Q. David Bowers--the Scholar--the Business Man

Clankeye

I am curious about the difference between Q. David Bowers the respected numismatic scholar, and Q. David Bowers the business man. I have often heard him praised by people here and elsewhere for his writing and support of the hobby. I have read books he has authored and enjoyed them. And I have also heard the usual mixed feedback about dealing with his company-- the business Bowers and Merena. For the record I have had no dealings with them.

So, as an outsider, what I'm wondering is how involved with the business end of numismatics is Mr. Bowers? Is he a figurehead for a company that bears his name? Or is he actively involved with their doings and direction on a day to day basis? David Bowers the writer seems like such a friend of the collector. But, sometimes Bowers and Merena the business entity seems removed from their world or concerns. I am mostly judging that from scattered comments I hear and some things I read in this forum. Which certainly is not the whole picture. Can anyone tell me about the relationship between Mr. Bowers and the company that bears his name? I sincerely want to know, and have no wish for this thread to be a "bash" fest if some might bear grudges.

dragon

Yep, B&M is a first class firm IMO. I have consigned to their auctions several times and think they do a good job and are very service oriented and responsive. I have met Mr. Bowers several times at major shows and he is a super nice guy as well.

Also, my two favorite numismatic books of all time (US Gold Coins, An Illustrated History, and Virgil Brand, The Man & His Era) were both written by Bowers and are superb books, I would highly recommend both of them to any coin collector.

Dragon

oreville

Dave Bowers's business acumen with respect to General Mills is the stuff made of legend. Many study the history of it.

A model of incredible business acumen and yet the highest ethics.

Best,

Oreville........
a fan of Q. David Bowers, the "Boy Wonder of Numismatics."

P.S. Hmmmm........has anyone ever written a biography of Q. Bowers (the Dave did not really come until later)

jom

My favorite all-time coin book is "Buyer's guide to the Rare Coin Market" by Bowers. He hit the nail on the head about how the market works. The book does need an update....

Anyone know why Gail Watson left B&M? She worked for them for years but now she's with Teaparty....

jom

oreville

Gail joined Liz who also left B&M to join JJ Teaparty.

Must be a gal thing, or the siren of cultural Boston? Both great ladies.

That is probably in the arena of "personal" and "private" stuff.

dorkkarl

i have sold numerous coins to both gordon and liz, have also spoken with mr. bowers on a couple of occasions. personally, i like mr. wrubel tremendously, more than q david, actually. i also like liz a heckuva lot, she is one lady w/ class and a good eye. i think she could do a lot better w/out teaparty, for whom my respect has gone down quite a bit over the last several years.

i think mr. bowers totes a difficult line, being both a collector and businessman. i'd think that at his stage in life, it's time do get out of the business, and just enjoy the coins. but you can't speak for another person, as someone else in this thread already pointed out.

K S

Gilbert

If you're interested in a "purely collector" point of view, I have an on-going relationship with Bowers & Merena Galleries. I purchase from both the fixed price list and via several of the B&M auctions.

I have had the pleasure of dealing with Mr. Bowers directly, both as a customer and collector. He has even personally evaluated my Franklin Half dollar collection (in writing) at no charge. I have also communicated directly with him collector to collector (not to infer we have a personal relationship or even that he would necessarily recognize my name). I can say that, he, as the company Prez he appears to enjoy interfacing with his customer base, even at my level. I own no Registry Sets, nor is my collecting budget anywhere near significant, relative to the type one may expect to get his attention. I suppose I am fortunate, and my written communication skills (on ocassion) are worthy of more than a "pat" response.

The only criticism(s) I have HEARD regarding Mr. Bowers are from a few people who kinda' walked up to him and didn't get the type of response they expected; to my mind, the circumstances that were related in these instances, were inappropriate for the CEO at the time and place. I haven't had such an ocassion, but, I also believe that being a career Senior NCO has taught me how to pick and choose the best environment and methodology to get my particular issues addressed.

Clankeye

Thank you dorkkarl and Gilbert. I am still interested in other insights and experiences some of you might have. The thread "Who is Your Numismatic Hero" got me thinking about this, because of the large number of you who mentioned Mr. Bowers.

northcoin

I truly enjoy David Bowers writing. I just don't understand why everything seems overpriced in their listings. I only saw one bargain and by the time I called it was already gone. This isn't to say I haven't bought a few coins from time to time, but I would buy a lot more if I didn't get the sense that they were always pricing the coins at the highest retail point possible. I've gotten to the point that I now only bid in the auctions. Does anyone else share this sentiment? Why do I sense that there seems to be an unwritten rule among dealers that us collectors are expected to pay the highest retail prices when we buy from you, but you want to offer us the lowest wholesale prices when we sell? Shouldn't good customers get a break somewhere inbetween?

wingedliberty

As mentioned previously, Dave Bowers is a powerful force in numismatics and has contributed alot to
the hobby. He is a prolific scholar and a gentleman. He is also very informed about other hobbies,
such as postcards, music boxes, moxy, etc. I have communicated with him on and off and he has
been kind enough to respond. We have gotten into deep discussions about numismatics, almost from
a philosophical standpoint. He is , again, very intelligent. My only criticism is that his coins are grossly
overpriced, but one is sure to get a quality/PQ specimen, regardless of the series. I respect the
man alot and undertstand that there are alot of expenses, I just disagree strongly with the level of
markup in his catalog sales. Auctions are a different experience. I hope this helps.


Best regards,
Brian.

dorkkarl

i think its a case where you are allegedly getting "value added" when buying from them, ie cust. svc, etc. personally, i'd rather pay less for the extras, since my budget is limited. i am only an average fan of q david's writing, a lot of seem to ramble at times, but i have no doubts as to the classiness of the firm. as i said a while back, i'm actually a bigger fan of gordon, who is just an interesting gentleman to talk to. in his lifetime, i guess he's basically "seen it all".

K S

cointagious

the people at B&M are good folks and try hard. over the years, when taking a problem to dave bowers, i've found him to be distanced, aloof and moderately disinterested. as a writer, he is prolific and sometimes - not often - the quality suffers. he has widely varying intersts and writes on numerous subjects. in general, you can't go wrong with one of his reference books.

no one should take the negative things i've written the wrong way. i have less good things to say about the pope

shirohniichan

his coins are grossly overpriced, but one is sure to get a quality/PQ specimen, regardless of the series.

I had mixed luck with B&M. Since I was paying well over retail for some coins, I expected better than average coins for the grade. When I got some mediocre coins at an inflated price, I stopped buying from the fixed price list. I've had better luck with the auctions.

Bowers' book Adventures with Rare Coins really fueled my imagination and got me serious about coin collecting years ago. I'm really glad I bought the book.

Elcontador

I haven't met Dave Bowers but have purchased coins retail from B & M as well as through their auctions. This is a class outfit. If I call re a coin consultation on a particular lot, I ALWAYS get an honest answer.

I've spoken and done business with Gordon Wrubel and have much respect for him.

I have not gotten any coin cheaply from B & M (auction or retail), but I
have been happy with all of these purchases.

Off-topic - Laurie - why is it that whenever I see you, you always appear to be ******-off at someone or something?

RLinn

It seems Q. David Bowers' passion for history and detail are the influences that have made simply reading their auction catalogs a real treat for me. I have been very impressed by the historical setting they give to many of the items listed in their auction catalogs.

Clankeye

Interesting this thread would resurface after almost a month. Thanks to the people who have added contributions to it.

Still a very interesting subject to me. I have a feeling there may be kind of a detachment in Mr. Bowers about the business end of numismatics. Not about the money making, but maybe an apathy about how Bowers and Merena is perceived by the public. Since, obviously Mr. Bowers is a very wise man, he is aware that the business of numismatics has as many gray areas as Kenny Rogers has gray hairs. He may be justified in an attitude of "I put out the information--it is up to each individual to do with it what they will."

But-- that is speculation. I don't know that is his attitude. And that is part of the reason that I started the thread in the first place. To gain a little insight into what his take on things may be. And just how active his involvement still is. Just trying to get a little bit better picture of the man behind the Icon. Again, thanks to all who have spoken up and added to this thread.
Clankeye

RLinn

<< <i>"I put out the information--it is up to each individual to do with it what they will." >>

I sometimes scratch my head over the tension he is occasionally willing to create. His recent Coin World thoughts defending dealers leaving major shows early would be such an example. Wherever you stand on the issue, you certainly have to wonder why such a high profile business owner would choose to weigh into such a controversial topic.

northcoin

I recently sent him an email regarding some questions I had about his newest book. I was amazed to get a personalized response the next day. I suspect you could correspond directly to him with your question and he would offer an enlightening response. My guess is that he leaves it up to others to balance the books at this point, but then again he could well be a fully hands on guy in all aspects of the business. One thing is evident, his enthusiasm for the hobby is contagious but I wonder how many start out buying from his company only to go elsewhere when they realize that there are no bargains to be had at the retail store.

CLASSICS

dave was the first coin dealer in the business to make a million dollars. and started at a very young age. i remember him telling me how he would sit in the local bank where he live, and would go thru bags of original silver dollars and pick out the best ones. { back then not many cared for those common coins}, a poet and a wise man, some day he will go down in coin history as the moses of the coin collecting world.

nucklehead

Sorry to sound negative here, but earlier this (Feb.Mar.time frame) I called one day to order maybe say three or four MS63 O mint Morgan dollars in the $30.00 to $40.00 dollar range (PCGS and NGC). Well I ended up asking for at least 7 different coins and all he had was the much higher MS66 and up,needless to say at a much higher dollar range which was and is at least for now out of my Budget.I ended up just buying a 2001 PR69 ASE in a PCGS which I'll be unloading very soon in Buena Park coin show. In all fairness though he did send me at no charge some foam inserts for ANACS holders to fit in my Eagle slab album.