Ian Russell holding the world's most valuable coin - the legendary 1933 Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle

Ian Russell holding the world's most valuable coin - the legendary 1933 Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle.


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Ian Russell

This is the personal website of Ian Russell.

Occupation: President, GreatCollections Coin Auctions

Born: Sydney, NSW, Australia

Residence: Irvine, California, United States

Contact Ian: [email protected]

About Ian Russell

Ian has been involved in collectibles since a very young age, first working with a leading rare stamp dealer in Sydney on weekends while still at school. At Stanley Gibbons Australia, he learned more about the collectibles industry and specifically auctions. In 2001, after moving to the U.S. to further his career in coins and paper money, he joined Teletrade and Bowers & Merena, two of the leading coin auction houses located in California.

In 2010, Ian co-founded GreatCollections with his wife, Raeleen Endo. GreatCollections has fast become the powerhouse of weekly coin auctions in the United States, offering thousands of coins and banknotes every Sunday with annual sales in 2022 exceeding US$270 million.

In 2023, Ian launched MyCollect, the social media platform for coins and collectibles as well as TheftCheck, the industry’s database of stolen certified coins.

Ian was named ANA Harry Forman Dealer of the Year in 2023 and one of CoinWorld magazine’s Most Influential in Coins each year since their first list was compiled in 2021.

An avid squash player, Ian collects Australian paper money/coins, and also music memorabilia.
Ian is a super-fan of the Traveling Wilburys, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, FUN, Mozart and Roxette.

Numismatic Career Highlights

2023:

  • August: The Elite Collection of Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles to be displayed at the ANA World’s Fair of Money in Pittsburgh. It is the finest collection ever formed.

  • July: MyCollect launches as the social media platform for coins and collectibles, including competitive sets and inventory management. TheftCheck is also launched, as the industry’s central database of stolen coins.

  • May: GreatCollections auctions the finest 9 Leave 1795 Gold Eagle realizing $2.71 million.

  • March: The PNW Collection of Gold Eagles realizes over $4 million at GreatCollections, one of the most comprehensive collections of this series ever auctioned.

  • January: The Stewart Blay Collection of Lincoln Cents is auctioned by GreatCollections for $7.7 million, setting countless records. The 1958 Doubled Die Cent realizes $1.1 million.

2022:

  • July - GreatCollections acquires Koessl Collection of Matte Proof Gold, the finest set ever formed. The collection is displayed at the ANA’s World Fair of Money in Chicago.

  • GreatCollections appointed Official Auctioneer of the American Numismatic Association (ANA)

  • January - Ian negotiated to purchase America’s first silver dollar for a private client of GC - the 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar graded PCGS Specimen-66 CAC for $12 million, an all-time record for a silver coin, and second highest price ever for a rare coin.

2021:

About GreatCollections

GreatCollections is a full service auction house for rare coins and paper money. Founded in 2010 by Ian Russell and Raeleen Endo, GreatCollections has auctioned over 1.2 million certified coins and banknotes worth over $1 billion.

About MyCollect

MyCollect is the social media platform for coins and collectibles, including competitive sets and inventory management.

Memberships and Associations

Ian Russell, GreatCollections and/or MyCollect is a member of the following numismatic/auction organizations:

PNG, ANA, FUN, PCGS, NGC, CAC, ANACS, NAA, NLG

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