I am more inclined to say that those responsible for the art, design and the production of various coins throughout the world that have left an impact that coins are worthy of collecting are the real heroes
Yes, this takes the thread in a different direction, but one that deserves to be recognized and appreciated
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Joseph J. Mickley is a storied name in American numismatics, and it's a fine tribute that one of his family members is still interested in numismatics. Congratulations!
However, he lived in Philadelphia, and the American Numismatic Society was located in New York. The first president of the ANS was Dr. I. H. Gibbs, for a brief time in 1858.
Joseph J. Mickley, one of my favorite collectors from the 19th century, was the president of the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia in 1867.
PM me if you are looking for U.S. auction catalogs
For wresting control of at least ten 1933 Saints from the grasp of the Roosevelt administration, and preserving those treasures for future generations, I'd have to give Switt the nod.
"Men who had never shown any ability to make or increase fortunes for themselves abounded in brilliant plans for creating and increasing wealth for the country at large." Fiat Money Inflation in France, Andrew Dickson White (1912)
<< <i>My oldest son's numismatic hero is Brad Karoleff, one of the co-authors of the new Bust Quarter Book and President of the John Reich Collectors Society. Brad inspired him to really learn about bust dimes before he made another purchase. He opened a whole new world of die varieties and found him the bust dime book at a great price for a "kid". He has also spent a lot of time trying to teach my son the difference between a quality bust coin and one that has problems. I have learned a lot along the way also.
A few years ago, Brad walked my boys around the ANA floor getting their Red Book signed by all the contributors. That was cool! He even inspired my oldest son to write a paper about bust dimes and submit it to the ANA for the Young Numismatist. To top it off, he paid for my son to join the ANA and the JRCS the first year he met him just to get him interested even more.
The funny thing is that I wasn't even around when my boys met Brad. They were walking around the bourse years ago at a CSNS show looking for a nice bust half and happened upon Brad's table. Brad sat there for an hour showing them different coins and talking coins with two youngsters. He made quite an impression. All I remember is walking up and hearing my son say, "well, what coin can I get for $50?" Brad starts throwing out coins in 2X2's or flips on the table and tells my oldest to pick out the best one. My son then says it is too bad he can't see the edge lettering so Brad rips open the coin holder and both my kids looked shocked that he is actually handling this 175+ year old coin in his hands. Brad then proceeds to sell him a really nice bust half for a ridiculously low price of $50. I don't think there was a $50 coin in his whole inventory. Brad says to me, "Any kid that shows that kind of interest in Bust coins is worth it."
The boys talked about that experience the whole way home. For a coin dealer to spend that much time with two kids at a coin show is really awesome. All I can say is, "GREAT GUY." I know Brad wouldn't want me sharing this story with everyone on a public forum but he deserves the kudos. I am not even sure if he remembers this whole experience but I know the kids won't forget it. >>
That's a great story and certainly one that makes Mr. Karoleff a deserving hero.
John W. Adams is equal in knowledge but far exceeds Ford in his generosity in sharing it. John J. Ford only gets my Honorable Mention. Acquiring a great collection is not enough to be a hero.
The books that Adams writes are always based upon first-hand contemporaneous research, and not a rehash of what has been written previously by numismatists. It is a lot of work - but his references; the recent Medals of Admiral Vernon, Medals of John Law, and Indian Peace Medals of George III all beautifully blend history and numismatics unlike any numismatic author.
His Comitia Americana work with Anne Bentley is IMHO the greatest numismatic reference work ever written; the history of the Revolutionary War heroes and the medals given to them by Congress, created by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, and delivered personally by Thomas Jefferson to George Washington in March of 1790. Ever heard of these guys? Then you should but the book...it is wonderful.
I have had a number of Heros in the scholarsip and fun of coins. I will describe them by class as I would be embarrassed by leaving people out.: Coin grading: I learned from the greatest group of instructers over many years in the summer seminar. I started awith a great deal of Chutzpa in the advanced class and took the class over and overl earning each time Speciaty Collecting: I learned from experts in many areas from Colonials, multidude of federal coin dominations, commemeratives, coins of Canada. Many of the specialists did not know how much I gained frm them. The ibnternet has helped so much and it has been rare for an expert to brush of my questions. Dealers: I have had great relationships with 6-9 dealers that have shown me excellent coins at fair prices, offered me adequate time to review coins, and accepted my decisions. They have worked with me to meet my needs and in some instances guiding me I have had few bad experiences but I am very selective in whom I deal with twice. Some of these dealer heros were also my grading instructors and many I consider friends. Scholars : I have learned immensly from the true numismatic scholars. They have given me their valuable time to answer naive but honest questions anas well as complex questions with no simple evidenced based answers. Some of these scholar heros have been reached mainly by reading the numismatic literature. My many years attending ANA specialty courses has been extremely valuable for the expertice of the instructors some of whom have become long term numismatic friends, I have also visited the great museums in the world learning the history behind the coins and obseving great collections. Close associates: I have had few numismatic collector friends as my time is usually occupied with other matters. Coin time is often in the middle of the night with a dark room a light and a pile of coins a loop , a camera and a computer. I have met some truly great numismatists and a small group of numismatic friends that I see or correspond with regularly. My most important hero is a numismiphile who is underappreciated by the community but is the most knowledgable coin expert I know. He is a constant source of information, sound judgement and infinite wisdom. We talk coins for brief periods almost daily by phone and e-mail. Myself: I have learned fromthe above but also taught myself through the background and wisdom of the above numismatists and thousands of hours of reviewing coins, reading books and listening oto comments on various forums. When I think back on my progress I have to adnit I have grown in the discipline but remain humbled by my limitaions and the breadth of the field. Thank you all for helping me try to be worthy of your guidance.
<< <i>If not for David Hall, I would have never gotten back into coins I suppose that would make him somewhat of a villain, by today's standards He evened the playing field for me with dealers, a few years back. Not by way of a brand, but a standard. Nothing and nobody is perfect, but as numismatics go he's my hero.
Plus, I dig that guitar shirt. >>
I have to agree with David Hall for the reasons stated above. He did for coin standards, what Charles Schwab did for stock commissions and Sam Walton did for retail prices.
I have no numismatic heroes other than the guy who got me interested in coins as a kid (my grandfather) and the guy who got me reinterested in coins as an adult (Randy Holder).
I have many but to start with QDB RS Yoeman some member on this forum,
Copied from the ANA history page But we must some how include:
"Dr. George F. Heath of Monroe, Michigan, when not involved in his practice of medicine, gained a knowledge of world history by studying his collection of coins. The obscurity of his little town hampered his efforts to gain additional knowledge of the hobby and to obtain certain specimens for his cabinet, and made meeting fellow numismatists almost impossible. In 1888 his ingenuity was tested when he, alone, printed, published and distributed a four-page leaflet, THE NUMISMATIST, in which he listed his coin needs, advertised duplicates for sale, and discussed numismatic topics.
In February 1891, THE NUMISMATIST printed a question, "What is the matter with having an American Numismatic Association?"
On October 7 and 8, 1891, five men--Heath, William G. Jerrems, David Harlowe, J.A. Heckelman and John Brydon--holding 26 proxies, met in Chicago and with 61 charter members founded the American Numismatic Association."
With out that starting point where would we be today?
Gonna have to go with my boss and professor, Alan Stahl. He was the curator of the ANS before becoming curator/history professor at Princeton. He's been my mentor for the last three years and has always been supportive of me.
My Dad - he gave me my first "rare" coin - a 1944-S Nickel, and my first (and only) 1935 Silver Certificate. I have these as the cornerstone of my collection, which has grown quite a bit over the years.
<< <i>Gonna have to go with my boss and professor, Alan Stahl. He was the curator of the ANS before becoming curator/history professor at Princeton. He's been my mentor for the last three years and has always been supportive of me. >>
Alan Stahl, oh my goodness. But give it up now, because it's all downhill from here
You got the order all wrong. You are supposed to start at Pistareen's bourse table, then graduate to TonyT, and then maybe, if you are really good, matriculate to Dr. Medal himself at Princeton.
My numismatic heroes are my mentors and former employers Chet Krause and Cliff Mishler.
Both were working class boys who developed their hobby interests into lifelong professional careers, probably epitomizing the adage that if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life.
Along the way they shared their interest with future generations of collectors by creating a publishing empire that facilitated the "business" of numismatics and made untold volumes of information available by placing the needs of current and future hobbyists ahead of strictly commercial concerns. Sure, there were profits to be made in publishing numismatic newspapers, magazines and books, but few realize how many of the coin books that carried the Krause Publications imprint were published at a break-even or loss just so the information could be widely promulgated within the hobby in the days before the internet.
<< <i>All the guys who have been bammed from here for speaking the TRUTH: RWB, Feld, Bushmaster8, and anybody that was booted just for having an opinion! >>
Nice knowing you. See you across the street.
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
Mine are RW Julian, QDB and RWB, who are what I'd like to be when I grow up
and
RYK, who after I had only written a couple of short articles, said to DW: "You should ask Dave to write a chapter for the new edition of your New Orleans book" (and now I'm about to start on the fourth book with DW!)
and
Coinosaurus and Eric Newman, who graciously shared some obscure material when I was just starting out as a researcher and author.
RYK, who after I had only written a couple of short articles, said to DW: "You should ask Dave to write a chapter for the new edition of your New Orleans book" (and now I'm about to start on the fourth book with DW!)
I remember that. It was a while back. What's the next book?
I remember that. It was a while back. What's the next book?
Well, the current book is, as Coinosaurus said, RWB's current project, From Mine to Mint.
The next book is an update of DW's Carson City book, for which I have to start the research for the chapters I'm contributing. (The new edition of the Dahlonega book should be going to press soon.)
The next article will hopefully be a really interesting "what happened" to some specie at the very end of the Civil War (that may or may not have been part of the Confederate Treasury). I "tripped" over the source material while I was looking at one of RWB's sources, but I haven't read it yet. I'm hoping that I can write an article without doing a whole ton of research.
When I went to my first ANA show in 1989, the only guy I really wanted to meet was Dave Bowers. After 10 years of working for him or with him, and another decade of friendship, he's still my numismatic hero.
Eric Newman sees the big picture of numismatics and history better than anyone else, and his intellectual curiosity and record of fine publications makes him a hero of mine also.
Ken Bressett taught me more about colonial coins than anyone else I've ever met, and he's one of the most decent, loyal guys around. I look up to him a lot, personally and professionally.
My great aunt... who pulled 117 Mercury dimes out of circulation during the 50's and 60's and saved them in an old coffee jar. She gave them to me, along with a handful of Indian Head cents and several Buffalo Nickels when I was about 12 years old. I still have the coins and the jar, along with the handwritten note that she kept folded up in the jar that itemized each and every coin.
Comments
I am more inclined to say that those responsible for the art, design and the production of various coins throughout the world that have left an impact that coins are worthy of collecting are the real heroes
Yes, this takes the thread in a different direction, but one that deserves to be recognized and appreciated
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Joseph J. Mickley is a storied name in American numismatics, and it's a fine tribute that one of his family members is still interested in numismatics. Congratulations!
However, he lived in Philadelphia, and the American Numismatic Society was located in New York. The first president of the ANS was Dr. I. H. Gibbs, for a brief time in 1858.
Joseph J. Mickley, one of my favorite collectors from the 19th century, was the president of the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia in 1867.
<< <i>Israel Switt >>
For wresting control of at least ten 1933 Saints from the grasp of the Roosevelt administration, and preserving those treasures for future generations, I'd have to give Switt the nod.
<< <i>My oldest son's numismatic hero is Brad Karoleff, one of the co-authors of the new Bust Quarter Book and President of the John Reich Collectors Society. Brad inspired him to really learn about bust dimes before he made another purchase. He opened a whole new world of die varieties and found him the bust dime book at a great price for a "kid". He has also spent a lot of time trying to teach my son the difference between a quality bust coin and one that has problems. I have learned a lot along the way also.
A few years ago, Brad walked my boys around the ANA floor getting their Red Book signed by all the contributors. That was cool! He even inspired my oldest son to write a paper about bust dimes and submit it to the ANA for the Young Numismatist. To top it off, he paid for my son to join the ANA and the JRCS the first year he met him just to get him interested even more.
The funny thing is that I wasn't even around when my boys met Brad. They were walking around the bourse years ago at a CSNS show looking for a nice bust half and happened upon Brad's table. Brad sat there for an hour showing them different coins and talking coins with two youngsters. He made quite an impression. All I remember is walking up and hearing my son say, "well, what coin can I get for $50?" Brad starts throwing out coins in 2X2's or flips on the table and tells my oldest to pick out the best one. My son then says it is too bad he can't see the edge lettering so Brad rips open the coin holder and both my kids looked shocked that he is actually handling this 175+ year old coin in his hands. Brad then proceeds to sell him a really nice bust half for a ridiculously low price of $50. I don't think there was a $50 coin in his whole inventory. Brad says to me, "Any kid that shows that kind of interest in Bust coins is worth it."
The boys talked about that experience the whole way home. For a coin dealer to spend that much time with two kids at a coin show is really awesome. All I can say is, "GREAT GUY." I know Brad wouldn't want me sharing this story with everyone on a public forum but he deserves the kudos. I am not even sure if he remembers this whole experience but I know the kids won't forget it. >>
That's a great story and certainly one that makes Mr. Karoleff a deserving hero.
The books that Adams writes are always based upon first-hand contemporaneous research, and not a rehash of what has been written previously by numismatists. It is a lot of work - but his references; the recent Medals of Admiral Vernon, Medals of John Law, and Indian Peace Medals of George III all beautifully blend history and numismatics unlike any numismatic author.
His Comitia Americana work with Anne Bentley is IMHO the greatest numismatic reference work ever written; the history of the Revolutionary War heroes and the medals given to them by Congress, created by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, and delivered personally by Thomas Jefferson to George Washington in March of 1790. Ever heard of these guys? Then you should but the book...it is wonderful.
I will describe them by class as I would be embarrassed by leaving people out.:
Coin grading: I learned from the greatest group of instructers over many years in the summer seminar. I started awith a great deal of Chutzpa in the advanced class and took the class over and overl earning each time
Speciaty Collecting: I learned from experts in many areas from Colonials, multidude of federal coin dominations, commemeratives, coins of Canada. Many of the specialists did not know how much I gained frm them. The ibnternet has helped so much and it has been rare for an expert to brush of my questions.
Dealers: I have had great relationships with 6-9 dealers that have shown me excellent coins at fair prices, offered me adequate time to review coins, and accepted my decisions. They have worked with me to meet my needs and in some instances guiding me I have had few bad experiences but I am very selective in whom I deal with twice. Some of these dealer heros were also my grading instructors and many I consider friends.
Scholars : I have learned immensly from the true numismatic scholars. They have given me their valuable time to answer naive but honest questions anas well as complex questions with no simple evidenced based answers. Some of these scholar heros have been reached mainly by reading the numismatic literature. My many years attending ANA specialty courses has been extremely valuable for the expertice of the instructors some of whom have become long term numismatic friends, I have also visited the great museums in the world learning the history behind the coins and obseving great collections.
Close associates: I have had few numismatic collector friends as my time is usually occupied with other matters. Coin time is often in the middle of the night with a dark room a light and a pile of coins a loop , a camera and a computer. I have met some truly great numismatists and a small group of numismatic friends that I see or correspond with regularly. My most important hero is a numismiphile who is underappreciated by the community but is the most knowledgable coin expert I know. He is a constant source of information, sound judgement and infinite wisdom. We talk coins for brief periods almost daily by phone and e-mail.
Myself: I have learned fromthe above but also taught myself through the background and wisdom of the above numismatists and thousands of hours of reviewing coins, reading books and listening oto comments on various forums. When I think back on my progress I have to adnit I have grown in the discipline but remain humbled by my limitaions and the breadth of the field.
Thank you all for helping me try to be worthy of your guidance.
<< <i>If not for David Hall, I would have never gotten back into coins I suppose that would make him somewhat of a villain, by today's standards
He evened the playing field for me with dealers, a few years back. Not by way of a brand, but a standard. Nothing and nobody is perfect, but as numismatics go he's my hero.
Plus, I dig that guitar shirt. >>
I have to agree with David Hall for the reasons stated above. He did for coin standards, what Charles Schwab did for stock commissions and Sam Walton did for retail prices.
QDB
RS Yoeman
some member on this forum,
Copied from the ANA history page
But we must some how include:
"Dr. George F. Heath of Monroe, Michigan, when not involved in his practice of medicine, gained a knowledge of world history by studying his collection of coins. The obscurity of his little town hampered his efforts to gain additional knowledge of the hobby and to obtain certain specimens for his cabinet, and made meeting fellow numismatists almost impossible. In 1888 his ingenuity was tested when he, alone, printed, published and distributed a four-page leaflet, THE NUMISMATIST, in which he listed his coin needs, advertised duplicates for sale, and discussed numismatic topics.
In February 1891, THE NUMISMATIST printed a question, "What is the matter with having an American Numismatic Association?"
On October 7 and 8, 1891, five men--Heath, William G. Jerrems, David Harlowe, J.A. Heckelman and John Brydon--holding 26 proxies, met in Chicago and with 61 charter members founded the American Numismatic Association."
With out that starting point where would we be today?
Bob
*
Spooly!
No one, but no one is as knowledgable in regards to CBHs than Edgar. Truly a scholar and gentlemen, happy to engage anyone who has a passion for CBHs.
I have these as the cornerstone of my collection, which has grown quite a bit over the years.
<< <i>Gonna have to go with my boss and professor, Alan Stahl. He was the curator of the ANS before becoming curator/history professor at Princeton. He's been my mentor for the last three years and has always been supportive of me. >>
Alan Stahl, oh my goodness. But give it up now, because it's all downhill from here
You got the order all wrong. You are supposed to start at Pistareen's bourse table, then graduate to TonyT, and then maybe, if you are really good, matriculate to Dr. Medal himself at Princeton.
Both were working class boys who developed their hobby interests into lifelong professional careers, probably epitomizing the adage that if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life.
Along the way they shared their interest with future generations of collectors by creating a publishing empire that facilitated the "business" of numismatics and made untold volumes of information available by placing the needs of current and future hobbyists ahead of strictly commercial concerns. Sure, there were profits to be made in publishing numismatic newspapers, magazines and books, but few realize how many of the coin books that carried the Krause Publications imprint were published at a break-even or loss just so the information could be widely promulgated within the hobby in the days before the internet.
<< <i>All the guys who have been bammed from here for speaking the TRUTH: RWB, Feld, Bushmaster8, and anybody that was booted just for having an opinion! >>
Nice knowing you. See you across the street.
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 caused all those changes around 1916.
and
RYK, who after I had only written a couple of short articles, said to DW: "You should ask Dave to write a chapter for the new edition of your New Orleans book" (and now I'm about to start on the fourth book with DW!)
and
Coinosaurus and Eric Newman, who graciously shared some obscure material when I was just starting out as a researcher and author.
Check out the Southern Gold Society
I remember that. It was a while back. What's the next book?
Well, the current book is, as Coinosaurus said, RWB's current project, From Mine to Mint.
The next book is an update of DW's Carson City book, for which I have to start the research for the chapters I'm contributing. (The new edition of the Dahlonega book should be going to press soon.)
The next article will hopefully be a really interesting "what happened" to some specie at the very end of the Civil War (that may or may not have been part of the Confederate Treasury). I "tripped" over the source material while I was looking at one of RWB's sources, but I haven't read it yet. I'm hoping that I can write an article without doing a whole ton of research.
Check out the Southern Gold Society
<< <i>Who's Your Numismatic Hero? >>
Here? I'd have to say Cladking and Oreville, among a few others.
As far as historical numismatists, I dunno. QDB, maybe.
Eric Newman sees the big picture of numismatics and history better than anyone else, and his intellectual curiosity and record of fine publications makes him a hero of mine also.
Ken Bressett taught me more about colonial coins than anyone else I've ever met, and he's one of the most decent, loyal guys around. I look up to him a lot, personally and professionally.
Betts medals, colonial coins, US Mint medals, foreign coins found in early America, and other numismatic Americana
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.