In memory of my grandfather, your best 1927 Philadelphia issues
airplanenut
Posts: 22,141 ✭✭✭✭✭
My paternal grandfather--my last remaining grandparent--passed away last week. A few weeks past his 97th birthday, he was blessed with remarkable health and remained sharp until the very end. He was a career teacher, spending over three decades as a professor of biology and parasitology at Seton Hall University, followed by another three decades in retirement doing independent research in related fields and specifically medical history, simply for the sake of continuing to learn and share. He was also an incredible teacher to anyone who paid attention, putting everyone--family, friends, and strangers--first and helping whenever he could, the epitome of "do as I do" and never needing to say.
My grandfather had a great love of history and the arts, and anything that was important to his family was important to him. While he was not a collector himself, he was always happy to hear about my coin pursuits; many visits to my house or his when I was growing up involved show and tell, and he was happy to play the role of chauffeur to local coin shops when I would stay with him when my parents went on a trip. The patriarch of my extended family (he reveled in all of the titles he held from different familial relationships and generations), his influence will continue to be felt far and wide for generations, including his five great-grandchildren (simply, his "greats"), four of whom are old enough to remember their time and many interactions with him.
My grandfather was born in Philadelphia in 1927, and grew up above his family's small grocery store four miles from the Mint. Two coins remain from that store, and when his sister (the oldest of four) passed away in 2007, I received them. 1927 was an interesting year at the Philadelphia Mint; the date set includes no designs I dislike, but is missing the half dollar, $5 half eagle, $10 eagle, and includes one commemorative, the Vermont half dollar. I'm one coin in so far, but over time plan to put together a complete 1927 Philadelphia set as a tangible reminder of my grandfather, his roots, and his love of history. If you have any, please share your 1927 Philadelphia pieces.
Comments
Jeremy,
So terribly sad for your loss. May God grant you and your family peace while enduring his loss.
Jim
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My condolences, he sounds like a great person.
Mr_Spud
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Sorry for your loss Jeremy. My dad was born in 1926 and is still going strong.
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Don
Jeremy, I’m very sorry for the loss of your grandfather.
It’s clear that you were very proud of him and I have no doubt that he was equally proud of you.
This isn’t my special coin from 1927 but it’s a special one for a special man:
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Deepest sympathies on your loss. May he live on forever in your fond memories of him.
Picture is worth 10,000 words.
Grandfathers are a treasure and 97 is a great run.
Sorry @airplanenut - Been looking, can't find a decent 27 of anything. My condolences of your grandfathers passing.
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
@airplanenut, my condolences to you and your family with the passing of your grandfather. In his honor, I’m posting this 1927 Philly Saint
Very sorry for your loss, my deepest condolences. 97 years is a blessing, here’s the nicest 1927 Philly piece I’ve had the pleasure of owning.
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Nice write-up and pic of your grandfather; cherish it well. Your post made me think of my father, born 1927 in Berlin. My dad wasn't a gentleman, he was a gentle man. Thank you.
fka renman95, Sep 2005, 7,000 posts
My condolences. He looks like a super nice guy 🙂
My condolences as well. May he RIP
My condolences on the passing of your grandfather @airplanenut. Sometimes we just have to stop and thank the good Lord for the beautiful people we have or had in our lives". Truly a blessing to be surrounded by good people. What an accomplished life he led, and 97 yrs. old to boot. Thank you for sharing this with us.
I am very sorry for your loss but am thankful also that you got to know him for so long and that his great grandchildren will have memories of him.
Jeremy, sorry for your loss. My mother was born in 1927, she passed at age 90.
This is my tribute coin to her memory.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
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Jeremy,
I’m so sorry for your loss.
It’s great that you were close to your grandfather. I never got to meet either one of my grandfathers so you are a lucky guy.
May he rest in peace.
It's never the right time to lose a loved one, but he made it to 97 with his health and all his marbles. That should bring a smile to your face whenever you think about him.
You are his legacy so carry it forward. It sounds like he prepared his family for that role and they'll fulfill it just fine.
Jeremy, I’m so sorry for your loss. We all want our parents and grandparents to live to 120! But you’re so very fortunate to have spent so much of your life with him! From reading your post I recognize you fully cherish those wonderful memories you’ve shared together that will be with you for as long as you live. So VERY precious. My mom was also born in 1927.
Here’s a handful (5) for you, all from Philly:
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
My condolences to you and your family Jeremy. I know from your previous posts (and this one) he was a very important figure in your life.
“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
I’m sure you have a lot of wonderful memories to cherish, and I’m happy that he lived to 97 and in good mental capacity, allowing you the opportunity to have a relationship with your grandfather. Thanks for posting and all the best to you and your family
So sorry Jeremy. What a full life your Grandfather lived. A life well lived…something to be very, very proud of.
May he RIP.
Dave
My sympathies and condolences on your loss. It appears your grandfather had a very impactful and meaningful influence on you and many others. What an interesting career as well!
I don’t have any 1927 coins that hold a candle to others that have been shared but I do have a marvelous book recommendation which might shed some very interesting light on his birth year.
I’m currently listening to the audiobook version, read by the author.
One Summer, America 1927
By Bill Bryson
Highly recommended!
Edited for typos.
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May he rest in peace Jeremy...
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
Beautifully written tribute, may he rest in peace.