I feel honored to have had the privilege of knowing Eugene H. Gardner, Sr., 80. He was one of the most distinguished, visibly active and enthusiastic collectors in the history of the coin community in the United States. I was saddened to hear of Gene's passing on July 16, 2016, after a long illness.

Before the sales of the Gardner Collection were announced, it was widely known that he had formed one of the best collections in recent decades. If he had been in decent health until age 83 or so, he may very well have assembled the all-time greatest collection of classic U.S. silver coins, 1793 to 1934.

Although Gene had a few excellent U.S. coins from the first era of U.S. coins (1793 to 1815), the thrust of his collection was silver coins dating from around 1825 to around 1917. In such a category, his collection could be the all-time greatest, definitely one of the three best.

I know for certain that, had Gene not been so ill, he would have competed for many of the excellent pre-1840 silver coins in the Pogue Collection. If he had acquired one-third of the Pogue silver coins that interested him, his collection would have become substantially more incredible than it was!

Indeed, Gardner was an extraordinarily determined collector, who built the all-time greatest collection of Liberty Seated coins and perhaps the best collection of Barber coins as well. Indisputably, Gene assembled the premier set of Barber quarters. I tentatively figure that Gardner formed the third all-time-best set of Barber halves.

Gardner's incredible collection contained more than 3,000 coins, most of which were classic U.S. silver coins. His sets of large cents, Two Cent pieces, Indian cents, and nickels were impressive as well. Unlike most collectors with similar preferences and budgets, Gardner sought to complete sets of both Proofs and business strikes.

While being intensely focused upon obtaining a large number of choice rarities and completing sets, Gardner was always social and kind. In my conversations with him and in group conversations, he never lost his temper or became agitated. If he was bothered by a statement or a question, he would respond with polite sarcasm or by smoothly changing the topic.

Gene's overall pleasantness and mild-mannered personality were distinctive and especially memorable.

Gardner began collecting coins as a kid in the 1940s. He just about filled the first Whitman folder for Lincoln cents by obtaining coins from change or asking merchants for "old pennies." Starting in 1955 while he was in college, Gene devoted more funds to collecting and would frequently spend $10 to $25 per coin. Even then, he was attracted to gem-quality silver coins from the 19th century, his trademark over the years.

Gardner graduated from Harvard College in 1958, with a degree in economics. He earned his MBA at Harvard Business School, finishing in 1961.

To read the complete article, see:
A Most Distinguished Gentleman: In Memoriam - Gene Gardner (www.coinweek.com/people-in-the-news/in-memoriam/distinguished-gentleman-memoriam-gene-gardner/)