Essays In Appreciation
Donald G. Partrick is a real estate developer and property manager in New
York State and is a serious student of American colonial coinage. He serves
as President of the American Numismatic Society.
Harry Bass - A Good Person
Donald G. Partrick
I met Harry at Stack's twenty years ago and many times later at various major
coin shows. It was a quick glance, "Hello, how are you?" thing and then
we were both off and running. Me for my quest for colonials; he on his search for
gold and patterns.
Harry was a tall, rugged individual with military bearing. At least that was the
way he struck me. Very impressive guy. Frank, loud, gruff speech. Almost overbearing
- particularly to a smaller fellow such as myself. He liked me, I could tell. And
I liked him. A mutual respect. At coin sales, seldom were we in the same room at
the same time, although we attended many of the same sales. My coins were always
at the beginning of the sale while his would be at the end. Both of us were on the
go. He did his, and I did mine. Businessmen interested in meeting, and completing
each objective. Whether we were collecting or negotiating business made no difference;
the attitude was always the same.
So our early meetings were happenstance, never planned. I doubt we ever had a cup
of coffee together. Still, as we began to cross paths more often, we began to exchange
ideas. Particularly on the economy, the stock market (it has always been an indicator
of the economy and its direction) and most important, the changing aspects of the
coin market. We were both cognizant of the advantages of a weak coin market and the
opportunities that would beckon. Particularly when over-zealous dealers with heavy
inventories had to liquidate. Harry knew his values. We were always ready to pounce
when an advantageous acquisition became available. All weak markets present opportunities,
and Harry being the astute gentleman that he was, was always ready to seize
the moment and make the deal. He bargained when the opportunity presented itself,
but was always ready to pay up when he knew the value was there. I got many good
lessons from him.
One day in the main lobby of the ANS, we chance met and stopped to chat. He had just
finished with an ANS Council meeting. That was long, before I became a member of
the ANS Council. After the usual salutations, we got down to some earnest numismatic
discussion. The IRS had been making waves regarding coin sellers. Dealers were treated
differently than investors. For dealers, sales were ordinary income but for investors,
if the proper holding period was met, transactions were subject to long term capital
gains tax. Long term capital gains was far more preferred since that tax rate was
much lower. Harry cautioned me that being a "collector" might still be
disadvantageous. I took his advice to heart and from that day forward, to my accountant,
I am an investor. To my contemporaries in numismatics, I'm still a collector. I passed
Harry's words on to my friends, and we all benefited thereby.
Harry was a good friend to those who would listen. Never one to hold back but free
with his wisdom and ready to share his knowledge - economic or numismatic. I'll miss
him. He was a good person.