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Collector Spotlight: Wayne Karlin

PCGS_SocialMediaPCGS_SocialMedia Posts: 327 mod
in U.S. Coin Forum

The Aurora Borealis Collection is probably familiar to a lot of you here. But you may not know as much about the numismatist behind the collection.

However, that's about to change as the owner of one of the most colorful displays in numismatics, found the PCGS Registry Set of Wayne Karlin shares his collecting journey. Joining around 2010, Karlin began building a set of Proof Indian Cents before turning his attention to his famous Aurora Borealis set of toned coins. It’s a venture many decades in the making. “In 1976, I had a good friend of mine who started a coin shop with his dad in our small community at the time.” His first toned coin purchase was a beautiful 1893 Barber Dime, which he kept for a few years before starting a family and selling the coin. “But it was that very coin that got me started for my love of toned coins.”

Full article: https://www.pcgs.com/news/collector-spotlight-wayne-karlin

Want our top articles delivered to your e-mail inbox weekly? Join our e-newsletter here: https://www.pcgs.com/newsletter

Comments

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,353 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 7, 2021 6:40AM

    The article is good, but two things would make it better :)

    1. Link to AB's Registry Set(s). The article talks about the sets, but only has photos of one coin and no link to other photos.
    2. Mention of and link to AB's first place showing in the PCGS 2021 Set Registry Awards - Toned Coin Showcase
    Private Mint News | 2010 Lincoln Reverse Finalists
  • WAYNEASWAYNEAS Posts: 6,855 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Both of these coins are stunning.
    Wayne

    Kennedys are my quest...

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,353 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 7, 2021 7:02AM

    @WAYNEAS said:
    Both of these coins are stunning.
    Wayne

    I agree! I'm curious what names AB has for these coins!

    Private Mint News | 2010 Lincoln Reverse Finalists
  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 13,874 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Zoins said:
    Wayne @AuroraBorealis is a great contributor to the forums. Thanks for posting this wonderful article!

    Here are two of my favorite AB coins, first posted here over 10 years ago! How time flies!

    1956 Franklin Half Dollar - PCGS MS66 FBL - Wayne Karlin


    1956 Franklin Half Dollar - PCGS MS66 - Wayne Karlin


    That 1956 half displays toning which I occasionally describe as “oil slick rainbow iridescence”.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,353 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:

    @Zoins said:
    Wayne @AuroraBorealis is a great contributor to the forums. Thanks for posting this wonderful article!

    Here are two of my favorite AB coins, first posted here over 10 years ago! How time flies!

    1956 Franklin Half Dollar - PCGS MS66 FBL - Wayne Karlin


    1956 Franklin Half Dollar - PCGS MS66 - Wayne Karlin


    That 1956 half displays toning which I occasionally describe as “oil slick rainbow iridescence”.

    Both or just one? If one, which one?

    Private Mint News | 2010 Lincoln Reverse Finalists
  • DRUNNERDRUNNER Posts: 3,872 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have chatted with him on occasion and found him to be one of the most personable and interesting numismatists I have met . . . .
    Drunner

  • AMRCAMRC Posts: 4,280 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Ooooh, Ahhhhhh.

    MLAeBayNumismatics: "The greatest hobby in the world!"
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Wayne, @AuroraBorealis. is an interesting person and very nice. I have chatted with him a few times in years gone by.... I will say, he has some of the most amazingly colorful tarnished coins every posted here. Cheers, RickO

  • AuroraBorealisAuroraBorealis Posts: 3,591 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 18, 2021 10:55PM

    @coinsarefun said:
    Not only does he have a beautiful collection of high graded, super eye appealing coins, he’s a really
    nice guy!. Never met him in person but have spoken to him via pm’s here and on Instagram, he’s a great guy.

    Thank you Stef for the kind words! I`m glad I checked in here and it was great speaking with you as well and seeing the unique coins that you collect! You have a great eye!

    @Zoins said:

    @WAYNEAS said:
    Both of these coins are stunning.
    Wayne

    I agree! I'm curious what names AB has for these coins!

    Thank you Zoins!

  • AuroraBorealisAuroraBorealis Posts: 3,591 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @coinsarefun said:
    Not only does he have a beautiful collection of high graded, super eye appealing coins, he’s a really
    nice guy!. Never met him in person but have spoken to him via pm’s here and on Instagram, he’s a great guy.

    @Zoins said:
    The article is good, but two things would make it better :)

    1. Link to AB's Registry Set(s). The article talks about the sets, but only has photos of one coin and no link to other photos.
    2. Mention of and link to AB's first place showing in the PCGS 2021 Set Registry Awards - Toned Coin Showcase

    Here is the link to my winning set... I believe you can click on my highlighted name once you go there to see my other sets if not let me know and i`ll forward you a link... Wayne

    https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/2021-u-s-toned-coin-competition-sponsored-by-legends-rare-auction/aurora-borealis-collection/9748

  • AuroraBorealisAuroraBorealis Posts: 3,591 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @WAYNEAS said:
    Both of these coins are stunning.
    Wayne

    Thank you!

  • AuroraBorealisAuroraBorealis Posts: 3,591 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @DRUNNER said:
    I have chatted with him on occasion and found him to be one of the most personable and interesting numismatists I have met . . . .
    Drunner

    Thank you Jeff!

  • AuroraBorealisAuroraBorealis Posts: 3,591 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ricko said:
    Wayne, @AuroraBorealis. is an interesting person and very nice. I have chatted with him a few times in years gone by.... I will say, he has some of the most amazingly colorful tarnished coins every posted here. Cheers, RickO

    Thank you Rick for the kind words and is always great chatting with you!

  • AuroraBorealisAuroraBorealis Posts: 3,591 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PCGS_SocialMedia said:
    The Aurora Borealis Collection is probably familiar to a lot of you here. But you may not know as much about the numismatist behind the collection.

    However, that's about to change as the owner of one of the most colorful displays in numismatics, found the PCGS Registry Set of Wayne Karlin shares his collecting journey. Joining around 2010, Karlin began building a set of Proof Indian Cents before turning his attention to his famous Aurora Borealis set of toned coins. It’s a venture many decades in the making. “In 1976, I had a good friend of mine who started a coin shop with his dad in our small community at the time.” His first toned coin purchase was a beautiful 1893 Barber Dime, which he kept for a few years before starting a family and selling the coin. “But it was that very coin that got me started for my love of toned coins.”

    Full article: https://www.pcgs.com/news/collector-spotlight-wayne-karlin

    Want our top articles delivered to your e-mail inbox weekly? Join our e-newsletter here: https://www.pcgs.com/newsletter

    I again would like to thank PCGS for putting on the very fun and rewarding toned coin competition and for all the notoriety as well as the sponsor Legend Rare Coin Auctions... Wayne (Aurora Borealis Collection)

  • JimTylerJimTyler Posts: 3,465 ✭✭✭✭✭

    You couldn’t have picked a cooler name for your collection than AuroraBorealis.

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