Numismatic Crime Information Crime Bulletin/Alert

The South St. Paul Minnesota Police Department is investigating the September 26, 2010 vehicle burglary of coin dealer Lee Orr. At approximately 2:10pm in the afternoon the victim was loading his vehicle preparing to leave a local coin show in South St. Paul.

When the victim walked back inside the show to retrieve the last of his inventory two white male suspects smashed the windows in his vehicle and removed two cases of coins.

The following is a partial list of coins;
GOLD COINS: 2 1895 $20 Lib Au/Bu Raw 1 1896 $20 Lib Au/Bu Raw 2 1897-S $20 Lib Au/Bu Raw 1 1900 $20 Lib Au/Bu Raw 1 1901 $20 Lib Au/Bu Raw 1 1904 $20 Lib Au/Bu Raw 1 1906 $20 Lib Au/Bu Raw D or S 1 1907 $20 Lib Au/Bu Raw D or S 7 1908 $20 Saint Au/Bu Raw 3 1910-S $20 Saint Au/Bu Raw 1 1913 $20 Saint AU Raw 1 1913-D $20 Saint AU Raw 1 1914-S $20 Saint Au/Bu Raw 1 1915-S $20 Saint Au/Bu Raw 4 1922

DOLLARS: 1 1903-S $1 NGC MS62 White 2 1903-O $1 PCGS MS63 White 1 1901-S $1 PCGS MS64 White 1 1894 $1 VF/XF Raw 1 1893-S $1 PCGS VG original 1 1892-CC $1 AU Raw – White Dipped out. 1 1885-S $1 PCGS MS63 White

HALF DOLLARS – CENTS: 1 1806 50c ANACS VF30 Deep Gray toning with blue between rims & stars 1 1806 50c VF Raw 1 1808/7 50c AU Raw 1 1809 50c AU Raw 1 1811 50c AU Raw 1 1839-O 50c XF/AU Raw – Cleaned & retoned 1 1872-CC 50c VF/XF Raw – Cleaned & retoned 1 1923-S 25c XF40 Raw 1 1896-S 25c AG Raw 2 1896-S 25c Good Raw 1 1913-S 25c Good Raw 1 1807 10c VF Raw – Obv 1 1812 1c AU Raw – Distinct Rim Nick showing bright copper color

4 Double Row Boxes Raw Collector Coins with many key dates 1 Double Row Box Slabs Dollars after 1880, Commemoratives, Gold.

Any dealer or collector having information regarding this offense should contact:
Det. Julie Bishop
South St. Paul PD
612-747-2409
Or
Doug Davis
Numismatic Crime Information Center
817-723-7231

The Numismatic Crime Information Center is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation established as a resource for dealers, collectors, victims and law enforcement during the investigation of a numismatic crime. All donations are tax deductible.

On April 2, 2010 the Numismatic Crime Information Center and several dealers in the Los Angeles California area were instrumental in assisting the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department in a dramatic arrest and recovery of $95,000 in rare Chinese gold coins.

Det. Lord with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department contacted the Numismatic Crime Information Center at Numismaticcrimes.org and requested assistance on an individual attempting to pawn six 1921 China Republic $1 gold coins for $20,000 a piece. Doug Davis Founder/President of NCIC contacted Det.Lord by phone and offered the services of the Numismatic Crime Information Center. While on the phone Det.Lord and other officers had the suspect under surveillance and Lord proceeded to explain the circumstances to Davis. Det. Lord advised Davis that they were in the process of taking down the suspect and would need assistance in identifying the coins. The suspect was arrested and the coins confiscated.

Det. Lord forwarded pictures of the coins to Davis which were housed in plastic 2×2’s and had stickers imprinted with a number and the name Sotheby’s on the outside. Concerned about the authenticity of the coins Davis contacted PNG dealer Robert Van Bebber to assist investigators. The coins were taken to Van Bebber and after examination he validated the authenticity of the coins. In addition, contact was made with Sotheby’s who identified the coins as being those sold in a 1986 auction.

Although there had been an arrest and the coins recovered no victim had been identified. Davis contacted several dealers in the southern California area who specialize in world coins to determine the potential identity of the victim. No one could provide any information on the offense. During the course of the investigation an informant advised investigators that the suspect had burglarized several businesses in the Los Angeles area and showed them the locations. Investigators contacted one of the business owner‘s who identified the coins. The victim had bought the coins for $25,000 in a 1986 Sotheby’s auction and did not know they had been stolen.

“This is the first case we have investigated involving coins and the resources provided by the Numismatic Crime Information Center were invaluable in the successful conclusion”, said Det. Lord. The suspect a known felon was charged with several burglaries and faces life in prison. (more…)

La Verne, CA police are investigating the burglary of coin dealer Don Hauser.The loss included a large amount of U.S and foreign gold coins. One suspect is in custody and additional arrests are pending . It is believed the suspects are attempting to sell the coins in the southern California area. Additional information including a list of stolen coins can be viewed on the Numismatic Crime Information Center’s website at www.numismaticcrimes.org.

New York Gold Mart in Manhasset, NY has reported the loss of a 1922 $20 NGC Die Adjustment Strike. The coin was sent via Express mail and never made it to the addressee in Colorado. The coin came out of the Heritage’s February 2009 sale, lot 2280 with serial number 3254046-001. Any dealer or collector with information concerning this coin should contact: Ron Karp 516-365-5465 New York Gold Mart info@nygm.com Or Doug Davis 817-705-4450 Doug@numismaticcrimes.org.

The Columbus Ohio attorney for the leader of a multimillion-dollar burglary ring has turned over more than $1 million in stolen coins and cash to Franklin County prosecutors. Sam Shamansky gave prosecutors rare coins, silver ingots, gold coins and a $1,000 bill on behalf of his client, Kenneth Koon, on Thursday, said Prosecutor Ron O’Brien. [ Read Full Article]