Leon Hendrickson's life story - "Rare Coins, Rare People"
EagleEye
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Leon was signing copies of his book at the SilverTowne table. I got a copy and it was a fabulous read while I flew home. He details his involvement such things like:
The great silver certificate redemption of 1967.
The silver bubble of 1980.
The Dexter 1804 dollar.
The Continental Illinois Hoard. He was a partner in distributing 1400 bags of mostly gem Morgan dollars with Ed Milas.
The Levere Redfield Hoard. Since Steve Markoff had bargained with the estate the sole right to bid, Leon did an end run around everyone and made a deal to buy a portion from Markoff instead of competing against him. Imagine being told you had to bid on a $5 million collection where you didn't know how many there were or what grade they were!
The 1973 attempted robbery. Leon's wife shot and killed one of the intruders. The get-a-way driver was never found and the one who survived got off after only a few years (should have joined his friend on the floor in a pool of blood)
The money-laundering charge. This is a real heartbreaking story. I think everyone should read it. Four years of heartache for a $750,000 cash bullion deal that was a set-up from the Feds. He declared the entire $10K income on his taxes but didn't file the cash reporting form.
If you have any stories of your dealings with Leon, SiverTowne, or just any of the events mentioned, please post them.
The great silver certificate redemption of 1967.
The silver bubble of 1980.
The Dexter 1804 dollar.
The Continental Illinois Hoard. He was a partner in distributing 1400 bags of mostly gem Morgan dollars with Ed Milas.
The Levere Redfield Hoard. Since Steve Markoff had bargained with the estate the sole right to bid, Leon did an end run around everyone and made a deal to buy a portion from Markoff instead of competing against him. Imagine being told you had to bid on a $5 million collection where you didn't know how many there were or what grade they were!
The 1973 attempted robbery. Leon's wife shot and killed one of the intruders. The get-a-way driver was never found and the one who survived got off after only a few years (should have joined his friend on the floor in a pool of blood)
The money-laundering charge. This is a real heartbreaking story. I think everyone should read it. Four years of heartache for a $750,000 cash bullion deal that was a set-up from the Feds. He declared the entire $10K income on his taxes but didn't file the cash reporting form.
If you have any stories of your dealings with Leon, SiverTowne, or just any of the events mentioned, please post them.
Rick Snow, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, Inc.Check out my new web site:
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Comments
I remember him selling you an 1877 IHC PCGS MS66RD (Eagle Eye phase one@1992)
He's built up a tremendous operation through hard work and fair play.
<< <i>The money-laundering charge. This is a real heartbreaking story. I think everyone should read it. Four years of heartache for a $750,000 cash bullion deal that was a set-up from the Feds. He declared the entire $10K income on his taxes but didn't file the cash reporting form. >>
He sold PM's for $750,000 in cash and he wasn't suspicious?
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>The money-laundering charge. This is a real heartbreaking story. I think everyone should read it. Four years of heartache for a $750,000 cash bullion deal that was a set-up from the Feds. He declared the entire $10K income on his taxes but didn't file the cash reporting form. >>
He sold PM's for $750,000 in cash and he wasn't suspicious?
In those days cash used to be almost as good as real money. He was
one of the first to be prosecuted for this crime.
Edited to add at a Coin Show
Thanksgiving National Battlefield Coin Show is November 29-30, 2024 at the Eisenhower Allstar Sportsplex, Gettysburg, PA. Tables are available. WWW.AmericasCoinShows.com
I remember I was sitting right next to Mr. Hendrickson in the auction room when his 1804 dollar came up. After it hammered for a whole lotta money and people started to applaud, he looked over at me and smiled and said "not bad" and then the press with cameras rushed over to him.
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