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The Hawk’s Hidden Hobby: Andre Dawson—MLB icon and avid coin collector
Baseball Hall of Famer Andre Dawson is widely regarded for his remarkable career spanning 21 seasons, most notably with the Montreal Expos and the Chicago Cubs.
Known as “Hawk” for his keen eye and athletic prowess, Dawson was an eight-time All-Star, a National League MVP, and an eight-time Gold Glove winner. His induction into the Hall of Fame in 2010 cemented his legacy as one of the sport’s greats. While his achievements on the field are well-documented, fewer people are aware of his passion for coin collecting, a hobby he pursued alongside his baseball career.
In September 1998, Jeff Pritchard, a Liberty Seated Collectors Club member, had the opportunity to acquire two Liberty Seated quarters (an 1863 MS66 and an 1882 MS67) from Heritage’s auction of the Andre Dawson Collection. Recently, he decided to look back at Dawson’s career and collection. In an article written for the newsletter, E-Gobrect titled Great Ball Player—Great Collector: Reflections on the Andre Dawson Collection, recalled "Hawk's" prolific career and his passion for collecting.
At the time of the auction, Dawson had just retired from an illustrious 22-year MLB career, which was marked by impressive achievements, including 438 home runs, 1,591 RBIs, 314 stolen bases, and eight All-Star appearances. These stats reflect his extraordinary skill and dedication on the field.
Dawson’s resilience was equally remarkable. Throughout his career, he endured 12 knee surgeries, all before the advent of noninvasive arthroscopic techniques. His ability to persevere through such physical challenges is a testament to his toughness, determination, and deep love for the game. This dedication earned him a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010, a fitting recognition of his outstanding contributions to the sport.
However, Dawson was not only a baseball legend but also an accomplished coin collector. His involvement in coin collecting has allowed him to connect with a different kind of fanbase. The quarters Pritchard purchased from Dawson's collection were just a fraction of his beautiful, high-quality set, which included 24 Liberty Seated pieces.
Many of Dawson’s coins remain among the finest known examples. His collection featured several outstanding condition census pieces, such as an 1869 Half-Dime graded MS68 by NGC, an 1859 Half-Dime graded PF67 by NGC, an 1874 Dime (with Arrows) graded MS68 by NGC, an 1854 Quarter (with Arrows) graded MS67 by NGC, an 1854 Half-Dollar (with Arrows) graded PF66 by NGC, and an 1863 Dollar graded MS67 by NGC.
For Dawson, coin collecting has been more than just a hobby; it is a lifelong passion that has given him a unique perspective on history and value. He believes that each coin tells a story, much like his own journey from a small-town athlete to a Hall of Famer.
His commitment to both his collection and the sport of baseball exemplifies how one can excel in one's professional life while nurturing personal interests that enrich one's understanding of the world. Through coin collecting, Dawson has not only preserved pieces of history, but he has also created his own legacy as a collector, much like he did as a legendary player in Major League Baseball.
According to Pritchard, Dawson and his wife now own the Paradise Memorial Funeral Home in Miami, with a staff of 16. He has made a name for himself not just as an exceptional outfielder and successful entrepreneur but also as a shrewd collector who, in the process of assembling an outstanding coin collection, has granted his collection an unforgettable provenance along the way.
Resource:
Pritchard, J. (2024, September). Great Ball Player—Great Collector: Reflections on the Andre Dawson Collection. E-Gobrect #236, pp. 13-16.
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Kele Johnson is the Digital Content Editor of the Collectibles Group at AIM Media. She has a fondness for mid-century ceramics, glass, and atomic design, walking a thin line between collector and hoarder. She has never met a swung vase, Tiki mug, or Shag print she didn’t want to add to her cache. While not a sports collector beyond the odd jersey or snap back cap, she is an avid Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys fan. Kele has been researching, writing, and editing in the collectibles field for several years. Reach her at kelejohnson@aimmedia.com.
