If you're talking about large cents (Dan 1) or literature (Dan 2), no one comes close.
No one.
Though we seem to be dismissing the folks who are too 20th Century, even I'm old enough to have met Ted Naftzger, undoubtedly one of the great collectors of any century or generation. >>
<< <i>But John, none of those people post here. >>
Aye, and there's the rub.
And the people who underestimate either the knowledge of the Pogues or the holdings of the Pogues kinda blow my mind a little. I'm with TDN -- I'd pay to see some of their stuff. That's the highest praise I can give after getting paid to see everyone else's!
If you're talking about large cents (Dan 1) or literature (Dan 2), no one comes close.
No one.
Though we seem to be dismissing the folks who are too 20th Century, even I'm old enough to have met Ted Naftzger, undoubtedly one of the great collectors of any century or generation. >>
I would rather have a few dozen Naftzger coppers than anyone elses "stuff". But hey, so would the ANS.
Having a top-rated registry set or a collection of finest knowns does not make one a great collector, it just makes him a collector with a lot of money to spend. I think the greatest collector of the current times is Q. David Bowers. He knows more stuff about coins than I even knew existed
Define "of our time". The range of collectors that have lived during my lifetime covers collectors born during a 130 year span. Collectors older than myself can extend that even further.
Define what constitues a "great collector". A high value collection? Sorry, doesn't impress me. I've known of too many people with lots of money that simply bought their way into an expensive collection but didn't really know or care anything about it.
lloydmincy - Might I add, Stewart did it with pure patience, passion and tenacity. Wasn't just born with a platinum spoon in his mouth.
jacktheknife - Stewart Blay. Many have much more money and are able to put together awesome collections, but few have his passion and knowledge.
Stewart Blay, in my opinion, is the greatest coin collector of our time because of the way he did it. As lloydmincy said, "patience, passion and tenacity", and I will add a gift for grading coins. I thought Stewart Blay was rich until I visited his lower Manhattan apartment. Nice digs, but this guy wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Stewart is a bread and butter started from the bottom worked his way to the top coin collector who made his bones in the hobby.
Lloyd and Jack both mentioned "passion". I agree. Stewart Blay is the most passionate, and I'd say the greatest coin collector of our time.
If the time period goes back 30 years, there are many more, notably Harry Bass.
Jeff Browning was really getting into it when he passed away in his early 40's and would have eventually tried to duplicate Eliasberg.
Reiver has already been mentioned, but stands tall.
Don't forget Jack Lee, either.
The Pogue family has been broadening their collection, although they started with just early gold.
Other people mentioned have all been worthy.
The modern day collector really has to specialize because the values are so high for normal people.
PNG member, numismatic dealer since 1965. Operates a retail store, also has exhibited at over 1000 shows. 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.
<< <i>For degree of difficulty in completing a collection, Warren Miller. A complete bust dollar collection by die variety includes 5 or more unique coins. >>
Stewart Blay, the others just collected the same recycled coins, no big deal, time and money. Stewart on the other hand put together, largely from raw coins the #1 set of Lincoln's. A true contribution.
I doubt that anyone will be able to duplicate Eliasberg's accomplishments. Not only did he have a full Federal set, but his colonial set was unbelievable too, plus he had territorial gold, confederate coinage, etc.
And I think that to be considered the greatest coin collector of our time, the collector should have a collection consisting of several denominations. IMO just having a super collection of only one denomination isn't enough. For example, Jules Reiver didn't just collect half cents and large cents, he also collected all of the silver denominations. So I'm not sure who of the 21st Century numismatists fulfills these criteria, because I'm not sure what is in all of the collections being considered.
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
Rumor has it that the Eastern Collector lives very close to me (it's not me, though )
Always took candy from strangers Didn't wanna get me no trade Never want to be like papa Working for the boss every night and day --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
<< <i>Stewart on the other hand put together, largely from raw coins the #1 set of Lincoln's. A true contribution. >>
Sounds like Miller and many others mentioned, who formed much of their collections raw, pre-koolaid. Like Blay, Miller has numerous finest knowns, in addition to his unique bust dollars. His set was certified by NGC in 2002, although his great rarities really don't need numbers on plastic to make them great. Perhaps this is also "a true contribution"?
<< <i>the others just collected the same recycled coins, no big deal, time and money >>
Miller, Blay, and the others listed in this thread are all great collectors and numismatists in their own way.
Robert Scot: Engraving Liberty - biography of US Mint's first chief engraver
I will state for the record the one thing I'm very proud of as a numismatic accomplishment: my seated dollar set is the first ever to be completely in uncirculated condition. None of the great dollar collectors before me accomplished this feat.
<< <i>Stewart Blay, the others just collected the same recycled coins, no big deal, time and money. Stewart on the other hand put together, largely from raw coins the #1 set of Lincoln's. A true contribution. >>
I have to admit, this is a new perspective for me.
Comments
<< <i>Has anyone heard of Dan Holmes?
How about Dan Hamelberg?
If you're talking about large cents (Dan 1) or literature (Dan 2), no one comes close.
No one.
Though we seem to be dismissing the folks who are too 20th Century, even I'm old enough to have met Ted Naftzger, undoubtedly one of the great collectors of any century or generation. >>
But John, none of those people post here.
<< <i>But John, none of those people post here. >>
Aye, and there's the rub.
And the people who underestimate either the knowledge of the Pogues or the holdings of the Pogues kinda blow my mind a little. I'm with TDN -- I'd pay to see some of their stuff. That's the highest praise I can give after getting paid to see everyone else's!
Betts medals, colonial coins, US Mint medals, foreign coins found in early America, and other numismatic Americana
<< <i>Nor do I consider collectiors who lie (to sell their coins) worthy of greatness. >>
Russ, NCNE
That said, I'd list
Pogue family
the Eastern Collector
Steve Duckor
Stewart Blay
I don't know of all the privvy collections that Laura does.
<< <i>Our time to me means currently...the last 30 years or so. >>
Our time means the 21st Century. Didn't any of you people read the original post?
Russ, NCNE
<< <i>Has anyone heard of Dan Holmes?
How about Dan Hamelberg?
If you're talking about large cents (Dan 1) or literature (Dan 2), no one comes close.
No one.
Though we seem to be dismissing the folks who are too 20th Century, even I'm old enough to have met Ted Naftzger, undoubtedly one of the great collectors of any century or generation. >>
I would rather have a few dozen Naftzger coppers than anyone elses "stuff". But hey, so would the ANS.
<< <i>
<< <i>Our time to me means currently...the last 30 years or so. >>
Our time means the 21st Century. Didn't any of you people read the original post?
Russ, NCNE >>
Well, I'm not gonna pick people with SAE sets, Russrod.
<< <i>
<< <i>Our time to me means currently...the last 30 years or so. >>
Our time means the 21st Century. Didn't any of you people read the original post?
Russ, NCNE >>
what fun would that be?
Guess the grade:
I don't see how he can come on here and read about gold Buffallos and common date Mercuries sometimes.
Define what constitues a "great collector". A high value collection? Sorry, doesn't impress me. I've known of too many people with lots of money that simply bought their way into an expensive collection but didn't really know or care anything about it.
<< <i>Nor does one think of Mr Pittman when discussing numismatists of the 21st century.
Excellent point TDN, I didn't see the reference to the 21st century in the OP.
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.american-legacy-coins.com
jacktheknife - Stewart Blay. Many have much more money and are able to put together awesome collections, but few have his passion and knowledge.
Stewart Blay, in my opinion, is the greatest coin collector of our time because of the way he did it. As lloydmincy said, "patience, passion
and tenacity", and I will add a gift for grading coins. I thought Stewart Blay was rich until I visited his lower Manhattan apartment. Nice
digs, but this guy wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Stewart is a bread and butter started from the bottom worked his way
to the top coin collector who made his bones in the hobby.
Lloyd and Jack both mentioned "passion". I agree. Stewart Blay is the most passionate, and I'd say the greatest coin collector of our time.
Jeff Browning was really getting into it when he passed away in his early 40's and would have eventually tried to duplicate Eliasberg.
Reiver has already been mentioned, but stands tall.
Don't forget Jack Lee, either.
The Pogue family has been broadening their collection, although they started with just early gold.
Other people mentioned have all been worthy.
The modern day collector really has to specialize because the values are so high for normal people.
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.
eBaystore
True enough. Even a collection of Kennedy Half Dollars could legitimately run into seven figures if the owner is to achieve greatness.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
<< <i>For degree of difficulty in completing a collection, Warren Miller. A complete bust dollar collection by die variety includes 5 or more unique coins. >>
Stewart Blay, the others just collected the same recycled coins, no big deal, time and money. Stewart on the other hand put together, largely from raw coins the #1 set of Lincoln's. A true contribution.
And I think that to be considered the greatest coin collector of our time, the collector should have a collection consisting of several denominations. IMO just having a super collection of only one denomination isn't enough. For example, Jules Reiver didn't just collect half cents and large cents, he also collected all of the silver denominations. So I'm not sure who of the 21st Century numismatists fulfills these criteria, because I'm not sure what is in all of the collections being considered.
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
<< <i>Stewart on the other hand put together, largely from raw coins the #1 set of Lincoln's. A true contribution. >>
Sounds like Miller and many others mentioned, who formed much of their collections raw, pre-koolaid. Like Blay, Miller has numerous finest knowns, in addition to his unique bust dollars. His set was certified by NGC in 2002, although his great rarities really don't need numbers on plastic to make them great. Perhaps this is also "a true contribution"?
<< <i>the others just collected the same recycled coins, no big deal, time and money >>
<< <i>Stewart Blay, the others just collected the same recycled coins, no big deal, time and money. Stewart on the other hand put together, largely from raw coins the #1 set of Lincoln's. A true contribution. >>
I have to admit, this is a new perspective for me.