(New Orleans, Louisiana) – The unique 1844 proof gold Eagle, on display for three months at the Louisiana State Museum – Old U.S. Mint in New Orleans, helped attract a record of nearly 20,000 visitors during that time as part of the museum’s re-opening. 

The coin was displayed through the courtesy of its anonymous Florida owner with the help of Louisiana dealers Paul Hollis of Mandeville and Chuck Bloomfield of Baton Rouge who arranged for the homecoming exhibition.

Prior to returning the one-of-a-kind coin to the collector who paid $1.5 million for it in 2006, Hollis took the gold piece to Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal in Baton Rouge on February 17. Read the rest of this entry »

Rare coin dealer Paul Hollis will commemorate the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth and the 100th anniversary of the first Lincoln cent by giving away one million pennies — weighing 2.7 tons — throughout Louisiana.

(Mandeville, Louisiana) — Even in tough economic times, it’s hard to give away $10,000 – in pennies. 

To commemorate the 200th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s birth in 1809 and the 100th anniversary of the familiar Lincoln cent first issued in 1909, rare coin dealer Paul Hollis of Mandeville, Louisiana will give away a million Lincoln cents in public places throughout Louisiana between Lincoln’s birthday, February 12, and February 24 at the Argus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans. 

But it’s been harder than anticipated, and not just because the million one-cent denomination coins weigh about 5,500 pounds. Read the rest of this entry »

1,000 Adams Dollars Given to Adams School Students

(Metairie, Louisiana) – More than 1,000 encapsulated John Quincy Adams presidential dollar coins were given free to students at the John Quincy Adams Middle School in Metairie, Louisiana in honor of the school’s principal on January 20, 2009. 

The gift was presented by coin dealer Paul Hollis of Mandeville, Louisiana, who attended the suburban New Orleans school two decades ago.

"One of my greatest educational experiences was the gifted and talented program at Adams, and I have always wanted to do something to express my gratitude," Hollis said.

The mix of proof and high-grade mint state coins were encapsulated by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.  They were distributed with certificates explaining the historical significance of the coins and also congratulating school principal, Dr. Cheryl Milam, who was named "2008 Principal of the Year" by the Louisiana Department of Education.  The certificates were printed for Hollis by Crane & Co. Read the rest of this entry »

(New Orleans, Louisiana) – The 1844-O proof Eagle, a one-of-a-kind gold coin struck at the New Orleans Mint 164 years ago, has returned "home" to the Louisiana State Museum – Old U.S. Mint with the help of New Orleans coin dealer, Paul Hollis. 

The unique, $10 denomination gold piece apparently was specially struck as a presentation piece, and over the decades it’s been in the famous coin collections of a former U.S. Treasury Secretary and an early 20th century Chicago beer baron.

It is certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation as Proof-65 Ultra Cameo, and now insured for $2.5 million for an upcoming exhibition.

"This coin is certainly among the most important Southern gold coins ever struck, combining rarity, beauty, technical quality and a fascinating story," said Mark Salzberg, NGC Chairman. 

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(Mandeville, Louisiana) – Nationally-known rare coin dealer Paul Hollis, 36, of Mandeville, Louisiana will formally announce his candidacy for the Republican Party’s nomination for the United States Senate on May 12.  A number of prominent numismatists are on his campaign committee, such as John Albanese, Jeff Garrett, Paul Montgomery and Douglas Winter. 

Hollis began collecting coins at the age of six after receiving a Peace dollar from his grandmother.  In recent years, millions of viewers watched him on air when he hosted “The Coin Vault” television program on the Shop at Home network, and he also is known by many collectors and dealers from his earlier work as chief numismatist at Blanchard and Company in New Orleans. 

A political science graduate of Louisiana State University, he is the owner of Paul Hollis Rare Coins in Mandeville, Louisiana.  In addition to rare U.S. numismatic items, he specializes in ancient coins that circulated during the lifetime of Jesus Christ. 

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