Ugh, this is awful news!! I have been so used to Mark posting on the forum, he's truly going to be missed. Although I didn't know him personally, he was clearly a very nice guy, and considering I'm 21, it's awful to think his family lost someone so great so young. RIP.
Just checked the Forums and what a shock! Such a promising lifetime ahead; so many things to have missed. He was a true gentleman with an enormous energy for collecting coins. I am truely sad for him and his family. He will be remembered. What a loss.
I am still in utter shock and disbelief. In the short time Mark worked with us at Stack's Bowers, he made a real difference. His numismatic knoweledge was vast, and he absorbed so much information. He became a brother or a son to many of us in the NYC office and he will truly be missed.
I first met Mark a few years ago and spent a lot of time talking to him back in April at CSNS when he and his father were displaying their dollar set. He was a great numismatist and a really nice, classy guy.
This has been a very rough year for the Numismatic Community, and this news clearly makes that comment an understatement. I will keep his parents in my thoughts as they say a final " Goodbye " .
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
This is truly terrible news to wake up to . We traded messages every once in a while, both being in Cincinnati but never got around to meeting up before the school year ended... I had hoped that might change with the new year
He was certainly a very bright and likeable person.
He was so enthused about sharing this hobby with his Father and I thought how lucky he was when I read here on the Forum how they would travel to shows together and buy coins to add to their collection this is a shock and very sad news my condolences to his Family.
Mark was the greatest.........again I'm so sorry and I can't find any other words that seem to work. Love, MJ
Walker Proof Digital Album 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......
I had met Mark first through the Forum and found that he and his family live about 8 miles from me. I first met Mark and his dad at an annual coin show 2 years ago in Dublin Ohio. He and his dad had put together a display that knocked my socks off; great coins and a display designed by Mark that truely showed is love and knowledge of coins.
I've since had a several opportunities to talk with mark via PM and in person at another local show. He was a fantastic kid; eregetic, very knowledgable and sincere. He took the time to tell me about life as a student at UC (he cetainly loved it), which has been helpful to my daughter, who's in the process of trying to decide where to go to school next year.
Steve, if you check back in here please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. In my last communication to Mark in Jully I had mentioned that I'd talked to you at the Hilliard show. His response to that was "Next time you'll have to bust his chops a little for me"... He was a great kid and you are a great dad... If there's anything I can do, don't hesitate to say the word.
This is speety's father Stephen. I wanted to thank you all for the great comments and time you spent with my son. He was a great son and will be sadly missed. Keep him in your prayers. Stephen Petty
I am so sorry sir, I can't imagine having to bury my own child like Crypto said, that is not the way it is supposed to work. Please stay strong and accept my own and everyones sincere, deepest condolences. Anything we can do to help we would love to do. As several others have asked is there a memorial fund or anything we can do to help?
Your son was a fine young gentleman and always willing to help, if there is anything we can do to help it would only be fitting.
This is extremely saddening news. Though I only exchanged a few PM's here and over on CT, I found Mark to be a very, very nice kid, and refreshingly respectful....not surprised at all that he was respectful (as I said, he's a great kid, someone that I would have liked to have know personally, and as a friend)...but I was very surprised that he was as respectful to one of his peers (agewise, as there are only 3 or so years seperating us) as he obviously is to those older than him. To Mark's dad (as well as to the rest of his family), I only hope you can, someday, find peace in all this.
Speety's father again; As you can tell, I'm not too good at this forum stuff, but did follow Mark's interactions with everyone so I at least wanted to use his name and password to communicate with everyone.
Once this difficult week clears, I intend to work on/fund some sort of memorial scholarship in Mark's name for promising young numistmaticists so they can learn the business like Mark did this summer at Stacks, but may not have the means to do-so (Thanks to Chris and the Stack's folks in this regard in giving Mark an opportunity to work with them). I know Mark would like that. This may take some time, but several have said they will help me put this together. The key will be to have folks like you identify promising young people.
Again, thanks to all for your warm and kind comments. A special thanks to Laura S. for taking the time and space on her website to speak so kindly of Mark as well.
Stephen Petty
Want to buy an auction catalog for the William Hesslein Sale (December 2, 1926). Thanks to all those who have helped us obtain the others!!!
I'm so sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed reading Mark's posts, and wished him well on his announcement that he would be spending the summer at Stack's-Bowers. My deepest condolences and prayers.
A special thanks to Laura S. for taking the time and space on her website to speak so kindly of Mark as well.
From Laura S. at Legend................
We were going to do a Market Report on how we did last week, the market, and the usual stuff, but we have just learned some very sad news. Our good customer and friend Mark Petty was found dead in his NYC apartment yesterday. Mark was only 21. It is believed to be from natural causes. We are stunned and greatly saddened.
Mark was a not your typical collector. His love for coins was only topped by his love for his family-especially his partner his dad. They were the father/son team we wrote about so much. They were a true class act and real inspiration-even to us. Mark was really special and had an incredible future either in coins or working at his dads engineering company. He never said anything bad about anyone, always was postive, and he was just a great kid. His enthusiasm really did make an impression on others.
Mark and his dad assembled one of the great MS Seated Dollar sets-ever. They proudly displayed it at a Chicago CSNS Show. Both Mark and his dad sat with the set to proudly answer any questions. The display was beautifully prepared and they were excited. Coin collecting wasn't about being on registry to them. They both shared a deep love for the hobby and were definately willing to help others. No question was too irrelevant to ask Mark. Coins were such a huge part of his life. He always had a beaming smile when we saw him.
When he had the free time we would always see him as the "common sense" poster (Speety) on the PCGS chatroom. For a youngster, Mark was so much wiser than his age. He would email about baseball, studying for his exams, and lately fishing as Mark was spending some time in Florida relaxing. When he passed he was in NYC finishing up his summer internship at Stacks. A dream job for him.
Legend Numismatics sends our deepest condolences and thoughts to his family, especially his wonderful and devoted dad Stephen. The numismatic community has lost a young superstar. We will miss him. We are honored to have been able to know Mark and work with him.
Oh my God, I just saw this and it is so sad. Mark was such a fine young man. My prayers are with him and his family but Mark's passing is all our loss. We lost a great young man who was mature beyond his years. RIP Mark, you will be missed.
Always took candy from strangers Didn't wanna get me no trade Never want to be like papa Working for the boss every night and day --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
God bless you and your family, Mark Petty. You will be greatly missed here by us all. I pray the Petty family a blessing that only our Lord can provide and I feel will truly provide. Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Ugh, I'm just sick about this... I hope his Dad is able to read this thread and know what a special young man he raised. My sincerest condolences to Mark's family.
Sean Reynolds
Incomplete planchets wanted, especially Lincoln Cents & type coins.
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
Comments
Definitely a tragedy of the highest order. I can't even begin to imagine how his family must feel.
Very sad.
-Paul
I met him a few times, He was an OK guy in my book!
Just checked the Forums and what a shock! Such a promising lifetime ahead; so many things
to have missed. He was a true gentleman with an enormous energy for collecting coins.
I am truely sad for him and his family. He will be remembered.
What a loss.
R.I.P. Bear
Eric
Senior Numismatist
Legend Rare Coin Auctions
I first met Mark a few years ago and spent a lot of time talking to him back in April at CSNS when he and his father were displaying their dollar set. He was a great numismatist and a really nice, classy guy.
My condolences to his family.
He will be missed.
Buying top quality Seated Dimes in Gem BU and Proof.
Buying great coins - monster eye appeal only.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
He was certainly a very bright and likeable person.
I didn't know him, but I knew of him from his posts here.
My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
gone too soon.
......I collect old stuff......
I wanted to thank you all for the great comments and time you spent with my son.
He was a great son and will be sadly missed.
Keep him in your prayers.
Stephen Petty
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......
I had met Mark first through the Forum and found that he and his family live about 8 miles from me. I first met Mark and his dad at an annual coin show 2 years ago in Dublin Ohio. He and his dad had put together a display that knocked my socks off; great coins and a display designed by Mark that truely showed is love and knowledge of coins.
I've since had a several opportunities to talk with mark via PM and in person at another local show. He was a fantastic kid; eregetic, very knowledgable and sincere. He took the time to tell me about life as a student at UC (he cetainly loved it), which has been helpful to my daughter, who's in the process of trying to decide where to go to school next year.
Steve, if you check back in here please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. In my last communication to Mark in Jully I had mentioned that I'd talked to you at the Hilliard show. His response to that was "Next time you'll have to bust his chops a little for me"... He was a great kid and you are a great dad... If there's anything I can do, don't hesitate to say the word.
Bill
I am so sorry sir, I can't imagine having to bury my own child like Crypto said, that is not the way it is supposed to work. Please stay strong and accept my own and everyones sincere, deepest condolences. Anything we can do to help we would love to do. As several others have asked is there a memorial fund or anything we can do to help?
Your son was a fine young gentleman and always willing to help, if there is anything we can do to help it would only be fitting.
Jeff
President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay
Ben
166 BHDs & 154 Die Varieties & Die States...
Bust Half Nut Club #180
Festivus Yes! Bagels No!
Once this difficult week clears, I intend to work on/fund some sort of memorial scholarship in Mark's name for promising young numistmaticists so they can learn the business like Mark did this summer at Stacks, but may not have the means to do-so (Thanks to Chris and the Stack's folks in this regard in giving Mark an opportunity to work with them). I know Mark would like that. This may take some time, but several have said they will help me put this together. The key will be to have folks like you identify promising young people.
Again, thanks to all for your warm and kind comments. A special thanks to Laura S. for taking the time and space on her website to speak so kindly of Mark as well.
Stephen Petty
Jeff
From Laura S. at Legend................
We were going to do a Market Report on how we did last week, the market, and the usual stuff, but we have just learned some very sad news. Our good customer and friend Mark Petty was found dead in his NYC apartment yesterday. Mark was only 21. It is believed to be from natural causes. We are stunned and greatly saddened.
Mark was a not your typical collector. His love for coins was only topped by his love for his family-especially his partner his dad. They were the father/son team we wrote about so much. They were a true class act and real inspiration-even to us. Mark was really special and had an incredible future either in coins or working at his dads engineering company. He never said anything bad about anyone, always was postive, and he was just a great kid. His enthusiasm really did make an impression on others.
Mark and his dad assembled one of the great MS Seated Dollar sets-ever. They proudly displayed it at a Chicago CSNS Show. Both Mark and his dad sat with the set to proudly answer any questions. The display was beautifully prepared and they were excited. Coin collecting wasn't about being on registry to them. They both shared a deep love for the hobby and were definately willing to help others. No question was too irrelevant to ask Mark. Coins were such a huge part of his life. He always had a beaming smile when we saw him.
When he had the free time we would always see him as the "common sense" poster (Speety) on the PCGS chatroom. For a youngster, Mark was so much wiser than his age. He would email about baseball, studying for his exams, and lately fishing as Mark was spending some time in Florida relaxing. When he passed he was in NYC finishing up his summer internship at Stacks. A dream job for him.
Legend Numismatics sends our deepest condolences and thoughts to his family, especially his wonderful and devoted dad Stephen. The numismatic community has lost a young superstar. We will miss him. We are honored to have been able to know Mark and work with him.
Legend Link
"Bongo hurtles along the rain soaked highway of life on underinflated bald retread tires."
~Wayne
Mark was such a fine young man.
My prayers are with him and his family but Mark's passing is all our loss.
We lost a great young man who was mature beyond his years.
RIP Mark, you will be missed.
I have shared hundreds of PM's with Mark about coins, mainly Lib nickels and also bust halves and seated dollars.
I am deeply saddened by this news.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
He was truly a rising star in the field of numismatics.
I will miss his enthusiasm and willingness to always offer his opinion on coin related stuff I would ask him.
I am still in shock and my heart is SOOOO heavy right now
Rest in peace Mark.
Jim
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
www.brunkauctions.com
provide and I feel will truly provide.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
To his family and friends, I send you condolences, and wish you strength, comfort amidst your distress, and peace amid the shock or confusion.
John
I am so sorry for your loss, Stephen.
Coin Rarities Online