It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our friend and founder, Harvey G. Stack on January 3, 2022. His leadership over the years spearheaded our operations and his kindness and mentorship to staff, collectors, dealers, numismatic organizations and colleagues will never be forgotten.

Harvey was born in Manhattan on June 3, 1928, the son of Morton M. Stack and Muriel Stack. He grew up in Bronx and Jamaica, New York and attended NYU. His life revolved around his family and around numismatics, as generations of the Stack family built upon the rare coin business founded in 1933 by Harvey's father, Morton, and his uncle Joseph at 690 Sixth Avenue in Manhattan. Presenting their first public auction in 1935, Stack's quickly progressed to larger premises and a growing reputation. Although as a youngster Harvey worked after school and during vacations at the firm's Manhattan coin store, it wasn't until 1947 that he went to work full time for Stack's Rare Coins, a career that would last more than 70 years. As one of the second generation of family members to join the firm, Harvey worked alongside his father, uncle, and cousins Norman and Benjamin, supported by a staff of experts that comprised many of the most well-known professional numismatists of the 20th century.

In 1953 Stack's moved to a gallery at 123 West 57th Street, a location that would be home to the firm for more than 60 years and become a popular destination, known as the "clubhouse" for collectors from all over the world. As a family member, Harvey's responsibilities were wide ranging, assisting clients in the store, traveling to pick up collections and attend conventions and coin shows, cataloging auction lots, auctioneering, and any other work that needed to be done. He became an expert in many areas of numismatics and was able to translate his warm and jovial personality into long-term relationships with the collectors and dealers he worked with over his career.

The decades following World War II were times of great growth for Stack's. Besides opening a new and improved location, they were tapped to present at auction many important collections including Anderson-Dupont, Davis-Graves, Charles A. Cass ("Empire"), R.L. Miles, Massachusetts Historical Society, Samuel Wolfson, and George Walton, as well as conducting public auctions in conjunction with major numismatic shows including the American Numismatic Association and the Metropolitan New York conventions. In the 1970s, Harvey's son Larry and daughter Susan joined the firm, bringing in a third generation.

Harvey and the Stack family were instrumental in building some of the greatest collections of their time, including the cabinet of gold coins assembled by Josiah K. Lilly, chairman of the Eli Lilly & Co. pharmaceutical company. After Lilly's death in 1966, his collection of over 6,000 coins became part of the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian, a process aided by Harvey and other members of the Stack family. Over the decades, Harvey and the Stack family also built a relationship with Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., who accumulated the only complete collection of United States coins ever formed. In 1976, when the nation was celebrating its Bicentennial, Harvey and the firm helped facilitate the display of Eliasberg's incomparable collection at the United States Mint in Philadelphia.

Harvey Stack's role in numismatics was not purely business. He fought for clearer import regulations on coins from overseas and testified before a congressional subcommittee leading up to the Hobby Protection Act of 1973. He worked with the American Numismatic Association and other professionals in the effort to develop a standardized grading system for coins. In 1996 he appeared before the U.S. House Banking Committee to propose the 50 State Quarters Program, which brought countless new collectors into the hobby. Harvey Stack served on the board of the Professional Numismatists Guild for nearly a decade and acted as its president for two years beginning in 1989. In 1993 he received the PNG's Founder's Award, their highest honor, for his dedication to the hobby. Over the years, Harvey was a great supporter of the American Numismatic Association, the American Numismatic Society, and the Smithsonian Institution. He was a long-term member of the International Association of Professional Numismatists, as well as numerous other numismatic societies.

As the 20th century turned to the 21st, Harvey Stack and Stack's were still going strong, as Larry and Harvey brought to auction the incredible John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, and many other famous name cabinets. In addition, they partnered with Sotheby's in the record-breaking sale of the first 1933 Saint-Gaudens double eagle to cross the auction block. In 2011, Stack's merged with Bowers and Merena to create Stack's Bowers Galleries, one of the top numismatic auction firms in the country and a company that continues the Stack family's legacy of presenting important numismatic cabinets and realizing record-breaking prices. Harvey remained involved in the new business until the very end, telling the company's history, mentoring staff members, and maintaining his relationships within the hobby. Most recently he and Larry worked with the estate of long-time friends and clients Mark and Lottie Salton to bring their outstanding collection of world and ancient coins to market. It is unfortunate that Harvey will not be there to see the fruits of his labor as this remarkable cabinet crosses the auction block in 2022 and 2023.

Harvey was predeceased by his parents, his uncle Joseph, his cousins Norman and Ben. He is survived by his wife, Harriet, children Larry (Loretta) and Susan (Larry), grandchildren Rebecca (Jimmy) and Matthew (Tanya), and five great-grandchildren: Bryce, Avery, Dylan, Brielle and James.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the American Numismatic Society or a charity of choice. The family can be contacted at [email protected].​

L​awrence R. Stack, son of Harvey Stack, joined the family firm in 1974, having learned much of the business from his own study, dealing, and family experience. He is personally responsible for the development of many important and noteworthy collections and brought several significant collections to Stack’s, including The John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, The “Dallas Bank” Collection, as well as the world-record sale of the highest price ever realized at auction for a rare coin — the legendary 1933 St. Gaudens Double Eagle (Gold $20) that realized an astonishing $7.59 million (the two latter sales in partnership with Sotheby’s). An experienced collector, Lawrence has formed major collections of French Ecus, Five-Franc pieces, and Ecus d’Or, and his in-depth collection of Celtic and Anglo-Saxon coins ranks high among the finest ever assembled. His Renaissance medals collection is now one of the standard reference works for the field. He is a member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and numerous national and international numismatic associations.

Julie Abrams started in numismatics fresh out of college in 1986, when she teamed up with Bernard Rome to launch Teletrade, the first computerized auction company. Well before the advent of internet coin auctions, Teletrade developed a unique auction platform utilizing state-of-the-art digitized voice board technology to run live auctions with remote bidding. As President of Teletrade, Julie helped the company expand in size, increase the frequency of auctions, and grow annual sales to $24 million within a few years.

In 1999, GMAI, a publicly traded company, purchased Teletrade. Julie remained as CEO of Teletrade and served as Executive Vice President of Sales for the parent company.

In 2004, Julie joined Stack’s Rare Coins in New York City. During her tenure with Stack’s, she fostered strategic partnerships and obtained major consignments for the firm’s auctions. In addition, she worked closely with national and international dealers, executed bids for private clients, and was instrumental in expanding the company’s e-commerce presence.

In 2012, Julie worked with Legend Numismatics to create a new auction company, Legend Rare Coin Auctions, a boutique firm focused exclusively on the niche of superb quality United States coins.

Julie is a member of the American Numismatic Association, the Central States Numismatic Association, and Florida United Numismatists. She graduated from the University of Vermont in Burlington with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

Julie travels nationwide to attend major coin shows, where she meets with collectors and dealers to discuss consigning their collections and inventory. She enjoys cooking for her teenage son, who fortunately shares her adventurous palate. Julie is also an avid tennis player, always on the lookout for her next match.

Andrew Bowers, son of Dave and Christie Bowers, earned a degree in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire in 2003. By that time he had been involved with rare coins all his life—including traveling to national and regional conventions, assisting with auctions, and meeting collectors, dealers, and consignors. He was present and often helped when Bowers and Merena Galleries sold the Norweb, Bass, Eliasberg, and many other great collections.​​

After graduating from UNH he entered the business full time, working at the Wolfeboro office of what became Stack’s Bowers Galleries. Through the years he has taken a personal interest in federal coins, medals, and United States currency. In 2008 he moved to New York City to work with Harvey and Larry Stack and other professional numismatists. Over the years of working at the counter in our Manhattan store, he has worked with thousands of people from all walks of life and all degrees of collecting interests, helping them with their individual needs. Today you can communicate with him or visit at the firm’s gallery at 123 West 57th Street, where he buys and sells coins and paper money, accepts auction consignments, and greets visitors.​​​​​​​

Greg Cohen has been involved in numismatics since childhood when he was given a handful of coins his grandfather had saved from the family hardware store cash register. After graduating from Quinnipiac University in 2006 with a BA in History and dual minors in Economics and Political Science, Greg took a position at R.M. Smythe & Co. In April 2008, Greg began working at Stack’s, where he catalogued United States and world coins for auction and was a familiar face at numismatic conventions and in the New York Gallery. In January 2016, Greg became Senior Numismatist at Legend Rare Coin Auctions where he focused on gathering consignments, writing and research. Today, Greg is once again part of our New York Gallery team.

Greg is a member of the ANA, ANS, FUN, CSNS, John Reich Collector’s Society, Barber Coin Collector’s Club, and the Seated Liberty Collectors Club. Greg lives in New Jersey with his wife and two sons where he enjoys spending time with his family fishing, painting, gardening, cooking, and reading.

James McCartney joined Stack’s Bowers Galleries in 2013 as a numismatic researcher and cataloger, working closely with a incomparable team of experts in the production of numerous landmark sales. He is a valued contributor to their auction program and handles many of the firm's rarities. A lifelong collector, James is enthusiastic about all 18th and 19th century U.S. type coins, with a particular affinity for early copper issues and Morgan silver dollars. In addition to our catalogs, James’ writing can be found in our U.S. coin blog articles and various other industry publications.​​

James received a Bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology from Rutgers University, and worked as Operations Manager at a Washington, D.C. based enterprise, before bringing his comprehensive skill set to Stack’s Bowers Galleries. ​​​​​

Mark started collecting before the age of 10, intrigued by the Indian cents and Morgan dollars that his grandmother gave him.  Going through his mother’s change (with her permission of course), he started a collection of Walking Liberty half dollars.  At that point, half dollars became his passion. The Walking Liberty collection was missing some key issues, at which point Mark discovered that coin dealers could come to his rescue.  Later, as a frequent visitor to Stack’s on West 57th Street, he upgraded the set. Slabs had not yet been invented, so he was able to go through date rolls and pick out the best ones without paying a premium. In time he fell in love with early half dollars, eventually forming one of the highest grade and most complete sets of Heraldic Eagle half dollars by Overton variety.  Most of these coins came from Stack’s, with some from Bowers and Merena.
Mark started his professional numismatic career in Philadelphia working part time for Andy Kaufman of Coins and Currency Inc. while attending the University of Pennsylvania. From that institution he earned his BA and eventually his MBA from the Wharton School.  After graduation he pursued other professional interests, while remaining an avid collector, and returned to a career in numismatics in 2012.
Mark is a passionate collector (hoarder), and has a sizable collection of antique telephones, radios, electric fans, toasters, vintage toys, and almost anything interesting in early technology. 
Mark has been a member of the ANA for over 35 years, and also is a member of the John Reich Collectors Society, the Gold Coast Coin Club, and the Antique Telephone Collectors Association.

Vicken Yegparian, one of our auction consignment directors, is a numismatist specializing in United States, Ancient and World coins, in addition to U.S. medals. He is very much involved with the day-to-day operations running the auction business.​

A graduate of Columbia University, Vicken was the first recipient of the Georgia Stamm Chamberlain Memorial Award of the Medal Collectors of America for his presentation on colonial era medals of his alma mater, "The Silver Medals of the King's College Literary Society, 1767-1771," delivered at the 2004 Coinage of the Americas Conference (COAC) held by the ANS. At the 2006 COAC, he collaborated with Roger Siboni, ANS President, on "Mark Newby and His St. Patrick Halfpence." Elected a Fellow of the ANS, he is also a member of many numismatic organizations, including the ANA, the Colonial Coin Collectors Club, the John Reich Collectors Society, the Liberty Seated Collectors Club, the Medal Collectors of America, and the Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cent Collectors Club, among numerous other specialty organizations.​​