Options
John Highfill, Ron Landis have passed
KOYNGUY
Posts: 152 ✭✭✭
I will always remember Ron, Joe Rust and their fiddle hoedowns at summer seminar, He had the biggest callus I'd ever seen on a thumb. Considered him a friend as many did.
John was well known when I met him, and over the next 40 years I gained alot of respect for him. But he held me back on some Deals and told me he did not "want feed young Lions" I took that as a sign of respect for me as potential competition, and good spirited.
Both incredibly likable, resourceful men.
From ANA headquarters:
Today, I received the sad news that John Highfill, former ANA Governor, and Ron Landis have passed away. Their contributions to the numismatic community were significant, and their loss will be deeply felt by many.
Kimberly S. Kiick, kiick@money.org
3
Comments
Rest in Peace
God comes first in everything I do. I’m dedicated to serving Him with my whole life. Coin collecting is just a hobby—but even in that, I seek to honor Him. ✝️
My condolences and prayers go out to the loved ones and friends of both Ron and John. Recently, these seem like particularly sad times.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I had already heard about Ron, didn't know about John until now. Both were very significant contributors to numismatics.
My deepest condolences to their families and many friends.
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Sorry to hear this, Ron was an expert die sinker and created many beautiful designs.
R.I.P to both men
It's all about what the people want...
R.I.P to John and Ron.
When I realized I was hooked on collecting, one of the first books I bought about Morgan/Peace dollars was Highfills Encyclopedia. What a volume of work. Learned a lot and appreciated his knowledge about the different dates and their strike, luster and bagmark details since he viewed so many in his days. Helped me with my purchase selections and know when a coin was not up to par and when it was better then the average. May he RIP.
John unfortunately had been dealing with health issues, but I'm glad I got to meet him at his last coin show he attended. John and Marlene always took care of us when we set up at the bigger shows and will be missed.
Can someone give us a list of Gallery Mint, Joe Rust, Ron Landis websites. I truly believe there is a community of us who really appreciated those guys. They were the true artists of our era.
I heard about John Highfill shortly before heading to Baltimore and just got back (so post was delayed). John Highfill was a good person I believe and had a ton of stories. Once sitting next to him from DFW to FUN I got to hear several all the way from takeoff to landing and included the one about Osmond in the obituary. I think he liked that one. Also about the bags of Morgan dollars years ago. Many plus years ago at a small to mid sized show he had two case and both were nearly full of Morgan CC short sets (1880 or 1881 to 1885). Two cases almost full of 5 / 6 coin stacks of CC's.
I recall one of his philosophies was 'turnover'. That is get a product and sell quickly and do it again. Remembering he had record stores (yes this would be back a few decades) called Big Bad John's (I think that was the name). Best to his family in these times.
Edit: Forgot to mention I got that book of his years ago.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Yq4KA0mUnC8 - Dream On (Aerosmith cover) via Morgan James & Postmodern Jukebox
https://youtube.com/watch?v=m3lF2qEA2cw - Creep (Radiohead cover) via Haley Reinhart & Postmodern Jukebox
RLJ 1958 - 2023