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RIP Stewart Blay
ianrussell
Posts: 2,454 ✭✭✭✭✭
It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that we announce Stewart Blay has passed away.
Stewart was extremely well-known in the numismatic community - traveling to 100s of coin shows while on his pursuit of the very finest Small Cents. The collections he built cannot be rivaled.
He liked to remind me often that he has known my wife (Raeleen) longer than I have.
Over the years, he has put a lot of trust in Raeleen and me - and I only wish he could see the results of his Lincoln set in January...hopefully he will be able to see from above.
To Stewart's family and friends, Raeleen and I offer our sincerest condolences.
- Ian
Ian Russell
Owner/Founder GreatCollections
GreatCollections Coin Auctions - Certified Coin Auctions Every Week - Rare Coins & Coin Values
Owner/Founder GreatCollections
GreatCollections Coin Auctions - Certified Coin Auctions Every Week - Rare Coins & Coin Values
37
Comments
Sad to hear of his passing.
Omg
Wow, I am shocked and saddened to hear this. Stewart had exquisite taste in copper and I truly respected his opinion and eye whenever we were discussing copper. My heart and prayers go out to his family.
https://thepennylady.com/
Oh my ... RIP Stewart
Condolences to your family and loved ones
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Sad news. Condolences to his friends and family.
Successful BST with ad4400, Kccoin, lablover, pointfivezero, koynekwest, jwitten, coin22lover, HalfDimeDude, erwindoc, jyzskowsi, COINS MAKE CENTS, AlanSki, BryceM
I didn't know him personally, only through his magnificent cents. My condolences to his family and friends.
That's terribly sad. Stewart stood alone among small cent collectors. Such success. So many great stories, many of them told right here.
I didn't know him. I met him just once, over drinks with Andy Skrabalak. I was in awe and could barely speak.
RIP, Stewart. You will be missed.
Lance.
Wow, sad to hear.
He must have been sick, because I never thought he would sell.
Such a shame that he can't be here to enjoy the prices that his beautiful red gems will realize.
May his soul rest in peace.
“I may not believe in myself but I believe in what I’m doing” ~Jimmy Page~
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947)
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
I'm very sad to hear this news.
Extremely sad and unexpected.
Condolences to his friends and family.
Sad news indeed. I only knew of him through his amazing collection. My condolences to friends and family.
Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
Wow, condolences to his friends and family.
Sorry to hear this. May he rest in peace.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=2YNufnS_kf4 - Mama I'm coming home ...................................................................................................................................................................... RLJ 1958 - 2023
I first met Stewart likely in the late 1990s and never knew him well, but enough so that we could swap stories and chat about coins. My heartfelt condolences to his family. RIP, Stewart.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Terrible news.
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
Shocked and saddened, Rest in Peace, sending love and light to his family..
So very sorry to hear. A sad loss for his family and the numismatic community.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
A sad day for the community. He was very astute when it came to small cents. Gave me some advice when I was collecting Canadian cents.
We'll use our hands and hearts and if we must we'll use our heads.
RIP
R.I.P. You’ll be missed by many!
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
Such sad news indeed.
Your very special red copper collection legacy will never be duplicated.
RIP Stewart.
Deepest sympathies to his family,,,,,,,
RIP.
Very sad to hear. Condolences to his family and friends.
RIP Stewart.
My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
I seem to remember a 1919 cent he posted that might be the most amazing coin I've ever seen.
My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
Very sad news. Condolences to family and friends. RickO
With great sadness, R.I.P. Stewart. I met him only once, at a Baltimore show, but he was kind with his time and passionate about his collection.
Sad News Indeed, Condolences to His Family and Friends.....
I used to be famous now I just collect coins.
Link to My Registry Set.
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-specialty-sets/washington-quarters-complete-variety-set-circulation-strikes-1932-1964/publishedset/78469
Varieties Are The Spice Of LIFE and Thanks to Those who teach us what to search For.
Didn't know him, but recognize the name. Condolences to the family and coin community.
This is very sad news. I knew Stewart fairly well and will always fondly remember having dinner with him and my wife at Babbo in NYC several years ago. His eye for mint state Indian Cents and Lincoln Cents remains unrivalled. My sincere condolences to his family and many friends in the Numismatic community.
Check out some of my 1794 Large Cents on www.coingallery.org
That was shocking and so very sad to read. As much as I enjoyed getting to see many of Stewart’s fantastic coins in hand, I appreciated his enthusiasm, persistence, knowledge, his stories about his coins, his incredibly sharp eye and the twinkle in his eye when he spoke. He was a character and we made a point of throwing out verbal jabs at each other and having fun debates, both on line and at shows.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
So very sad to hear this terrible news. I had no idea he was sick. When I saw he had consigned his incredible set of red coppers for auction, it did make me think that something was wrong.
Stewart was very passionate about the hobby, and I miss the days when he was posting here.
Rest easy, brother.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Sic transit gloria mundi.
That's really sad to hear. From his occasional posts here on the forum, he had a sharp wit. Truly one of the greats among US small cent collectors.
Very sad news, indeed. I met Stewart when part of his collection was on display at a major show (I don't remember which show). He was very gracious and took time to show me some of his great Lincoln cents. I really enjoyed meeting him.
My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
Wow that is terrible news, I never had the opportunity to meet him but as an avid Lincoln cent collector myself his collection is the very pinnacle of the series. I guess this puts some context to the selling of his collection, condolences to this family and friends.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
So sad to hear about this.
R.I.P.
This is a real gut punch. I’ve only talked with him via PM a couple of times, but his name is among the giants in this section of the world. The timing is even more shocking with his Red Coppers listed for auction in the coming weeks. RIP Stewart, this leaves a huge void in the numismatic field.
- Bob -
"Central Valley" Roosevelts
MPL's - Lincolns of Color
Sorry to hear. It reminds us that the coins are not "ours" they are just on loan and go to another owner someday.
RIP.
bob
Very sad to hear
R.I.P Steward
Mike
My Indians
Danco Set
Very very sad to hear this news. Condolences to his family and friends. RIP Stewart.
Dave
Shocking to hear of his passing. RIP and condolences to his family. I thought he liked fine last time i saw him a few months ago. He was the collector in America for small cents for many years now. It will be very difficult for anyone to match his numismatic feats.
Sad news. Condolences to his family and friends.
Hopefully he will somehow receive the results of the sale of his red cents (if there is an afterlife).
What a shock to hear of Stewart's passing. We shared the passion for small cents and am very thankful for the knowledge he shared with me. May his copper always remain RD........
RIP Stewart.
Sad news. I've seen exhibits of his small cents and it will be a long time before someone accomplishes what he did. RIP.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars
So tragic as a personal loss for so many of us and especially ironic that he will not be able to see and enjoy the final results from his amazing small cents collection currently on auction at Great Collections.