Michael Fey Acquires Leroy Van Allen's Numismatic Assets
messydesk
Posts: 20,089 ✭✭✭✭✭
This is a copy of a press release sent out by Michael Fey. I recently posted it on VAMWorld and sent it out to SSDC members, but it may be of interest beyond those circles.
Ironia, NJ — Michael S. Fey, Ph.D., of Rare Coin Investments (RCI) acquired the Numismatic Assets of Leroy Van Allen for an undisclosed sum. The assets included all of Mr. Van Allen’s intellectual property which includes his landmark reference book, The Comprehensive Catalog and Encyclopedia of Morgan & Peace Dollars, and 17 monographs, the most popular of which is Wonders of Morgan Dollars. Included was approximately 18,000 photos of Morgan and Peace silver dollar VAM numbered varieties (VAM is an acronym for Van Allen-Mallis varieties). A George Mallis, co-author of the VAM Encyclopedia passed away in January 2000 leaving his copyright portion of the VAM Encyclopedia to Leroy Van Allen.
Also included in the sale was Van Allen’s cancelled U.S. dies and collars and fabricated dies and punches which were used as models to prove his theories on overdates and over mintmarks, as well as about 100 autographed books from his reference library, some dating back to the late 1800’s.The sale also included approximately 425 rare Morgan and Peace dollar die varieties, errors, rotated dies, about 700 Buffalo nickel die varieties and rotated dies, and a variety of U.S. and foreign coins.
According to Fey, “This marks the passing of a torch to a new generation of dedicated specialists who intend to continue Leroy’s efforts to research, catalog and educate dealers and collectors on Morgan and Peace silver dollars”.
Additionally, responsibility for updates the VAM catalog is now in the hands of myself and John Roberts (attributor at ANACS) for Morgan dollars, and David Close for Peace dollars. Logistics for submitting coins to us will be worked out over the next couple months.
More information will be coming out over the next several weeks. I'll be happy to answer any questions that I can in this thread or by PM.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Comments
Thanks for the info!
Big news in the Vam community.
That is a major move.... Though it can conceivably be handled without much disruption. Submissions for authentication will be worked out, per the notice. Glad to see this area will continue to be covered and grow. Cheers, RickO
Congratulations Mike!
A: The year they spend more on their library than their coin collection.
A numismatist is judged more on the content of their library than the content of their cabinet.
Great to see valuable resources transitioned to a new generation!
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
Very exciting! Thanks @messydesk!
I'm curious to hear what's next for these great items!
Truly a momentous acquisition of a major and like minded numismatic professional's intellectual property. A shrewd and may I say advantageous acquisition which will no doubt be welcomed by all concerned.
Congrats!