Jack Lee, 76, president of American Silver Dollars, Jackson Miss., died Sunday, Aug. 17.
Mr. Lee was an avid coin enthusiast. His collection of Morgan dollar circulation strikes from 1878-1921 made its way into the Professional Coin Grading Service Set Registry Hall of Fame.
“Jack Lee’s first great collection contained Morgan dollars (business strikes and proofs), Peace dollars, and Walkers and was assembled in the 1980s and early ’90s,” said Larry Shepherd, American Numismatic Association executive director. “It was considered one of the all time best collections at the time, and the standard by which all subsequent collections were judged. Jack sold the collection in the 1990s.
“However, always the collector, Jack immediately started building another set, even re-buying and selling many of his ‘Lee I’ coins - sometimes over and over again. His second collection was sold five years later, and Jack Lee II pedigreed coins are still avidly sought after as are the Jack Lee I.
“Finally Jack put together a third collection which culminated in the Jack Lee III sale by Heritage at the Palm Beach Signature sale in November 2005. A truly amazing legacy. “
Mr. Lee was in the process of completing a Lincoln cent set and had recently obtained the No. 2 slot in the PCGS Set Registry behind Stewart Blay.
Mr. Lee is survived by his wife, Mary Katherine Lee, Brandon, Miss.; three sons, six grandchildren and four sisters.
Memorials may be made in his name to Christ United Methodist Church Building Fund, 6000 Old Canton Road, Jackson, Miss. 39211.
