Collector Spotlight: Hugh J. Hillaker

For Hugh J. Hillaker, the path that led to numismatics wasn’t originally strewn with coins but rather quilted with stamps. At the age of eight, he was a philatelist – a stamp collector. “I loved all of the colorful pictures and the unusual shapes,” he recalls. “But I soon realized that there were way too many stamps in the world.” He soon bought his first coin folders and began looking for the usual assortment of coins from circulation while attending get-togethers at his local coin club to catch glimpses of type coins and other unusual pieces he couldn’t find in pocket change.

“When I saw the classic commemoratives, I immediately fell in love with them.” He did what many kids of his generation did when they wanted to earn some extra money; he took on a newspaper delivery route, slinging copies of the Fort Worth Press and, later, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram to doorsteps around his neighborhood. Young Hugh’s collection soon began teeming with more of the commemorative coins he longed to own.

Fast-forward just a few years, and around 2000, Hillaker doubled down on building out a 144-coin set that encompasses all the various designs, dates, and varieties associated with the many different classic commemorative half dollars as well as the 1893 Isabella Quarter and 1900 Lafayette Dollar. “I began with just ‘hole fillers’ and then tried to gradually upgrade each hole as the budget would allow,” he remarks.

The help of mentors and fellow collectors helped him get closer and closer to his goal, which increasingly leaned toward acquiring examples with spectacular toning. By 2015, his commemorative coins had a presence on the PCGS Set Registry. His 144-coin set is 100% complete and, as of this writing, holds a grade ranking of 66.19, putting it near the top of all competitors for that category. Subsets of coins from among his 144-coin set also perform well, with the Texas commemoratives ranking as his favorite. “I am probably prejudiced, too,” he jokes, noting his Texan heritage.

As for his favorite coins? "One of my favorites" is one that [mentor] Bonnie Sabel helped me with many years ago. It is the 1938-D Oregon Half Dollar. My other favorite is my 1938-S Texas Half Dollar,” he said, adding that, “God really wanted me to have it!”

He says collectors who hope to find success on the PCGS Set Registry need to focus on what they love and build from there. “As Mrs. Hillaker always tells me, ‘There will always be another beautiful coin.’ She is right, but you must make a choice sooner or later!”