Two $50 gold pieces stolen in Spain
logger7
Posts: 8,507 ✭✭✭✭✭
INVESTIGATING AGENCY: Madrid Law Enforcement
REPORT NUMBER: N/A
TYPE OF INCIDENT: Theft
DATE OCCURRED: June 29, 2024
INCIDENT LOCATION: Madrid, Spain
On June 29, 2024 dealer, Don Kagin, was the victim of a theft while attending a coin show in Madrid, Spain. The victim left the show with his roller bag and was headed to his hotel and stopped to make a purchase at a shop. During the transaction a suspect grabbed the roller bag in seconds and fled. The victim immediately followed the suspect but was distracted by a second person who pointed in the opposite direction of the fleeing suspect.
The initial investigation has revealed that the offense was well orchestrated by four individuals. Madrid police have advised the victim that the offense was caught on video and that one suspect has been identified and is a known offender. Investigators believe the suspects are Columbian Nationals.
Stolen Coins
1852 U.S. Assay Office $50 PCGS VF35 50015753
1851 Humbert $50 PCGS VF25 39196283
1849 Moffatt $5 NGC MS60 3643408-002
No Date Bechtler $1 28 grain Center PCGS 5749005
2022 one-ounce gold TORO 1 of 200 PCGS PF70 46035117
2023 one-ounce gold Caballo 1 of 200 PCGS PF70 47782609
2022 1/10th gold Lynx PCGS PF70 46034016
2023 1/10th gold TORO PCGS PF70 47925537
2024 1/10th gold Caballo PCGS PF7049593381
Anyone with Information Contact:
Doug Davis
817-723-7231
Doug@numismaticcrimes.org
Comments
just the thought of the loss
Wow, that stinks!
Hopefully they will be apprehended quickly.
And I really hope they don’t melt those territorial gold pieces, as they have tremendous historical value in our country.
That sounds like something straight out of a cartoon.
Young Numismatist • My Toned Coins
Life is roadblocks. Don't let nothing stop you, 'cause we ain't stopping. - DJ Khaled
@logger7 , thanks for posting, but perhaps consider amending the title to “Nine Gold pieces stolen in Spain”?
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
I know both of those slugs. That's awful all around. Feel bad for Don and @Regulated , hopefully they can be recovered.
Chopmarked Trade Dollar Registry Set --- US & World Gold Showcase --- World Chopmark Showcase
Professional thieves like these are smart enough to melt them down for the gold to hide their origins. Unfortunately, you can assume that they're gone forever.
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
This shows us again how well experienced dealers who follow the rules can still be had. It's the lure of gold.
When I attended my first major coin show I was shocked to see dealers/patrons rolling roller bags with their fortunes in tow. What an easy target I said to myself. Enroute and in the parking lots/ garages makes it easy to do a nab and grab. Why not do a decoy like the cartels, tow the dreck and let the good stuff go with someone else not known as a dealer. Somewhere along the line, the way coins/currency is transported to/from shows will need to change. It appears to be more frequent now that there are more numismatic thefts taking place. Thieves are realizing its easier and more profitable to steal coins than rob banks. Plus. it's probably not a federal crime.
I just read today that a prominent New Zealand couple/banker were robbed, and the wife killed over shopping items and an expensive watch. I know this statement isn't coin related, but it does indicate due vigilance is needed at all times if you have items of value on your person or your well known in the community.
It was good to hear Dr. Kagin was not injured in this incident.
Sad ... if one think that the US is unique with brazen theft, think again. The number of colleagues I have worked with on business trips in Europe that had bags and brief cases stolen is large and in public areas. My boss had a bag taken from his back seat while he was driving in slow traffic in Italy. I had a small case taken from the car floor (covered with a coat) of a locked car at a 5 min coffee break at a rest stop in Italy one evening. They left the coat but bag went missing. Luckily nothing of value was taken but some Cuban cigars. Surprisingly my bag was found and turned into the local police station (less the cigars) as I had a business card in they reach out to me for picking it up.
OMG ... My Mother was Right about Everything!
I wake up with a Good Attitude Every Day. Then … Idiots Happen!
That's a bummer to hear, I'm just glad hes ok 👍
When we start cutting the hands off of thieves .....
Maybe you should handcuff yourself to the handle of the bag.
I am glad that Don is ok.
Then you might lose your arm!
Mike
My Indians
Danco Set
That aside, handcuffing yourself to a bag would result in unwanted attention.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I have suspected this for awhile. There are fewer and fewer places in society to steal large amounts of cash as cash is used less and less. Banks are well guarded with multiple layers of security and bank robberies are thoroughly investigated.
It’s far easier and lower risk to hit a soft target like a coin dealer traveling alone.
What is the estimated value of the items taken?
I'd suggest keeping the few most valuable coins on his person (inside jacket pocket, pouch around the neck, etc.) and the rest in the roller bag.
I believe he was followed by thieves from the Madrid International Coin Show when he left. That show was held at the Four Seasons
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
It’s possible. It’s also possible that they spotted a random well dressed man carrying an expensive piece of luggage and got very lucky.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Whatever it was, it's probably been reduced to bullion by now.
When traveling with inventory you can’t let it out of your sight or control. You can make all kind of theories - but break the cardinal rule above….
Even if I have to be rude to somebody I won’t let it out of my control. Look out for no 1 especially when traveling with inventory. If leave table at shows, cases locked. Even Junk boxes stay in show case unless back at table and they ask to see them.
Thieves are everywhere.
If someone believes they can make a lot more on something than on bullion, they'll try to sell it in the criminal underworld where various unsavory characters are looking for trophies like this.
But what if you fully commit with a full length trench coat and a fedora?
Having fun while switching things up and focusing on a next level PCGS slabbed 1950+ type set, while still looking for great examples for the 7070.