A tribute to André Langlois: A life dedicated to passion and excellence

By Gabriel Côté

The numismatic community mourns the loss of André Langlois, a prominent author, dealer and collector whose contributions to Canadian numismatics and beyond left an indelible mark.

Born on Dec. 17, 1954, André Langlois passed away on Dec. 14 at 7 a.m., just days before his 70th birthday, after a brief but aggressive battle with pancreatic cancer. He leaves behind a profound legacy and treasured memories for all who had the privilege of knowing him.

TWO DEEP PASSIONS:COINS AND CHESS

André Langlois was a man of many talents, but two great passions marked his life: coins and chess. As an organizer of international chess events in Montreal, he helped position the city and Canada as a central meeting place for the world’s top players.

These prestigious tournaments brought together amateurs and professionals in celebration of this demanding discipline. Among his proudest achievements was mentoring a student who attained an exceptional world junior ranking – a milestone that meant a great deal to him.

In numismatics, André’s contributions were equally remarkable. He authored the Guide for Grading Coins of Canada, published in 2015, a seminal work for Canadian numismatists. The guide, which sold more than 2,000 copies, standardized the grading of coin conditions across the country. A product of 10 years of meticulous research and collaboration, the book enabled collectors of all levels to better understand the nuances of grading and refine their expertise. True to his commitment to the numismatic community, André donated the rights to his book to the Association des numismates et philatélistes de Boucherville, ensuring proceeds would directly support local numismatic development.

A DEALER COMMITTED TO SERVING COLLECTORS

Since the 1970s, André was a cornerstone of coin shows across Canada. Always prepared from the opening to the closing of events, he viewed these gatherings as opportunities to share knowledge, promote education, and build trust among collectors. He travelled hundreds of kilometres to reach remote communities, offering rare, high-quality coins at accessible prices.

The Boucherville coin show held a special place in André’s heart. He never missed it, considering it a favourite meeting spot. Known for his precision and honesty, every coin he presented was carefully selected and accurately graded. His unshakable guarantee – willingly accepting returns without question – earned him immense respect from his clientele.

A history enthusiast, André enjoyed contextualizing the coins he presented, linking each detail to significant eras or events. This approach, combined with his integrity, made him a trusted authority in the numismatic industry.

A SCIENTIFIC MIND AND UNWAVERING INTEGRITY

André possessed a brilliant mind, particularly in mathematics. He pursued doctoral studies in the field but, considering his work imperfect, chose not to submit his thesis, despite his professor’s insistence on its merit. Later, he shared his knowledge as a university mathematics professor in Montreal for nearly two decades before embarking on a brief but successful career in life insurance.

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1 Comment

  • LN says:

    A true gentleman numismatist who did not waste his words in either official language. Always interesting and insightful. We were all lucky to spend time around Andre. RIP.

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