Someone did not have fun at the FUN show.

GarryN · Expert Member

Anyone see this story, or see this happen? It was apparentlly a Minnesota based dealer. Unidentified for now

"Masked Robbers Steal $4 Million in Rare Coins at Orlando Hotel"
Associated Press (01/10/07) ; Reed, Travis

"A coin dealer participating in a rare-coin convention in Orlando, Fla., was robbed at knifepoint of $4 million worth of extremely rare coins Saturday, police announced Wednesday. A witness said that three robbers armed with knives robbed the dealer in front of a hotel; the robbers blocked the dealer's vehicle with their own in front of the hotel, then held the dealer at knifepoint, warding off a bellman who tried to come to the dealer's aid. The robbers, who wore surgical masks and dark shirts with hoods, stole gold, silver, and copper coins from the dealer's vehicle and fled the scene in their own vehicle, which was followed by a black truck. Police are still hunting for the robbers and are examining surveillance tape to get a better idea of what happened. The stolen coins were insured, though police did not specify the amount. The dealer was in town for the Florida United Numismatists' annual convention, one of the largest of its kind. During last year's show, there were five different theft incidents in which a total of $450,000 of coins were stolen, though most of these thefts were car break-ins that occurred while dealers were inside restaurants. Due to those thefts, the convention increased its security measures this year."

coppercoins · Site Admin

I was staying just down the street from there. Scary stuff.

Matt Dinger · Advanced Member

seems to happen every year... my question was why did he have his coins with him in the middle of the show... it is much much safer to just leave them in the hall. The police are there all night. I guess he might have been leaving on Saturday.

wavysteps2003 · Expert Member

A lot of the dealers at the FUN show seem to start clearing out on Saturday. Guess they reserve Sunday as a travel day so that they can get to work on Monday. You are right though, the second time in two years that this has happened.

WAVYSTEPS2003 aka BJ Neff

GarryN · Expert Member

They should be loading and unloading in an inside dock area. And a guy with that much inventory should have his own security around that car. I dont get it.