Heritage Awards $5,000 Gold Coin Survey Prize

Dallas, Texas: Michigan resident Larry Arnold is the lucky winner of a $5,000-plus gold coin awarded in the fifth annual collectors survey conducted by Heritage Numismatic Auctions of Dallas, Texas. Arnold, whose Heritage Survey 2000 entry was selected at random, will receive a Mint State 1907 Saint-Gaudens High Relief variety double eagle.

"This is the fifth High Relief 'Saint' Heritage has awarded to lucky collectors in our annual surveys. Among numismatists this coin is generally acknowledged to be the greatest masterpiece of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, and many would agree that it is the most beautiful American coin ever designed. It is a true work of art," said Bob Korver, Heritage's Director of Auctions.

Steve Ivy, Co-Chairman of Heritage, explained: "One of reasons behind Heritage's tremendous growth over the last five years has been our ability to stimulate the growth of coin shows where we conduct auctions. As America's Convention Auctioneer, we recognize the importance of major coin shows to the continued health of the hobby. Collectors need the opportunity to socialize, to form a true numismatic community, and that takes place at coin shows. This required us to know our customers and their coins even better, and that depended on obtaining accurate information about their collecting and their collections.

"Giving away high relief Saints - the one gold coin that every collector of American coinage covets - has certainly encouraged participation!," Ivy emphasized.

This year's prize winner has been a coin collector for more than fifty years, starting as a youngster. And now he takes special joy in bringing his grandchildren to coin shows to introduce them to this hobby of history.

"With the ability to dedicate more time and resources to his hobby after a successful career, Larry Arnold has been able to become a serious numismatist during the last decade. In fact, he only recently joined the ANA in 1998, but admits now that he should have done so much sooner," said Korver.

"Lately, Larry has been concentrating on his collection of Morgan dollars, especially certified deep mirror prooflike specimens. When asked to give a few words of advice after five decades collecting, Larry suggested, 'Buy what you enjoy!' We couldn't agree more, but it remains to be seen whether this gift will inspire him to pursue U.S. gold coins as well."

Along with other prizes awarded to survey respondents, Heritage also gave away four mint state Saints to members of the American Numismatic Association. Winners included Steve Kubinski of Michigan (ANA member since 1981) and Frank Ryan of Pennsylvania (ANA member since 1998).

"The surveys have enabled us to better serve our customers and the numismatic community, and I have to admit that making the telephone call to the winner is one of the highlights of my job! The winners would probably agree," concluded Korver.

Previous winners in the annual Heritage survey drawings are Prof. Gary Hogg of Arizona (1999); Dr. Steven Nomura of California (1998); Bill Franklin of Illinois (1997); and an anonymous collector (1996).