The Numismatist

W. David Perkins knew he would become a professional numismatist at some time in his life and was well-prepared for the transition when it came. He is fortunate to have spent decades as a serious collector, researcher and author. Dave has also consulted with and cataloged for most of the leading numismatic auction firms.  

Early in his more than two decades at IBM, weekends afforded W. David Perkins — owner of W. David Perkins Numismatics in Centennial, Col. — the opportunity to visit New York City to view auction lots and attend sales.

The Lord St. Oswald 1795 Silver Dollars The 1964 Christie’s catalog of the Lord St. Oswald Collection contained three remarkable 1795 Silver Dollars, as follows: Lot 139 “U.S.A., DOLLAR, 1795 (Bolender no. 2) – planchet marks on both sides and some scratching in obverse field, otherwise in brilliant mint state, very rare.” Lot 139 sold for 460 British Pounds (the contemporary equivalent of $1,288) to the American firm of Stack’s, where it joined Norman Stack’s personal collection.

W. DAVID PERKINS ANA 1127284

A lifelong collector and amateur genealogist discovers that numismatics is in his blood.

The collecting instinct is strong in Dave Perkins. You might even say numismatics is in his DNA. The 58-year-old Colorado executive, husband and father of four began his foray into the world of coins simply enough, but the more he learned, the more he realized that numismatics is an indelible part of who he is.