The Great Collector

A tribute to the late Mr Mark Rosner, of Phoenix, USA.

I first came into contact with mark over three years ago when he bid on a couple of Wreath Crowns I was offering for auction. He didn't win them but somehow, and I don't remember how, we started emailing each other about coin related things and we directed each other to our websites. On his website he was selling a number of high quality modern British coins. Among them was the legendary 1934 Crown and I mentioned to him that I knew someone who would probably want to buy that coin.

Soon after, I quickly realised how intelligent Mark was, because within a short time he had found out Dorian Dandridge (the Buyer and my best customer) had purchased the other Wreath crowns from me, and come to the absolutely correct conclusion that Dorian was the person who would be interested in the 1934 Crown! Needless to say Mark and Dorian did the deal without me being involved, Mark said he owed me one and we remained friends.

We had remained in contact off and on over the last three years but it was not until 2003 that we had the idea of working together more formally, and we drew up a plan whereby I advertise all his British coins on this website and in return get a small commission on any sales. The website was rising up the rankings and I thought it would be great to increase my stock levels on the site. He thought it beneficial to expose the coins to a larger mostly European audience and this scheme had moderate success.

All the communications I had with Mark were always humourous and well mannered. I never met Mark personally but counted him as a very good business friend. We would also discuss current events of the day and I was always interested to get his highly respected opinion. He was clever, witty and it brings me great sadness in writing this. I will miss him.

The last I heard from Mark was an email on Thursday 12th June, telling me that he would be posting a 1934 Crown I had sold for him on Monday 16th June. Ironically the same coin that our first contact three years ago was about! Wednesday 18th June arrived and I wondered why the usually very reliable Mark had not emailed to tell me whether the coin had been sent or not.

Later that day I got an email from Dorian who we also kept in touch with over the years telling me of Marks sudden passing in his early 50's due to a heart attack on Sunday 15th June 2003.

He was a great collector and I looked forward to visiting Phoenix one day to meet him. It brings me a great sorrow to know that will no longer be possible and my thoughts go out to his family and friends.

The British Wreath Crown series will always make me think of him and this page will remain here in his honour indefinitely.

Thankyou Mark, for all you did. RIP

Chris Perkins 18th June 2003.

If you were lucky enough to know Mark and would like to add something to this page please email me.