Coin dealers across the nation have become the latest victims of organized crime, facing targeted attacks following their attendance at coin shows. Considering the recent criminal activity within the past ninety days, the Numismatic Crime Information Center is issuing a warning to coin show dealers and promoters to remain vigilant and take proactive security measures.
Reports received by NCIC show a surge in brazen thefts indicating a disturbing pattern: after dealers participating in coin shows have fallen prey to orchestrated criminal activities. NCIC has been closely tracking the recent spike and analyzing similarities in coin show related offenses that have occurred across the country. Currently NCIC is assisting law enforcement agencies in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Texas, and Tennessee.
"Organized crime groups have been identified as the perpetrators," remarked Doug Davis, Founder and President for NCIC.
On August 17, 2024, two dealers traveling home together from the Tyler, Texas coin show stopped at Bucee’s travel center in Loxley, Alabama and while inside their vehicle was burglarized.
Witnesses observed three suspects driving a van pull up to the victim’s vehicle, break out the window and remove over $500,000 in coins and currency. Due to the quick response by police and an iPad located in one of the stolen bags police were able to track the suspects location only several miles away. Officers converged on the location and upon arrival found two vehicles and three suspects. Two suspects fled the scene but one was taken into custody.
Preliminary investigation revealed the suspect in custody was a Colombian National and the plates on both vehicles were stolen.
The targeted attacks have not only resulted in substantial financial losses for dealers but have also posed significant safety risks to dealers and collectors alike.
"We are gravely concerned that as the perpetrators actions become bolder and brazen the potential for violence escalates, putting the lives of dealers and collectors in danger," said Davis.
The aftermath of such incidents extends beyond mere monetary loss. Many dealers report emotional distress and a sense of vulnerability, fearing for their safety and the security of their businesses. The impact reverberates throughout the entire numismatic community, eroding trust and tarnishing the enjoyment of what is otherwise a cherished hobby and business.
Numismatic crime investigations are often complex and NCIC reaches out to law enforcement agencies who are actively investigating these crimes and provides additional investigative resources and expertise, recognizing the need for swift action to apprehend those responsible and stem the tide of criminal activity targeting coin dealers and collectors.
"NCIC is committed to partnering with law enforcement and the numismatic industry to confront this alarming trend," affirmed Doug Davis. "Together, we must remain vigilant and resilient in the face of these challenges, preserving the integrity of the numismatic industry."
In response to these developments, organizers of coin shows are urged to bolster security arrangements and provide a safe environment for dealers and attendees. Additionally, coin dealers and collectors are encouraged to remain cautious and report any suspicious activity to authorities promptly.
The numismatic community stands united in condemning these reprehensible acts and remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting the joy of numismatics while safeguarding the well-being of its members. NCIC encourages dealers and collectors to sign up for free email crime alerts at www.numismaticcrimes.org to stay informed of current criminal activities, trends, and patterns within the numismatic industry.
About NCIC
The Numismatic Crime Information Center (NCIC) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to serve as a national and international resource for collectors, dealers and law enforcement in the education, prevention and investigation of crimes involving coins, paper money, tokens, medals, and related numismatic items.
The success of the Numismatic Crime Information Center in "Targeting Numismatic Crimes Around the World" depends on the financial commitments of the numismatic community. All donations are tax deductible. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 14080 Arlington, Texas 76094 or www.numismaticcrimes.org.
Crime in America? I don’t believe it. At least the ‘Newcomers’ are coin collectors!
Ya, I don’t believe it either AND it’s going to get even better!! I’ll just leave it at that 😉
I HATE thieves, Period, End of Story!!! Be Vigilant, 24/7, while Home or NOT!!!
Well,Bob at least in Alaska hey likely go to jail, here in California usually probation, or early release, they even give someone convicted of Attempted Murder parole…..
Exodus 20: Verse 14 – Thou shall not steal.
Cut off their hands and send them home.
E 1,
Biblical Punishment!
Actually, Sam-I-am, the above-named punishment is from the Koran, not the Bible.
It’s too bad for the dealers just trying to make an honest living. And they ought to know better in this day and age.
Casing, smashing & grabbing is the easy way for the POS criminals.
One guy goes inside, while the other guy stays with the car. Armed, even with pepper spray and a whistle. It doesn’t need to be deadly, legal deterrents, but wouldn’t hurt either with those types of valuables at stake.
Not to mention, Rick, and I say this only partly if at all in jest, having the right vehicle.
I see the mint is offering free shipping if you pay out your ask for their silver dollars. Here’s a suggestion for the mint, how about you lower your premium fees to a reasonable amount. Ag is only $28 and change per oz after all.
A great suggestion, Craig, which will unfortunately fall on typically deaf ears at the Mint.
At a local coin show one of the dealers also noticed someone following them after packing up and leaving the coin show. I seems like a common MO. I said they should drive to a police station and park there for a bit. I think they did something similar.
Every once in a while I wonder how much others (besides the US Mint) are charging for coins.
https://www.coinworld.com/news/world-coins/bigfoot-discovered-on-new-niue-1-silver-coin
VinnieC,
Ace research and an excellent example. $109.95 for this Niue 1 oz. silver absurdity!
Where is the Jack Lynks Jerky Privy?
I forwarded your inquiry to the Niue Mint and they’re getting right on that!
“Nothing is easy.”
Oh well us coin folk just like Living in The Past
John Q. Coinage,
That may well be the case since coins and history go together. It might also be true of people in general since apparently it is within the years of age ten to thirty that we tend to build the most impactful and as such most long-lasting memories.
.
We are stardust
We are golden
Those were the days my friend, we thought they’d never end…
.
Rich,
I wonder if we’ll ever hear the likes of this kind of music again.
I hear that genre of music every day, Kaiser. I play it on my iPhone, Mac, and Alexa. Unfortunately, ‘music’ in our society appears to be embedded in rap, pop, and female singers, none of which appeals to me. I have nothing against women singers, it’s just they all sound the same to me. Where are the new Stevie Nicks or Janis Joplins? I think we’re stuck with this for some time. But you do have to wonder what a band like Led Zeppelin, or any number of past greats, would do as far as concert ticket sales. I would… Read more »
Craig, I don’t think I phrased my question correctly in the sense that I clearly left its meaning incomplete. What I really meant to say was “I wonder if we’ll ever hear the likes of this kind of music ever being made again?” I totally get what you said about the sound-alike quality of today’s female singers and I think it pretty much applies to current day male singers as well. There is just so much less individuality among musical artists theses days, and that is true almost as much for pop as for rap, both of which I can… Read more »
Sir Kaiser, I don’t think we will ever hear the likes of this kind of music ever being made again. My most impactful and long-lasting memories of bands and their music were built over the years 1965 to1985 and is embedded in the “golden age” of Rock and Roll, which occurred between the late-1950s and the early-1970s.
Hear hear, Sir Rich. Perhaps there is a part of me that doesn’t want to accept the fact that there in all likelihood will never be a resurgence of this Golden Age, at least not in my lifetime, so there is a reluctance to let go of this admittedly tattered bit of forlorn hope. At least there is the positive element of this Electrifying Era being consistently available to us not only in the form of all those classical recordings but as virtual tapes forever playing in our memories.
John Q. Coinage,
Foolish me. It took my just now reading your comment to my much smarter wife to be informed that “Living in the Past” is likewise a Jethro Tull song. Gosh.