Good Guy Shout-Out Thread to Mark Feld of Heritage Auctions (HA)

TomB

I realize I run the risk of having this thread sink like a stone given the fact that it contains no drama, bickering, inflammatory accusations, hand wringing or even general lamentation, but I believe it is worth a read, anyway. It is also devoid of must-read and troll-seeking key words such as xxx and xxxxxx and xx and xxxxxxxx among others.

Recently, HA had scheduled for sale a coin that i was interested in, but that I could make neither heads nor tails of from the provided images. One part of me thought it might be original and generally neutral or (dare I say) somewhat handsome while another part of me thought the images were a red flag warning that this was not the piece for me. I reached out to HA and my contact, Mark Feld, to request that he look at the piece in-hand and share with me his thoughts.

I've known and done business with Mark for over two decades and we are each quite familiar with the "look" and qualities that each likes in coinage. Mark took a look at this piece and wrote to me that it was not something that he thought would match my tastes and, indeed, was not as nice as near anything I had posted to these boards. He also shared his thoughts on surface preservation, grade and originality. This piece happened to reside in one of those niche areas where I have a bit more experience than Mark does, so I shared with him my own thoughts on the images and what I have seen in the past in this arena. He likely learned something about this oddball pool of pieces and I definitely learned something about the lot in question.

Armed with this new knowledge, I placed my bid and won the lot at essentially my max. Winning a lot at near max bid is fine with me as it is still within the realm of what I think reasonable or at good value, even though I would have been even more delighted to have won it at a lower increment. In this instance I would not have won the lot without Mark's valuable input and then using this input with my own knowledge of the series in question.

The piece arrived (after HA took seemingly forever to mail it) and it was even nicer, in my opinion, than Mark had described. He had not lowballed the lot at all, but he had looked at it using his vast experience in this industry and with his knowledge of the broader pool of pieces that I endeavor to acquire. I then took his input and applied it to the specific niche in question and ended up with a piece that far exceeds anything I have been able to find in this area over the course of a fair number of years.

I would urge all of us who have a passion for numismatics to reach out and utilize the resources that are available to each of us. This might include literature, websites or organizations, but it definitely includes knowledgeable and honest numismatists who are willing to help. Mark has been a go-to person for me for many years and he came through again with this latest piece.

trueblood

I have heard from many collectors while Mark has worked at Heritage and before when he had his own dealership that he is simply an amazing individual and an incredible grader so I am not at all surprised

airplanenut

I could spend the rest of the evening (and some of tomorrow) writing stories touting Mark, but in short, I’ve had that same experience time and again. That he’s so willing to tell me when not to buy a coin gives me all the more confidence when he tells me to pay strong for a coin. And to further your point, it never hurts to ask even when it might not be the right person. Heritage had a colonial note early last year I was interested in, but that area is well outside my main area of knowledge. I asked Mark, and not surprisingly (since he’s a coin guy I’d never known to handle paper) he didn’t have an answer... but he did have the names of two of the paper experts at Heritage, and they were able to give me the same detailed and thoughtful response Mark would have for a coin. So now, alongside many superb coins Mark has helped me acquire, I also have a note I love that he helped me acquire.

lkeigwin

I've turned to Mark many times in the last decade or two. He has always had spot on advice. I trust him implicitly and would probably buy based on his recommendation alone.
Lance.

Relaxn

Before Mark joined HA he represented me more than a few times at auctions. He also reviewed coins for me. I was building an awesome WLH set and would send him lengthy emails of what I was looking for and asked him to review many many coins. He would write back with some kind of note for each and EVERY coin... I remember one auction had at least 17 coins I wanted to have him review. I was never lucky enough to meet him in person but I have incredible respect for Mark. He is a top notch numismatist!
Thank you for your work.

J

BryceM

Not a bad topic for my 10,000th post:

During my early collecting adventures I was lucky enough to get to know Mark. Many of my favorite pieces were purchased from him during his independent dealer days (here's one):

...reviewed by him before placing bids (here are two of several dozen):

...or on a few fun occasions we looked at lots together before the auctions started (here's a favorite):

I've had him review many dozens of potential purchases over the years and he probably likes about 1/4 of what I put in front of him. The lot descriptions he provides are insightful and learn something almost every time. Often, the response is "You can do better."

One experience is particularly memorable for some reason. I was searching for a double dime for my type set at a Long Beach show.... or maybe it was a summer ANA. Glenn Holsonbake didn't have one, but he remembered a certain vest dealer who was carting one around. We eventually found him and I purchased what I thought was a nice 75-S if I remember correctly. Sometime before the end of the show I bumped into Mark and he looked at the coins I'd purchased. I was particularly eager to show him my new double dime treasure and he said something like "I don't like it at all." Instant joy-killer stuff. He then explained why, and I learned a tremendous amount from that single encounter. Most people would have politely found something nice to say about it and changed the subject, but Mark gave me his accurate, honest assessment. I sold it for perhaps a slight loss but the ROI gained in knowledge was well worth it. Good stuff.

Maybe a year later we had been jointly trying to locate a Small Eagle Bust dollar in an appropriate price range. I found a potential candidate at a Stacks auction and Mark was nice enough to drop what he was doing to have a look with me. He looked it over and said "good job!" I was lucky enough to win it (the coin above) and have enjoyed it ever since.

Jimnight

I consider Mark to be a very valuable asset to this forum. The guy knows his stuff ... and has a very cool enjoyable numismatic style.

wondercoin

Tom. Do show the coin!

Mark is the best. I only wish he got to work a little earlier in the morning. 😉

Wondercoin

jmlanzaf

Many great people on this forum. Mark is definitely one of them.

ElmerFusterpuck

A true asset for the hobby and for this forum.

I'm sure the comments will be a lot different in the lame "open forum refuge" forum among their 5 or 6 posters.

ricko

A well deserved tribute to Mark. He always provides thoughtful and accurate input to questions and issues here on the forum. His knowledge is a valuable resource to members. I have great respect for him and his contributions. Cheers, RickO

DelawareDoons

Mark has steered me clear of several coins so far but encouraged me to go after a couple. The couple I went after I got blown out on, which tells me he and I weren't the only ones who thought they were PQ. That's nothing bad, I'm too cheap for my own good lol.

for Mark!

keyman64

I approve of this thread.

Pedzola

I have only been collecting a short time, so I don't have the long history and relationships that others do. But I recently requested some help from the forum in evaluating a large purchase, and Mark volunteered right away and provided some great input and advice.

Other members here have been extremely generous with their time as well, and I'm honored to be a part of this community. Fantastic network here, I hope to be able to continue getting to know many of you, and to pay it forward when I have something of value to contribute!

Thanks Mark!

DRUNNER

I 'worship from afar'. I have never had the opportunity to work with Mr. Feld but am certainly aware of his impact here on the Forum. His unadulterated opinions are sometimes close to the bone, but never wrong or abusive. You will get a true, clear, and accurate picture when you go to him for numismatic advice. This is rare . . almost unobtainable.

In time . . . .I will get to know him . . . . .

Drunner

jesbroken

15 or so years ago I digitally met Mark ats and he helped me tremendously, especially regarding copper. Now I had just went back and visited a long ago started IHC set that only had 20 or so coins in it. So I decided that I had so many that were woodgrained that I would try to build a complete set of woodgrained IHC's. I showed some photos of several coins I was interested in to Mark via ats forum and it was pretty quickly that he responded to me, "Jim, don't buy copper." I kinda took this to heart, but didn't completely quit buying. I did get the books I needed including Rick's early set of books and several others and learned quite a bit about learning copper coloring and cleaning results. Luckily for me, I was never into toned copper. Thank goodness. Mark has helped me many times over the years and always took the time I required. Thank you, Mark.
Jim

skier07

I bought this coin from Mark around 15 years ago in I think an NGC holder.

BuffaloIronTail

"Mark has been a go-to person for me for many years and he came through again with this latest piece."

Been knowin him since the old days.

A straight up, knowledgeable and helpful person.

Don't blush, Mark!

Pete

ironmanl63

Honest and helpful guy. A true asset to these boards.

3keepSECRETif2rDEAD

…he’s always welcome back in San Diego…in fact, he’s welcome back in ANY, of my Five Towns

dpoole

Mark has always been wonderfully supportive and forthcoming with his vast knowledge. Jim Halperin has provided similar screening for me over the years.

The hobby is blessed with and by such people.

MFeld

Thanks to everyone for your very nice comments. It means a great deal to me.

Proofmorgan

There are not enough good things to say about Mark. He has always been very kind and helpful in my experience with him.

logger7

Gee, a thread without controversy....I could go contrarian here as I usually figure the "other side of the story" is seldom told, but apparently Mark has done that for us regarding coins that may not be all they are cracked up to be.

david3142

I received a couple of emails from Mark this week about coins in an upcoming Heritage auction. He’s been instrumental in my collecting for the past 5-6 years!

Nic

@MFeld said:
Thanks to everyone for your very nice comments. It means a great deal to me.

Mark Feld sucks.
Sincerely, Nic

Nic

Great guy.

Barberian

Mark was great for selling me a nice coin that promptly plummeted 56% in value. So now I'm in the poorhouse with a gorgeous 39D MS66 Walker that Russ (RIP) said "fell off the top of the Yum yum tree", and about which JJM replied must have been grown in "You suck soil".

Thanks, Mark!

jom

Mark has always been helpful....especially after he joined Heritage. He looks at coins in auctions for me thatI can't see myself. Thanks Mark!

jom

AnkurJ

Mark who? Ah you mean the great Feldini!!! 😜

BryceM

@AnkurJ

Good to see you.

Catbert

It’s simple really. Mark is first class! 👍🏻

cameonut2011

Mark is a true gem and a rarity in this hobby.

Downtown1974

Mark is a real asset to our forum….a top shelf guy!

pmh1nic

O.k., I'm going to break up this love fest. No pictures, it didn't happen .

Raybo

I'm sure Mark loves this thread.

pointfivezero

This is one of those posts in which I wish I could hit the Like and Agree button simultaneously.

I don’t have the history many of you have with Mark but I have the same level of respect. I’ve reached out to Mark privately on a couple of occasions and his advice was priceless.

One of the best.

Tim

johnny9434

Your good here as well mfeld

oreville

I agree with the sentiments expressed about Mark.

He is indeed a great guy with a solid eye in coin grading.

His experience as a grader for TPG years ago is a less well known part of his lengthy resume.

1630Boston

Based on the above comments, Sounds like a great guy and numismatist
.

Longtime industry veteran joins world’s largest numismatic operation

marcmoish

Hey @TomB I got all giddy reading the first paragraphs with all those XXX's then deflated...oh well lol

But great read, Mark has been here with us for many years, those that know him and worked with him are in a good circle.

PocketArt

Mark Feld has helped me with researching auction archives, and has shared much more through various posts. Always learn something. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, and time Mark!

RB1026

Have to pile on here and agree with the sentiments already expressed

I've interacted with Mark over the years on several occasions and always found him to be incredibly fair, completely honest, and extremely knowledgeable.

One of the true "good guys" in our hobby and an asset to this community.

DisneyFan

Thanks to the forum for introducing me to Mark Feld. He cleared up some misconceptions I had about relying on PCGS Gold Shield and CAC. Thank you, Mark

ldhair

Mark has helped me many times over the years. Always a straight honest answer.

lkenefic

I've not had the opportunity to work with Mr. Feld but I've benefitted from his vast knowledge through his posts on this Board. I feel as though I've become a better numismatist because of his participation... Thanks Mark... I hope to actually meet you one day!