Who do you consider your coin collecting mentors ......?
bidask
Posts: 14,028 ✭✭✭✭✭
Please also state why you chose a particular person.
For me it was the following:
1) My local B&M when I was a youngster.....Henry Leonardt had a small coin shop with a bid board in Clayton Missouri.
Loved spending my Saturday's there . Met and hung out with alot of other YN's there .......
2) Harry Forman , a well known dealer and numismatist in his day ( RIP ).
At major coins shows I attended as a teenager Harry would give me his coins to sell on the floor. I would hustle for Harry
selling his coins. I learned alot interacting/selling to/with different dealers and Harry would always give me a nice cut of the
action at the end of the day. I hung out at his bourse table alot!
3) Andy Lustig, Andy taught me to be more diligent in grading and studying a coin's surfaces. He also led me deeper into
collecting more world coins. I consider Andy to be one of the finest coin grader's .
4) Laura Sperber, Laura taught me to really stretch for great coins. She also affirmed my own belief that great coins should be
for the long term. She has been a terrific dealer to source really great coins and when I was in her good grace she would give
me a shot at must have coins ( like a 1910 eagle Proof 65 OGH that she said I should buy which I did) ....
Alas I wished I had kept that coin.
.
How about you ?
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
Comments
In order of username length
@RYK
@MrEureka
@CoinRaritiesOnline
Latin American Collection
Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of the United States. He told me (and everyone else) not to hoard my 90% silver coins because they would never be worth more than face value. Being the renegade that I am I did the exact opposite.
it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide
Les Zeller of Four Centuries in Albany , NY Les, RIP.
Bowers and all his books which I spent hours reading and the Rare Coin Review.
My father who taught me my word was my bond. Something that has helped me immensely in the business as well as in life.
My first employer, Mr. Sandler who taught me to be fair to the customer as well as myself. A fair profit many times over is better than an obscene one once.
Russ Logan, anyone who knew him needs no other explanation.
A: The year they spend more on their library than their coin collection.
A numismatist is judged more on the content of their library than the content of their cabinet.
The first name that comes to my mind is, Andy @ Angel Dee’s. When he talks about grading buffalo nickels I listen up real good.
@CaptHenway
Gregg Bingham. He introduced me to coins
m
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......
Robert Chambers and Paul Hollis, A lot of people will probably laugh at this, but if it wasn't for them originally...I would probably have never started collecting. And no....I never bought from them, but I learned a ton and it made me want more knowledge of numismatics.
I envy those who found mentors.
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
MD Yandell - Fellow coin club member and shared table w him first show setup Greater Houston 1990.
David Bowers - books
I could see that.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
My local coin dealer on September 12, 2001 suggested I buy his last 10 ounces of gold. At spot.
My dad. Introduced me to coins, educated me concerning them and gave me his entire collection. We used to and still do, sometimes, go to shows and B&Ms together.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
My very close friend Lou Anagnostopoulus at Dakota Coin who opened behind the counter access to his B&M coin shop and taught me the business of coins and bullion. He's constantly questioning my interests and intentions with collecting. Questioning the glass of koolaid I hold in my left hand. I jokingly say he tried to slap the blind romantic collector out of me and taught me to think rationally about my choices and actions with coins and dealings. I still follow my heart but my logic consulting is more in play because of him.
I luckly met Jerry Bobby one year at Summer Seminar and in my limited time with him, he really plowed some things home for me. He's really cool to be around too. I'll never forget him describing a 65 as "What we all know is a pretty bad coin with lots of problems" making a scratching sound with his voice and a clawed hand drug across his face. His concept of HIPS Human Impairment Post Striking... "show me the HIPS! Or at least one, but there are many on this coin!" Also, he would say if any copper wienies wanted to stay after class to meet him in back. Out of 25 students there were only 3 of us at that table. In my limited 3 hours talking copper with this man he basically said this look bad, this look good and so on and so fourth. I was rattled after that. I slammed my wallet shut for two years easy. I had been buying problem stuff and this really helped me get up to speed since I had more than a toe in that part of the pool. I wish I was around him more and I hope he is well.
I've been treated to the friendship of Andy Skrabalak and a few dealings over the years. This guy has a great way of doing business and his candid conversations really lift the fog when I feel I'm going it alone. Mentor? Sure, I've had more than a few dealings and chances to get straight talk from this guy. Thanks!
I'd throw Charmy Harker out there as mentor but I have her squarely in the inspiration category as she's giving me the model I want to live when my life situation allows me to break free and travel more. More than one of my favorite pieces crossed her desk and I respect her input a ton. Thanks!
I could go on and on....In truth, I learn something from everyone I meet in this field. There were 5 instructors at the grading class, all deserving of the roll of teacher. Colonel Jesup was there along with Tom Hallenbech and John Dannreuther and his daughter. All my national coin buds, Duke, Bo, Don, Scott, Nathan, you know who you are! Mom and Dad! My Uncle Paul for teaching me prospecting and making me a gold bug. Come on! This is sounding like an award show acceptance speech.
I've meet some great people from eBay and online transactions that ended up being more than a casual one time purchase. If I simply talked to you at a show or at a shop or online without even buying I prob picked up something and it all adds up to value in the end.
Last but not least, The membership here is the best mentor of all. From notion to answer, the entire coin worlds knowledge is already here. Thanks for that, It really keeps me engaged with the hobby.
Andy Skrabalak.
Here's a warning parable for coin collectors...
I miss bid boards.
Most posters on here have my respect. I have kept my mouth shut and my mind open. Also, Rick Tomaska. This may get a laugh, and I have never purchased anything, but he does give a lot of info on his shows even though on certain items (especially moderns), he does get a little over dramatic.
Hmmmm...
I hope he doesn't break a hip reading this, but @ColonelJessup has been a mentor for quite a long time.
And Doug Winter...less likely to break a hip.
siliconvalleycoins.com
Tormentors might be a more interesting thread.
Many local collectors and dealers that none of you would know. Dennis Loan, who had some national standing was pretty big in Dollars back in the 70's and 80's and I also enjoyed Wayne Millers efforts with his Dollar book. So I guess it wouldn't be just one person, but if I were to name one person, It would be Q. David Bowers.
Louis Armstrong
Steve Leber
and
John Wooten
They both nurtured my love of Franklin Halves.
edit to add: and I once had the opportunity to talk with Vince Felipe who was a legendary pioneer in the Mercury dime field and he left a great impression on me
Probably 85% of what I know about rare coins has come from this forum. Truly the best and brightest reside here. Particularly helpful have been TDN, SaintGuru, Fred Weinberg, Manofcoins (who invited me on), Topstuf, Henway, Bill Jones and Rick Snow.
I could add a couple hundred names to the list and it would not be everyone.
@georgiacop50
That guy has answered at least 300 or more messages from me, responding quite fast usually, with insightful details and information. He has shared some top notch variety tips with me and taught me a great many coin related lessons. He has helped me buy and sell coins too. He even bought some paintings from me. I definitely consider him a friend and look forward to meeting in person some day.
Many on this forum have mentored me in various ways, indirectly and directly. If you have ever responded to more than one of my messages, you probably mentored me in some way, so thank you. I come here often and read and learn amazing things. Too many individuals many to list.
Tim at Conejo stamp and coin taught me a lot of the basics about Coins and the industry, and endures my hanging out and asking questions, showing coins, etc. He has explained so much over the last 10 years. He is a captive audience trapped behind the counter, lol, but is always a good sport, and saves nickel items and literature for me and shares my enthusiasm for varieties.
Thank you to all the Mentors out there!
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
In no particular order:
David Baptista
Jim Stoutjestdyk
Mark Feld
Rick Sear
Tom Reynolds
David McCarthy
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
Andy Skrabalak. He is the best.
Most of my great mentors were those who sold great coins for my collection......and I've done the same for many others.
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
My father, who at best was bought a few items from the mint in the 1960s and early 1970s. He did get me started in the hobby in 1963 when he gave me a Whitman Roosevelt dime folder to fill.
As an adult collector there have been countless dealers who have been very kind and helpful to me, sharing their knowledge and helping me with building my core collection. Kudos and thanks to them.
Further participating on the forums, learning from those who post here and having the good fortune of being able to meet a few follow forumites at shows has been great.
In a general sense the forums have been the best mentor in the hobby I have had.
Many thanks to fellow forumites and to our host.
Ed Fleischmann
The only mentor I had personal contact with was Russ.... Other than that, I have learned much from forum members such as Mark Feld, Capt. Henway, TomB, Fred Weinberg, Keets, and several others. Most of my coin life has been a solitude endeavor...and even more so in the area I now reside. Cheers, RickO
Bill Pop, Ray Mercer and Vince Blume.......
Bob Auger my coin dealer in Stockton, CA.
Bob's comprehensive knowledge and experience was infectious.
We became friends. His death was tragic (and avoidable sad to say.)
Bob would shop Long Beach and buy crowns FOR STOCK !!
I am still looking for one 145th
One of the crowns from Bob Auger. Actually one of his favorites.
His 2x2 with the original price on it.
Alan Siegfried at Midway Coin in Sarasota, FL.
I went there in the mid to late 1980's (I was very young then) through the 1990's when I was in high school.
He closed in the 1990's
Then, after a few years of no real interest in coins, Ronnie Willinger helped get me back into coins in late 2007.
I joined these boards soon after and haven't looked back!
I've worked for a few different B&Ms since 2009.
My YouTube Channel
@Paradisefound said: "I am still looking for one."
Look around, it appears to me that you have more here than you can count on your little fingers and toes.
U R right
You forgot your toes!
Uncle Romeo and my dad's best friend of 60 years Grant. They seeded my interest in coins in the late 70's when I was a youngster and gave me a few Wheat Cents and Buffalo Nickels that I treasured.
Elliott Goldman
Ed Fleischmann,James G. Johnson, and Jo and Warren Lindsey. I will be forever grateful. They got me interested in error coin collecting. Before that I never knew what occluded gas or specific gravity testing, etc. were. Ed was especially helpful in answering many, and I mean many, questions about all the coins I sent to him for an explanation. He always responded. We corresponded for many years. Thanks again Ed.
The angry old fart from the local B&M shop. He has that reputation, when hes not feeling well is when I really here about it. I work for the cross town competition.
I would said @Insider2 . BUT he doesn't stand out anymore after mod took away the disagree icon.
@Regulated
School of hard knocks. And a lot of reading...
I was not a very good coin collector until I found these boards you guys are my mentors
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/publishedset/209923
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/album/209923
My experience has been similar to ricko's, i.e., I've been collecting in relative (self-imposed-I live in north FL) isolation. Many here have been helpful in developing and/or reinforcing my taste or eye for midgrade circulated coins, namely Barber, SLH, and classic commemorative coins, particularly Tom Agre and Dave Wnuck of CRO, TomB, InYHWHWeTrust, and Arco. More importantly, they and others have been wonderful people to correspond with and discuss various aspects of these series, collecting, and life in general. They became my numismatic FRIENDS, quick to share what they knew, encouraging me, and even selling me some of their beautiful coins. A nice change from the grumpy dealers I'd often dealt with at shows 30 years ago. Many others here are treasure stores of knowledge. Aside from the aforementioned collectors, Roadrunner immediately comes to mind. Others are wonderful for showing me the quality possible if one has patience, and to reach for quality when I find it. I recently attended the FUN show and got to meet some of the folks I've followed here or are 'leaders' in their series, like Don Osburn with SLH. Hopefully, I'll meet more of you at future shows. I want to give a shout-out to Lord Marcovian for showing folks here just how much FUN one can have with coins and MD'ing on a shoestring.
B Max Mehl
---as a promoter
John J Pittman
---as seeking quality cheap
J Sanford Saltus
---as making mistakes (no kool aid just potassium cyanide)
Anyone with one letter in his name and collects coins is aces in my book.
---Sam R Petry
My #1 is Andy Skrabalak at Angel Dee's. He has helped me in so many ways but as a mentor, he always has the time to answer any and all of my questions. My collecting would be far less without his input, guidance, friendship and of course, great coins!
I am very fortunate to say that my mentors have been Ken Bressett & Bill Fivaz. I am proud to say that they are also friends of mine. Great gentlemen who have forgotten more than I will ever know.