Laurel Kamper has been appointed Marketing Director of Rare Coin Wholesalers (RCW) of Irvine, California.

“Laurel has excellent experience in successful advertising and marketing in a half dozen business fields as well as trade shows. She’ll be a tremendous help in our efforts to keep our company in the forefront of the numismatic community, and to expand the awareness and enjoyment of rare coins with new audiences outside the usual hobby universe,” said Steven L. Contursi, RCW President.

Contursi generated international headlines in May when he sold his unique 1794 specimen Flowing Hair silver dollar for a record $7.85 million.

A native of New Jersey, Kamper is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Alabama with a major in advertising and a minor in English.

“I’m very excited to be working with the RCW team. We’ll be looking at fresh advertising and marketing strategies to educate new customers about the benefits of rare coins because they can be a great asset to an individual or investor. Keep an eye on RCW for upcoming announcements and a ‘new look’ in our print materials and web site,” said Kamper.

For additional information, contact Rare Coin Wholesalers, 8015 Irvine Center Dr., Suite 440, Irvine, California 92618. Phone: (800) 347-3250 or visit online at www.rcw1.com.

(Dana Point, California) — A previously unrecorded 1943-S Lincoln cent, erroneously struck on a bronze planchet and found in circulation by a teenaged collector over a half century ago, has been acquired by Rare Coin Wholesalers of Dana Point, California. The discovery coin now is certified as AU-53 by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.

“The coin was found in 1944 by Kenneth S. Wing Jr. of Long Beach, California who was assembling a set of Lincoln cents at the time,” said Steven L. Contursi, President of Rare Coin Wholesalers (www.RCW1.com).

Wing became a prominent Southern California architect who co-designed the Long Beach Arena in the late 1950s. He passed away in 1996.

“When his heirs recently asked me to examine the coin, I doubted it was genuine. But then I got a magnet and was surprised when the coin did not stick to it. So, on behalf of Mr. Wing’s heirs I submitted it for certification,” Contursi explained.

“It’s delightful and amazing there are still examples of great numismatic rarities to be ‘discovered’ and reported to the hobby.”

Contursi plans to publicly display the 1943-S bronze cent at various coin shows including the upcoming American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money® in Baltimore and the Long Beach Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo in September. To honor the memory of the coin’s finder and the family that owned it for 64 years, he requested that NGC include the notation on the encapsulation insert label, “Kenneth S. Wing Jr. Coll.” (more…)

Dana Point, California) – Rare Coin Wholesalers of Dana Point, California, one of the country’s largest numismatic dealerships, has created a new division for retail sales, Rare Coin Consultants of America. Former American Numismatic Association Executive Director, Christopher Cipoletti, has been named President of the subsidiary.

“Our company had more than $100 million in rare coin sales the past two years, and over 90 percent of those transactions were wholesale to other dealers. Our new division will focus on new markets and customers who are private collectors or people looking for alternative investment opportunities,” said Steven L. Contursi, President of Rare Coin Wholesalers.

“Chris Cipoletti is the ideal person to oversee Rare Coin Consultants of America. He’s knowledgeable about the numismatic marketplace; he’s a strategic, visionary thinker; entrepreneur and motivator.”

The new division will have a strong presence at financial services and investment trade shows.

“We’ll be working with financial planners and investment advisors as well as individuals. There are many people who are interested in collecting, such as fine art, but are not yet comfortable with their knowledge of numismatics. These are people who are looking for a strong investment vehicle that is fascinating to own while it produces returns,” said Cipoletti.

In addition to serving as ANA Executive Director for almost five years, Cipoletti is an accomplished attorney who received his Juris Doctor degree from Notre Dame Law School in 1986; created and presented leadership development and training seminars; is an active leader in many non-profit and civic organizations; and even owned and rejuvenated a Colorado inn and 150-seat restaurant. (more…)