Ira Stein
EagleEye
Posts: 7,677 ✭✭✭✭✭
I couldn't find a post, so excuse this post if is a duplicate.
I wanted to say something about Ira Stein, who passed away on July 30, 2023. He was 83.
I met him on-line first when he was selling some Indian cents. He was a stickler for quality and we became friends though our mutual desire for nice Indian cents. I would see him regularly at the Baltimore show. He was a great guy to talk to about coins. He always sent me a Christmas card!
Sorry to see him go, but he was certainly a fighter when it came to his health issues, of which he had many over the past 20 years or so.
Rick Snow, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, Inc.Check out my new web site:
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My condolences to you and his family and friends.
Donato
Donato's Complete US Type Set ---- Donato's Dansco 7070 Modified Type Set ---- Donato's Basic U.S. Coin Design Set
Successful transactions: Shrub68 (Jim), MWallace (Mike)
Sorry to hear. I did not know him well but I did manage to purchase one coin from him over the years shown below. In addition to Indian cents, he had an eye for quality Lincolns as well. His coins always seemed to be clean/problem free and solid for the grade. RIP
PR65+RB
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase/2819
That's a shame. It does seem like this year is seeing more numismatists pass than others in recent memory.
I’m sorry to hear this. Prayers and condolences to his family and friends. He certainly knew his copper.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
And it needs to stop.
Sorry to hear this news, I never met Ira but did a trade/deal with him for my 26-S Lincoln in 2002.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
Sad to find out the hobby has lost another important name. My condolences to his family and friends.
Mark
I used to talk to Ira regularly on rec.collecting.coins news group and he was always ready to teach/instruct/discuss. Heck of a fine gentleman too.
I remember him from there as well. Class act. RIP.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Ira stopped by my table often when I was setting up at shows. Sorry to hear this news. My condolences to his family and friends.
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
One of my Ira Stein purchases from about 2006
None of us is immortal, but some manage to achieve a small bit of immortality.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Only had the pleasure of speaking to him a handful of times, but I will remember him as a gentleman that always had time for his customers.
RIP Ira
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Ira was a friend, and a pleasure to talk to, work with and cajole. A regular visitor to tables at Rochester and Baltimore. Sad news.
Buying and Selling coins for 54 years, 700+ shows in last 20 years, and boy am I tired.
Purchased and Trademarked the Mohawk Valley Hoard
Originated the Rochester (NY) Area Coin Expo
I am sorry to hear of his passing.
I remember doing so business with him when I was dealer.
I remember one instance when I had an NGC graded Seated Half Dollar, from the 1850s with Arrows, if memory serves. He needed one for a customer, but it had to be PCGS graded. I warned him that it probably wouldn't cross, but he tried anyway on a walk through basis at the show. Unfortunately it didn't work.
My condolences go out to Ira’s loved ones and friends. I’ll always remember him as a trustworthy gentleman.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Never met him but did win a handful of coins from his Ebay auctions back in the day. He was one the first people out there that nailed coin photography. His photos made the coins come alive and without juicing or manipulation.
RIP Ira.
10-4,
My Instagram picturesErik
My registry sets
was he "IRAs4?"
Yes. That was him. I'd been purchasing copper coins from him for 15+ years on ebay.
Stand-up, classy, gentleman.
Never played games and always had good quality.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
i remember his monster toned Matte Proof Lincoln Set called The RAISINET Collection. Which was the letters of his name IRA STEIN in mixed up order. Thought that was clever.
My Coin Blog
My Toned Lincoln Registry Set
That set is Richard Shapiro’s. Richard purchased a number of his coins from Ira Stein.
- Bob -
MPL's - Lincolns of Color
Central Valley Roosevelts
Bought a 1955/55 DDO 1c PCGS MS-63RB many years ago from his eBay auction.
I am sorry to hear of his passing.
My condolences to his friends and family.
"A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
My condolences Rick @EagleEye to all his friends and family. RIP Ira
USAF (Ret.) 1985 - 2005. E-4B Aircraft Maintenance Crew Chief and Contracting Officer.
My current Registry sets:
✓ Everyman Mint State Carson City Morgan Dollars (1878 – 1893)
✓ Everyman Mint State Lincoln Cents (1909 – 1958)
✓ Morgan Dollar GSA Hoard (1878 – 1891)
I also remember him from that forum, he was very knowledgeable and friendly. May his memory be a blessing.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
Same here, Ira was a good guy, bought several coins from him years ago on ebay, he always knew how to pick the good ones, every coin I had purchased from him was always excellent. Back then funds were tight so he let me do a payment plan on a couple like the 16 slq, 56 flyer, etc. I had bought from him several years until finally meeting him at a Baltimore show years back
I don't remember many of the details he told me, but I recall he once had someone offer him close to 6 figures for his ID. He said 'no'. Stand up guy.
Buying and Selling coins for 54 years, 700+ shows in last 20 years, and boy am I tired.
Purchased and Trademarked the Mohawk Valley Hoard
Originated the Rochester (NY) Area Coin Expo
I met Ira at a FUN show in West Palm Beach, FL. some 20 years ago and we sat down and had lunch. He had quite alot of knowledge about US Coins and a really pleasant person. To me he was known for selling really hihg-end stuff!
My Condolences to his family and RIP Ira Stein.
TC71
Ira was good people. He and John Nicastro were just a joy to talk to. We would laugh for hours.
Ira was a master of digital photography. He took a VF+ large cent and just by adjusting the lighting made it look anything from VG to AU.
He was always good natured and willing to chat. I laugh every time Mr.Eureka posts the toilet photo. I happened to be in his house shortly after installation and a "tour" of the downstairs vanity was mandatory for all visitors. Lol.
He had a rough time the last few years. But he stayed good natured till the end.
I will miss him.
I liked Ira, both personally and as a dealer. He was one of those that really knew how to buy (and sell!) coins. I met him back in 2005 buying and selling on eBay, and eventually at most shows I attended. He was good with most any coin type but loved small cents, just like me! I bought a lot of tougher date Lincolns from him, and when the time came, he was always ready to buy them back. He used to like recounting the story of how he brokered the sale of the sole MS-65 1926-s Lincoln cent for $150,000. An enormous sum back in 2008!
According to my records, the last time we made any deals was about 5 years ago. He had been out for a while before then with a bout of diverticulitis, saying the biggest challenge for him was that he couldn’t eat anything with small seeds like strawberries. I was happy to be seeing him again. In 2017 I saw him at March Baltimore, CSNS, November Baltimore, and the last time I saw him was at Winter FUN in 2018. I believe our last deal was an effectively even trade whereupon I sold him an 1857 Flying Eagle at a loss, and bought an 1812 cent from him that evened it out.
I remember back in 2008 when I sold my MS Lincoln set. After the cherrypickers had their feast, and the better date early stuff was all sold, he bought my run of 66/67 RD 1934-‘58 cents for 15% back of PCGS Price Guide. I wanna say there was some other stuff in there because I remember it being 108 coins in all, stuffed into a USPS Flat Rate Medium box. I remember it being a bit of a loss (like maybe I was losing $3000) and we had one of those teaching moment talks about taking the good with the bad and moving on when the time is right. Some months later I asked him how that deal worked out. He told me that’s the hardest (and longest!) he ever worked in his life to make just about $3000 on the whole deal. Said he must have walked 30 miles of bourse with that heavy pelican box he used to tote. But he said it with a smile.
Sorry to hear of your passing, my friend. You made this hobby richer for us all.
Empty Nest Collection
Matt’s Mattes
Here is my pricier Ira Stein purchase - as others noted he had an eye for coins that were unique - and you could tell him what you wanted and he would find it for you - I wanted a 1799 Bust dollar with an original unwiped surface in a medium grade. He took 3-4 months to find one and got it for me.
I remember an IRA Stein from New York who attended Long Beach shows in the 80's & 90's but he looked like he was in his 30's at the time. He looked at raw mint state Lincolns from the teens and twenties. He used to be overweight but lost significant weight (on a diet?)
Was this the same guy?
Sorry to hear that. Wish him rest in peace
In reference to my previous post, he did not wear glasses.
I had a very nice Lincoln registry set thanks to Ira and Andy.
Great remembrances about a solid coin dealer and classy guy. Condolences to all who knew him.
ANA LM
USAF Retired — 34 years of active military service! 🇺🇸
Wow I knew Ira..