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]

(Fallbrook, California) – The Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) is offering rewards for information leading to the recovery of rare coins and paper money stolen in a half dozen, seemingly-related burglaries from the offices of Southern California rare coin dealers. PNG also is offering security advice for dealers to protect themselves and their inventory.

“The ‘M.O.’ (modus operandi) appears virtually the same in each of the six recent thefts: they occurred on Sundays when the dealers’ offices were closed, and the thieves scrambled in and out in under two minutes,” said Robert Brueggeman, PNG Executive Director.

“They scooped up whatever looked valuable from desktops or shelves. Even though they usually could not break into a safe in that short amount of time, they still got away with hundreds of thousands of dollars in rare coins, bullion pieces and bank notes.”

PNG and two victimized PNG dealers, Kevin Lipton of Beverly Hills and Numismatic Emporium of Woodland Hills, are jointly offering rewards totaling $20,000 for information that successfully leads to recovery of their stolen numismatic items.

Burglars also broke into the offices of PNG member Barry Stuppler of Woodland Hills, and dealers Mark Chrans of Malibu and Joel Malter of Encino. A sixth Southern California dealer who recently was burglarized has requested anonymity. (more…)

(Fallbrook, California) – Officials of the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG), a non-profit organization composed of the nation’s top rare coin dealers, are advising consumers that recently offered “coins” honoring President-elect Barack Obama should be considered only as souvenirs and not be viewed as rare coins or an investment.

“All of the items we’ve seen offered so far on television and online are merely political mementos that certainly may be enjoyable as a keepsake, but typically will have little or no re-sale value later in the mainstream numismatic market. Privately-produced items are not legal tender U.S. coins. In cases where a marketer has altered an actual U.S. coin after it left the Mint, such as putting a sticker with Obama’s picture on it, knowledgeable collectors usually consider that to be merely defacing the coin,” said Gary Adkins of Edina, Minnesota, PNG President.

“Some of the so-called ‘Obama coins’ are layered or plated with a microscopically-thin layer of gold with the implication that they are potentially valuable bullion items. However, there usually is precious little precious metal value to plated pieces. Beware of bogus bargains,” Adkins cautioned.

In the PNG’s consumer protection pamphlet, “What You Should Know Before You Buy Rare Coins,” the section on modern coins advises: “If you like the subject theme represented by these coins, admire the beauty of the design or would like to own them as a souvenir or to show support for their particular cause, by all means buy them. But if your goal is capital appreciation or making a profit, you’re better off avoiding this type of material.” (more…)