What are The Greatest United States Copper Collections ?
STEWARTBLAYNUMIS
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I believe the Greatest or certainly one of the greatest was the Large Cent collection of Ted Naftzger.
I believe the half cent collection of Jim McGuigan is also one the finest quality and possibly the Finest quality of dates and varieties of half cents ever formed.
The Indian cent collection of Dr. Alan Epstein was probably the finest quality collection ever formed and may never be surpassed.I got to view his entire collection more than once.Perhaps I should have bought it intact ?
Stewart
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Define greatest. Some are impressed by completeness, while others favor quality over anything else. And of course we must mention that "quality" is a subjective term.
I liked the John Adams collection of 1794 Cents. John Ford had an absolutely amazing collection of Fugios (they are copper!). There are many possibilities. In the recent past, there's Frankenfield, Bird, Rasmussen, etc., etc.
I love copper!
<< <i>What about the Jules Reiver Collection. I don't know much about it other than it seemed to be rather extensive from the Heritage offerings. >>
That's my point in my post above this one; I loved the Reiver collection due to it's collector value. It was so very complete in terms of varieties and die states. Others mocked it due to the fact that it was not a "pop top" set. It was what it was and I think it was fantastic. I will never forget it (thanks in part to auction catalogs and my weak memory!).
the dennis mendleson library sale the outstanding american numismatic library formed by dennis
mendleson comprising major works on united states large cents & american auction sale catalogs with photographic plates
...some nice collections...
Louis Helfenstein Collection of large Cents, 1793–1857. Lester Merkin, NY 1964.
Herman Halpern Collection of Large Cents, Stacks, 1988
The Floyd T. Starr Collection of United States large cents, United States Half Cents—Stack's, New York 1984.
The Outstanding Collection of United States large Cents Formed by Mr. Oscar J. Pearl. Kosoff, New York 1944.
In Large Cents, certainly Sheldon's was a set of note, but we know how he got some of those. Also, Naftzger, Dan Holmes, Rasmussen, Frankenfield, and Reiver are all sets of note, but I would say that anyone that has ever completed the Sheldon series (11 people according to the Breen - Borckardt Encyclopedia) certainly had a set of significance, regardless of the grade. Frankenfield and Reiver both also had the half cents, and Reiver had more die states than anyone else.
I don't know enough about the sets of Flying Eagle, Indian, or Lincoln cents to comment.
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> "There used to be a great collection of Copper about 80 miles from me in Butte, but they mined it all out."
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They mined it out of their Butte??
~
"America suffers today from too much pluribus and not enough unum.".....Arthur Schlesinger Jr.
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> "In addition to those already mentioned, you have to include Robinson Brown. Didn't he complete the full Sheldon set of Large Cents twice?"
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Yes, he did.
The first set was sold by Superior Sept. 30th and Oct. 1st, 1986.,
and the second set, also by Superior, was sold on Jan. 27, 1996.
~
"America suffers today from too much pluribus and not enough unum.".....Arthur Schlesinger Jr.
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Those who are interested can go back and find my thread entitled something like "The Truth about Dr. William Sheldon" ...
Best,
Sunnywood
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Sounds very classy....
I firmly believe in numismatics as the world's greatest hobby, but recognize that this is a luxury and without collectors, we can all spend/melt our collections/inventories.
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<< <i>How did Sheldon acquire his collection? Well, in order to improve the collection he built himself, he stole coins from the ANS by swapping them for his inferior specimens. He did the same with the collection of a close friend who was dying of cancer. Some of the ANS coins were double-swapped, and ended up in the friend's collection. When it was sold, the ANS coins came to light, and it was eventually realized that Sheldon must have done the double swap (first upgrading his inferior specimen by swapping it with the ANS coin, and then swapping the ANS coin for a still better specimen in his friend's collection).
Those who are interested can go back and find my thread entitled something like "The Truth about Dr. William Sheldon" ...
Best,
Sunnywood >>
That thread has been TTT'd ... moments ago
<< <i>SO HOW DID SHELDON ACQUIRE HIS COPPER COLLECTION? >>
Because of the research he was doing he was allowed access to the American Numismatic Society collections - seems after Dr. Sheldon viewed the collection for his research, what used to be a very nice ANS coin became a different and much lower grade coin - presidigitation - or the old "switcheroo" seemed to be the order of the day - Sheldon sold his very nice collection to another important collector and then litigation ensued and the coins were finally returned to ANS.
I'll look for a link -
Edited to add: Apparantly there already is a link posted here - should finished reading the thread before posting
“It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.” Mark Twain
Newmismatist
There are two other Half Cent Collections that compare to Jim McGuigen's. The MO Collection and the other is in NY.
Walter H. has a pretty nice Large Cent Collection.
There is a wonderful collection of half cents in Long Island.I mean it is very high end. There is also a Gem Uncirculated Brasher Dubloon to keep them company.
There is also a very astute half cent collector living somewhere in New England.Some people know of his collection as the black hole.In other words noone really knows what is in his collection.
There is also a New York dealer/collector from Brooklyn who owns without question the finest collection of Fugios ever formed.
I also met a collector from New Jersey who owns without question the finest collection of Lincoln Memorial cents.
Stewart
Also, if you're lucky, you might meet a very well versed Doctor (as in Medical Doctor) from Pennsylvania that has an outstanding collection of 1794 Large Cents -
“It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.” Mark Twain
Newmismatist
Today, I believe the two best collections of Early Date Large Cents, both of which are quite astonishing to view in person, belong to Dan Holmes and Walter H. of Calif.( who I get to share a table with at the yearly EAC Conventions ).
With regard to business strike Indian Cents and Lincoln Cents, it has to Lord Master Stewart Blay.
Check out some of my 1794 Large Cents on www.coingallery.org
<< <i>With regard to business strike Indian Cents and Lincoln Cents, it has to Lord Master Stewart Blay. >>
Tom - isn't that why Stewart started this thread - (it took over 8 posts before Sunnywood mentioned his name! and my oblique reference and your confirmation) - maybe there's going to be some Lincoln pennies for sale soon!
“It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.” Mark Twain
Newmismatist
I just finished watching The Manchurian Candidate on HBO.
Check out some of my 1794 Large Cents on www.coingallery.org
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<< <i>. . .In Large Cents, certainly Sheldon's was a set of note, but we know how he got some of those. >>
When I wrote this comment, I implicitly assumed that everyone knew the story behind Sheldon and his collection. That assumption was clearly in error and I apologize for my error. Sometimes these stories are repeated so often that one assumes everyone has heard them. Sorry about that!
However, everyone who has read this thread and/or the well-written Sheldon thread, now knows the story.
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Stewart, I love reading things like this on the boards. Sometimes as collectors/registry set holders...we often forget that more sets exist raw out there...many of which would blow the top registered set out of the water in terms of quality.
It would be really cool to see a collection like that....someone who has not been caught up in the hype and inflated prices...someone just concentrating on finding the FINEST lincolns RAW.
When you met the guy did you get to see his collection?
The finest slabbed lincoln cent collection I have seen (at least parts of it) belongs to a fine collector from Connecticut.
I think you meant NY. If you think it is someone else besides Lord Master, I would bet against your pick. It may seem at first Stewart posts threads like this to have his ego stroked, but that is not the case. He is a true collector with a true passion, and is always curious what is out there that would make our mouths water.
I love the mystery that goes along with the history and joy of being a coin collector. The mysteries will never end. We will never live long enough to see all the secrets that come about as time goes on.
Lloyd
I love the mystery that goes along with the history and joy of being a coin collector. The mysteries will never end. We will never live long enough to see all the secrets that come about as time goes on.
I agree with Lloyd, not only because of what he posted, but because he's cool.
Seriously, the mystery is definitely there, especially for Lincolns. Back in the 60's, collecting "pennies" was all the rage. I started in 1970 when my dad would bring home bags from the bank for me to search. I often wonder how many super high end "Gem BU" sets were put together back then. How many awesome sets of raw Lincolns are there out there that have long been forgotten? Lloyd is right in that we will continue to see coins and beautiful collections, many uncertified, come to the market over the years. I mean wouldn't it be great to see a penny board all with superb gem examples? Or what about when I find the PCGS graded 27-D in 66RD that Stewart is looking for? I can jump up and down screaming, "It's all mine, mine I say, all mine!!!"
Jack