The extent of varieties and completeness of the Reed Hawn Collection show that man’s dedication. Reed Hawn dedicated himself to specialization, as with his half dollar collection, 1794 to 1947 as described in the previous part of this article. But, he was also interested in other series that were easier to complete. During the 1960s and 1970s there were many great coins available either through dealers’ inventories or major auction sales. Sometimes entire sets were available; other times sets or groups had to be worked on piece by piece. Reed Hawn and his father purchased both ways, sometimes upgrading a complete set with pieces bought separately.
As noted, some of the Reed Hawn collection was offered for sale by Stack’s in August 1973 at the New York Sheraton Hotel, the scene of many Stack’s public auctions. It was also the location of the Metropolitan New York Numismatic Association Conventions that were held annually for a number of decades. It was a familiar venue to the many collectors and dealers who came for numismatic events, and was located within a half a block of Stack’s on 57th Street. All felt “at home” when coming to the hotel.
Complete sets offered for sale included full sets of Flying Eagle, Indian Head and Lincoln cents in lovely Mint State, a full set of two-cent pieces — Proof with the 1864 Small Motto in lustrous Mint State, a set of three-cent nickels all in Brilliant Proof, a complete set of silver three cents in high grades, a full set of Shield and Liberty Head nickels in Brilliant Proof including the rare 1867 Rays, a full set of Buffalo nickels, including the rare 1918/17-D, Mercury dimes in Mint State including the 1942/1, and a set of twenty-cent pieces (no 1876-CC) in Brilliant Proof. There was also a set of Liberty Standing quarters all in choice Mint State, including the rare 1918/17-S, a full set of commemoratives 1892 to 1954, including an Isabella quarter, a Lafayette dollar, both Norse American medals, and the 1932 Washington quarter in glittering Mint State, There was also a full set of Proof coins 1936 to 1942, 1950-1964.
In Part 4 of my story I will talk about collecting in the post World War II era and about the formation of the Reed Hawn Collection.
