Mark Feld

I don't think I properly introduced myself when I joined. I started out at a yong age as a collector, but have been a full time dealer for 30 years, in a number of different and exciting capacities. Below is my numismatic background, as it appears on my website. Please feel free to ask me any questions if you think I might be able to be of assistance. And if I can't answer them, I wont be afraid to admit it.

"Numismatics must run in my blood - numismatic pioneer B. Max Mehl was my grandmother's uncle. In addition to having enjoyed collecting coins as a child, I have been involved in the rare coin industry on a full-time basis since 1979, as follows:
1979-1982: Retail sales and auction consignment coordinator for Steve Ivy Rare Coins
1982-1983: Owner of Mark Feld Rare Coins
1983-1985: Auction consignment coordinator, cataloguer and auctioneer for Heritage Rare Coin Galleries
1985-1987: Buyer for David Hall's Numismatic Investment Group
1987-1989: Employed by Mark Salzberg (now an owner of NGC) as part of a two man wholesale rare coin business
1989-1991: Owner of Mark Feld Rare Coins
1991-1998: Full time grader at NGC
1998-2004: Employed by Pinnacle Rarities, where I was involved in purchasing, sales and coin descriptions
July, 2004-present : Owner of Mark Feld Rare Coins

TheNoost

Very impressive. What is your favorite part of collecting? Also, why do you keep going back to your own business? (not a negative question, just trying to get "inside your head" and see through anothers eyes for a min.

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Mark Feld

As much as I love them, I don't collect coins, now that I am a dealer. I think it would create conflicts with my clients, and at the same time, make me go crazy. But when I did collect, my favorite parts were :

Looking for and finding old coins in change in the 60's (searching for them in my barber's cash register and through other exciting sources).

Going to Stacks' with my brother (who collected with me) on weekends when we lived in NYC.

Getting a 1942/1 Mercury Dime in change at Stack's, of all places! I couldn't believe it when I got home, checked my change, thought that was what I had, checked my Red Book to be sure and confirmed it. I later sold it to them for $75 and was on cloud nine.

Looking through catalogs of upcoming auctions, viewing the lots and then attending or participating in the sales.

Collecting "gem" capped Bust Half Dimes, including a number of Proofs - I sure wish I still had them!

I still love coins, and being a collector-at-heart makes it easy, as well as highly enjoyable for me to relate to and work with my clients.

Thanks to you and everyone else for the nice comments. I don't thank that is the correct term for my relation to "uncle Max" - someone once told me what it was, but I can't remember.

jloring

I don't know... if a hobby becomes a business, doesn't the pleasure of the hobby become just a balance sheet... with all the worries about profits, losses, cash flow, etc.?

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Jim

mark_h

Belated welcome again and thanks for this history.

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the other mark
Best Baan Community
Empty airtite seeks unwanted coins. All sizes welcome.

krispy

Wow! That's very, very impressive indeed and good to know you are around for taking questions and that your words carry such weight. Thanks for sharing your background with us, especially since I've only just joined a month ago.

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jaceravone

Thanks Mark for sharing your background with us. So does that make Max Mehl your great, great uncle? I always find it interesting when people have famous people in their family history. What a rich personal background in numismatics! Awesome!

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"These are the times that try men's' souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."
Thomas Paine, Intro to the The Crisis, December 19, 1776

tmoneyeagles

Impressive numismatic background Mark.
Great to have you aboard...

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From The Desk Of, -T$ (Kokapowan Tribe Leader)

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clembo

I try to respect every ones opinion here Mark. Yours I tend to respect a bit more.

Gotta question if you don't mind. How much time did you spend in a "brick and mortar" and what did you think of it?

clembo

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A closed mind is no mind at all...

biggiej

with todays modern advances in the dies etc. used to strike proof coins, is there an advantage to having them certified? Aren't they all at least pf65 or better?

Mark Feld

The closest I got to spending time in a brick and mortar was when I first worked at Heritage. But most of my conversations were with clients over the phone and occasionally at hard asset/investment conferences or in the office.


Before I answer, please know that I have little to do with and am biased against modern coins.

While there are many exceptions, generally, it does not pay to submit modern coinage for grading. Things to consider in advance are what the coins sell for at various grade levels and therefore what your upside and downside are.

It is also extremely important, for example, that you be able to determine the difference between a PR68 and a PR69. Some people can do it quite well and others can't.

Besides that, there are the inconsistencies and subjectivity inherent in grading. If you are going to submit anything, I might suggest a fairly small initial trial, so that the fees wont be too high.

mikenoodle

I am glad to have you here, Mark. There is much to be learned from people with experience. I am always listening, and always learning. It's great to be able to have people of deep experience to draw from. We are quite fortunate to have you here.

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A long term marriage is the process of falling in love with the same person over and over.