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Stolen Coin Alert: 1901-S Barber 25c in PCGS VF25
CoinRaritiesOnline
Posts: 3,689 ✭✭✭✭
Hi All:
Harry Laibstain just alerted me to a coin that was recently shipped out via USPS Express Mail and never made it to it's destination. The Postal Inspectors are investigating. As everyone probably knows, stealing US mail is a federal offense, and is taken very seriously by the US Postal Service.
It is lost in transit and presumed stolen.
In the meantime, I asked if I could post the coin here so folks can be on the lookout for it.
Again, it is in a PCGS VF25 holder. Value = $27,500.
Here is what Harry emailed me:
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PCGS VF25 1901-s barber quarter
see image attached
original color
PCGS serial number 042213871
Post office says it made the plane in Norfolk going to the Chicago area but never arrived
HARRY
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If you see this coin, call Harry's office at (800) 869-1869.
The coin looks lovely and original in the photos. However, even if (heaven forbid) the coin is dipped to disguise it, it has a mark in the reverse stars above the eagle, as you can see.
Thanks to all.
Harry Laibstain just alerted me to a coin that was recently shipped out via USPS Express Mail and never made it to it's destination. The Postal Inspectors are investigating. As everyone probably knows, stealing US mail is a federal offense, and is taken very seriously by the US Postal Service.
It is lost in transit and presumed stolen.
In the meantime, I asked if I could post the coin here so folks can be on the lookout for it.
Again, it is in a PCGS VF25 holder. Value = $27,500.
Here is what Harry emailed me:
---------
PCGS VF25 1901-s barber quarter
see image attached
original color
PCGS serial number 042213871
Post office says it made the plane in Norfolk going to the Chicago area but never arrived
HARRY
-------
If you see this coin, call Harry's office at (800) 869-1869.
The coin looks lovely and original in the photos. However, even if (heaven forbid) the coin is dipped to disguise it, it has a mark in the reverse stars above the eagle, as you can see.
Thanks to all.
0
Comments
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Putting that aside, it's very likely that the post office just goofed up and misplaced it. 42 years from now it'll be delivered! Sad to hear such a valuable coin went missing.
Steve
<< <i>You are saying this coin was shipped without being registered?
Steve >>
The coin was sent via Express Mail. The coin was privately insured by a company that provides such specialized coverage. However, the best thing that could happen is that the coin would be recovered, not that the claim would be paid.
Coin Rarities Online
www.brunkauctions.com
Lafayette Grading Set
This one ought not be too difficult to pinpoint. There are only so many handlers and people who have access , even on the planes.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
Connor Numismatics Website
<< <i>How does a coin with a scratch like that make it into a holder? Is it because of it's a high priced coin? >>
scratch appears minor and not fresh -- the fact that it is a high-value coin does help, IMO.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
Will keep a watch out at the local shows. Never know what turns up.
Ike Specialist
Finest Toned Ike I've Ever Seen, been looking since 1986
<< <i>
<< <i>How does a coin with a scratch like that make it into a holder? Is it because of it's a high priced coin? >>
scratch appears minor and not fresh -- the fact that it is a high-value coin does help, IMO. >>
Bingo. Different rules for different coins. If that was a modern it probably wouldn't have been graded.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>I would have demanded such a coin be sent registered mail. I hope it's recovered unaltered. >>
standard shipping method for many dealers is USPS Express Mail, with coins insured via private insurance. Time to prepare registered packages and the wait due to the lengthy period of time Registered often takes is money potentially lost for dealers. Part of the excellent customer service that HLRC offers includes Express shipping for purchases AND Express shipping (at no cost sellers) for coins offered for sale to HLRC.
If I were to do that I would consider myself extremely stupid
<< <i>my heart bleeds for a big time dealer who is gullible enough to play the odd's in sending a 20k + big $$$ coin
with inadequate protection against loss.
If I were to do that I would consider myself extremely stupid >>
Most dealers use Express Mail fully covered by private insurance. It's standard stuff in the industry. It's very fast. And it's sufficiently reliable that the private insurers charge the same amount for coverage of Express Mail as they do for coverage of Registered Mail.
<< <i>Hope it was insured!
Putting that aside, it's very likely that the post office just goofed up and misplaced it. 42 years from now it'll be delivered! Sad to hear such a valuable coin went missing. >>
Express Mail has a max of $$ 5,000.00 insurance....ouch !! I won't be sending expensive coins . naked like that anymore
I've had Express Mail arrive three days after it was mailed - from Harry !
The last time it came with the regular mail - I just had to sign for it. I thought
the package was lost too...it was another 01-S in PCGS 63... it just weighed
twice the amount of the quarter that's missing...
I pray the quarter arrives safe and sound. I have Harry on speed-dial in case the
coin's offered to me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coin collecting is not a hobby, it's an obsession !
New Barber Purchases
jim
At least you have diagnostics by having a good photo of it.
I have pics of every coin I ever bought and suggest everyone do that.
If that's too much trouble, at least do the moon money coins.
I have the 1901-S in PCGS VF30 and would have a hard time living with it's theft.
Sometimes I think it's safer to put one like that in a bubble pack envelope without insurance.
Don't think I could do it though. UPS might be a better way to go.
JMHO.
Good luck.
JT
I collect all 20th century series except gold including those series that ended there.
<< <i>
<< <i>Hope it was insured!
Putting that aside, it's very likely that the post office just goofed up and misplaced it. 42 years from now it'll be delivered! Sad to hear such a valuable coin went missing. >>
Express Mail has a max of $$ 5,000.00 insurance....ouch !! I won't be sending expensive coins . naked like that anymore >>
I am no longer amazed by people who don't read any of the posts that come before theirs.
<< <i>Express Mail has a max of $$ 5,000.00 insurance....ouch !! >>
As has been said by me and several others, coin dealers use private insurance which covers Express Mail completely. But we'd all still rather get a missing coin back instead of a settlement check.
the effects of that very minor scratch seems awfuly exaggerated by some folks.
K S
Ooops. Looks like the site is down.
Any update on the missing 01-S Quarter ???
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coin collecting is not a hobby, it's an obsession !
New Barber Purchases
Edited: And would they know what they stole if they opened the package and saw this coin inside?
Lance.
<< <i>How would a theif miles away from the shipping point know the sealed package contained a 27K coin? >>
They wouldn't.
<< <i>Edited: And would they know what they stole if they opened the package and saw this coin inside? >>
Almost certainly not. Though it would likely find it's way to a coin dealer eventually (perhaps via a pawn shop or something), which is the whole purpose of posting this here in the chatroom to begin with.
<< <i>Should read Lost and Maybe stolen, >>
Good luck on the recovery of the coin. In case some do not understand, most private dealer insurance will cover a coin up to $100,000 and we MUST use USPS Express Mail or FedEx Standard Overnight.
www.GoCoins.com
Because Registered mail is not trackable however Express mail is the only trackable mail USPS has.
Lance.
<< <i>Why wasn't a coin of this stature sent Registered Mail? Sending it any other way is insanity! >>
I don't know how many time this has to be written in this post, but the insurance companies charge the same rates to insure either. Which means they consider them to be of equal risk.
That, plus the fact that Express is trackable, and takes a fraction of the time, makes it the obvious choice for anyone running a business (and who doesn't want to wait two weeks to send a package cross-country).
<< <i>
<< <i>Why wasn't a coin of this stature sent Registered Mail? Sending it any other way is insanity! >>
I don't know how many time this has to be written in this post, but the insurance companies charge the same rates to insure either. Which means they consider them to be of equal risk.
That, plus the fact that Express is trackable, and takes a fraction of the time, makes it the obvious choice for anyone running a business (and who doesn't want to wait two weeks to send a package cross-country). >>
There are limits to what insurance companies will cover in Express Mail. The limits are much higher with Registered and probably less expensive.
I firmly believe in numismatics as the world's greatest hobby, but recognize that this is a luxury and without collectors, we can all spend/melt our collections/inventories.
eBaystore
<< <i>There are limits to what insurance companies will cover in Express Mail. The limits are much higher with Registered and probably less expensive. >>
75K of coverage for one shipment costs the same whether it is sent Express or Registered.