DALLAS, TX.- Early American Coppers (EAC) Charter Member Denis W. Loring and his wife, Donna Levin, have consigned their collection to Heritage’s Jan. 12–16 FUN U.S. Coins Signature Auction. Additional selections from the collection will be offered in Heritage Showcase Auctions early next year. The collection will be presented without reserve.
“We are delighted that Denis and Donna chose Heritage to present their collection,” says Greg Rohan, President of Heritage Auctions. “Many of us at Heritage have considered them friends for decades. Their consignment features exceptional large cents, Donna’s specialized collection of Buffalo nickel errors and outstanding numismatic treasures ranging from Colonial issues to Territorial gold.”
“When I joined EAC in 1973, Denis Loring was already one of the organization’s most respected members,” adds Mark Borckardt, Senior Numismatist at Heritage Auctions. “Over the years he became a friend, and ultimately a mentor. Denis and Donna remain among my close friends in numismatics.”
A retired insurance actuary, Loring joined EAC as a charter member in 1967 and holds member number 11. Over the next five decades, he became one of the organization’s most influential leaders, serving as secretary from 1972–77 and 1981–2005, vice president from 2005–09, president from 2009–11 and again, as secretary from 2011–17, a remarkable 46 years as a national officer.
“I’ve known Denis since 1969, when I was 16 and he was 21. Even then, it was obvious he was one of the brightest people I’d ever met,” says Jim Halperin, Co-Chair of Heritage Auctions. “In the 1970s, he toyed with the idea of making numismatics his career, and I took it as a great compliment when he told me I was the only person in coins he would consider working for. He ultimately chose to remain an actuary, but his passion for coins never diminished. More than 50 years later, I’m especially pleased that Heritage will present the collection of someone who has been both a wonderful friend and such an important part of numismatics for so long.”
Loring’s passion for early copper began long before EAC’s founding. In 1974, he became just the fifth collector to complete a full set of Sheldon-numbered large cents dated 1793 through 1814. While that collection was dispersed long ago, many important large cents are among the current collection. He is also recognized for his extensive research into proof large cents and their pedigrees.
Levin, a retired attorney, joined EAC in 1998 and served as the organization’s secretary from 2017–23. Her enthusiasm for numismatics flourished after marrying Loring, leading to the formation of her acclaimed collection of Buffalo nickel errors.
Highlights from the Loring-Levin Collection:
• A 1793 Sheldon-13 Liberty Cap Cent – AU53 NGC
• An 1819/8 N-1 Cent – PR64 Brown NGC (Ex: Pittman)
• A (1652) NE Shilling – AU50 PCGS
• A (1652) NE Sixpence – VF Details PCGS
• A 1919 Buffalo Nickel on a Cent Planchet – MS64 Brown PCGS
• A 1920 Buffalo Nickel on a Dime Planchet – AU55 PCGS
• An undated Buffalo Nickel Brockage – VF35 PCGS
• An 1855 Wass Molitor $50 Gold – VF20 PCGS
• A 1792 Judd-2 Pattern Cent – Fine 15 NGC
• A 1792 Judd-5 Birch Cent – Fair 2 (formerly NGC)
• A 1792 Judd-10 Copper Disme –XF40 NGC
• An 1848 CAL Quarter Eagle – Good 6 PCGS
• 1854-S Quarter Eagle – Fine 12 PCGS
• 1794 Silver Dollar – VF25 (formerly PCGS)
