Thefts at shows

Robert · Senior Member

CW article, page 3 of the July 19 edition talks of a briefcase allegedly stolen at the June 26 Mid-American Coin Expo near Chicago.

In it were $522,721 worth of coins, including:
1793 flowing hair chain cent, SEGS AU50
1794 flowing hair half dollar, SEGS AU50
two 1907 double eagles, SEGS MS64 and PCI MS64
1918/7-S SLQ, SEGS MS60
and a 1924-D buffalo nickel, SEGS MS66.

In the briefcase were a total of 149 coins. Of that bunch, 17 coins were "each worth $9,000 or more".

If you see these coins, you might want to call the cops.

Though I don't have to worry about losing half a million dollars in one briefcase, the story makes one aware that theft is a real threat. How do you prevent it?

From the article, the owner packed everything up as the show was winding down. He put the briefcase and another on a chair inside the booth, "near ____, with whom he was sharing the booth." The owner said to keep an eye on the briefcases. "When I got back, my briefcase was gone. He didn't see anybody take it and he was sitting right there. He was really beside himself...".

"I thought it was better behind the booth. I didn't want to carry it around."

Interestingly, the thief left the other briefcase, which had "abuot 300 coins of lesser value."

According to the owner, the police were not cooperative. The security guard said there was no security camera tape, but later said the "quality of the film was not clear". Another guard said there were no tapes. The owner of the briefcase said the officer didn't talk with witnesses.

The case is now "inactive", so the perp probably got away with it.

The coins were insured at $450,000 so the owner got back 80-85% of the value. He plans on "doubling" the insurance coverage later this year.

Makes you think.

Comments?

smed · Senior Member

Comments? Sure....

1a) It's an insurance scam.
and/or
1b) The guy is a complete moron and his "booth-mate" is a thief.

2) SEGS/PCI for those coins??????

3) Who in their right mind puts a half-mil on a chair and says "hey, watch that for me"?

Hmmm...