David Blaess McDonald (1950-2019)


David McDonald, son of the late Arthur and Maxine Blaess McDonald, was born in Detroit on 3 March 1950. He began collecting coins at an early age, encouraged by his mother while the family was living in Newfoundland, where his father was stationed at the U.S. Naval Base Argentia. Canadian and Newfoundland coins were soon joined by U.S. coins as the collection grew. David earned a B.A. in political science from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, followed by an M.B.A. from Frostburg State University in Maryland. He became a pharmaceutical representative for Boehringer Ingelheim, retiring after thirty years of stellar service which included winning the company’s sales award an unprecedented five times.


In addition to collecting coins, David was interested in ski-ing, kayaking, and real estate. He also found an interest in historical maps, atlases and engravings, which became part of his business when he founded Westminster Rare Coins in 2005 after his retirement. His efforts always found the support of his family, his wife Patricia, whom he met at Gettysburg College, and their children Brooke, Melissa and Kelsey. Health concerns led to the closing of WRC in 2014.


David also collected Scottish coins and British tokens and medals. In 2004 Dix Noonan Webb had the pleasure of selling his collection of Scottish coins and tokens; he was also a friend and colleague of David Litrenta, whose token collection was offered in four DNW sales in 2005 and 2006. David died after a lengthy illness, on 9 February 2019.


Andy Singer


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