George P. French

An avid numismatist, French was best known to the numismatic community for his collection of large cents formed by him over a period of forty years.

This collection included practically all the known die varieties of large cents and consisted of 832 pieces, nearly every one of which was in uncirculated condition.

French's obituary in The Numismatist reported at the time that this collection of large cents had been sold around 1929 to B. Max Mehl, of Fort Worth, Texas, for around $50,000.00 (equivalent to $887,000 in 2023).

[4] A medal commemorating the founding of the Rochester Numismatic Association (RNA) and its first president, Dr. George P. French.

The medal includes a portrait of Dr. French and was created by Joseph A. Koeb, an employee of Bastian Brothers Company of Rochester and a charter member of the RNA as well as the club's first member-sculptor.