Allen Lovejoy papers, 1952-1994

Descriptive Summary

Repository
American Numismatic Society
Extent
1.5 cubic feet (2 boxes)
Language
English
Abstract
Correspondence and other materials relating to Lovejoy’s efforts to buy, and later sell, American dimes. Includes invoices for coin purchases, lists of bids, and slides used to illustrate a lecture.

Part of an invoice sent to Lovejoy from Hollenbeck Kagin Coin Company of Des Moines, Iowa, 1973

Creator

Name
Lovejoy, Allen F. (Allen Fraser), 1919-1997
Abstract
Allen F. Lovejoy (1919-1997) of Riverside, Connecticut, was an expert on early American dimes, assembling a collection spanning from 1796 to the late 20th century and coauthoring the definitive reference book on the subject, Early United States Dimes, 1796-1837 (1984).

Contents

Administrative Information

Access

Collection open to all researchers.

Preferred Citation

Allen Lovejoy papers, 1952-1994, Archives, American Numismatic Society.

Restrictions

Copyright restrictions may apply. Permission to publish or reproduce must be secured from the American Numismatic Society.

Biographical Note

Allen F. Lovejoy (1919-1997) of Riverside, Connecticut, was an expert on early American dimes, assembling a collection spanning from 1796 to the late 20th century and coauthoring the definitive reference book on the subject, Early United States Dimes, 1796-1837 (1984). He was elected a member of the American Numismatic Society in 1975, became a fellow in 1978, and in 1988 was elected to the Society’s governing council. Lovejoy was born in Janesville, Wisconsin, and was a graduate of the Hotchkiss School (1937) and Yale University (1941). He served in Normandy and Northern France during World War II and then went on to earn an LL.B. from Yale before joining the New York Law firm of Breed Abbott, where he became a partner in 1958. He retired in 1987.

Scope and Content Note

Contains correspondence and other materials relating to Lovejoy’s efforts to buy, and later sell, American dimes. Correspondents include coin auction houses and dealers such as Stack’s and Kamal Ahwash. Topics include coin appraisals, Lovejoy’s returning of unsatisfactory coins, and, in 1977, legal issues pertaining to grading standards for coins. Also includes invoices for coin purchases and lists of bids. Materials from 1981 to 1984 concern work on his book Early United States Dimes, 1796-1837 and include correspondence with his four coauthors, along with drafts, corrections, and legal documents relating to publication. There are some minutes and by-laws of the John Reich Collectors Society. Also present are drafts of lectures, including one entitled "Coins and Money of the Bible" (1994); a tray of 39 slides of Biblical coins used to illustrate a lecture; and an annotated working copy of Early United States Dimes, 1796-1837 with corrections.

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