(1105c) Mexican Numismatic Profiles: Volume 3 Issue 11: Last Revision: 03/31/08

Great Mexican Numismatic Writers & Historians:

Richard G. Doty: America's Great Numismatic Writer  

Who Is Richard Doty?

Few people in numismatics, especially Mexican Numismatics, know Richard Doty, and still fewer know the full impact he has made on our hobby. Doty is a prolific numismatic researcher and writer. He is also the man-in-charge of the National Coin Cabinet of The Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC. But did you know he is also a serous collector of Mexican Coins?

I have only met Richard once in my life, at a Smithsonian Institute sponsored Coinage of the Americas Conference in San Antonio Texas, many years ago. But over the years I have had more than a few written communications (BI), emails (AI), and phone conversations with him. His personality and helpfulness makes me feel like he is a close friend that lives a long way away because he is so candid. Once he called me, asking to borrow some photos of a few of the Chihuahua and Guanajuato 8 Reales in my collection. Little did he know I didn't have any; I sent him the coins instead. Upon receiving them he immediately called saying he couldn't believe I sent the coins to him. I asked, "Why Not? You are researching and writing something that will help Mexican coin collectors, right?" Since then he has helped me many times, over the years, answering my questions and supplying me with priceless information. He always goes out of his way to help others, and believe me this nice in today's world.

Richard the Numismatic Researcher

During one phone conversation, long ago, Richard told me the life of a researcher/writer was a lonely but happy existence. Long hours of research also has many drawbacks. Traveling away from home, for months at a time, poring through mounds of old books, mint records, thousands of letters, and reports takes its toll without family and friends. You see he is the consummate researcher; he personally digs through the archives and does his own basic research leaving no rock unturned, and not leaving the grunt work to others. Through his research and writing we have a better understanding of Mexico during the turbulent years after the War of Impendence and what was happening in the Republican Mints. Thanks Richard, for your endless hours of research in England!

But if you note the books listed below that Doty has authored or edited, you can see he has also contributed even more to the study of US numismatics.   

Richard the Numismatic Writer

Richard Doty has written and/or edited a number of great numismatic books, plus hundreds of papers about coins and paper money for the ANS, Smithsonian, numerous coin clubs, coin societies, and numismatic publications:

We have a book review of The Soho Mint & the Industrialization of Money (06b) and a reprint of A Mint For Mexico: Boulton, Watt And The Guanajuato Mint (603). Richard graciously allowed us to supply the readers of Mexican Coin Magic with this paper he produced for British Numismatic Journal in 1986. To my knowledge this is the only time this paper has been published in the USA. Both are wonderful reading and highly informative.

The only negative comment I have about or with Richard's writing is the lack of more material about Mexican Numismatics! Believe me, Doty knows much more about the field of Mexican Numismatics than he has already shared with us. Richard we need more, get your mighty pen busy. 

Richard the Keeper of the Cabinet

Doty has lived a dream life, for a coin collector. He has been the curator of the two most prestigious coin collections in the United States. First, at the American Numismatic Society in New York, and now at The Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC. Talk about a great job for a coin collector! Richard has assured me, in our conversations, that the field of Mexican Numismatics is where his first love of coins lies. But one has to wonder what he feels when surrounded by all of the other fantastic rarities in The National Numismatic Collection on a daily basis?

Richard the Mexican Coin Collector

Doty collects Mexican coins, and has for many years. His prime interest might be considered to be slightly out of the mainstream; he is a Mexican Coin Freak for State coppers and miss-struck 8 Reales. Many years ago, before I knew Richard I often went to Washington DC on business; no more do I travel there. But I still fantasize of visiting Richard one day, and finally seeing all of those wonderful residents of the National Numismatic Collection.

A Final Note

Richard G. Doty received his doctorate in Latin American Studies, with his dissertation about Mexican history in 1968. He taught at several universities, then went to work at the American Numismatic Society, and later at the Smithsonian Institute. He is the author of eight books and two hundred articles, nearly all of them on numismatics. He is also the past President of the International Committee of Money and Banking Museums. He currently lives in Washington DC.

When I spoke to Richard, to verify details of this profile, he assured me he still was collecting and doing research in his selected areas of Mexican Numismatics. He also wanted me to pass along his new email address and post his name and areas of interest in the MCM Collectors Directory. He would to like to hear from other collectors with interests similar to his own. Richard's email address is DotyR@si.edu

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