Remembering B. Michael Thorne, Ph.D., Esteemed Numismatic Writer and Scholar

B. Michael Thorne, Ph.D.

Mike Thorne died on October 12 of a heart attack at his home in Starkville, Miss. He grew up in Shreveport, La., attained three degrees from Louisiana State University ('64, '67, '69), and was Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Mississippi State University.

Mike retired from MSU in 2002 but continued to teach part-time until 2009, when he ended his 40-year teaching career. He was an animal researcher, his department's graduate coordinator, the editor of a psychology journal, the author of 87 research articles, and four psychology textbooks.

He began collecting coins with his father in 1953. Mike was a member of the ANA since 1971 and the Numismatic Literary Guild since 1980. He was a Heritage Auctions Legacy Client and had several PCGS and NGC registry sets.

He became a numismatic editor in 1977 and wrote 1,000+ articles in the numismatic periodicals Coins, Numismatic News, COINage, and The Numismatist. He began the column "Basics and Beyond" in Coins in 1985 and continued it in Numismatic News until his death.

Mike had a part-time mail-order business from 1975 to 1985. He bought and sold coins on eBay, appraised coins, and helped people dispose of inherited coin accumulations.

He is survived by Wanda Thorne, his wife of 61 years, two children, and three grandchildren.

Note from the Editor

Mike was one of the first contributing authors I had the pleasure of working with when I joined the numismatic team. As someone new to the world of coins, he never hesitated to share his knowledge or answer my many questions.

His passing is a great loss to the numismatic community. Mike’s work and presence touched people across all facets of his profession, both in numismatics and out, and he will be deeply missed. On behalf of Numismatic News and our sister publications, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.