Did you know Stack’s Bowers Galleries is featuring the Beasley Collection in our official auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Summer Expo? The Beasley Collection is extensive and includes items in our showcase auction sessions as well as in the Internet portion. Coins by design types from the 1790s into the late 20th century include many key issues in various series (the 1877 cent and MCMVII $20 are just two of many), with most coins in Choice and Gem Mint State and Proof preservation. Also featured as part of this notable offering are complete sets of the Indian Head cent and Peace dollar series. To learn more about Mr. Beasley, continue reading below.
The Beasley Collection
Ted Beasley, age sixty-six, became enchanted with coin collecting at a young age. As a boy his morning paper route in rural New Jersey brought him the lofty sum of two dollars per week. With this in hand, he routinely made his way to the local bank and exchanged it, along with his modest allowance, for rolls upon rolls of pennies. He would search among these rolls for a "stray" Indian Head cent or the "Holy Grail" – a 1909-S V.D.B. Lincoln cent.
He began collecting in earnest 25 years ago and, not surprisingly, he focused on the coins he so diligently sought as a young boy: Indian Head cents. His goal was a complete collection of all Indian Head cents in MS-65 Red or better. And, of course, he wanted to acquire the ever elusive 1909-S V.D.B. Lincoln cent that had eluded him in countless hours of searching through bank rolls. In this he was also successful, acquiring Red examples in both MS-65 and MS-64.
While waiting for Indian Head cents on his "wish list" to become available, Ted assembled an outstanding collection of other American coins – all certified in high grades – including a complete Peace dollar collection in MS-65 or finer. The consignor is particularly proud of the gold coins in his collection, including a $20 double eagle from the S.S. Central America, a 1907 High Relief Saint-Gaudens double eagle in MS-63, a 1911 $10 eagle in MS-66, and an 1800 $5 in MS-62.
Most of the collection was assembled with the guidance of Q. David Bowers and Melissa Karstedt, and Ted will always be grateful for their assistance.
