My Adventures in Collecting Coins from Legendary Collections

There’s something magical about coins that carry the whispers of legendary collections. As I’ve built my own cabinet over the years, I’ve found that pieces with storied pedigrees become more than metal—they’re tangible connections to the collectors who shaped our hobby. Whether it’s Colombian gold gleaming with history or Roman tetradrachms bearing ancient marks, each one feels like shaking hands across time.

Highlights from Iconic Collections

My journey really took off when I landed a Colombia AV 9 Escudos from the Norweb Collection—that Wildman design sparked an obsession! It led me to chase ex-Newman pieces, including one that stunned me by upgrading from EF to MS-GEM 65 at NGC. Just goes to show how famous pedigrees can reveal hidden potential when experts take a fresh look.

• Dr. Lawrence Adams Collection: Holding 23 coins from this hoard feels like curating museum pieces—each with a tale that makes them shine brighter in my tray.
• Michael Prieur Collection: My Trajan Decius tetradrachm (250 AD, NGC MS 4/5 – 3/5) still takes my breath away. With only ten known, it’s proof that ancient coins with provenance marry rarity with raw beauty.
• Preussag Collection: Snagging that Brunswick taler felt like winning the lottery—its pedigree popped during NGC grading, and I still thumb through the original Künker sale catalog like a detective’s notebook.
• David Cervin Collection: Grabbing 11 coins from his 2003 sale taught me Heritage auctions are pedigree goldmines—especially that 1751-BB Strasbourg Louis d’or whispering French history.

Grading Insights and Market Observations

Here’s the real scoop: pedigrees don’t just tell stories—they move markets. That ex-Newman upgrade? It convinced me famous collections make graders lean in with their loupes. But watch those labels! I once bought a “Columbia” instead of “Colombia” coin—now I triple-check mint marks. At auction, pedigrees from specialists like McCloskey (check his NGC gallery) often fetch 10-20% premiums. His Seated Liberty expertise alone adds scholarly clout.

Personal Stories and Rare Finds

This hobby stitches personal threads into history. Holding a coin tied to John Quincy Adams—my maternal ancestor—sent me straight to his biography. Then there’s my 1848 Halfcrown from Colin Adams: I initially missed its overdate variety (oops!), a humble reminder to study details. And shipwreck coins? Absolutely pedigreed treasures—each one’s a salt-crusted time capsule!

Practical Advice for Fellow Collectors

Ready to chase pedigrees? Start here: Camp out at CNG or Heritage auctions—my 15 Caranette wins prove they’re pedigree hubs. Always ask for grading details upfront; NGC/PCGS recognition avoids heartburn later. For condition kings like Victoria-era pieces from Dr. Jacob Terner’s hoard, stick to MS grades—they age like fine wine. Most importantly? Dig into those backstories. It turns coin collecting from a pastime into walking with numismatic giants.

Building this collection has been my greatest adventure—each coin a handshake with history. Whether it’s my Austria AV Dukat ex-Terner or that overdate blunder, they all whisper the same truth: provenance makes our hobby endlessly alive. Happy hunting—may your finds come with equally rich tales!