MORE ON THE APPLETON COLLECTION AT MHS
The E-Sylum (2/11/2024)
Book Content
MORE ON THE APPLETON COLLECTION AT MHS
There are some nuances to the story of William Sumner Appleton's collection at the Massachusetts Historical Society that Pete Smith and I wanted to point out on further reflection. -Editor
In his initial article Pete wrote:
The Massachusetts Historical Society did not have adequate resources to provide security forthe coins and to make them available for research. Some had gone missing by 1920. Eventuallythey put the coins in a bank vault where they were not available to anyone. The coins wereconsigned to Stack's for a series of six auctions conducted over 1970 to 1976.
Pete's focus was on the sold coins, and that statement is correct. MHS curators Anne Bentley and Mary Yacovone also correctly noted that "most of the American colonial and later medals and NE silver coins collected by Appleton" are still in the society's collection. Parts of the collection were never consigned, and other lots were initially consigned but later withdrawn after catalog publication.-Editor
Pete writes:
"In the Stack's sale of March 29, 1973, lots 1 through 105 were Colonial coins, including five Massachusetts silver coins. The prices realized indicates that lots 106-132 were withdrawn. That was a group of Betts medals. Also withdrawn were lots 151-186., which was a mixed group of medals. Fortunately, researchers can use the prices realized to see what was sold and whatwas withdrawn."
To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
WILLIAM SUMNER APPLETON (1840-1903)(https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n04a17.html)
MORE ON WILLIAM SUMNER APPLETON(https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n05a13.html)
