More people should do for their own collection what Currin is doing for Hansen's
MidLifeCrisis
Posts: 10,563 ✭✭✭✭✭
Many members here have really nice collections. It would be cool to have running threads that provide details, stories behind the coins, etc. of new purchases by those people.
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Comments
I’ll do yours if you do mine
Jk. Good idea.
Dell Loy mostly just adds coins to his Registry Sets so I wonder if that will work.
I, and others, have actually created a few threads for others. This is different topic because you're mostly asking for people do document their own collections.
Here's a list I've assembled:
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1053406/appreciating-collectors-and-die-sinkers/p1?new=1
The James A. Stack thread posted by Bruce @tradedollarnut is really nice:
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/988150/appreciating-james-a-stack
Never really understood Currin’s relationship to Hansen and why he would take so much time describing someone else’s collection here.
I am not trying to be negative, but
Doesn’t he have any responsibilities or other interests?
For some people, coins are a hobby and the time immersed in it is well spent.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
"Here is a very ordinary MS64 81-S Morgan of unknown provenance that Mr. [Not Mirabela] acquired at some show, or maybe on eBay, because it seemed like a good idea at the time."
LOL
Thank you, Captain Obvious.
I was hoping for a bit more insight.
I think it's great that @Currin is making the effort to chronicle Hansen's journey. Afterall, Hansen pursuit is historic and the quality of coins acquired is remarkable. If one has the time and interest, why not profile the coins for the benefit of the board? I don't read every lengthy paragraph he writes, but I do learn about some fantastic coins.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
I am saving the Hansen thread for summer reading.
Only half kidding at this point.
It certainly adds depth to what he has accomplished.
BST: KindaNewish (3/21/21), WQuarterFreddie (3/30/21), Meltdown (4/6/21), DBSTrader2 (5/5/21) AKA- unclemonkey on Blow Out
Well, @Currin just posted @DLHansen's 2020 V75 Gold Eagle which I appreciated
Why did I devote about ten years to following and posting about the Langbord case over the 10 1933 Double Eagles?
Because once it got going it took on a life of it's own and for multiple reasons I just had to finish what I started.
Humans do things for many reasons, some obvious and some obscure.
Why do I devote time to various collector threads like Virgil Brand, Harry Einstein Harrison Garrett and others?
I’m interested in those that build great collections and are interesting for their accomplishments.
Virgil Brand was known as being a hoarder but it also turns out that he had some of the world’s greatest coins. I wouldn’t mind doing a book on his collection one day
So much is lost to the passing of time.
The potential of personal interviews from the major players of auctions past are long gone in many cases.
We owe it to the future of the hobby to document its history.
BST: KindaNewish (3/21/21), WQuarterFreddie (3/30/21), Meltdown (4/6/21), DBSTrader2 (5/5/21) AKA- unclemonkey on Blow Out
Currin is basically doing the same thing a writer/author does when he writes a book about a collector or a collection. Writers and researchers get enjoyment and satisfaction from their work. The thread is basically a book and i very much enjoy reading it
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For me. The Hansen Collection is a delivery mechanism.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Explain please.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Your question “ Doesn’t he have any responsibilities or other interests?” led me to believe that it wasn’t so obvious to you at first. But I’ve been wrong before.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
I really liked @tradedollarnut’s website and Alan Weinberg’s commentary on his coins.
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It's true I was asking for people to document their own collections. However, I've also been known to post a thread about a famous collector and/or dealer now and then. Here are a few:
John J. Ford
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/870912/my-numismatic-hero-john-j-ford
John Jay Pittman
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/789354/old-thread-numismatic-history-john-jay-pittman
Lorin G. Parmelee
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/778334/numismatic-history-lorin-g-parmelee-updated-with-color-plates-from-the-sale-catalog
Henry C. Miller
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/788517/numismatic-history-henry-c-miller
Yes it is quite obvious to me and to all seeing the posts that Currie has an interest in the Hansen set. So obvious in fact that your simplistic answer was a surprise.
I was hoping for a thoughtful answer that further explained his overwhelming interest.
No need for you to try now. Others have provided such.
I would like to know what is meant by this though.
This is a really poor question that says more about you than him. IMO.
Maybe your confusion over a simple question says more about you...
I simply wondered why he spend hours upon hours not just studying what is an admirable collection but cataloging and typing his thoughts on this forum.
My intent was not to criticize Curran.
His scholarship is commendable.
I just wish I had that much time...
Have you thought about starting a thread for your collection? You have some really awesome coins I've seen over the years.
Nice threads
I've added them to the list here:
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1053406/appreciating-collectors-and-die-sinkers/
@cardinal has written some great material on his coins for the Cardinal Collection Education Foundation.
http://www.ccefdn.org/
I've been thinking it would be great to write about my own collection via a foundation as well.
No confusion. When you say not trying to be negative and then ask a negative question it is not O.K. When you say "Doesn’t he have any responsibilities or other interests?" I am not sure how you spin it in a positive light. But maybe it is just me.
Mr. Currin was not offended or upset with my question. Not sure why you are either.
I’m moving on.
I though it was so interesting that DLH would allow his collecting goals to be so public. It is our nature to keep what we want to complete our sets private, so others don't jack up the prices of the rare ones.
I started reading the Hansen Watch thread at the same time I was starting to put together a difficult set, and thought "What the hell, I'll post it incomplete too". This is the result https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/990832
Granted my set is miniscule to what Hansen is trying to accomplish, mine is only a 114 coin set, as opposed to his thousands. The most expensive in my set would top out at a few grand, rather than a few million.
But is is fun to do it publically, because since I started that thread I have encountered nothing other than folks who want to help me complete the set, And since I'm doing this publically, the coins that I need often find their way to me. Either with 'heads-up' when one that I am missing or could upgrade came available, or through direct trades and sales. There is no way that I would be anywhere as close as I am to completing this set if it wasn't for the fine folks here. I'm sure some excellent coins worthy of his set became available to Hansen just because he let it known that he was seeking them.
Currin has excellent research and writing skills, I am glad that he is documenting this collection. I would do the same if I had the time, intelligence and attention span. DLH attempting this set is a 'once in a lifetime' event, and it is awesome and appreciated that Currin is doing this.
A textbook excellent example of dedicated journalism.
I think this is the primary reason why @Currin and we can follow @DLHansen's set progression. Most people do not keep their sets so open while they are building it, and this includes Pogue, Simpson and many others. A reason is that having open sets in the process of being built can increase competition and prices. The vast majority of collectors want to avoid this.
For Hansen, the interest is compounded by the Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) which makes it exciting to write about, follow and discuss. Even if other collections were public, there would be less of a following unless there was a BHAG in the works. When combined with the above, it's BHAGs that generally result in even more of a desire for privacy.