Tom Mulvaney

Tom Mulvaney began collecting coins at an early age. It began with Lincoln Cents but he quickly worked his way up to Silver Dollars by the time he was in high school. Soon after graduating from the University of Dayton in 1970 with a degree in Communications, he was employed by Paramount International Coin Corporation in Ohio where he worked until the early 1980’s. Later, he went on to work for many of the largest firms in the coin industry including Mid-American Rare Coin Auctions, Bowers and Merena Galleries and Whitman Publishing. Although most recognize Tom for his numismatic photography skills, he has also worked as a rare coin buyer, licensed auctioneer, advertising writer and consultant to many of the largest numismatic firms in the business.

Tom’s photography has appeared in dozens of the most popular numismatic reference books and catalogs. Recently, he photographed thousands of coins in the National Collection at the Smithsonian Institution for the Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins by Ron Guth and Jeff Garrett. This award winning book features photographs of virtually every known United States Gold Coin, including patterns! At Whitman Publishing, Tom was responsible for supplying and updating photographs in their dozens of popular numismatic references including the best-selling Guidebook of U.S. Coins, popularly known as the Red Book.

The highlight of his career came from 1996-1999 when he worked with noted numismatist and author, David W. Akers, on the sale of the famous John Jay Pittman Collection. Tom served as catalog photographer, numismatist and auctioneer for the three Pittman Auction Sales which realized a total of nearly $30 million. Two of the three Pittman catalogues were awarded the prestigious “Catalogue of the Year” Award presented by the Numismatic Literary Guild. Today, these catalogs are considered among the finest numismatic references ever published.

For many years, Tom has also volunteered at the American Numismatic Association’s Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs, Colorado where he teaches a week-long course in digital coin photography. In 2006, the A.N.A. awarded Tom their prestigious Medal of Merit Award for his contributions to this national association. At the 2009 Summer Seminar, he was further recognized with the presentation of the A.N.A. Presidential Award.

Tom is a Life Member (LM-3607) of the American Numismatic Association. He is also a member of the American Numismatic Society, Numismatic Literary Guild, Central States Numismatic Society, Florida United Numismatists, Liberty Seated Coin Club, Bluegrass Coin Club, and others.