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Let's take time to remember the coin dealers!

Insider2Insider2 Posts: 14,452 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

I do a lot of thinking each time I read about one of our dealers passing. Several months ago I made a list of every dealer in the MD, VA, and DC area where I grew up. I came up with over a dozen from the 1960's to the 1990's. Many are still in business and many are gone. I'll bet most here could do the same thing so let's keep this simple.

  1. What was the first coin shop you visited?
  2. Who was the first dealer you bought something expensive (over $20 :p) from?
  3. Who would you consider to be your first "mentor" as most probably have many?

This should be interesting as members here are all ages. Additionally, "expensive" is going to be different for a young collector or a CEO who decides to buy his first coin.

I'll start:

  1. Ben Douglas, Washington, DC. I was drawn into the store by a dish of circulated Indian cents in the window.
  2. William Crowl, Arlington VA. He was a Carnival Glass Expert with a coin shop. A real character!
  3. Joe Gallo, Arlington VA. Joe recommended me for a position at ANACS.

There are so many more but adding them would break the "rules" I set for the thread.

Comments

  • 1630Boston1630Boston Posts: 14,093 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 21, 2018 10:32AM
    1. Arlington Stamp and Coin Arlington, MA
    2. Lincoln Stamp and Coin Worcester, MA
      3.My Mother :smile:

    Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko

    Bad transactions with : nobody to date

  • FredWeinbergFredWeinberg Posts: 5,895 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1. Lauturret's Stamp & Coin (spelling wrong, probably) on Crenshaw Blvd. (now Martin Luther King Blvd. in Los Angeles
    2. Jonathon's Coins, 525 W. Manchester Blvd. (Jonathon Hefferlin) Inglewood, Calif.
    3. Mort Goodman, Hollywood - one of three early mentors who taught me the Minting Process thru the
      pages of the Errorscope, and at the Error Club of Hollywood monthly meetings.
    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 28,881 ✭✭✭✭✭

    max kaye springfield, ma
    worthington coin, springfield, ma
    my uncle.

  • OldEastsideOldEastside Posts: 4,602 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The Mint in Canoga Park, CA ran by Dwayne Spellman
    Mid Valley Coin, Granada Hills, CA
    Ron Swaney of Mid Valley and a lot more

    Promote the Hobby
  • FredWeinbergFredWeinberg Posts: 5,895 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Duane Spellman was a great guy!

    I knew Ron Swiney too -

    .....both are gone now......

    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
  • RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Zug.

  • OldEastsideOldEastside Posts: 4,602 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @FredWeinberg said:
    Duane Spellman was a great guy!

    I knew Ron Swiney too -

    .....both are gone now......

    Ya they were........I do miss them..........and thanks for the correct spelling of there names Fred

    Steve

    Promote the Hobby
  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 10,301 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1. Mel's Coin Shop Johnson City, Tn
    2. Miller's Coin Shop Bristol, Tn
    3. My Uncle Schley Netherland(Gave me an uncirculated Morgan for my 10th Birthday) for value of silver and Mr. Miller for the value of individual coins and learning as much as I could from each and every coin dealer and collector I met.

    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • EagleEyeEagleEye Posts: 7,677 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 21, 2018 4:33PM

    Fred Iradi, Fred's coin shop, Whippany, NJ (my first coin shop purchase - 1972)
    Aaron Everest, The Coinery, Morris County Mall, Cedar Knolls, later Rockaway Mall, Rockaway, New Jersey (My first coin-related employment 1977-1980)
    Elliott Goldman, Allstate Coin, Tucson, AZ (My second coin-related employment 1987-1992)

    Rick Snow, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, Inc.Check out my new web site:
  • RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Burdette Johnson, St Louis Stamp & Coin.

  • TreashuntTreashunt Posts: 6,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    how the heck can you all remember all those names?

    :)

    Frank

    BHNC #203

  • Labelman87Labelman87 Posts: 610 ✭✭✭✭

    Catherine Bullowa-Moore: Coinhunter; A fantastic person.

    Craig


  • BuffaloIronTailBuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,514 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Twin City Coins in East Chicago, Indiana was where I went as a teenager. They treated me real good for a kid at my age.

    After I grew up and TC Coins closed, it became J&J Coins on Calumet Avenue in Hammond, Indiana, Jess Hoogoveen (the owner) made it a great place to "hang out". Coffee.............as much as you can handle, and good conversation with others.

    J&J is still open today. One of only 3 places in Northwest Indiana that are still around.

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • Testoon2Testoon2 Posts: 60 ✭

    Dellview Coins, San Antonio, Texas
    not sure where my first big purchase was
    Collector’s Clearinghouse in Coin World
    (Thanks @CaptHenway!)

  • Insider2Insider2 Posts: 14,452 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @EagleEye said:
    Fred Iradi, Fred's coin shop, Whippany, NJ (my first coin shop purchase - 1972)
    Arron Everest, The Coinery, Morris County Mall, Cedar Knolls, later Rockaway Mall, Rockaway, New Jersey (My first coin-related employment 1977-1980)
    Elliott Goldman, Allstate Coin, Tucson, AZ (My second coin-related employment 1987-1992)

    So you are a NJ native?

  • RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 21, 2018 12:18PM

    " One of only 3 places in Northwest Indiana that are still around."

    Wow! Do you mean that all the other little towns and villages in Northwest Indiana are gone? What happened? Flood of biblical pick-pocket proportions; snow; drought; zombies; frogs; change "Gary" to "Larry" and everyone left 'cause they couldn't find their way home?

    ;)

    I recall Ben Douglas warning collectors to stay away from DC and railing about everyone and everything. ANA has not been to DC since Ben's comments.

  • JBNJBN Posts: 1,882 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Sage Coins 196 N. York, Elmhurst IL.
    Sid and Ethyl Katz. Sid passed early on - most of the purchases were thru Ethyl.
    They would have a sale on first Sunday of every month. Ad would run in the Tribune. The sale would typically feature groups of BU quarters (1943-P,D,S for example) for my collection. I bought most of my unc silver quarters thru them when I was collecting as a kid and into teen years.
    Ethyl really tried to get me into different coins - older coins. Especially the 1876 issues as the bicentennial approached. I was single minded; didn't have much money so wanted to stay on the quarters.
    Fantastic memories.

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Rovengo's Candy and Coin Shop, Saugerties, NY
    I cannot remember...
    I really had no mentors... well, Russ did teach me some things...
    Cheers, RickO

  • Insider2Insider2 Posts: 14,452 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ricko said:
    Rovengo's Candy and Coin Shop, Saugerties, NY
    I cannot remember...
    I really had no mentors... well, Russ did teach me some things...
    Cheers, RickO

    Who is Russ?

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Insider2 ....Russ was a highly respected collector, dealer and forum member who passed away a few years ago. I knew him well when I lived in WA state... We attended many coin shows together. Cheers, RickO

  • KollectorKingKollectorKing Posts: 4,820 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 21, 2018 12:30PM

    @Insider2 said:

    @ricko said:
    Rovengo's Candy and Coin Shop, Saugerties, NY
    I cannot remember...
    I really had no mentors... well, Russ did teach me some things...
    Cheers, RickO

    Who is Russ?

    aka, king of accented hair JFKs

    https://forums.collectors.com/search?Search=russ&=Go

  • RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Frank and Laurese Katen, Silver Spring, Md.

  • BuffaloIronTailBuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,514 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 21, 2018 12:41PM

    @RogerB said:
    " One of only 3 places in Northwest Indiana that are still around."

    Wow! Do you mean that all the other little towns and villages in Northwest Indiana are gone? What happened? Flood of biblical pick-pocket proportions; snow; drought; zombies; frogs; change "Gary" to "Larry" and everyone left 'cause they couldn't find their way home?

    ;)

    I recall Ben Douglas warning collectors to stay away from DC and railing about everyone and everything. ANA has not been to DC since Ben's comments.

    O.K. Roger. Good one. ONE OF ONLY 3 COIN SHOPS IN NORTHWEST INDIANA THAT ARE STILL AROUND.

    Now you can enjoy your "Hammond Eggs". ;)

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 21, 2018 1:08PM

    Chickens that lay "Hammond Eggs" have a special organ for that. But...the ones that lay pancakes are really rare.... :)

    (Once had a cow that laid 100% organic dark chocolate pancakes --- but the bee syrup was kind of thick.)

  • 291fifth291fifth Posts: 24,522 ✭✭✭✭✭

    For me the answer to 1. & 2. is the same. The dealer's name was Chester Powderski and he used to set up at meetings of the Club of Illinois Numismatists (COINS) in Homewood, Illinois (he didn't have a store). This was in mid-1962. Chester lived into his 90's and passed away in the early 2000's if what I have read on the internet is accurate.

    I never considered a dealer to be a mentor.

    All glory is fleeting.
  • dpooledpoole Posts: 5,940 ✭✭✭✭✭

    *Woodward & Lothrop's coin dept, first floor, on the corner of Wisconsin and Western Aves. in Washington, D.C.
    *Got a circ (VF20) 1909-S VBD from Aus-Tex Coins in Austin
    *Andy Skrabalak


    Here's a warning parable for coin collectors...



  • DIMEMANDIMEMAN Posts: 22,403 ✭✭✭✭✭

    1) B & J Coin Shop Springfield, IL
    2) Same
    3) David Lawrence - Dave got me hooked on Barber Varieties. I sure miss him! :'(

  • FairlanemanFairlaneman Posts: 10,425 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1. Vancouver Rare Coin. Old shop that he had. Vancouver, Washington. Steve Jones.
    2. Vancouver Rare Coin. New shop that he still has. First $100.00 dollar coin. Steve Jones.
    3. If there is one I would say Steve again. He is open about talking about coins.

    Ken

  • BillDugan1959BillDugan1959 Posts: 3,821 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 21, 2018 3:24PM
    1. Ron Murphy, "The Gallery", North Grand Ave., Springfield, IL. About 1970 I spent $4.50 and got five very nice late-date Walkers. Those were less than thirty years old then!
    2. Joe Mileham (and sons Steve and Tom), B&J Coin Shop, also in Springfield. Many coins purchased.
    3. L.J. "Jimmy" Kaczor, Champaign, IL - a personal mentor and also a long-time ANA Exhibit Judge. Not a dealer. He would have been offended if you had accused him of having any commercial motive.

    I also remember fondly R.L. VanBuskirk of Fifthian, IL, and Keith LeSeure of Chambana. Also Irv Runyon of Decatur, IL.

  • divecchiadivecchia Posts: 6,688 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1. Coin shop in Somerville, MA. I don't recall the name. It was 1977 and I was about 13 years old at the time. I saw it walking home from Junior High School one day and I walked in. I did not buy anything, just looked at the cool coins he had.
    2. Kenneth K. K. Tong was the dealer who sold me my first coin in 1987. I paid $600 for a raw 1908 No Motto $20 gold in UNC condition. His shop was called Olde Boston Co., Inc. on Bromfield Street in Boston, MA.
    3. I never really had a mentor, but I spent some of my spare time before work in Kenny's (Olde Boston) shop talking to him and listening to him and his customers doing deals.

    Donato

    Hobbyist & Collector (not an investor).
    Donato's Complete US Type Set ---- Donato's Dansco 7070 Modified Type Set ---- Donato's Basic U.S. Coin Design Set

    Successful transactions: Shrub68 (Jim), MWallace (Mike)
  • EagleEyeEagleEye Posts: 7,677 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Insider2 said:

    @EagleEye said:
    Fred Iradi, Fred's coin shop, Whippany, NJ (my first coin shop purchase - 1972)
    Aaron Everest, The Coinery, Morris County Mall, Cedar Knolls, later Rockaway Mall, Rockaway, New Jersey (My first coin-related employment 1977-1980)
    Elliott Goldman, Allstate Coin, Tucson, AZ (My second coin-related employment 1987-1992)

    So you are a NJ native?

    Yes, Whippany, NJ

    (Fixed Aaron's name in my post)

    Rick Snow, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, Inc.Check out my new web site:
  • jdimmickjdimmick Posts: 9,742 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Coin shop in between the up and down escalators at the sears dept store. Owner's name was tony kloppel. (later skipped town with dozens of folks money. I was young so I was not affected. An employee of his(not part of the scam) , later opened his own shop, but now has since passed.

    John Wills Rare coins (helped me put my first indian head cent set together in VF, back in 1982-83.) I was 12

    John Wills My true mentor, taught me everything I know about coins from back in the day. he tells me all the time, Im better than he ever was, but im not so sure about that, he was an ace in the 80's.

    Fayetteville, NC

  • MoldnutMoldnut Posts: 3,108 ✭✭✭✭

    Bob Patchin

    Derek

    EAC 6024
  • lowcountrycoinutlowcountrycoinut Posts: 177 ✭✭✭

    Bonanza Coins, Silver Spring, MD. Owner, Al Bonan, my first mentor. Julian Leidman later owned the shop and reintroduced my to Al at a Baltimore show.

    No good deed goes unpunished

    carolinacollectorcoins.com
  • bidaskbidask Posts: 14,017 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I mentored under Harry Forman.

    I manage money. I earn money. I save money .
    I give away money. I collect money.
    I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.




  • AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 24,829 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The coin shop in Redwood City, CA in 1959....still have what I bought.
    Have not bought from Dealers (unless they have a presence on ebay)
    Never had a mentor

    bob :)
    I just buy collections and books. I like to take my time and pour over the books on each coin.

    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • WaterSportWaterSport Posts: 6,885 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Zita Lindsey got a handful of us youngsters in her Coin and Antique shop down from Parkington Shopping Mall and across the street from the Arlington Fire Station around 1964. Thats how I got started.

    When working I would put coins on Layaway at a DC coin shop located on F street NW. Can't remember the guys shop name or his name.

    I think all total I recall 7 coin brick and mortar shops I went to in the DC/MD/VA area in the 1970's.

    WS

    Proud recipient of the coveted PCGS Forum "You Suck" Award Thursday July 19, 2007 11:33 PM and December 30th, 2011 at 8:50 PM.
  • topstuftopstuf Posts: 14,803 ✭✭✭✭✭

    First and favorite.
    Bob Auger of Lincoln Coin Shop in Stockton, CA.
    My first dealer and later very good friend.
    We went a lot of places together. He had more crowns than anyone I've ever seen.
    Amateur theater actor, bon vivant, crazy SOB.

    Passed out one day in shop. I told him to go to the doctor. Welllll..... coin dealer..... GO TO THE DOCTOR???

    Pshaaawwwww....

    It was brain cancer. Died within months. Changed his whole demeanor. Sad and tragic.
    But not forgotten.

    I was lucky enough that a customer brought a coin into MY shop years later. Still had Bob's writing on it.
    One of my "treasured" coins.

    :'(

  • HydrantHydrant Posts: 7,773 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 21, 2018 8:46PM

    Bob Patchin, survived by his beautiful, lovely, friendly wife Jaycine. Orange County, Ca. When I was a crazy, rough, out of control young man who was also a coin collector, they did everything they could to SHOW ME THE LIGHT. Good people. I owe them more than I could ever repay. Mrs. Hydrant also takes a lot of credit for setting me straight. I thank them all. Sweet Baby Jesus!

  • HydrantHydrant Posts: 7,773 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @WaterSport said:
    Zita Lindsey got a handful of us youngsters in her Coin and Antique shop down from Parkington Shopping Mall and across the street from the Arlington Fire Station around 1964. Thats how I got started.

    When working I would put coins on Layaway at a DC coin shop located on F street NW. Can't remember the guys shop name or his name.

    I think all total I recall 7 coin brick and mortar shops I went to in the DC/MD/VA area in the 1970's.

    WS

    Nice story. Thanks.

  • rln_14rln_14 Posts: 686 ✭✭✭✭

    Great idea for a topic insider, very interesting to hear everyone's stories

  • StoogeStooge Posts: 4,668 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Insider2 said:

    @ricko said:
    Rovengo's Candy and Coin Shop, Saugerties, NY
    I cannot remember...
    I really had no mentors... well, Russ did teach me some things...
    Cheers, RickO

    Who is Russ?

    Russ was a legendary and prolific poster to these forums and would have darn near 100,000 posts by now. If you ever get bored, you should research some of his threads. Very smart guy, but was kinda weird too...in a good way.

    1) Cherryvale Coin and Stamps
    2) Her name was Dottie, she own the above mentioned store.
    3) My brother got me into coin collecting.


    Later, Paul.
  • dagingerbeastttdagingerbeasttt Posts: 791 ✭✭✭✭

    @BuffaloIronTail said:
    Twin City Coins in East Chicago, Indiana was where I went as a teenager. They treated me real good for a kid at my age.

    After I grew up and TC Coins closed, it became J&J Coins on Calumet Avenue in Hammond, Indiana, Jess Hoogoveen (the owner) made it a great place to "hang out". Coffee.............as much as you can handle, and good conversation with others.

    J&J is still open today. One of only 3 places in Northwest Indiana that are still around.

    Pete

    I'm from Indiana. I'll have to check them out !

  • tyler267tyler267 Posts: 1,276 ✭✭✭✭

    1) Jim Endicott, He had a small shop in a flea market in Fort Lauderdale
    2) Wayne Clepper, Numismatics Inc in Tyler Texas
    3) Wayne Clepper, I worked for him in High School

  • CommemDudeCommemDude Posts: 2,296 ✭✭✭✭✭

    1) Coin Shoppe, Jamestown, NY, 1960, owned by CG Langworthy
    2) Steve Ivy rare coins
    3) Chip Gambino from Croton-on-Hudson, NY, in the mid 1980s, now passed on.

    Dr Mikey
    Commems and Early Type
  • hickoryridgehickoryridge Posts: 250 ✭✭✭

    Ted Dayman Denton Md.
    K. P. Austin Salisbury Md.

  • shishshish Posts: 1,172 ✭✭✭✭✭

    My brother and I visited J.J. Teaparty and Stones on Bromfield St Boston MA.
    Purchased from both J.J. Teaparty and Stones that day.
    My friend Berge Avadanian, a decorated WW2 paratrooper who treated me like his son.

    Liberty Seated and Trade Dollar Specialist
  • astroratastrorat Posts: 9,221 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1. Wagner's Hobby Shop
    2. Auburn Precious Metals and Coins
    3. G. Brown; a patient, fastidious, and smart numismatist so willing to share his knowledge with a young, impatient and naive collector
    Numismatist Ordinaire
    See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
  • SonorandesertratSonorandesertrat Posts: 5,695 ✭✭✭✭✭

    (1) and (2): John Albright, Coral Gables, FL. He opened his shop more than 50 years ago, and is still in business (different location now).
    (3): My paternal grandmother. I have some of her coins and books, which will never be sold (at least not by me).

    Member: EAC, NBS, C4, CWTS, ANA

    RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'

    CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]

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