IGWT's Shield Nickel Collection being offered for sale by Harlan J. Berk, Ltd.

CaptHenway · June 13, 2019 12:41PM

Some of you will remember our late Forum colleague IGWT, who died way too young. Well, my former employer, Harlan J. Berk, Ltd., is helping Lou's widow sell his collection for her. You can see a virtual catalogue of the collection here:

https://issuu.com/hjb-ancientcoins/docs/the_igwt_shield_nickels_collection__dc906a2c10f306?e=1440941/70562881

Or, it might be easier for you to view it here:

https://www.hjbltd.com/#!/collection/us-coins/igwt-shield-nickel-collection-patterns-varieties/all?sort=null&offset=1&next=90

I of course have no financial interest in these coins. I am just helping Mike Printz help a friend and former client and his family.

TD

Edited to add: Don't forget to check out the Patterns and Errors in the collection.

TomB · June 13, 2019 1:24PM

I believe he went by the forum name IGWT.

CaptHenway · June 13, 2019 1:53PM

@TomB you are of course correct. That was just my Editor's natural instinct to spell out an acronym. I have corrected it.
Thanks,
TD

carabonnair · June 13, 2019 1:59PM

Wow, what a nice collection. Thanks for posting.

CaptHenway · June 13, 2019 2:04PM

Here are some comments by Mike Printz:

The IGWT Shield Nickel Collection with Patterns and Varieties

IGWT (In God We Trust) as he was known by in the collecting community, Lou was not just a great friend but one of the finest people I ever had the pleasure to call my friend. He loved his wife, his daughters, his career, life and he loved his Shield Nickels. I first met Lou around 1997 or so and the collection offered here represents Lou’s passion from 1998 until his untimely and far too soon passing in June of 2010. I’ve chosen to break the collection up into two major sections. Section one is the Primary Date Set along with 10 patterns and 6 errors. Section two represents the various varieties Lou collected and his absolute passion and desire to understand as much about this interesting series as possible.

I am fortunate to have access to some of Lou’s notes and commentary. I’ve done my best to share some of those throughout this offering. One thing I did want to share was Lou’s collecting philosophy:

“Collecting means assembling a set of coins in which each enhances the significance of the others. Having limited resources helps define a purpose that brings coherence to a collection. Finding that purpose means assembling a collection in your mind before purchase. Serving that purpose makes it hard to find coins on which to spend money and ensures years of enjoyment in learning, searching and purchasing.”
Lou B.

RichieURich · June 13, 2019 2:05PM

A very nice collection and a nice memorial to IGWT. He was a very nice person and of course very knowledgeable about Shield nickels. Gone too soon.

Thanks for posting this, Tom!

Staircoins · June 13, 2019 2:46PM

Thanks so much for posting this. I still can't believe Lou is gone. What a great guy. We'd talk from time to time at shows. He was always friendly, unassuming and quick witted - a real joy to talk with.
Loved his shield nickels, and the quality and breadth of his collection shows it.

My very best to his wonderful family. Too soon Lou, too soon.

Mike

Broadstruck · June 13, 2019 2:52PM

Lou had a great eye and an extreme level of passion for his series. I recall how excited he was when I located one of his errors. I was really saddened by his passing and how it occurred. His coins are the cream of the crop and his mint errors although few are the largest collection assembled. As errors within this series are all extremely rare and his are all centerpieces worthy of being plated in a reference guide on the series error section.

MFeld · June 13, 2019 3:08PM

I had the pleasure of meeting Lou, after having had numerous exchanges on the forum. He made a strong and lasting impression on me as a genuinely nice, bright and magnetic person. He was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about his collecting and set a wonderful example for any collector. I was sorry I didn’t get to know him better and for much longer.