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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,794 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1839 Posts |
When the name Walter Breen comes up the conversation typically turns to issues unrelated to coins. Here is an interview with him back in 1986 conducted by David Lisot of Coinweek (CoinTelevision at the time of the interview). Whatever your opinion of Breen, I thought others might find this interview interesting. http://www.coinweek.com/numismatic-...w-from-1986/Edited by Tbone
03/27/2014 2:07 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
Thanks for that T-Bone, whatever I think of him matters not, I met the man, he was a great numismatic mind, and author/researcher. He was known for making up facts that he wasn't sure of, or at least reporting them in such a way they became fact to many and repeated as such in many books, until research proved him wrong. He was a wild looking guy for sure, exactly as he appeared in the video, except his fingernails and toenails (he wore flip flops every time I saw him at coin shows) were grossly long and unkempt. A funny story I just came across last night: E-Sylum Newslatter George Kolbe discussing the John J. Ford sale items: ------ Quote:
1951 correspondence between John J. Ford, Jr. and Walter
Breen in which an impecunious Breen is taken to task for his
grooming: "It seems that you have ignored my repeated warnings
about your personal appearance- everything from keeping the
hair cut; daily shaving; clean nails; and last but not least, clean,
pressed clothes. Walter, you are a product of a rough,
unfortunate environment and you must rise above it." Breen's
response begins: "Since when do your associates-or whoever
it is-employ stool pigeons?" Despite such fusillades, the
correspondence makes it clear that, despite their frustration,
both men respect each other. ------ Another E-Sylum newsletter from a reader: Quote:
Regarding the "Nova Constellatio" set of four coins:
Walter Breen (who was employed by Mr. Ford) published disinformation in his "Complete Encyclopedia" in 1986 in an attempt to assist Mr. Ford in his acquisition of the coin. Disinformation is still printed to mask the value and nature of this coin. In the future I will publish all of my research on the topic, but needless to say it is the Most Valuable Coin in American Numismatics and it is wholly Unique. ------ To this day, I still respect the man for his dedication to our hobby of kings and his writings, I use his books, to this day, his Half Cent and large cent encyclopedias are legendary works, yet I despise him for what he became - he died in prison for it.  "Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1757 Posts |
I met him once and at that time in 1985 I was just entering U.S. Colonials full time. I asked him to look at a coin I had as we were driving from the ANS/COAC 1985 to a coin show downtown ... a gentleman named Mark Auerbach who I had known for several years who atthe time had a coin shop in Fort Lee, NJ knew Walter very well. This is the same person who I bought my most valuable NJ Copper (48-X). Anyway ... I asked him to look at a U.S. Colonial ... sure I was nervous ... this was GOD ... he remarked ... "I will look at ANYTHING once." For whatever reason I always remembered that response ... every coin, medal or token if given the request from a fellow collector should be looked at ONCE! Regardless of value, time period or CONDITION.
John Lorenzo
United States
Edited by colonialjohn
03/27/2014 09:24 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3234 Posts |
Very cool video and insightful on how he worked.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4337 Posts |
was he really a convicted child molester?
**edit**
never mind I found his criminal record. yea, great guy he was. do you all really look past what he did in the name of numismatics? I mean, he died in prison as a convicted pedophile, no?
Edited by dsfreeworld
03/27/2014 2:48 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4897 Posts |
Great numismatic mind.....yes. Use some of his references (with the knowledge that he liked to fabricate "facts").....yes. Feel kind of dirty after seeing him.....yes....Personally, have a hard time separating the man from his works.....David Lisot, on the other hand, very nice gent and way dedicated to his craft.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
I'm sure this has occurred to others here-our hobby needs better heroes than serial child molesters; reputation means everything. Despite whatever talent Walter Breen had--that he enjoyed publicity/notoriety after his crime pattern was a matter of public record...is simply indefensible. Families and YNs need to know our hobby is a safe place--where dangerous guys aren't lurking in the shadows, and in full knowledge of others  If I'm stating the obvious--my apologies. This is a bit of a soapbox for me. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1757 Posts |
As the late Herb Silberman one of the founders of EAC once said at a NJNS Meeting concerning your viepoint DVC - the poor guy needed HELP.
AMEN ...
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1839 Posts |
I really don't think anyone is "looking past" what he did. Just thought it was interesting to hear what he had to say in a video interview. By the way, full disclosure, David Lisot is my brother in law.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
I'm not saying anyone here is "looking past" Breen's crimes. I just don't understand his continued notoriety. "Needing help" is a bit of an understatement. Again--my apologies for soapboxing this thread.  Edited by DVCollector
03/27/2014 4:45 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1839 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4416 Posts |
I introduced myself to Mr. Breen at an ANA convention in the 80's. He looked to me like a surfin' Santa! His first words were "Okay, what do you want to show me?" One of the coins I showed him did prove to be a surprise. It was an 1873-CC quarter in VF condition that had been made into a love token of sorts. He confirmed that it was genuine and didn't show any surprise that I'd plucked it from a "junk box" at a dealer's table there. I also recall congratulating him on his encyclopedia. I respect his work, his knowledge, and revile his behavior. And, I still consult his encyclopedia. Our kids need to learn that goodness can reside in the worst of us, and evil can reside in the best of us. Walter Breen and Dr. Sheldon both cause me to reflect on this. Amen. |
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,794 |
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Posted 03/27/2014 08:39 am
