Collector Highlight: Allen Ross

Collectors of early American copper coinage are generally studious, passionate folks who dedicate years searching for just the right pieces to add to their collections. Many also devote countless hours to researching their specific area of early American copper coinage, which spans from the early colonial era into the nation’s formative years. And such pursuits require a curious mind. Enter Allen Ross, a renowned collector of United States large cents who started his numismatic journey drawn to Morgan Dollars – the heavily romanticized silver cartwheels of the Old West.

Ross eventually staked a claim in large cents after a serendipitous social encounter. “Dennis Tarrant, a coin dealer and the father of my son’s friend, noticed I had an 1848 Large Cent,” says Ross. “He introduced me to The Die Varieties of United States Large Cents 1840-1857 by John R. Grellman and taught me how to use the Date Position Reference Numbers (DPRNs). His guidance sparked my fascination with attributing late-date varieties.”

Before long, Ross became a member of the Early American Coppers, the preeminent numismatic society for those who pursue coins like United States large cents. His research contributions to the organization’s census data became a full-blown passion for Ross, who went all in on diestate collecting.

“The challenge of attributing late dates became addictive,” he says. “I started focusing on Newcomb varieties. Over time, I became interested in die state progressions and unattributed rare varieties became one of the most rewarding parts of the hobby.” Ross cites the challenges of collecting the niche that fuels his interest. “While a couple dozen people have claims to complete the early date (1793-1814) collections by Sheldon Numbers, no one has yet completed the late dates by variety.” This is not to say that late dates are Ross’ only focus. “Though I started with late-date large cents, my focus eventually expanded to include early dates, especially those from 1794.”

Citing a litany of influential individuals in his field, Ross remarks on the pursuits of the late Walter Husak, who – like Ross – was heavily involved with building legendary sets of United States large cents. Husak, founder of the Liberty Cap Foundation, owned the gamut of large cent rarities, including those from 1794. Among Ross’ favorite coins is the 1794 S-67, whose die defect appears as tears dripping from Liberty’s eye.

A true collector’s collector, Ross has dedicated years to better understanding large cents and enjoys sharing his knowledge with others. Along with his contributions to the research database for the Early American Coppers group, Ross has also helped update a recent edition of The Die Varieties of United States Large Cents 1840-1857, a seminal reference by John R. Grellman, Jr.

Collecting large cents today helps provide Ross with a unique perspective on current affairs in the numismatic world that pertain to the modern cent, the production of which is currently slated to be phased out in the coming months. “I believe the end of large cent production in 1857 helped ignite the original interest in the hobby,” Ross remarks. “Today, with inflation rising and electronic payments replacing pocket change, the U.S. cent’s demise is inevitable. As that chapter likely closes, I hope it inspires a renewed appreciation for these coins — and the history they carry.”