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1986 Walter Breen Video Interview....
Broadstruck
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Just ran across this 13 minute video interview of Walter Breen
In August of 1986 CoinWeek partner David Lisot conducted a series of interviews for the American Numismatic Association with many of the prominent numismatists of the day.
Walter Breen is considered on the most brilliant and enigmatic people in coin hobby. This video offers a rare and personal insight into one of the most interesting personalities in numismatics.
Run Time – 13:17
In August of 1986 CoinWeek partner David Lisot conducted a series of interviews for the American Numismatic Association with many of the prominent numismatists of the day.
Walter Breen is considered on the most brilliant and enigmatic people in coin hobby. This video offers a rare and personal insight into one of the most interesting personalities in numismatics.
Run Time – 13:17
To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
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Comments
'Tie Dye' T-shirts - right out of the 60's !
I met and talked with him numerous
times at some of the larger coin shows
and ANA's back in the 1970's.
He had a brilliant memory, very eccentric,
and I think it was the early 80's when I
found out about his predeliction (sp).
I remember at the ANA in Cincinnati in
1980, seeing Breen in the pool area,
around 10 at night, as I was returning
from Dinner. He had about 4-5 young
boys hanging around with him in the
pool area...all in swimming trunks......
Creeps me out now, to think about it.
for PCGS. A 49+-Year PNG Member...A full numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022
Successful BSTs with: Grote15, MadMarty, Segoja,cucamongacoin,metalsman.
Creeps me out in a Lee Harvey Oswald kind of way how he changed his demeanor halfway thru the interview (~6:35) when questioned on politics and such.
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
I met him and talked with him at two conventions and corresponded with him at other times.
I think there are three people in the world who look/looked like him, and all of them lived in Berkeley.
Stewart Huckaby
mailto:stewarth@HA.com
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<< <i>Creeps me out in a Lee Harvey Oswald kind of way how he changed his demeanor halfway thru the interview (~6:35) when questioned on politics and such. >>
Eek. What a creep. People always point out the "academic" work he did in numismatics as some sort of defense. Hasn't more recent research proven that Breen's work is riddled with errors and unsubstantiated claims? If that's the case, can we move beyond this disgusting individual?
Only watched the video for about 20 seconds. That was enough.
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
<< <i> Has anyone here on the boards here ever met him? >>
Yes, he was indeed a brilliant man - something of a numismatic savant. I had a long discussion with him at a coin show in the late 1980s about 18th century American history. Another time he came to a coin club meeting and gave a talk about early American numismatics. But not without running diatribes about organised religion etc, and I remember him as a bit of a foul individual - rather decidedly profane without any provocation.
<< <i>I'm disgusted everytime I hear his name. >>
I have his book..... pisses me off every time I have to look something up.
In God We Trust.... all others pay in Gold and Silver!
Someone mentioned his eyes. They dart about. To me they weren't distracting. It was a little like those disk drive access lights from years ago.
Lance.
<< <i>Creeps me out in a Lee Harvey Oswald kind of way how he changed his demeanor halfway thru the interview (~6:35) when questioned on politics and such. >>
Holy Cr*p...I went back and saw the political exchange at about 6:35 (because the first time I only viewed the first 20 seconds). What a creep!!
You're right Guitarwes,.......... Lee Harvey Oswald, Jeffrey Dahmer and Adolf Hitler all rolled into one!! (edited to add: a psycho St. Nick).
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
him from time to time at conventions.
His work is not, as one poster puts it, “riddled with errors and unsubstantiated claims.” It is actually
quite good though there are of course some problem areas.
We are all well aware of his other life but that has nothing to do with whether or not his numismatic
work is accurate.
<< <i>I knew Walter for many years and we spoke every few months at length on the phone. I also saw
him from time to time at conventions.
His work is not, as one poster puts it, “riddled with errors and unsubstantiated claims.” It is actually
quite good though there are of course some problem areas.
We are all well aware of his other life but that has nothing to do with whether or not his numismatic
work is accurate. >>
Exactly. I wish some of you people could compartmentalize Breen’s life and look at the positive things he did for numismatics. When I was a young collector in the 1960s and ‘70s, I learned a great deal from his well written works which greatly enhanced my enjoyment of the hobby. I met Walter five or six times, mostly at the Early American Coppers conventions. His body of work during his era was some of the best we had and was written in a style that was never boring or tedious.
Was his personal life a mess? You bet, and his conduct with children was reprehensible. Most everybody on these boards knows that. So why do some of you feel the need to re-hash it every time his name is mentioned? It really serves no purpose.
<< <i>
<< <i>I knew Walter for many years and we spoke every few months at length on the phone. I also saw
him from time to time at conventions.
His work is not, as one poster puts it, “riddled with errors and unsubstantiated claims.” It is actually
quite good though there are of course some problem areas.
We are all well aware of his other life but that has nothing to do with whether or not his numismatic
work is accurate. >>
Exactly. I wish some of you people could compartmentalize Breen’s life and look at the positive things he did for numismatics. When I was a young collector in the 1960s and ‘70s, I learned a great deal from his well written works which greatly enhanced my enjoyment of the hobby. I met Walter five or six times, mostly at the Early American Coppers conventions. His body of work during his era was some of the best we had and was written in a style that was never boring or tedious.
Was his personal life a mess? You bet, and his conduct with children was reprehensible. Most everybody on these boards knows that. So why do some of you feel the need to re-hash it every time his name is mentioned? It really serves no purpose. >>
I look at it the opposite way.
I couldn't care less about his numismatic accomplishments when I think about how many lives he ruined with his messed up personal life.
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
who is your mentor!!
.