Byron Reed Collection
Encyclopedia
The Byron Reed Collection features rare books, manuscripts, autographs and coins that are located at the Durham Museum
in Omaha, Nebraska
. According to experts, "Byron Reed
was one of the greatest collectors of the 19th century," with a reputation as a numismatist that is "largely unrecognized." Reed began collecting in the 1870s, continuing until he died in 1891.
A corresponding member of the American Numismatic and Archaeological Society of New York, Byron Reed was a pioneer
real estate businessman who was regarded as an "industrious" collector. His coin collection is still thought to be one of the most complete in the United States
, and includes numerous Jewish and Roman coins, as well as an almost perfect compilation of coinage of the U.S. from colonial times through the 1890s. In 1999 the Reed 1804 Dollar was labeled the "King of American Coins."
. His collection is considered to include one of the largest numismatic libraries in the Midwestern United States
. According to experts, the library is probably the last one formed in the 19th century to remain intact.
and the Omaha Public Library
. Today the Byron Reed Collection is in the care of and on display at the Durham Western Heritage Museum in Omaha. According to Larry Wilson, a historian and numismatic researcher for the Independent Coin Grading Service, "The exhibit is an environmental museum where the visitors walk through a replication of the original Byron Reed Library. The coins are displayed in beautiful dark wooden cases that give the visitors the sense they are part of the exhibit. It gave me the feeling I was back in the 1880's sitting in Byron Reed's library examining his coins with him. The exhibit includes an abundance of historical information on Byron Reed and the times. I know visitors will be impressed with the quality of the exhibit and the magnificence of the coins displayed."
valued at $322,000. The 673 pieces of paper money
is worth $54,000, and the 2,850 books and documents in the collection total $975,000.
In 1996 the Omaha City Council
decided to sell portions of the Byron Reed Collection at auction. The sale, held at Christie's
in New York City, was held October 8 and October 9, 1996. All of the 562 lots offered were sold, for a total of $6.1 million.
Durham Museum
The Durham Museum is located at 801 South 10th Street in downtown Omaha, Nebraska. The museum is dedicated to preserving and displaying the history of the United States' western region...
in Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
. According to experts, "Byron Reed
Byron Reed
Byron Reed was an American pioneer real estate businessman and local politician in Omaha, Nebraska. He founded the first real estate office in the Nebraska Territory and became the foremost agent after Nebraska achieved statehood.-Biography:Reed was born in Darien, Genesee County, New York...
was one of the greatest collectors of the 19th century," with a reputation as a numismatist that is "largely unrecognized." Reed began collecting in the 1870s, continuing until he died in 1891.
About
In the late 19th century, Omaha real estate agent Byron Reed gradually put together a stunning collection of coins, documents, books, maps, and other items of great historical importance. Upon his death in 1891, Reed gave his collection to the city of Omaha and it is now housed at The Durham Museum. Significant portions of Reed's collection are on exhibit; of special interest is the "Treasures Cabinet," containing Reed's specimen of the 1804 Dollar. http://www.durhammuseum.org/learn/collections/byron-reed.aspx Retrieved 5/13/10.A corresponding member of the American Numismatic and Archaeological Society of New York, Byron Reed was a pioneer
Founding figures of Omaha, Nebraska
The following people were founding figures of Omaha, Nebraska. Their period of influence ranges from 1853 through 1900. Many in this group were members of the Old Settlers' Association and/or the Omaha Claim Club...
real estate businessman who was regarded as an "industrious" collector. His coin collection is still thought to be one of the most complete in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and includes numerous Jewish and Roman coins, as well as an almost perfect compilation of coinage of the U.S. from colonial times through the 1890s. In 1999 the Reed 1804 Dollar was labeled the "King of American Coins."
Highlights
Reed's personal library includes numerous documents relevant to the founding of Omaha, as well as religious texts from the Middle AgesMiddle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
. His collection is considered to include one of the largest numismatic libraries in the Midwestern United States
Midwestern United States
The Midwestern United States is one of the four U.S. geographic regions defined by the United States Census Bureau, providing an official definition of the American Midwest....
. According to experts, the library is probably the last one formed in the 19th century to remain intact.
Display
After his death, the collection was willed to the City of OmahaGovernment of Omaha
The government of the City of Omaha, Nebraska consists of the Mayor of Omaha, the Omaha City Council and various departments of the City of Omaha, which in located in Douglas County, Nebraska. The city of Omaha was founded in 1854 and incorporated in 1857....
and the Omaha Public Library
Omaha Public Library
Omaha Public Library is a public library system for the city of Omaha, Nebraska. Originally founded in 1857, the library struggled for many years before formally forming in 1877. In 1895, the library became one of the first six in the nation to create a children's section...
. Today the Byron Reed Collection is in the care of and on display at the Durham Western Heritage Museum in Omaha. According to Larry Wilson, a historian and numismatic researcher for the Independent Coin Grading Service, "The exhibit is an environmental museum where the visitors walk through a replication of the original Byron Reed Library. The coins are displayed in beautiful dark wooden cases that give the visitors the sense they are part of the exhibit. It gave me the feeling I was back in the 1880's sitting in Byron Reed's library examining his coins with him. The exhibit includes an abundance of historical information on Byron Reed and the times. I know visitors will be impressed with the quality of the exhibit and the magnificence of the coins displayed."
Value
A recent assessment of the Byron Reed Collection valued the collection at $7,894,013. The collection includes 1,163 coins from the United States that are valued at $6,447,000. 693 coins from around the world coins are worth $95,000. There are 1,400 pieces of exonumiaExonumia
Exonumia are numismatic items other than coins and paper money. This includes "Good For" tokens, badges, counterstamped coins, elongated coins, encased coins, souvenir medallions, tags, wooden nickels and other similar items...
valued at $322,000. The 673 pieces of paper money
Paper Money
Paper Money is the second album by the band Montrose. It was released in 1974 and was the band's last album to feature Sammy Hagar as lead vocalist.-History:...
is worth $54,000, and the 2,850 books and documents in the collection total $975,000.
In 1996 the Omaha City Council
Omaha City Council
The City Council of Omaha, Nebraska is elected every four years on a nonpartisan basis. The next election will occur in 2009. Omaha has a strong mayor form of government. Members are elected by district...
decided to sell portions of the Byron Reed Collection at auction. The sale, held at Christie's
Christie's
Christie's is an art business and a fine arts auction house.- History :The official company literature states that founder James Christie conducted the first sale in London, England, on 5 December 1766, and the earliest auction catalogue the company retains is from December 1766...
in New York City, was held October 8 and October 9, 1996. All of the 562 lots offered were sold, for a total of $6.1 million.
External links
- The Byron Reed Collection at the Durham Western Heritage Museum