who was the greatest coin collector of all time
HalfDime
Posts: 172 ✭✭✭
I was curious who this officially was according to AI, and this is what came up on who is considered the greatest coin collector of all time. Based on the search results, Louis E. Eliasberg Sr. is widely considered the greatest coin collector of all time. He achieved a remarkable feat that no other collector has matched:
A) Eliasberg was the only known numismatist to assemble a complete collection of United States regular issue coins ever minted by denomination, date, and mint, dating back to 1792 .
He began purchasing U.S. coins in 1925 and achieved his monumental goal by 1950.
C) Eliasberg's collection is considered to be one of the greatest in U.S. history .
D) He was nicknamed the "King of Coins" – the U.S. postal service once delivered a letter to him addressed merely "King of Coins USA" with no address .
Remarkably, Eliasberg compiled his entire collection for less than $400,000. After his death in 1976, the collection was eventually auctioned off for an estimated $45 million.
His collection included several extremely valuable pieces such as the 1873 Liberty Seated dime subtypes, a 1913 Liberty Head nickel, an 1804 silver dollar, and one of the few known 1933 gold $20 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles.
While there have been many notable coin collectors throughout history, Eliasberg's achievement of assembling a complete U.S. coin collection sets him apart as arguably the greatest coin collector of all time.
Comments
Eric P Newman. He may not have had every coin, but he had all the ones that he liked, and he liked a lot. And his love for the hobby, as well as his contributions to the knowledge base put him easily over the top
Empty Nest Collection
Matt’s Mattes
How do you define great?
Probably me.
Click on this link to see my ebay listings.
It depends on the series.
For Walkers it was/is Gerry Forsythe.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Ask AI if Eliasberg had an 1870-S Half Dime in his "complete collection".
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
That is easy, John Story Jenks, wrote a book on him and the subject of what defines a great collector, he is a true inspiration.
They even named a school after him in Philadelphia that I had the pleasure visiting them.
That's a great list and along the lines of my reaction to the question.
I'll add a few more:
The one who wrote the most books/articles?
The one who made the most numismatic discoveries (either varieties or other research)?
The one who inspired the most people to collect?
The one who created the most numismatic items (yes, it's possible in some niche areas)?
The one who most impacted coin design or issuance?
Etc.
Jenks & Virgil brand would be ahead of Eliasberg to me. Clapp should get much of the credit for what is known as the Eliasberg collection just as Green deserves much of the credit for what Eric Newman built.
Latin American Collection
How about the guy who walked into Stack’s in NYC (I believe this was in the 1950s), bought an 1894-s dime, and was never heard from again.
For completing his collecting in ONE (1) day, he at least deserves the Numismatic Land Speed Record.
30+ years coin shop experience (ret.) Coins, bullion, currency, scrap & interesting folks. Loved every minute!
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/tribute-to-anaconda-part1-cents.41083/
It’s assumed that only US collectors are considered here yes?
I would go with FCC Boyd regarding pre-federal material. His colonial coins and notes were second to none.
King Farouk of Egypt should be in the discussion.
Victor Emmanuel lll of Italy. 100,000 coins. Wrote a 20 volume catalogue, each coin.
Yes, I understood that Virgil Brand was the greatest coin collector of all time.
Would be interesting to identify the criteria and then compare.
I always thought that the Tyrant Collection was the greatest.
https://www.thetyrantcollection.com/
But even he doesn’t have Portuguese ceramic coins, so in some aspects my collection is better. 😜
My current registry sets:
20th Century Type Set
Virtual DANSCO 7070
Slabbed IHC set - Missing the Anacs Slabbed coins
Surprised no one has mentioned Hansen yet.
Coin Photographer.
Me but that’s just my opinion
Scrooge McDuck
Mr. Fairmont had one heck of a collection of gold coins so he deserves consideration.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
(Allegedly) that is Señor Fairmont to you.
Pittman did more with less.
Refi the house, travel to Egpyt?
Takes some moxie.
Astounding collector.
BST: KindaNewish (3/21/21), WQuarterFreddie (3/30/21), Meltdown (4/6/21), DBSTrader2 (5/5/21) AKA- unclemonkey on Blow Out
Joseph J. Mickley 1799-1878