Unearthing the Long Island Collection Pedigree: A Roll Hunter’s Guide to Rare Colonial Coins

The Thrill of the Hunt

What if I told you that some of America’s most fascinating coins still hide in plain sight? As a lifelong roll hunter, my greatest joys come from discoveries made in everyday pocket change, cluttered estate sales, and unassuming bulk lots. The recent buzz about Long Island Collection-pedigreed coins surfacing in common channels proves my point – true numismatic treasures often wear humble disguises.

Historical Significance of the Long Island Collection

Behind this enigmatic name lies Donald G. Partrick, a collector who quietly assembled one of the most significant colonial holdings of the 20th century. Through forum discussions, we’ve pieced together his fascinating story. As numis1652 revealed:

“Don’s mentor was John Ford Jr. until Don’s acquisition of Donald Miller’s token collection through Ford.”

This direct link to Ford – the legendary and controversial numismatic kingmaker – imbues these coins with extraordinary historical weight.

Partrick’s obsession? Connecticut coppers (1785-1788) and early American tokens – the imperfect yet captivating currency of our nation’s birth. What sets Long Island Collection pieces apart isn’t just their sharp strike or original patina (though many boast remarkable eye appeal), but their ironclad provenance through Ford-era auctions and the discerning eye of a collector schooled by numismatic royalty.

Identifying Key Markers

Ready to become a pedigree detective? Keep your loupe focused on these telltale signs when sorting through mixed lots:

• Holder History: Certification labels whispering “Long Island Collection” (Partrick’s open secret among insiders)
• Specialization Clues: Primarily Connecticut coppers with that distinctive crude charm
• Quality Tells: Surprising detail retention despite early minting limitations – look for strong LIBERI legends
• Paper Trail: Hidden gems like 1960s auction tags or handwritten provenance notes

Study lordmarcovan’s forum images closely. Those FNDE Connecticut coppers showcase classic traits:

• Diameter: 28-30mm of history in your palm
• Composition: Nearly pure copper with that distinctive colonial heft
• Weight: 6.5-7.5 grams – feel the revolution-era minting variability
• Obverse: LIBERI / PATRIÆ / FNDE with dates swimming in metal flow lines
• Reverse: INDEPENDENCE motto beneath the iconic staff-bearing figure

Value Guide: What’s That Pedigree Worth?

That Long Island Collection provenance isn’t just bragging rights – it’s numismatic value made tangible. Recent auction hammer prices and heated forum debates reveal:

• Base Value: Common Connecticut coppers (G-VG): $75-$200
• Pedigree Premium: Adds 20-50% for confirmed pieces – sometimes more when bidding wars erupt
• Documentation Bonus: Original receipts or crossover certs can triple base value
• Rare Variety Jackpot: Special die marriages from the collection have shattered estimates at $1,500+

A forum member’s quandary speaks volumes:

“I have receipts. I’m unsure about the necessity of adding pedigree to the label.”

Here’s the truth – that paper trail transforms an interesting copper into a museum-worthy artifact. Provenance is profit in our world.

Cherry Picking Strategies

Finding these sleepers requires equal parts knowledge, patience, and sheer obsession. Here’s my battlefield-tested approach:

1. Bulk Lot Archaeology

Dig through those “common copper” bins like a numismatic Indiana Jones. Many dealers overlook colonial varieties – I once found a 1787 FNDE resting atop a pile of worn Large Cents, its olive-brown patina shouting “PICK ME!”

2. Estate Sale Goldmines

Focus on Northeast estates – particularly old New York collections. Look for battered coin boards smelling of attic dust and leather-bound auction catalogs from the Ford era. The real prizes often hide in plain sight.

3. Certification Checkpoints

Scour older slabs like a detective. That “Ex: Long Island Collection” pedigree line in tiny script? That’s your payday hiding in plain sight while others chase perfect mint state grades.

4. Die Variety Mastery

Memorize Partrick’s favorite die marriages like scripture. Study lordmarcovan’s FNDE Connecticut copper (Miller 4.2-L, W-2160) – note the characteristic doubling under LIBERI and the reverse die crack near the figure’s staff. These minutiae separate common coppers from collection-worthy rarities.

Why This Pedigree Matters

Holding a Long Island Collection coin connects you directly to numismatic history’s most thrilling era. That worn Connecticut copper in your palm? It passed through Ford’s legendary shop and Partrick’s careful study. Finding one today is like uncovering a secret chapter of American history – complete with original luster and centuries of stories in its surface marks.

Conclusion: The Collector’s Journey

As lordmarcovan’s forum post proves, Long Island Collection coins still emerge from the shadows. Their survival validates every collector’s dream – that breathtaking rarities still lurk in coffee tins, estate sales, and dealer junk boxes. The secret? Arm yourself with knowledge of colonial strike characteristics, develop an eye for pedigree clues, and above all – never stop hunting. Your next coin roll could contain a revolutionary relic with a story only you can tell. What history will you uncover tomorrow?

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