PCGS The Standart for the Rare Coin Industry

Contrast that man to Harry Bass, the well-known Texas connoisseur, who has spent countless hours over many years studying the die varieties of gold coinage, their early history, pedigrees, and other considerations, and who has made a number of significant numismatic discoveries. His collection, on view on a loan exhibit in the museum of the American Numismatic Society during the Coinage of the Americas Conference in 1989, attracted a wide circle of admirers, as well it should have, for it contained many formidable rarities as well as numerous other pieces in the finest grades of preservation. Harry Bass has always appreciated the stories behind coins, and because of this his interest has endured for many years. In fact, in 1990 he established a permanent foundation to enshrine his coins for numismatic study and posterity.

To such connoisseurs as Louis Eliasberg, Mrs. R. Henry Norweb, John Work Garrett, and Virgil Brand, coins were a way of life, and although price paid and grade were certainly considerations for each specimen, these in the long run were exceedingly minor aspects. The pure joy of possessing coins and studying them was first and foremost.

In a way the terms collector and connoisseur are interchangeable, except that when I envision a connoisseur I think of someone who is really involved in the field and who strives to acquire pieces in finer grade levels. However, the connoisseur balances grade, price, and value and does not blindly pay top prices for common coins in high numerical grade levels.

Donn Pearlman, a member of the American Numismatic Association Board of Governors, in correspondence with the author indicated that connoisseurship was alive and well in Utah and possibly everywhere else:

"Interestingly, there seems to be a vein of connoisseurship running deep in many collectors who may not be aware of it. Richard and Alma Blaylock of Utah, who serve as regional coordinators for the ANA, recently took a survey of collectors in that state. Many of those questioned indicated they enjoy collecting coins for their art, their history, and their beauty. They also indicated they expand their collecting interests by sharing information with others and building numismatic friendships; certainly a strong indication of connoisseurship even though that particular word was not on the survey. I'll bet you'd get similar results from collectors' surveys in every state. Collectors appreciate items for what they are, not just for what they might become (more valuable)."