Do Previous Owners Effect Value?

Whether the previous owners were "famous" people, "famous" collectors, or just "ordinary" run-of-the-mill collectors, you should always keep any proof of provenance that may have come with the coins or you may otherwise come across. Especially if you plan on travelling overseas and taking your coins with you; having something that proves your coins are not freshly-looted antiquities is becoming more and more necessary these days.

Maybe only "famous" people add value, but any provenance at all adds character to your collection, and helps you realize you are but one in what will hopefully be a long line of custodians.

Pedegree can and will give any coin a boost...you just have to provide/prove the paper trail.

Over my dead body. Actually I can think of a couple coins I would trade that stater for but nobody in their right mind would consider that!

I have a 1904 Afghan Paisa that used to be part of the William Spengler Collection. Spengler was a former State Department employee who amassed a good portion of his collection while being stationed in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Most of the coins that he bought were from scrap dealers who were melting the coins to make jewelry. He actually wrote several books on ancient coins based on his acquisitions. The coin didn't cost any extra, but the story behind its former owner is intriguing.