A king, a president, and an actor. What do these three all have in common? They were all dedicated coin collectors, amassing significant collections that many numismatists worldwide would envy. Discover more about these large, rare, and thorough coin collections throughout history and the famous coin collectors who worked to assemble them.
King Farouk of Egypt
Taking power in 1936, King Farouk was known for his lavish and decadent lifestyle. With a fixation on accumulating expensive and rare goods, even amidst World War II, and a cabinet of fellow politicians broadly known for their corruption, he quickly became unpopular among the people. By 1952, Farouk’s own military ousted him, and the Egyptian government took over many of his assets, including one of the most prolific coin collections in history.
During the 40s, Farouk accumulated many unique and highly sought-after coins. Once he had lost power, his collection comprised more than 8,500 medals and coins. Most notably, his collection included the 1933 double eagle and several American coins that American dealers provided to Farouk. The Egyptian government eventually sold the collection.
John J. Pittman
A list of famous coin collectors would not be complete without John J. Pittman. A truly obsessive and meticulous collector, Pittman assembled one of the most remarkable collections in history. Employed since age 13, John put himself through college and graduated with a degree in chemical engineering. Afterward, he worked to financially support his younger siblings’ educational goals as well. Without a wealthy background, Pittman found himself stretching to pay for coins, even going so far as taking out a second mortgage to afford new additions. Pittman is lauded as a classic American story of enthusiasm and dedication.
His collection includes many historic US coins, proof coins, and even a coin from Farouk’s collection.
Louis Eliasberg
The Eliasberg collection is known to be one of the most complete collections in modern history. His collection included all denominations, dates, and mints for US coins, though it was not categorized by proofs.
Of this list, Eliasberg’s passion for coins was perhaps the most natural progression. He graduated from the Wharton School of Finance in 1921 and later joined the Finance Company of America. Seeing the devastation of the Great Depression firsthand, Eliasberg became fascinated with currency, driving his interest to start collecting. He not only continued to have a successful financial career but also put his drive into amassing his “completed” coin set.
Jack Black
Known for his boisterous personality in Hollywood, famous actor Jack Black is also a famous coin collector. Black most notably got his breakout role in High Fidelity but is also known as a musician in the group Tenacious D. Speaking to Conan O’Brien in recent years, the School of Rock and Kung Fu Panda star discussed his 1793 Flowing Hair Penny and 1917 Standing Liberty quarter-dollar.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Starting long before his political ambitions, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s passion for collecting spread far and wide. More than just coins, Roosevelt also collected books, prints, drawings, and stamps. After being elected 32nd President of the United States, it would seem logical that he might take a break from collecting. However, even during his most prominent New Deal years, he continued to collect coins and art. Before the end of his presidential tenure, Roosevelt created the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library to protect and display all the items in his collection. Due to his popularity, the collection expanded to include other pieces like clothing and furniture, now numbering over 34,000 items. This museum is in New York, where his coins can still be seen today.
Staying in the Know with ModernCoinMart
Coin collecting is not a hobby reserved for retirement. From the top leaders of nations like Farouk and Roosevelt to the humble roots of John J. Pittman, collecting is possible for everyone. Whether learning more about famous coin collectors or seeking information about coin myths and history, ModernCoinMart has resources for numismatists of all experience levels. Rely on our team of coin experts for more collecting resources or to find the next coin for your collection.
