Sunday, February 4, 2018

JR Newsletter: 4 February 2018 (381)



David Perkins received a press release from Carl Wolf of the Chicago Coin Club with sad news about the passing of Phil Carrigan:

PHILIP J. CARRIGAN

Philip J. Carrigan (73) passed away January 29, 2018. He joined the Chicago Coin Club May 10, 1989 as member 1013. Phil was a life member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), served as the Education Chairman at the Chicago 1999 ANA Convention, worked as a volunteer at Chicago’s 2011, 2013-15 ANA Conventions and received the ANA Presidential Award in 2014.

Phil had a deep interest in Barber coinage. In 1989 he became a charter member of the Barber Coin Collectors’ Society, served as President (1994-2015), made many contributions to their journal and received their 2015 Award of Appreciation. He was a charter member of the John Reich Collectors Society and a member of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society where he also served on their Board.
Phil collected Canadian and Maritime decimal coins and tokens, was a life member of the Canadian Numismatic Association and attended most of their annual conventions.

Phil was an avid collector of Canadian and United States numismatic literature, including books, auction catalogues, fixed price lists and related material. He enjoyed reading the history of early collectors as told through the auction of their collections. His library was so large, he frequently wondered if it was too heavy for the second floor of his home. Phil was a recognized figure at most major numismatic literature auctions and recognized as an expert in the field.

A native of Massachusetts, Phil earned an undergraduate pharmacy degree from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, a master’s degree from Northeastern University and a Ph.D. in pharmacokinetics from the University of Connecticut. He finished graduate studies at University of Buffalo. He joined Abbott Laboratories in 1974 and served for thirty years working in the area of pharmaceutical research and development. In 1985 he was inducted into Abbott’s prestigious Volwiler Society which recognizes their most distinguished scientists and engineers.

Phil is survived by his wife Mary Clare Jakes, daughter Erin Carrigan, son-in-law Jeremy Bell and twin granddaughters Audrey and Elizabeth.

Phil was a dedicated volunteer and advocate in Waukegan and Lake County, Illinois. He was elected as a Trustee at the College of Lake County and also served as Chairman of the Board. He worked tirelessly with numerous organizations dedicated to helping the homeless, the hungry and visiting prisoners. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Eddie Washington Center, which provides transitional housing for homeless single men in Lake County Illinois.

Carl F. Wolf
Secretary
Chicago Coin Club
773-771-1311 Cell
carlwolfco(at)msn.com
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Editor’s note:  Members of the JRCS will recall that Phil enjoyed collecting bust coinage too.  Phil and I had many conversations about bust half dimes and bust dimes (and our New England roots).  In fact, Phil had a nearly-complete collection of Capped Bust Half Dimes.  I remember Phil’s excitement in obtaining his 91st (out of 92 known) Capped Bust Half Dime die marriage at the ANA show in Chicago.  He had been searching a long time for an 1833 LM-5 and became the proud owner of a PCGS G-6 at that show. 

Richard Meaney
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David Finkelstein sent the following request:

WANTED: Cull, damaged, and/or Poor-Fair 1795 Half Dollars.  Christopher Pilliod (metallurgist, numismatist, numismatic researcher, numismatic author, and President of the Flying Eagle and Indian Cent Club) and I are performing state of the art analysis and research of United States silver coins.  Currently, we want to purchase five 1795 Half Dollars.  The coins do not have to be round.  The coins can be holed, severely damaged, or in a basal state.  We are not looking for quality.  We are looking for “cheap”.  The uglier and cheaper, the better.  All that is required is enough detail to confirm that the coin is a Flowing Hair Half Dollar.  Please contact David Finkelstein at dfinkelstein(at)comcast.net with the number of coins available and the price.  Your name will be mentioned in our articles and presentations.