Terry Denman Collection of Middle Dates Part 1

I’ve known Terry since 2009, when I met him at the Dan Holmes Auction in Beverly Hills, CA. It was there that I began to truly understand what these Early Coppers were about, and what a significant collector Terry is. Knowing he was from Traverse City and I was From Kalamazoo, I introduced myself at the coffee pot table during the scheduled break. At the time, the expression on his face confirmed he was somewhat “In the zone”… as you would be if we had bought what he did, up to that point in the sale; so, I offered to buy beers at the end of the auction, he accepted, and thus began our friendship. Since then we have traveled to many coin shows, auctions, and conventions across the country and I’ve had rare insight to many of his acquisitions, deals, and even a couple of misses that go along with collecting at this level. To grasp the entirety of his collection sheds light on the fact that this is no ordinary collector, or collection. At this time, it is undisputed that he has assembled one of the finest cabinets of Large Cents, ever. His collection includes the Second finest Early Date Set, second to Naftzger; the finest Middle Date Set, and currently the second finest Late Date Set of US Large Cents. The quality for which is his focus is not an accident; this is a carefully curated collection by a coin collector that has methodically worked his way to best, and rival, the greats of this series of coins in all of time. Terry doesn’t seek the spotlight in his collecting or his collections, if you know him, you know he’s modest in his holdings and flies under the radar. You may see him at a show likely perched at the CVM table, and sometimes you’ll hear a great belly laugh from Chris McCawley as a result of Terry’s dry humor. There is also that beat up samsonite brief bag thing. “It works” he says, “so why would I need a new one?” Or the Holmes auction catalog that I can remember is so worn and taped up, but it holds within those critical pieces of information that he has carefully annotated. I know the steadfastness for which he adds coins to his collection. Slow and steady wins the race… as one of the most important things I’ve learned from him is, if you set out to be serious in the pursuit of collecting a series of coins, one needs to have patience. Patience affords and rewards one with opportunity. And focus. His focus shows well in this collection. His mantra is don’t stray too far from what you are really trying to accomplish. And, don’t forget color and surfaces, these are a must. He’s been fortunate to have had the opportunity to pick up pieces from holdings in long-time held collections, when those collectors bought the good stuff that became available long ago. Coins from the collections of Naftzger, Husak, Holmes, Frankenfield, Gerrie, Eliasberg, Ralls, Robinson, Ellsworth, Reynolds, Bird, Ahumada, and others. In this Middle Date collection alone, there are well over 120 Naftzger coins! Terry in a deal with Chis at his table

The early copper collector is generally part of a tight knit community. When we travel to shows, conventions or auctions, we are re-united with our friends. Friends such as McCawley, Pretsch, Klosterboer, McClean, Lucas,