Top 50 Collectors

Gazes · June 28, 2016 9:46AM

I know In the art world, certain magazines and others put out rankings of the top collectors. Is there anything like this with numismatics other than the registries ? Not all collectors use the registry and it would be interesting to see a top 25 coin collector list

Bob1951 · June 28, 2016 10:41AM

I don't know how you would figure it out. Do I qualify? I have collected coins since 1958. I have collected and have most coins by date and mm from 1793-date (not gold coins though), with a lot of varieties thrown in. I still have about 200 more coins to go to finish my collection the way I want it. I do not have any super rarities, such as 1804 silver dollars, 1894-S dimes or 1913 V-nickels, nor do I ever intend to get these types of coins. Does this disqualify me? Do you need to be a specialist in any particular field? Most of my coins are collector coins-not investment coins and I do not collect modern commems. Most of my coins are raw from earlier collecting days. I also have most Canadian coins.

A lot of collectors just want to remain anonymous because of possibility of burglary etc. There are many collections that you never know about until the collector dies or decides to sell and the coins come to market. Most collectors do not use the registry and just put coins in albums or 2X2's or slabs and put them in safe deposit boxes for years. i know collectors with many safe deposit boxes full of coins and one with a storage locker believe it or not. What is the difference between collecting and accumulating?

My goal is one of each not several. There are too many variants here. Is a pack rat considered a collector? We have all seen the barrels of cents that some people have. Is this really a collector or just an accumulator?

Bob

Greeniejr · June 28, 2016 10:43AM

In our industry I think that would not work. There are prominent collectors whose collections would blow your mind who want to remain anonymous. One client I work with has a collection worth tens of millions and he enjoys his coins but seems to have no desire to see his name in lights. Our world of US coins is a small corner of numismatics with people around the world including royalty and cross collecting

Gazes · June 28, 2016 11:11AM

Originally posted by: Greeniejr

In our industry I think that would not work. There are prominent collectors whose collections would blow your mind who want to remain anonymous. One client I work with has a collection worth tens of millions and he enjoys his coins but seems to have no desire to see his name in lights. Our world of US coins is a small corner of numismatics with people around the world including royalty and cross collecting

The artnet 200 states that it compiled the list by polling dealers, advisors and experts. I don't know if people are listed even if they prefer not to be. Sort of like the Forbes 400 ---some try to stay under the radar and stay off the list while others volunteer financials to be on the list

TopographicOceans · June 28, 2016 11:14AM

TDN

and then others

ricko · June 29, 2016 12:12AM

What are the qualifications?? Quantity of coins, dollar value, quality of coins, rarities etc.????

All the above?? Cheers, RickO

LindeDad · June 29, 2016 12:26AM

Many learned to stay under the radar from what happened to the DuPont collection.

topstuf · June 29, 2016 12:30AM

Seems to me the collector who has BEST applied his efforts is our own Lord Marcovan.

He seems to be having the most FUN with his collection.

I'm sorta trying to emulate him and have changed MY focus to simply "coins I like."

No matter WHO makes "TOP FIFTY" I think they'd be hard pressed to claim as much enjoyment as he does.

Or so it seems to me.

Unknown · June 29, 2016 12:34AM

This content has been removed.

topstuf · June 29, 2016 12:38AM

Originally posted by: silverpop

why have such a list?

To be ON TOP!!!!

Whassa matta you?

oih82w8 · June 29, 2016 12:58AM

TDN did pop into my mind when I seen the OP Title...

Greeniejr · June 29, 2016 1:01AM

In many ways the PCGS Registry accomplishes this for US coins but allowing people to self select in or out and to what extent you are in or out. You can go all in like TDN or ESM with pictures and details of their collection. You can be like high desert and show some details but only to the extent he chooses to. Than there are others who we all just don't know about because they are not on the registry. From there we all can judge as we wish.

Nap · June 29, 2016 2:59AM

Such a list makes sense for the collector that frequently exhibits his or her pieces with museums. In other words, someone who's already in the news.

It might make sense for some of the prolific coin collectors that display at major conventions or who have exhibits on loan to museums (if there are any). Otherwise it does not make a lot of sense.

The collector mentality is similar, but collectors of coins, art, model trains, Magic the Gathering cards, Hummel figures, etc are different enough to make comparison somewhat difficult.

hammer1 · June 29, 2016 4:11AM

Originally posted by: silverpop

why have such a list?

sparky64 · June 29, 2016 4:28AM

You got your Collector's poll and your Dealer's poll for early on in the the collecting season.

After Winter FUN the only one that matters is the Big Collector's Series opinions.

The BCS has eliminated all the controversy that surrounds the rankings.

FredWeinberg · June 29, 2016 4:50AM

Why have such a list?

Doesn't it make it easier for the Columbian's

to Uber directly to the collector's house????

TigersFan2 · June 29, 2016 5:28AM

I'd be a Top 50 collector on my good looks alone. Hopefully the judges won't look at my coins.

golden · June 29, 2016 6:06AM

Originally posted by: LindeDad
Many learned to stay under the radar from what happened to the DuPont collection.

johnny9434 · June 30, 2016 6:51AM

Originally posted by: silverpop
why have such a list?

exactly, wo cares. we do the best with what we got. jmo

Gazes · June 30, 2016 7:10AM

Originally posted by: johnny9434

Originally posted by: silverpop

why have such a list?

exactly, wo cares. we do the best with what we got. jmo

I think there is an assumption that it would be based on money. Not necessarily. It could be based upon years of collecting, accomplishments, dedication, etc. Why such a list ? Hearing about others can be inspiring. It certainly can be interesting.

Unknown · June 30, 2016 7:34AM

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Gazes · June 30, 2016 7:44AM

Originally posted by: silverpop

but did you think of the real world risks posed by such a list?

It's a legitimate concern. Especially in this day and age where almost all info seems public

Analyst · July 6, 2016 9:34AM

Originally posted by LindeDad: "Many learned to stay under the radar from what happened to the DuPont collection."

Golden: "I agree with you."

Well, not exactly, the DuPont robbery was a long time ago, before advances in home security technology. Moreover, the DuPont house was a casual choice; the thieves did not know that anyone named DuPont lived there and they knew nothing about coins. While some collectors are very concerned about security, most are not and they figure that most people will realize that their respective collections are in bank vaults, anyhow.

Gazes: " Hearing about others can be inspiring. It certainly can be interesting"

Of course, such a list would be great for the hobby. Again, this week, I am puzzled again by why there was so little discussion, during 2014 and '15, in media, and around the nation, of the Gardner Collection, given its incredible nature.

Gene Gardner Coins Re-Appear in Summer FUN Auction

Gazes: " The artnet 200 states that it compiled the list by polling dealers, advisors and experts. I don't know if people are listed even if they prefer not to be. Sort of like the Forbes 400 ---some try to stay under the radar and stay off the list while others volunteer financials to be on the list"

While many on the Forbes 400 list are included against their will, any list of collectors should only include people who have consented to be on the list or whose collections have already been widely publicized. Exposing collectors who do not wish to be exposed would discourage others from collecting.

In an article last year, I listed the all-time best sets of Barber halves that have been publicly auctioned. All but one of these consignors revealed their respective real names. As "Greensboro" has not, I put the Greensboro code name in quotation marks.

Shireman Finest Known Set of Gem Barber Half Dollars To Be Auctioned

insightful10@gmail.com

kevinj · July 6, 2016 10:01PM

Question becomes what criteria is used is defining what a great collector is
How do you differentiate a great collector to a great collection.

I wrote a book on John Story Jenks, who I believed was the greatest U.S. Collector
Several criteria I used to define a great collector included
extensive collection
extreme knowledge of that collection
quality coins
proper care of their coins
and most importantly, the sharing of knowledge on coins, which I believe is the essence of our hobby.

Jenks collected from around 1856 through 1922
He had one of the top ancient and early European coin collections in existence, plus many great American coins
His catalog is one of the most intense in depth historical presentation of a collection, especially on the ancient coins,
not only was their a detailed description of the coin, but an analysis of what they represented, and why they were made
His coins were of top quality. The last set of coins was proof sets from 1856 through 1916, total for all of these was about $284
today they would be worth about $$6 million, the 1892 through 1916 were sold to one individual which coins popped up around 1992,
of these many were certified PR69, which is unheard of and extremely rare.
Jenks spent the last 30 years of his life helping others, including through presentations and lectures on his coins.
This sharing of knowledge is the key to a great collector, it helps the hobby learn as a whole, creates greater interest,
helps others enjoy their coins more, inspires a next generation to collect and seek great knowledge.

IMO Jenks is the greatest American Coin Collector

Kevin

messydesk · July 6, 2016 11:25PM

I suppose if all you're measuring is value, then the grading services can total up registered collections and declare a "greatest," but if everyone had their collections completely registered, there's much more to "greatest" than that.

ricko · July 7, 2016 1:01AM

It is all relative to what anyone thinks is 'great'....the coins, the collector, the value, the rarity...so many things to consider. The answer lies in what one considers important... therefore, any list would be relative to an individuals interest and preferences. Cheers, RickO

TwoSides2aCoin · July 7, 2016 2:18AM

Smithsonian comes in at # 1.

The next 49 prefer anonymity , if you asked me.

MrEureka · July 7, 2016 4:05AM

FWIW, there is an ANA Hall of Fame.

Gazes · July 7, 2016 6:36AM

Originally posted by: Analyst

Originally posted by LindeDad: "Many learned to stay under the radar from what happened to the DuPont collection."

Golden: "I agree with you."

Well, not exactly, the DuPont robbery was a long time ago, before advances in home security technology. Moreover, the DuPont house was a casual choice; the thieves did not know that anyone named DuPont lived there and they knew nothing about coins. While some collectors are very concerned about security, most are not and they figure that most people will realize that their respective collections are in bank vaults, anyhow.

Gazes: " Hearing about others can be inspiring. It certainly can be interesting"

Of course, such a list would be great for the hobby. Again, this week, I am puzzled again by why there was so little discussion, during 2014 and '15, in media, and around the nation, of the Gardner Collection, given its incredible nature.

Gene Gardner Coins Re-Appear in Summer FUN Auction

Gazes: " The artnet 200 states that it compiled the list by polling dealers, advisors and experts. I don't know if people are listed even if they prefer not to be. Sort of like the Forbes 400 ---some try to stay under the radar and stay off the list while others volunteer financials to be on the list"

While many on the Forbes 400 list are included against their will, any list of collectors should only include people who have consented to be on the list or whose collections have already been widely publicized. Exposing collectors who do not wish to be exposed would discourage others from collecting.

In an article last year, I listed the all-time best sets of Barber halves that have been publicly auctioned. All but one of these consignors revealed their respective real names. As "Greensboro" has not, I put the Greensboro code name in quotation marks.

Shireman Finest Known Set of Gem Barber Half Dollars To Be Auctioned

insightful10@gmail.com

I think you would do great at putting together a top 50 list---use whatever criteria you choose

Top 50 Collectors

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