I just read over on the PCGS boards that Eldert Bontekoe of Pegasi Numismatics has passed away. I never bought from the dealer since it's passed my budget, but I figured I would let others know who has.
A lot of his stuff was out of my range but I bought a few coins years ago from him. Sorry to hear that he passed.
Thank you for the notice. I did not realize this. Had a chance to see him at a few (local) shows and visit him (at his residence) to view this stater: Unfortunately, I did not win this stater at auction (sometimes I will take a look at this die of Athena and wish I had), but I was happy to have the personal interaction with Eldert. In fact, Eldert is the only ancient coin enthusiast I have ever met in the flesh (only been collecting for a few years and have a hard time escaping the bubble that is Ann Arbor). He was a pleasure to speak with, if only for a brief time. In his memory I will post a couple of my favorite coins that were purchased via Pegasi:
His passing is a major loss - condolences to his family. Pegasi were one of the first dealers' tables I ever visited. At that point, I had spent in total roughly $600 on coins and $20 on ancient coins. I saw an Alexander the Great stater in one of their trays and was just dumbfounded at how incredible it was: such a stunning piece of history. But it was well out of my price bracket. A handful of years and a couple companies later, I went back to their booth and bought an Alexander the Great stater (albeit in not-so-great condition but I wanted to get one specifically from them at the same show: an irrational sense of poetry, I suppose). I haven't bought terribly many other coins from Pegasi over the years but they're a great company to work with and I hope Nick will be alright moving forward.
I'm sorry to hear that. I spent quite a bit of time at their table at the NYINC in January of this year, going through their boxes of Roman coins. I wonder if he was one of the two elderly gentlemen who were there for the company. I bought this Sergius Silus Republican denarius from them there (image of reverse only): I also bought this Valens siliqua from Pegasi online, a couple of weeks earlier:
It's terrible news. Condolences to his family, friends and business associates. I met Eldert many times, including 3 months ago at the New York International. He was always pleasant and a gentleman to deal with.
When I talked with him at the March Detroit show he indicated that Pegasi was shutting down this year and that the November Detroit show would be his last. He was going to do that show as he lived in the area (Ann Arbor). He was suffering from heart issues nd didn't feel well in March. He did say that his partner was going to continue on but probably not as Pegasi.
This one is ex-Pegasi: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ojs-big-cat-sanctuary.357879/page-2#post-4314555 - Broucheion
I am profoundly sorry for this news. My Ex Pegasi: ROMAN REPUBLIC. Anonymous, after 211 BC. AR Quinarius (2.12 gm). Helmeted head of Roma / The Dioscuri riding. Cr.44/6. RSC.3. Toned VF. ex Clain-Stefanelli collection REATTRIBUTED to 68/2b SICILY SELEUKID KINGDOM. Seleukos I, 312-280 BC. AR Tetradrachm (14.46 gm) of Seleucia on the Tigris. Laureate head of Zeus / Athena driving chariot drawn by four horned elephants. SC.130. Toned, VF, some tooling. Rare. With the successful conclusion of the Babylonian War against Antigonos Monophthalmos in 309 BC, Seleukos had secured his western border. He then turned his eyes eastwards and attacked Chandragupta, the ruler of the Mauryan Empire in northern India. Sometime around 303 BC a peace treaty was agreed, one term of which was that Seleukos would receive 500 elephants from Chandragupta. The chariot of elephants on this coin serves as a reminder of these elephants. CELTIC BRITAIN the Inceni Queen Boudicca, 61 AD. AR Unit. Scarce. (1.03 gm). Obv: Celticized head right Rev: Celticizes horse galloping right. Ref: vArs.794. CommentsToned VF+. Scarce.
So he must have been one of the two gentlemen from Pegasi whom I met at the NYINC in January. How sad.
They have some very nice coins. Im sorry to hear of the passing of another great dealer and gracious man....here are a couple of my Pegasi acquisitions...
My brother got his first cuneiform tablet from Pegasi back in 2016. I remember Eldert was really helpful with him. So sorry to hear of his passing. Erin
AAA #236. AH Pegasi Numismatics 5-25-96. $75.00 - Silver Coin (AR Denarius) minted in Lugdunum during the reign of AUGUSTUS between 2 B.C. - 14 A.D. Obv. CAESAR.AVGVSTVS.DIVI.F.PATER.PATRIAE.: laur. hd. r. Rev. C.L.CAESARES.AVGVSTI.F.COS.DESIG.PRINC.IVVENT.: Caius and Lucius Caesar stg., each holding a shield and spear between them, a lituus (on l.) and simplum (on r.) above (each turned inward). This coin refers to the naming of these boys for the consulate and their acclamation as Princeps Juventus. RCS #479. RSCI #43. RICI #207. pg. 55. DVM #51. Here is a coin that I bought from Pegasi Numismatics at a private coin show with CNG at the Ariel House in Texas. Sorry to hear about his passing.
May he rest in peace. I didn't have the opportunity to buy a coin from him but he sounds like a valued dealer.
I only met with Eldert Bontekoe one time & I got this tet of Messana in trade. Sorry to hear that he passed away.
I dealt with eldert extensively. He introduced me to ancient coins and was generous with his knowledge. I will miss him as a mentor! Rest in peace.