What is the legacy of Jack Lee or any other specialists in your series?

bennybravo

As a young man living in Mississippi, going to coin shows in the 90's, I'd see Jack there for every local show and make chit chat. I bought a couple of coins from him, feeling like heck yeah, this one is Jack Lee approved and I have something owned by the master of Morgan Dollars! I still have a couple of those Morgan dollars, and it made me think maybe some other folks here were happy to get to talk to "the guy" in the field that you mostly connect with. Having met and talked with him, he's definitely my GOAT. Down to earth, great person. Would love to hear stories if you've met one of the greats in your series.

bennybravo

For newer collectors, Jack Lee was a fella who sought out the best available example of every Morgan Dollar out there, and had the finest set on earth for awhile.

BryceM

Not just Morgans. He’s the guru in the Peace dollar world too. A coin with his provenance would be meaningful to me.

epc

Back in my Large Cent days, I always found Chris Victor McCawley to be outstanding. He is always willing to talk knowledgeably about coins, the coin market, and the hobby. In my interactions with him, he has always been interested in my opinions about diverse things like faith, science, and social issues. He stands out to me as a coin dealer who is not in it just as a business... And yes, I do still own several coins that I purchased from him (example shown). A side note: there were occasions when I found myself bidding against Chris at live auctions. I recognized a "tell" when he was done bidding on a lot, and successfully used cut bids.

bennybravo

@epc said:
Back in my Large Cent days, I always found Chris Victor McCawley to be outstanding. He is always willing to talk knowledgeably about coins, the coin market, and the hobby. In my interactions with him, he has always been interested in my opinions about diverse things like faith, science, and social issues. He stands out to me as a coin dealer who is not in it just as a business... And yes, I do still own several coins that I purchased from him (example shown). A side note: there were occasions when I found myself bidding against Chris at live auctions. I recognized a "tell" when he was done bidding on a lot, and successfully used cut bids.

Outstanding! Love that story.

lermish

I only know one a little and the other basically not at all.

@DDR 's numismatic legacy is as the owner of the greatest ever collection of chopmarked trade dollars (and a back up set that is pretty great in its own right). Also, he is a great guy who is happy to share his knowledge and hand-me-down very high quality coins from time to time.

@tradedollarnut 's primary numismatic legacy is probably as the greatest trade dollar collector of all time and just flat out one of the best collectors of all time. Many people probably also know his partnership with Laura Sperber. But, to me, his most important legacy is convincing @homerunhall to give chopmarked trade dollars numeric grades.

My fairly niche collection would not be anywhere near what it is without either of those gentlemen.

bennybravo

@lermish said:
I only know one a little and the other basically not at all.

@DDR 's numismatic legacy is as the owner of the greatest ever collection of chopmarked trade dollars (and a back up set that is pretty great in its own right). Also, he is a great guy who is happy to share his knowledge and hand-me-down very high quality coins from time to time.

@tradedollarnut 's primary numismatic legacy is probably as the greatest trade dollar collector of all time and just flat out one of the best collectors of all time. Many people probably also know his partnership with Laura Sperber. But, to me, his most important legacy is convincing @homerunhall to give chopmarked trade dollars numeric grades.

My fairly niche collection would not be anywhere near what it is without either of those gentlemen.

Beautifully said.

DDR

Thank you, @lermish, those are very kind words! I am always delighted to pass on some of my coins to equally interested and enthusiastic collectors who appreciate the history behind them. In that vein, a number of my chop marked Trade Dollars were acquired from @TDN.

I'd also like to point out that my icon is one of those coins that I purchased years ago and eventually sold to lermish. Thank you for allowing me to continue to use it here!

Walkerguy21D

@BryceM said:
Not just Morgans. He’s the guru in the Peace dollar world too. A coin with his provenance would be meaningful to me.

And Walking Liberty halves.
I didn’t even know he did Morgans, or had forgotten it.
Bruce Fox spoke extensively about Jack in his book, and mega dealer Jay Parrino handled the dispersal of the walkers and Peace dollars.
I think @oreville still has the 21P.
As far as inspiration, Bruce was a far bigger influence for me, as I never met Jack or read of anything he’d written.

For large cents, there have been many influential collectors and dealers over the years.

coinbuf

I never had the chance to meet or talk to Stewart Blay, that I know of anyway. And I don't know if or to what extent he will have any legacy or impression to/for Lincoln cent collectors in the future. But I was happy to acquire one of the coins from his spectacular Lincoln collection.

Copperindian

If Stewart Blay isn’t the greatest copper collector of all time, he has to be close. He’s also well known for his IHC’s & FE’s along with the Lincolns. Patterns & Barber dimes too!