Legendary Collections Timeless Treasures
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National Numismatic Collection
The National Numismatic Collection, housed at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, is one of the most extensive numismatic collections in the world. With over 1.6 million artifacts, it showcases the evolution of currency over 2,500 years, featuring coins, paper money, medals, tokens, and financial instruments from different civilizations. This collection provides a comprehensive history of American and global coinage, with a particularly strong focus on United States currency, spanning from the colonial period to modern times. Visitors and researchers can explore rare and historically significant pieces, including early American coins, gold and silver specimens, and notable misprints that have shaped the monetary system. The National Numismatic Collection remains a vital resource for understanding the role of money in shaping economies and societies.
The Norweb Collection
The Norweb Collection was meticulously built by the Norweb family, spanning multiple generations. It is regarded as one of the finest private collections ever assembled, containing a diverse selection of coins from ancient Greece and Rome to medieval and Renaissance Europe. The collection was also notable for its early American coinage, which included some of the rarest pieces ever minted in the United States. Many of the coins in the Norweb Collection were carefully selected for their historical significance, rarity, and pristine condition. Though the collection has been sold and dispersed over time, many of its coins now reside in museums and elite private collections. The Norweb name continues to be synonymous with quality and rarity in the world of numismatics.
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The King Farouk Collection
King Farouk I of Egypt was a passionate collector, amassing one of the most extravagant and historically significant coin collections of the 20th century. His collection was particularly renowned for its exceptional range, including ancient, medieval, and modern coins from across the world. Among its most valuable pieces were ancient Greek and Roman coins, rare European currency, and unique American coins, some of which had never before been available to collectors. Following his overthrow in 1952, his vast collection was auctioned in 1954, attracting buyers from around the world. Many of these rare and historically significant coins now reside in prestigious museums and private collections, continuing King Farouk’s legacy as one of history’s most passionate and ambitious numismatists.
The B. Max Mehl Collection
B. Max Mehl was not only a pioneering coin dealer but also a passionate collector who assembled a world-class collection that became a benchmark for future numismatists. His collection was especially notable for its comprehensive selection of United States coinage, including rare and historically significant pieces from the colonial era, early American mints, and commemorative issues. Mehl’s expertise and influence helped shape modern coin collecting trends, and his publications educated thousands of collectors. Though his collection was eventually auctioned, many of its pieces remain some of the most coveted and studied in numismatics.
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The Harry W. Bass Jr. Collection
Focused primarily on United States gold coins, the Harry W. Bass Jr. Collection is one of the most significant holdings of its kind. The collection contains many of the rarest and most historically valuable gold coins, including early gold issues, pre-Civil War coinage, and California Gold Rush-era pieces. Bass was particularly fascinated by patterns and die varieties, making his collection an essential reference for numismatic scholars. Today, the collection is preserved in the American Numismatic Association’s Harry W. Bass Jr. Research Foundation, where it serves as a learning resource for historians and collectors interested in the evolution of U.S. gold coinage.
The Louis E. Eliasberg Collection
The Louis E. Eliasberg Collection is legendary in the numismatic world because it was the first and only complete collection of regular-issue United States coins from 1793 to 1964. Eliasberg, an avid collector, spent decades carefully acquiring every denomination, mint mark, and major variety issued by the U.S. Mint. His dedication to completion set a standard that remains unmatched. The collection was later auctioned, but its legacy endures as the gold standard of American coin collecting. Today, pieces from the Eliasberg Collection can be found in museums and private collections, preserving a legacy of passion, precision, and dedication.
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The Garrett Collection
The Garrett Collection, assembled by Robert H. and John Work Garrett, was one of the most comprehensive and historically significant numismatic collections ever compiled. Spanning ancient to modern times, it contained an extraordinary selection of Greek and Roman coins, medieval European currency, and early American coinage. The collection was especially strong in gold and silver coins, with many examples of extremely rare and well-preserved specimens. Though it was eventually auctioned, its impact on the numismatic world remains profound, and many of its pieces are now housed in museums and prestigious collections worldwide.
The Eric P. Newman Collection
Eric P. Newman, a respected numismatist and researcher, built one of the most comprehensive and well-documented collections of United States coins. His collection includes some of the earliest American colonial coins, rare early U.S. Mint issues, and unique numismatic oddities that offer insight into the history of American currency. Newman was also dedicated to educating and preserving numismatic knowledge, and much of his collection was made accessible to scholars and researchers through the Eric P. Newman Educational Foundation. His legacy continues through his extensive contributions to numismatic literature and historical preservation.
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The John Jay Pittman Collection
John Jay Pittman was an ordinary businessman who became a legendary numismatist through careful and strategic collecting. His collection was built with meticulous attention to quality, rarity, and historical significance. It included an outstanding selection of ancient Greek and Roman coins, early American specimens, and rare U.S. gold and silver pieces. Pittman’s dedication and patience in acquiring high-quality coins without an unlimited budget inspired many collectors. His collection was eventually sold at public auction, but its significance remains a guiding example for modern collectors.
The William H. Woodin Collection
A passionate collector and numismatic scholar, William H. Woodin assembled a collection that became a cornerstone of American coin history. His focus on early United States coinage, experimental patterns, and rare mint issues resulted in a collection of exceptional depth and quality. Woodin was particularly interested in historical context, ensuring that each coin he acquired had a story to tell. Though his collection was eventually sold, many of its rarest pieces continue to be housed in museums and elite private collections, preserving his impact on numismatic scholarship.