MORE BREEN AND TAXAY AUTHENTICATION CERTIFICATES

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V21 2018 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 21, Number 28, July 15, 2018, Article 12

I too have a Breen-Taxay Certificate but it differs slightly from the one shown by David Lange. Whereas David's ID number is typed directly on the card, mine is typed on a separate piece of paper and is glued to the card. Upon holding the certificate up to a light, I am able to see a different number typed on the card. Also, Dave's certificate shows a Member Number but mine is blank.

Dave's certificate shows that something additional was, at one time, stapled to the bottom of the certificate which, I assume, was the formerly stapled holder containing the note. My certificate shows no such additional stapling. However, my certificate shows an embossed seal on both the certificate and the photocopy. The seal consists of two circles. Between the circles along the bottom, I can read "FIRST COI (obviously First Coinvestors). In the center of the seal, I can read C.A.C. (obviously, for Colonial American Coin Club). Above it is the word BY and above that I can read ARANTEE (obviously GUARANTEE). Above that I can read TH TIC (possibly AUTHENTIC). Finally, between the two circles at the top, I can read what appears to be AMERICAI CIII. Perhaps it said Colonial American Coin Club.

I've attached scans of both the front and the back of the certificate along with the note for which it applies.

In addition, I am including scans (front and back) of authenticity certificates issued by ANACS and INS prior to the advent of slabbing. The ANACS certificate consists of a B&W photograph of the coin with the certificate glued to it, starting on the front and folded over and glued onto the back. The INS certificate also consists of a B&W photograph of the coin with the certification typed and signed on the back of the photograph.

After seeing the recent posts for the Breen and Taxay authentic cards I searched back through some of my material. I have four of the Taxay items from 1980 which I have included the scans for. The interesting thing is that these are sequential registry numbers.

The other scan that is more interesting is from Walter Breen to Don Lutes concerning the "Discovery" 1943 copper cent. This post card was sent I believe around 1959. The coin was given to Don Lutes as change in 1947 at the Pittsfield High (MA) lunch line.

Dear Mr. Lutes:

I delayed answering your letter until I could see a copy of the newspaper in question and read the statements attributed to me. I no more think your coin is worth $40,000 than I think XXXX it worth a dime: I do not believe that the Beyer coin brought anywhere near half the $40,000. * Yet; in order to attract enough collector attention to make it worthwhile for you, for French, and for me, I have had to bring the coin to the attention of the newspapers. It will be exhibited at Natl Coin Week and the Central States Convention ( 24-26 April) * $40,000 alleged price for Beyer 1943 Bronze -- acto Las Angeles Examiner. probably gross exaggeration. I was misquoted; I would be very glad to get(crossed out) anywhere near $10,000, but don't expect it. There are probably others around; I want to sell the thing for the best price before they turn up and lower the value to less than your minimum."

Written in pencil at the top right of the post card is " It is nevertheless genuine."

Breen was not the best typist from the looks of the postcard. Breen also carried the coin around showing various dealers for about 1 year. The coin was never sold and returned to Don Lutes.

Don Lutes has shared this information and the card that is part of the file he maintained for the coin. Unfortunately, Don's health is failing and he must finally part with his prize possession. The coin will probably be auctioned later this year.

I knew Don Taxay very well for a short period, even backing him in a venture for a business of building numismatic displays for banks. Just before he disappeared he ran a full page ad in Coin Word for authentication work. It seems anything he did – while a brilliant numismatist – was less than successful.

Don had a very tender psyche. I suspect he was peaked, he could not make a living in numismatics so gave it up and joined some religious cult. Maybe this seems to have satisfied him. I liked the guy, but cannot vision him in a saffron robe with a shaved head.