Heard of First Coinvestors (aka FCI). They were run by Stanley Apfelbaum and were early telemarketers in coins IIRC. Walter Breen used to work there at one time.
I think they were the publishers of the VAM book I have (I don't remember what edition it is).
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
We're talking more than 25 years ago! As I recall, Mr. Apfelbaum was indicted on some charge of misrepresenting material to his customers. I can't recall whether he was convicted and the sentence he may have served or fine paid. I also think you may be confusing Rubin with Breen, who sad to say was a shill for this somewhat shady company.
Actually, it would be an eBay seller that would be confused. Me, I don't know enough to be confused.
From an auction listing:
<< <i>The First Coinvestors signed advisors card that accompanies the coin suggests a grade of MS/63. Walter Rubin was the advisor for this particular coin. >>
It's for a raw coin that came from the "father-in-law". Trying to determine if this seller is blowing smoke.
For a second there, Russ, I thought you were looking at this auction, for a "Kennedy Half Dollar Mint Complete Collection".
Bet you didn't know that a complete Kennedy collection had just 29 coins! Apparently the seller's definition of "complete" is that all the holes in the album are filled. (The album happens to be from First Coinvestors)
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
Not only did Walter work for FCI, but so did Don Taxay - talk about some high powered numismatic talent. Occasionally you still see a coin with a FCI certificate.
I was a member of First Coinvestors in the 70s and still have a bunch of coins with those little blue 3x5 First Coinvestors cards where they would staple a picture of the coin to the back and then tell you the grade.
Sort of like the first slabs, without the slab. Neat idea.
FCI ripped off a lot of collectors in the early to mid 1970s. Later in the decade they hired Breen and Taxey to restore their image. Stanley Apfelbaum told people, “I’m sorry,” but that really didn’t cut it. A lot of veteran collectors talked about Apfelbum’s “purchase of legitimacy” (actually they used an anatomical term for growning back a part of the female reproductive system that is related to virginity) when he hired Breen and Taxey.
As an example of what Apfelbaum sold as “investments,” a collector who took a numismatic course from me in the mid 1970s showed me two "Gem Uncirculated" half dimes he had purchased for First Coininvestors a few years earlier. One was whizzed: the other was plated with rhodium.
The good part? Apfelbaum sponsored the publication of some very good books, like Walter Breen’s Proof Coin Encyclopedia.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
You bet !-I bought lots of rolls from them-they turned me on to DMPL's shortly after Wayne Millers first book came out-Still have some of their rolls and some gold I paid dearly for but it was graded right for the most part. They are the first to really start ripping the public on common morgans-selling them for $215.00 each in 1974-although they did grade 65 's in 1985-they cost tons for common 81's-oh well live and learn. i've got a roll dime set fom 53 to 64 all mints in original bank wrappers i'm getting ready to part with. from FCI OF COURSE. [email protected]
much rather be tried by 12 as carried by six !~!
SHOOT FIRST-QUESTIONS L8TR...
If its nice and you REALLY like it " buy it " sure beats laying awake wishin you had, PLUS you will never forget or FORGIVE YOURSELF for letting it get away-and remember you can always pedel it to regain most of $ . Just one of many of " buying politics I utilize. Besides I really lost sleep and beat myself up yo learn this simple procedure !~!
Karl, whatever happened to KK? I posted a thread a long time ago asking about him but there weren't any responses.
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
Okay everyone, I decided to post one of our FCI certificates. It's not of a coin, but rather colonial currency. We purchased a couple of these at the ANA in Charlotte because of the numismatic significance of the card; it's signed by both Walter Breen and Don Taxay.
Focusing strictly on professional aspects, Breen and Taxay are 2 of my favorite authors. Taxay's book on the US Mint is a classic. Breen, although controversial in his personal life, was a great numismatist who made contributions to our hobby that are parralleled by few. Newman is another brilliant numismatic author and researcher, in my opinion.
Here's the card:
Conder, if you want one of these, please send us a PM.
P.S. Conder, did you get the books from the printer?
Russ
Posts: 48,515 ✭✭✭
Comments
I think they were the publishers of the VAM book I have (I don't remember what edition it is).
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
From an auction listing:
<< <i>The First Coinvestors signed advisors card that accompanies the coin suggests a grade of MS/63. Walter Rubin was the advisor for this particular coin. >>
It's for a raw coin that came from the "father-in-law". Trying to determine if this seller is blowing smoke.
Russ, NCNE
Bet you didn't know that a complete Kennedy collection had just 29 coins! Apparently the seller's definition of "complete" is that all the holes in the album are filled. (The album happens to be from First Coinvestors)
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
Nope, it was for a 2¢ piece. I decided to pass on the auction. It just didn't "smell" right.
Russ, NCNE
<< <i>Yes, I remember Wally Rubin quite well. Why do you ask? >>
7mos since the last post to this thread and Don Taxay appears. Where have you been all these years??? I'll play along.
Sort of like the first slabs, without the slab. Neat idea.
I don't know about that, but Walter Breen did record for FCI. Does anyone have one to show us?
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
K S
As an example of what Apfelbaum sold as “investments,” a collector who took a numismatic course from me in the mid 1970s showed me two "Gem Uncirculated" half dimes he had purchased for First Coininvestors a few years earlier. One was whizzed: the other was plated with rhodium.
The good part? Apfelbaum sponsored the publication of some very good books, like Walter Breen’s Proof Coin Encyclopedia.
i've got a roll dime set fom 53 to 64 all mints in original bank wrappers i'm getting ready to part with.
from FCI OF COURSE.
[email protected]
SHOOT FIRST-QUESTIONS L8TR...
If its nice and you REALLY like it " buy it " sure beats laying awake wishin you had, PLUS you will never forget or FORGIVE YOURSELF for letting it get away-and remember you can always pedel it to regain most of $ . Just one of many of " buying politics I utilize.
Besides I really lost sleep and beat myself up yo learn this simple procedure !~!
K S
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
Do you have any of those that you would like to sell? I'd like to get one for the Miscellaneous section.
I would have sent this as a PM but ou don't have it turned on.
Focusing strictly on professional aspects, Breen and Taxay are 2 of my favorite authors. Taxay's book on the US Mint is a classic. Breen, although controversial in his personal life, was a great numismatist who made contributions to our hobby that are parralleled by few. Newman is another brilliant numismatic author and researcher, in my opinion.
Here's the card:
Conder, if you want one of these, please send us a PM.
P.S. Conder, did you get the books from the printer?
kranky, i don't know the answer to your question
K S
Was Walter Rubin ever connected to American Rare Coin Galleries, Inc in New York?
Talk about a walk down numismatic memory lane.
Could they have hit more potholes if they tried?
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Trying to find any information on the firm American Rare Coin Galleries,Inc located in New York in the 1980's?
Did Walter Rubin work out of New York in the 80's or was he connected to the firm American Rare Coin Galleries, Inc there?
American Rare Coin Galleries Walter S Rubin 1992 N Jerusalem Rd
From a general Google search. Apparently advertised in Coin World.
You might find more info at the Newman Numismatic Portal
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I miss Russ a whole lot.