing happen with resales from numerous big name auctions.

Broadstruck

@Zoins said:

Certainly feels that way if they appear. I've seen the same thing happen with resales from numerous big name auctions.

@Zoins said:
BTW, this is the first time I noticed Louis Feuchtwanger is a Doctor.

Does anyone know what he was a doctor of?

He wore a lot of hats as he was a chemist, dentist, & pharmacist.

As I recall his brother was also a dentist and lewis did everything within the same building.

basalstate

Looks like he had five 1796 half cents per an upcoming Heritage auction, alongside many other early ones !