Matthew A. Stickney was born at Rowley Massachusetts on September 23, 1805. His childhood collection consisted of nearly 2,000 birds eggs that he acquired by the age of 10. Stickney was employed by the firm of Sawyer & Pierce, dealers in West India goods. He retired from this position in 1854. His coin collecting interest began at about age 18. He had a good relationship with Eckfeldt and DuBois at the Mint and was able to acquire needed items from them, in trade. These included an 1804 dollar. He was a member of the ANS. Stickney died at his home in Salem, Massachusetts on August 11, 1894. His collection was sold several years later by Henry Chapman in June 1907, one of his first important sales after he and his brother parted company.