Who is the most altruistic person in coins?

RYK · January 30, 2009 10:28AM

Let me expand the question a little bit, when you consider the entire coin hobby/industry, who do you think is the most altruistic active person or entity in coins? And why?

DieClash · January 30, 2009 10:32AM

<< Let me expand the question a little bit, when you consider the entire coin hobby/industry, who do you think is the most altruistic active person or entity in coins? And why? >>

QDB, why not?

P.S. Methinks you are competing with Longacre for most offbeat provocative post award here.

Goldbully · January 30, 2009 10:32AM

Russ, hands down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RYK · January 30, 2009 10:34AM

<< 

<< Let me expand the question a little bit, when you consider the entire coin hobby/industry, who do you think is the most altruistic active person or entity in coins? And why? >>

QDB, why not?

P.S. Methinks you are competing with Longacre for most offbeat provocative post award here. >>

Methinks that I have been posting provocative questions here long before Longacre (and you) arrived.

LotsoLuck · January 30, 2009 10:36AM

Scott A. Travers?

Well he's suppose to be anyway.

DieClash · January 30, 2009 10:38AM

<< 

<< 

<< Let me expand the question a little bit, when you consider the entire coin hobby/industry, who do you think is the most altruistic active person or entity in coins? And why? >>

QDB, why not?

P.S. Methinks you are competing with Longacre for most offbeat provocative post award here. >>

Methinks that I have been posting provocative questions here long before Longacre (and you) arrived.

>>

Yes. You got me there!

Edited to add: Go Steelers!

sonoranmonsoon · January 30, 2009 10:39AM

Be right back.....I need to look up what altruistic means. I think it is the beginning of expeealladoshis, but not sure.

Russ · January 30, 2009 10:39AM

<< Russ, hands down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

>>

Not me. I'm a greedy bastige.

Russ, NCNE

Bear · January 30, 2009 10:42AM

I am the most altruistic. When a person brings a coin

into my cave , I always invite them for lunch.................

In fact,................................................. they are lunch.

Raufus · January 30, 2009 10:52AM

I would say Mr. Lasser who donated the multi-million dollar Lasser collection of Colonial Coins and Currency to the Dewitt Wallace Museum in Williamsburg, VA. It is one of, if not the finest Colonial collection in the U.S. I had that good fortune of meeting Mr. Lasser while visiting the museum in Dec. He is very humble and generous man who donated a fantastic gift for the generations to enjoy.

IGWT · January 30, 2009 11:07AM

I nominate Eric Newman.

MidLifeCrisis · January 30, 2009 11:25AM

<< I would say Mr. Lasser who donated the multi-million dollar Lasser collection of Colonial Coins and Currency to the Dewitt Wallace Museum in Williamsburg, VA. It is one of, if not the finest Colonial collection in the U.S. I had that good fortune of meeting Mr. Lasser while visiting the museum in Dec. He is very humble and generous man who donated a fantastic gift for the generations to enjoy. >>

I'll second that nomination!

zeebob · January 30, 2009 11:42AM

Q. D. Bowers. He has contributed more to the hobby through his writing than anyone I can think of. This has been a consistent effort on his part for many years.

coindeuce · January 30, 2009 11:48AM

I'll nominate Mitch Sanders. He was a walk-on to become the CCAC chairperson. He has no personal agenda and he has done a fine job. I can conceive of his appointment as Mint Director some day.

ziggy29 · January 30, 2009 11:49AM

Some good choices come to mind, but in the end I think I'd go with Eric Newman.

mrearlygold · January 30, 2009 11:54AM

Altruism? Are you sure this is the word you want to choose?

Far as I'm concerned, once money/payment/financial profit is involved, true altruism is no longer applicable to the person doing the service . Hence, I'm not aware of anyone displaying true altruism in the coin business. Great numismatists who tell the truth and help others learn and do well with numismatics, sure. But are they altruistic?

JCMhouston · January 30, 2009 11:54AM

<< Q. D. Bowers. He has contributed more to the hobby through his writing than anyone I can think of. This has been a consistent effort on his part for many years. >>

I enjoy his wirting, but he does it to make a living, that's not altruism.

BBN · January 30, 2009 11:59AM

QDB is who I've thought of too. Shared alot of knowledge. On the other hand he's been well compensated for his contributions. Kind of hard to really pick one. Numismatics is a very capitalistic hobby unlike volunteering at a shelter, food bank or anything of that sort.

messydesk · January 30, 2009 12:10PM

QDB is first and foremost a businessman. While he has contributed vastly to the hobby, he was handsomely compensated for it. True altruism forgoes profit and fame and never lets an opportunity to help a fellow collector pass, whether it's imparting advice, directing them to more in depth knowledge, or just engaging in happy talk about the hobby. It therefore takes a little work to figure out who these people are, and many people would never recognize the name, anyway, not that the altruist would care. I can think of one such person who is no longer with us. Terry Armstrong. VAM collectors will know who he is, as will many others. He lived modestly, enjoyed collecting, had almost no family other than everyone he met and spoke with at any show where he was helping out. Those of you who knew him will agree with me.

shorecoll · January 30, 2009 12:22PM

There are many, QDB, Eric Newman, Harry Salyards et al at EAC, etc. For the full body of work, past, present and likely...I vote for Eric, although I am am a huge fan of QDB.

pheh · January 30, 2009 12:43PM

Likely someone who doesn't announce to whom and how much they give. And almost certainly a collector and not a dealer. Not because collectors are any better at heart than dealers - simply because they are greater population and the biggest wallets belong to those for whom numismatics is hobby - not a business.

RyGuy · January 30, 2009 12:44PM

<< Scott A. Travers?

Well he's suppose to be anyway. >>

Ahh...this one gave me a laugh

barbershopper · January 30, 2009 2:19PM

<< Altruism? Are you sure this is the word you want to choose?

Far as I'm concerned, once money/payment/financial profit is involved, true altruism is no longer applicable to the person doing the service . Hence, I'm not aware of anyone displaying true altruism in the coin business. Great numismatists who tell the truth and help others learn and do well with numismatics, sure. But are they altruistic? >>

Not having a choice I could live with, I have to agree with you.
JT

RYK · January 30, 2009 2:34PM

<< QDB is first and foremost a businessman. While he has contributed vastly to the hobby, he was handsomely compensated for it. True altruism forgoes profit and fame and never lets an opportunity to help a fellow collector pass, whether it's imparting advice, directing them to more in depth knowledge, or just engaging in happy talk about the hobby. It therefore takes a little work to figure out who these people are, and many people would never recognize the name, anyway, not that the altruist would care. I can think of one such person who is no longer with us. Terry Armstrong. VAM collectors will know who he is, as will many others. He lived modestly, enjoyed collecting, had almost no family other than everyone he met and spoke with at any show where he was helping out. Those of you who knew him will agree with me. >>

Phew, for a moment, I thought you were going to nominate Longacre.

thisnamztaken · January 30, 2009 3:26PM

Undoubtedly only God knows who they are, because that kind of person is continually doing their best to donate their time, money, and talents for the enrichment of the hobby as anonymously as possible.

PerryHall · January 30, 2009 7:26PM

John Albanese who protects collectors from buying bad PCGS/NGC coins for a small fee.

firstmint · January 30, 2009 10:29PM

Eric P. Newman wins the nomination, hands down.

Walmann · January 30, 2009 11:27PM

I'd say there are a number of known and unkown collectors both currently serving and given past service to this country on the battlefield. Putting their life at risk not only for us but for their fellow servicemen.

And with the "estimated number" of collectors by the Mint , a number of everyday Joes that have risked their own physical well being for family,friends and strangers and do not advertise their actions.

If you mean most altruistic with the way someone disburses their knowledge of coins and the coins they own I have no idea. Not sure if anyone can be the most altruistic, just as no one person is the most loving parent.

notlogical · January 30, 2009 11:28PM

There's a lot of people involved in local, state and regional clubs that are totally unselfish and give alot to the hobby and to their clubs and other people who never get recognized or even thanked mosto f the time. All the secretary's and treasurers and editors of small local clubs. how about those people? I think they are what can be called altruistic. I know he'll hate that I'm saying this, but my dad is somebody like that. Same with Rollie Finner at Central States. How about a guy like Boiler78?

CertifiedGoldCoins · January 30, 2009 11:29PM

al·tru·ism, n.
Unselfish concern for the welfare of others; selflessness.

Someone who donates their collection for the enjoyment of others would qualify -- but only if s/he had other options, and did not take a tax deduction.

Here's another candidate that comes to mind.

Walmann · January 30, 2009 11:32PM

<< There's a lot of people involved in local, state and regional clubs that are totally unselfish and give alot to the hobby and to their clubs and other people who never get recognized or even thanked mosto f the time. All the secretary's and treasurers and editors of small local clubs. how about those people? I think they are what can be called altruistic. I know he'll hate that I'm saying this, but my dad is somebody like that. Same with Rollie Finner at Central States. How about a guy like Boiler78? >>

No greater words of praise can come from any other source than one's son or daughter.

Your words speak volumes about not only your dad but yourself.

MrEureka · January 31, 2009 1:05AM

PCGS, because they protect us and don't make any money doing it.

ColonialCoinUnion · January 31, 2009 1:21AM

What about Joe Lasser?

Treeman · January 31, 2009 1:31AM

How about that "Coin Expert" guy on QVC? If it wasn't for him, I'd have never known how rare the State Quarters are!

Delorean · January 31, 2009 2:15AM

Robert Chambers...KIDDING, JUST KIDDING!!!!!

PerryHall · January 31, 2009 4:17AM

<< PCGS, because they protect us and don't make any money doing it. >>

And I thought I was cynical!

CoinJunkie · January 31, 2009 4:20AM

<< PCGS, because they protect us and don't make any money doing it. >>

Actually, my understanding is that PCGS does make money. It's the bubble gum cards that
drag the stock down...

Gemineye · January 31, 2009 6:22AM

Isn't there a big dealer woman who is trying to protect us from all those evil doers that are trying to harm the coin collectors...I forget her name now..I think she's a Big Market Maker...!!!....

Who is the most altruistic person in coins?

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