"Olsen" 1913 liberty nickel sold for $3.7 million "Olsen" 1913 liberty nickel sold for $3.7 million at Heritage Auctions Florida United Numismatists (FUN) Auction, at the Orange County Convention Center Thursday.
and died on March 9, 1962, in an auto accident outside of Wilson, North Carolina. He was described as a quiet and secretive man. He divided his time between Charlotte, North Carolina, and Roanoke, Virginia. Those who knew Walton understood that he was an estate appraiser for banks. It had also been reported that he worked as a government intelligence agent during World War II. Walton was known as a coin collector who also collected guns and ammunition, rare books and documents, stamps, watches, and ivory.
The Modern Period--Companies and Organizations
American Numismatic Association [ANA] is the national coin collector's organization in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The ANA was founded by Dr. George Heath of Monroe, Michigan, in October 1891. Heath was the publisher of a magazine called The Numismatist that has since become the association's journal. It has been published continuously since 1888. The ANA currently has more than 30,000 members.
The ANA Mission Statement from their website, www.money.org, states that "The American Numismatic Association is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to educating and encouraging people to study and collect money and related items. With nearly 33,000 members, the Association serves the academic community, collectors and the general public with an interest in numismatics." The ANA helps all people discover and explore the world of money through its vast array of programs including its education and outreach, museum, library, publications, conventions and seminars.
John Albanese has nearly 30 years of numismatic experience, and was one of the original founders of PCGS before he left that firm and began his own grading service, NGC. He is a leading professional numismatist who is a noted authority on coin grading. He serves as a consulting associate to Blanchard & Co., Inc.
Blanchard & Co., Inc. [Olsen] is a numismatic investment firm founded by Donald Doyle in New Orleans, Louisiana. The firm describes its operation as "the largest and most respected retail dealer in rare coins and precious metals in the United States," according to the company website.
Bowers and Ruddy Galleries [Olsen] was a partnership of Q. David Bowers and James Ruddy, operating in Los Angeles, California, from 1972 to 1983. For much of that time they were a subsidiary of General Mills. The firm conducted more than 60 auctions, including the famous Garrett Collection and the gold portion of the Louis Eliasberg Collection. They also had a sales department, and published the Rare Coin Review. Earlier, Dave Bowers and James Ruddy operated Empire Coin Company in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Bowers and Merena Galleries [Eliasberg] was a partnership of Q. David Bowers and Raymond N. Merena, operating in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, from 1983 to 2003. In 2000, the firm was sold to Collector's Universe, a public company from California. Bowers remained as president until January 2003. Paul Montgomery became president, and six months later moved the company to Mandeville, Louisiana. About a year after that, Spectrum Numismatics purchased Bowers and Merena Galleries, and moved the company to Irvine, California.
