(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…)

The Santa Clara Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo to be held on April 10 - 13, 2008, will be displaying the finest 1915-S Panama-Pacific International Exposition 5 coin set known.

The historic coins and accompanying documents related to the famous 1915 exposition will be exhibited by Steven L. Contursi of Rare Coin Wholesalers of Dana Point, California.

The display includes the original Shreve & Co. copper and glass frame and original box that housed the coins when they were sold. In addition a $200 invoice to a buyer in Kansas dated July 29, 1915, signed by Farran Zerbe, chief of the Coin and Medal Department for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, along with the June 8, 1940, signed letter and $575 invoice from Texas dealer, B. Max Mehl, who resold the set to a Los Angeles buyer.

The coins in the set in the exhibit are certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation as follows:

• 1915-S silver half dollar, NGC Mint State 66
• 1915-S gold dollar, NGC MS-67
• 1915-S gold $2.50 quarter eagle, NGC MS-67
• 1915-S gold $50 octagonal coin, NGC MS-65
• 1915-S gold $50 round coin, NGC MS-67

“The octagonal $50 denomination gold coin is one of five superb condition Panama-Pacific gold and silver San Francisco Mint coins that were registered by Panama-Pacific officials as the sixth of only 24 complete coin sets produced for the event in 1915,” said Ronald J. Gillio, Expo General Chairman. “The ‘Pan-Pac’ set that will be displayed at the show includes the original $200 invoice, but the coins and their original copper and glass frame are valued today at about $700,000.” (more…)

An image of the finest known 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar, owned and frequently exhibited by Steven L. Contursi, President of Rare Coin Wholesalers of Dana Point, California, may appear on wine bottles. Contursi recently purchased the “Little Creek” estate vineyard in Napa Valley, California, and wants to use a photo of the Neil/Carter/Contursi dollar on the wine labels.

“In recent years this organically farmed vineyard annually has produced about 300 cases of an acclaimed ultra-premium Cabernet Franc blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. The 1794 dollar is an ultra-premium coin believed by many experts to be the very first silver dollar struck by the United States,” said Contursi.

The coin is graded PCGS Specimen-66, and insured for $10 million. It is on loan to the American Numismatic Association’s Edward C. Rochette Money Museum, and will be exhibited at the ANA World’s Fair of Money® in Baltimore, July 30 – August 3, 2008.

The first bottles of Little Creek red wine produced by Contursi are expected to be released in 2011.