"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.
(12/16/1948); Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. (1976); Eliasberg Estate (Bowers and Merena, 5/1996), lot 807; Jay Parrino; Superior (3/2001), lot 728; Dwight Manley (2003); Edward C. Lee (2005); Legend Numismatics (2005); Legend Collection (Bruce Morelan); Stack's (1/2007), lot 1599; anonymous California collector.
This is the finest of five 1913 Liberty Head nickels, which Eric Newman originally chose for his own collection. Abe Kosoff convinced Newman to sell the coin so that he could place it with Louis Eliasberg.
The Walton Specimen PR62
Eric P. Newman; B.G. Johnson (3/1943); James F. Kelly (1943); Dr. Conway Anderson Bolt (1945); George O. Walton (1962); Melva W. Givens (1992); Givens Estate.
From March 9, 1962 until July 30, 2003, the Walton specimen was believed lost to numismatics. The complete and remarkable story is told in Million Dollar Nickels.
The McDermott-ANA Specimen PR55 NGC
Eric P. Newman; B.G. Johnson (3/1943); James F. Kelly (1943); J.V. McDermott (1966); Elizabeth McDermott; Paramount (8/1967), lot 2241; Aubrey and Adeline Bebee (1989); American Numismatic Association.
McDermott was fond of carrying this piece in his pocket, so that he could show it to anyone on request, thus explaining its lower state of preservation today.
Ownership Registry
Many important individuals have owned a 1913 Liberty Head nickel, from King Farouk to Emery May Holden Norweb. A brief biographical sketch of each individual is presented
The Early Period
Samuel Brown is discussed above.
Colonel Edward Howland Robinson Green was born in London, England, on August 22, 1868, and died at Lake Placid, New York, on June 8, 1936. He was the son of Hetty Green, the "Witch of Wall Street," and her husband, Edward Henry Green. He was educated at Fordham College, studied law in Chicago, and married Mabel E. Harlow on July 10, 1917. Green was a director of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and president of the Texas Midland Railroad. His home of record was Terrell, Texas, where he moved in 1892 to represent his mother in pending railroad transactions. Green was active in politics as a Republican, attended several Republican National Conventions, and served as a director of the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair (or International Exposition). In 1910 Green was appointed an honorary colonel by Texas Democratic Governor Oscar Colquitt. He was an avid coin and stamp collector whose total estate was estimated in excess of $40 million.
Burdette G. Johnson was born in DeSoto, Missouri, on January 2, 1885, and died in St. Louis on February 24, 1947. He was the son of William A. Johnson and Luella (Conway) Johnson. In 1910 he resided at 2844 LaFayette Avenue in St. Louis, living there with his parents, grandmother, two uncles, and a cousin. Eight years later, he resided with his father at 2108 South Spring Street, and operated his business at 1155 North 11th Street. He was the proprietor of St. Louis Stamp and Coin Company, operating the business from 1907 until his death 40 years later. Johnson was a mentor of Eric Newman beginning in the 1920s, and
