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Thos. H. Law
Most of the coins on display in the "Una and the Lion" exhibit are
from the collection of Thos. H. Law. (Although he goes by "Tom" or
"Thomas," Law spells his name "Thos." in keeping with family tradition).
His interest in numismatics began as a young boy when his father allowed
him to keep the Indian Head cents he picked from circulation. Young Tom
later became acquainted with famed Ft. Worth, Texas coin dealer B. Max
Mehl, from whom he bought many coins. Law's service on an aircraft
carrier in the Pacific during World War II led to a life long interest
in traveling; he has journeyed to more than 80 countries, usually buying
gold coins in each.
Now recognized as one of the most prolific and successful numismatic
exhibitors of all time, Law's first exhibit (at the ANA Convention in
1986) failed to win an award. Learning from this experience, he
carefully observed and made notes regarding winning exhibits, and also
consulted and corresponded with the chief judge and chairman of the ANA
Exhibit Committee. His next exhibits, in 1988 and 1989, each received a
blue ribbon for Best-of-Class. The following year he won the Howland
Wood Memorial Award for Best-of-Show. Eventually, he collected 10 blue
ribbons for Best-of-Class and 5 for Best-of-Show. By comparison, only
one other exhibitor has ever won Best-of-Show more than once and none
more than twice.
Law is a practicing attorney in the Ft. Worth firm of Law, Snakard
& Gambill, of which he was president and now is of counsel. He has
won numerous other awards besides those garnered in the numismatic world
including: Outstanding Attorney in Ft. Worth; Business Executive of the
Year; Ft. Worth's Outstanding Citizen; Distinguished Alumnus of the
University of Texas; and the National Humanitarian Award given by the
Jewish Hospital and Asthma Center.
With this, his final exhibit, Law officially retires from numismatic
exhibiting. In December, 2001, he sold his fabulous collection of
non-British coins at an auction by Stack's, retaining only some 500
English gold coins, including those on exhibit in this gallery. The
collection has been pronounced the third best and most comprehensive
collection of British gold in the world, behind that of the British
Museum and a private collection held in Belgium. The 104 gold coins
displayed here include some of the rarest English coins in the world,
plus many of Law's personal favorites.
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