~~~Happy Birthday Walter Breen~~~Post a Breen Numbered Coin...or a Breen story!
ambro51
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Walter Breen: Enigmatic Numismatist
Walter Breen
Walter Breen in 1975.
By Dr. Sol Taylor
"Making Cents"
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Much has been written about and by the late Walter Breen. His biography includes his convictions for child molestation, his marriage to lesbian fiction writer Marion Zimmer Bradley, his widely read and accepted numismatic books on the United States Half Cent, and his Encyclopedia of United States Coins, published in 1988.
This last book was a monumental task of research which included 794 pages, and even at an initial retail price of $135, it was a best seller.
Breen was an exceptional mind, having finished his four-year college degree in mathematics in less than one year at Johns Hopkins University. He earned his master's degree from the University of California in 1966.
As a part of the hippie generation of the time, he grew a large beard, wore sandals and coveralls, and had an Afro-style hairdo. He wore his Phi Beta Kappa key on his fly zipper.
He often traveled the streets of Berkeley in the 1960s with a baby carriage filled with books. He was immediately recognized and greeted at coin conventions where his appearance and book buggy were standouts in the crowd.
I first met Walter at Bob Burroughs' coin shop in Albany (an adjacent community to Berkeley) in 1964. Everyone in numismatics knew of Walter; his articles and research were well known in the numismatic community by the 1960s. We met again in July 1964 at the North Bay Coin Club where I was the guest speaker.
We also met at almost every Long Beach coin convention in the 1960s and 1970s. I mentioned to him at Bob Burroughs' shop in 1964 my theory about the 1910 "VDB" cent which I believe existed but had not yet been verified. In early 1990 he did examine the piece I sold to Selby Unger of 18th Avenue Rare Coin in Brooklyn and wrote a detailed attribution letter to accompany the coin.
He attributed many coins that were in auctions held by New Netherlands Coin Company in New York. These catalogs with pedigrees and variety attributions are valued references to serious collectors to this day.
* * *
Walter was born in 1928 in San Antonio, Texas. During his service in the Army during World War II he survived a plane crash. He claimed that the incident gave him his photographic memory for which he is best remembered.
He joined MENSA in 1958 or 1959 and was possibly the first American to do so. An avowed homosexual, he married author Marion Zimmer Bradley, an avowed lesbian. It was her second marriage and lasted from 1964 to 1979, and they had two children.
His penchant for young boys led to his conviction in 1964 for child molestation. He was also convicted in the early 1950s for lewd behavior. In 1990 he pleaded guilty to child molestation and was sentenced to 13 years in prison. He had cancer at the time and died after serving one year.
His other numismatic books included a revised edition of "Penny Whimsy," William Sheldon's book on early American coppers, and "California Fractional Gold," coauthored with Ron Gillio. Both are standard references in the field.
Almost everyone who knew Walter knew he was extraordinary in many ways, as well as a disturbed soul. He lived the life of a vagabond, a pedophile, a hippie, and disdained most of the modern world's offerings. Truly he was "one of a kind."
...............and now a coin. This is the 1854 Gold Dollar Type 2. This example shows a doubling of the beads on the headdress, and is a doubled die, which was discovered by Walter Breen. He assigned it the number Breen-6037
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<< <i>His biography includes his convictions for child molestation >>
He was a real jerk and a pervert.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
This thread should not be posted to. Let it die and be forgotten.
I have a couple of shield nickels attributed to him.
NGC registry V-Nickel proof #6!!!!
working on proof shield nickels # 8 with a bullet!!!!
RIP "BEAR"
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
peacockcoins
<< <i>
I can't imagine that the direction could have surprised anyone.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Predictable? Absolutely.
A single example:
John F. Kennedy broke his trust (and wedding vows) and betrayed his wife by having multiple affairs. I still collect the coins that feature his portrait and study his writings. I am an avid reader of history and don't take lightly the atrocities many human beings have caused in our past. I also don't completely disregard their writings because of it. If anything I walk away with a deeper and richer understanding not withstanding.
There is deep despair and sadness in the world. To put blinders on and stick our fingers in our ears yelling, "LaLaLaLaLaLaLa, I can't hear you." is childish at best, delusional at worse.
Breen- on the subject of numismatics had much to offer.
This is a coin forum. I tied the two together and would have looked forward to a lively discussion.
Instead we're stuck with trite and not so cute responses and another lost opportunity.
peacockcoins
AB
<< <i>Surprised? No, of course not.
Predictable? Absolutely.
A single example:
John F. Kennedy broke his trust (and wedding vows) and betrayed his wife by having multiple affairs. I still collect the coins that feature his portrait and study his writings. I am an avid reader of history and don't take lightly the atrocities many human beings have caused in our past. I also don't completely disregard their writings because of it. If anything I walk away with a deeper and richer understanding not withstanding.
There is deep despair and sadness in the world. To put blinders on and stick our fingers in our ears yelling, "LaLaLaLaLaLaLa, I can't hear you." is childish at best, delusional at worse.
Breen- on the subject of numismatics had much to offer.
This is a coin forum. I tied the two together and would have looked forward to a lively discussion.
Instead we're stuck with trite and not so cute responses and another lost opportunity. >>
The OP asked for a Breen story, not a Breen coin story. The door was open from the beginning and what Breen is remembered for by many has come through. The example of JFK is at least slightly flawed in that JFK took his actions with adults whereas Breen took his actions with children. Certainly, I don't think most can believe that the consequences of what JFK did with 30-year old women are the same as what Breen did with 9-year old children. The "lost opportunity" for Breen to be discussed as a numismatist was caused by Breen, not by anyone else.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
I thought more than a few old time coin store dealers had porno mags and movies for sale on one side and coins on the other. I thought i have read tha more than once in various places??
I plan on adding his book sometime in the future, hopefully someone will be so outraged and disguted over his actions to sell me his book for a few pennies.
NGC registry V-Nickel proof #6!!!!
working on proof shield nickels # 8 with a bullet!!!!
RIP "BEAR"
Pat, using your analogy, Hitler should be praised for putting the German people back to work in the 1930s. After all, we all have some personality problems, don't we?
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
<< <i>Whatever good Breen did for numismatics is far outweighed by his serial child molestation. I'd write a "thank you note" to the guy who actions hastened Breen's death in prison if I could discover his identity. No further discussion of Breen is necessary.
Pat, using your analogy, Hitler should be praised for putting the German people back to work in the 1930s. After all, we all have some personality problems, don't we?
Inexcusable example and offensive.
Your example using Hitler defends the murderer.
I never defended Breen via my example nor would I. I was selectively careful not to do so. For you to read past that and state otherwise in indefensible and beneath your intelligence and is disgusting.
peacockcoins
peacockcoins
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
<< <i>Pat, first comment to you is a logical response to your inexcusable defense of Breen on ANY level. The man was just plain evil. That's a fact, and if you don't like it or can't see it, you have a problem. I am not going to converse with you on this subject any further, as it is clearly not a good use of my time. >>
Insofar as I can tell Pat Braddick never defended Breen on any level.
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
At least his story had a happy ending. The man preyed on children. Evil.
That said, he was academically a brilliant person with many very obvious personal failings.
in the article (Bob Burroughs' coin shop in Albany, California) in the 1960's.
Burroughs closed his shop in 1969 and just before it closed, I bought this coin from him:
Iraq 200 Fils 1932 (silver dollar size)
The Mysterious Egyptian Magic Coin
Coins in Movies
Coins on Television
<< <i>Godwin's Law >>
Wonderful concept...I wish I'd thought of it.
And I love this notion:
"There are many corollaries to Godwin's law...For example, there is a tradition in many newsgroups and other Internet discussion forums that once such a [Hitler] comparison is made, the thread is finished and whoever mentioned the Nazis has automatically "lost" whatever debate was in progress."
Lance.
<< <i>Anyone else find it disturbing that two of the pioneers in Numismatics, (Breen and Sheldon) ........................................................ >>
What is Sheldon guilty of? I've not heard anything before regarding him.
<< <i>
<< <i>Anyone else find it disturbing that two of the pioneers in Numismatics, (Breen and Sheldon) ........................................................ >>
What is Sheldon guilty of? I've not heard anything before regarding him. >>
Switching out Large Cents. Theft.
peacockcoins
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Anyone else find it disturbing that two of the pioneers in Numismatics, (Breen and Sheldon) ........................................................ >>
What is Sheldon guilty of? I've not heard anything before regarding him. >>
Switching out Large Cents. Theft. >>
I believe he was cataloging the large cent collection at the ANS and substituted his lesser specimens for their better specimens.
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
<< <i>I believe he was cataloging the large cent collection at the ANS and substituted his lesser specimens for their better specimens. >>
Yes he did. He also switched his lower grade coins in serveral collections he had cataloged or had time to handle. Still he is almost an angel compared to Breen's crimes on humanity.
Many members on this forum that now it cannot fit in my signature. Please ask for entire list.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Anyone else find it disturbing that two of the pioneers in Numismatics, (Breen and Sheldon) ........................................................ >>
What is Sheldon guilty of? I've not heard anything before regarding him. >>
Switching out Large Cents. Theft. >>
Sheldon is also known to have had a large collection of child pornography.
That said, he was academically a brilliant person with many very obvious personal failings.>>
I met him at a couple of ANA conventions. I knew nothing of his "other" history. I found him quite charming and friendly and a great letter writer.
The last words I heard he speak was his inviting a pretty sweet young numismatist up to his room after hours (supposedly a group meeting). I thought it was rather strange, but it didn't make sense until much later. He certainly didn't discriminate against girls although he preferred boys.
<< <i><<I knew him, he smelled bad, complained about Catholic priests(obviously they must have influenced his behaviours later) and was generally a disagreeable and dislikeable person.
That said, he was academically a brilliant person with many very obvious personal failings.>>
I met him at a couple of ANA conventions. I knew nothing of his "other" history. I found him quite charming and friendly and a great letter writer.
The last words I heard he speak was his inviting a pretty sweet young numismatist up to his room after hours (supposedly a group meeting). I thought it was rather strange, but it didn't make sense until much later. He certainly didn't discriminate against girls although he preferred boys. >>
Homosexuality, pedophiles, bestiality and we're drawing the line where?
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
I was under the impression that someone beat the cr*p out of Breen in prison then threw him down some stairs, and that although he did have cancer, he died from injuries resulting from this beating.
Leo - I would not classify homosexuality in the same category as pedophilia and / or bestiality. I know and work with at least fifteen or twenty out homosexuals. The only difference between them and you and I is their sexual preference. None of them are or ever have been sexual predators, ie., child molesters.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
<< <i>complained about Catholic priests(obviously they must have influenced his behaviours later) >>
So by this analogy, just as Catholic priests are pedophiles, so must numismatists be pedophiles?
<< <i>Sheldon is also known to have had a large collection of child pornography. >>
I hope that you have some proof of that and are just not making up or spreading false rumors.
Dr. Sheldon did have some odd theories, such as correlations between body types and psychological behavior but so far as the theft of the large cents, the issue was far from “cut and dried.”
The issue over Sheldon and the ANS large cents is not settled in the minds of many people. To many in the Early American Coppers club the issue of guilt and innocence on that issue is very much in question. There are those who think that the ANS was more of the offending party since they were the ones who were using this alleged crime as the basis to confiscate coins from collectors who had no idea that the legality of ownership of those pieces was in question. A very honest and honorable well known large cent collector fought this case in court and went to his grave believing that the issue was far from settled.
As for Breen, I enjoyed reading his works as a young collector and learned a great deal from them. He was hard person to get to know although he began to recognize my face at EAC conventions. The crimes he committed were inexcusable, and I have no defense for them. But I’m not going to condemn every aspect of the man. He was a good writer who wrote in clear, concise language.