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The finest IH collection of all time revisited

For the very few Indian Head collectors here, lets revisit the Dr. Alan Epstein collection from a PCGS forum archive post.
His was the first great IH collection ever assembled.

CoinFacts:

1.) The average grade was 66.25.
2.) It was assembled during the early years of certification (87-93) built up on a 65RD set with constant upgrades.
3.) Alan did many lateral trades to better coins in the same grade holder. All coins were PCGS.
4.) By the time he sold, there were only 9 possible upgrades -- one of which, the 1909-S MS67RD, has never been seen *.
5.) It included the only 2 MS68's ever given out by PCGS, 18 MS67's and 37 MS66's.
6.) During the sale of the set Alan repurchased the 1899 MS68RD -- the most common date but his favorite coin in this very uncommon condition.

* we finally saw the 1909-S MS67RD at FUN 2006.

The Epstein set has long since been sold off. It was an incredible collection. Ira Davidoff told me a lot about it, may he rest in peace.

The Blay set of IH's now resides as the finest IH collection of all time. He inherits a great legacy.
Most of us will die off before that set is sold image

Comments

  • GooberGoober Posts: 980 ✭✭✭
    Wow...now that's impressive. Thanks for the info.
    Prost!

    Why step over the dollar to get to the cent? Because it's a 55DDO.
  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,443 ✭✭✭✭✭
    There were many of the coins still around in 1995. Should have bought more of them.

    His FE cents in MS66 were offered at 6K each. I'm still kicking myself for passing - the price seemed outrageous at the time!! image
    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose, Cardinal.
  • HOLY SMOKES that 09-S is un-friking real.
  • shylockshylock Posts: 4,288 ✭✭✭
    Laura -

    I give LMS his due, he always stepped up for the very best. So if you think the Epstein Collection was something-I'm sure LMS made it better!

    When you want to build a great set-price really can NOT be an object. Buying a top pop coin on the cheap-only means you probably bought an inferior piece.


    Stewart has stepped up on many occasions, and made it better. Price was never an object to him when it came to great coins.
  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,443 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I remember when he bought that 09-S at Baltimore. We all laughed, thinking he'd never get his money back.

    Guess he got the last laugh. image
    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose, Cardinal.
  • IrishMikeIrishMike Posts: 7,737 ✭✭✭
    image

    image

    Tim not all of us were surprised about the 09Simage
  • shylockshylock Posts: 4,288 ✭✭✭
    The ultimate common date IH IrishMike. What I'd give to get my claws on that one...(sigh)
  • IrishMikeIrishMike Posts: 7,737 ✭✭✭
    He and Stewart both are my collecting heroes. image
  • STONESTONE Posts: 15,275
    It's one of those collections that I fantasize about.

    Thanks for posting

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