Coins Reported Stolen at Baltimore Show 3/29/14
mrearlygold
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Coins Reported Stolen at Baltimore Show 3/29/14
Stolen Coins
A double row box of coins was stolen from Brian Cushing dba Dick Osborn Rare Coins during the recent Whitman Baltimore Coin Show. Below is a partial listing of coins taken in the offense.
1836 Reeded Edge Half dollar XF45+,1796 Draped Bust Dollar VF35 B-4,1831 Capped Bust Quarter G4 B-7,Liberty Seated Quarter XF45 Closed 3, Briggs 3-B,1853 Liberty Seated Quarter VF35 No Arrows,1803 Draped Bust Half dollar AU53 O-103,1871-CC Liberty Seated dollar F15+,1875 Twenty Cent piece Proof 63+,1856 S/S Liberty Seated Quarter VF30 Briggs 4-E,1812/1 Capped Bust Half dollar VF35 O-101,1878-CC Liberty Seated Half dollar AU50 WB-101,1815/2 Capped Bust Half dollar AU53 details O-101,1801 Draped Bust Half dime XF-40 LM-2,1795 Draped Bust dollar XF45 B-15,1873-CC Liberty Seated Quarter F15 Briggs 1-A.
A reward of $5000 is being offered for the recovery and arrest of the person or persons responsible for the theft.
Anyone with information should contact:
Det. Wayne Sponsky
410-396-2582
or
Doug Davis
817-723-7231
Doug@numismaticcrims.org
Stolen Coins
A double row box of coins was stolen from Brian Cushing dba Dick Osborn Rare Coins during the recent Whitman Baltimore Coin Show. Below is a partial listing of coins taken in the offense.
1836 Reeded Edge Half dollar XF45+,1796 Draped Bust Dollar VF35 B-4,1831 Capped Bust Quarter G4 B-7,Liberty Seated Quarter XF45 Closed 3, Briggs 3-B,1853 Liberty Seated Quarter VF35 No Arrows,1803 Draped Bust Half dollar AU53 O-103,1871-CC Liberty Seated dollar F15+,1875 Twenty Cent piece Proof 63+,1856 S/S Liberty Seated Quarter VF30 Briggs 4-E,1812/1 Capped Bust Half dollar VF35 O-101,1878-CC Liberty Seated Half dollar AU50 WB-101,1815/2 Capped Bust Half dollar AU53 details O-101,1801 Draped Bust Half dime XF-40 LM-2,1795 Draped Bust dollar XF45 B-15,1873-CC Liberty Seated Quarter F15 Briggs 1-A.
A reward of $5000 is being offered for the recovery and arrest of the person or persons responsible for the theft.
Anyone with information should contact:
Det. Wayne Sponsky
410-396-2582
or
Doug Davis
817-723-7231
Doug@numismaticcrims.org
Coin's for sale/trade.
Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870
0
Comments
"A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
"Interest rates, the price of money, are the most important market. And, perversely, they’re the market that’s most manipulated by the Fed." - Doug Casey
<< <i>Are they in TPG slabs? If so, S/Ns would be a big help. >>
Brian told me he had no raw gold at the show.
I'm fairly certain that most, if not all of those coins are slabbed.
And to think he just bought Wayne Herndon's business and was coming into his own as a young coin entrepreneur in his mid thirties.
Sad.....wonder how it happened.
Numismatic Crime Info Ctr
<< <i>I wonder if it was a pro? Some of those coins will set off red flags anywhere...imagine a junkie hocking an 1815 bust half. >>
I hate to say this....but this is just my gut.
Brian is a bit too kind and trusting IMHO.
<< <i>Let me guess - they stopped in for a bite to eat on their way home only to return to the vehicle to discover the coins missing... >>
Sounds like the coins were stolen at the show.
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
ahhhh.. but tis just a dream.
could everyone chip in $20 to pay a big angry guy to be undercover security?
I sure feel for Brian Cushing. Wish him luck in getting his coins back.
EAC 6024
I hope he gets them back.
<< <i>This might be a dumb question since I'm not a Dealer but is a loss like this insured either through the bourse or his coin business? >>
Every bourse contract states the show is not liable for loss or theft.
The coins were lost during the show. Most likely someone walked off with the box.
As for security, surveillance cameras are a good option but not completely foolproof. A big, angry dude with a shaved head won't prevent much if he isn't attentive.
Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
<< <i>How does one simply walk off with a box of coins? >>
I don't know but lately we seem to get this type of report after every large show.
If it makes me sick, can't imagine how the victims feel.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
<< <i>How does one simply walk off with a box of coins? >>
It's a lot easier than you think.
Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
Coin Rarities Online
Aren't all of Brian's coins laid out in the display cases during the show? Have not seen boxes in the cases. Believe Brian locks the display cases.
Curious if this was at the end of the show, or when he was transitioning the coins from the display cases to boxes?
Hope they contact each state.
I know in NJ, if you sell any coins to a coin shop, they must describe and photograph the coins, send to local police department, and hold for 3 days.
I would also send a list to the major auction houses, and also local ones, many are listed in AuctionZip. You can probably reach most of the coin shows and show organizers through the ANA.
I would also send the list to the PNG, who are the largest group of coin dealers. Also, the grading services. Publish a notice in CW, NN, ANA, and anywhere else people who might see will know to keep an eye out.
Doubt they would be stupid enough to try eBay or Craigs, but one never knows.
If you publish the general list and reward at Craigs, you will probably get a wide viewing from coin shops, collectors in Baltimore if someone local
If collectors or dealers have photographed these coins, that also might help them.
Does PCGS photograph everything they certify? If you have the cert numbers, might the pictures of the coins be obtainable?
It saddens me to read this type of report.
You hear of the occasional disappearance
of a coin or two but not to this extent !
Hard to believe it happened while at the
show. I have never heard of things like
this happening after the show shuts down
for the night. So, it had to happen during
normal show hours, and the dealer just
plain forgot to lock his cases when he stepped
away from his table. That's a very expensive
lesson to learn.
My condolences !! Sincerely !!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coin collecting is not a hobby, it's an obsession !
New Barber Purchases
From what I saw at the show on Thursday and Friday....Yes!
<< <i>
<< <i>Are they in TPG slabs? If so, S/Ns would be a big help. >>
Brian told me he had no raw gold at the show.
I'm fairly certain that most, if not all of those coins are slabbed.
And to think he just bought Wayne Herndon's business and was coming into his own as a young coin entrepreneur in his mid thirties.
Sad.....wonder how it happened.
Horrible!
Very sad.
Hope they are recovered and crooks caught.
Is Wayne retiring? One of THE best. Would be a big loss to the community.
On Friday I looked at this coin 1815/2 Capped Bust Half dollar AU53 details
It was in a display case at that time.......
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<< <i>How does one simply walk off with a box of coins? >>
I recall a show in Rosemont, IL around 2000 in which a dealer claimed that an entire briefcase full of coins was stolen. I never heard if anything was eventually recovered.
Dealers, in general, are too trusting, especially during closing time.
<< <i>This might be a dumb question since I'm not a Dealer but is a loss like this insured either through the bourse or his coin business? >>
It will depend on the specifics of the situation. If someone helped themselves to the box from behind his table or in his presence, then his private insurance will most likely cover the loss.
<< <i>The Whitman show promotors offer safes that can be rented, don't they? >>
and what happens after one leaves the show? crime happens after that as well. just saying is all
I hope he recovers everything.
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
Please mention the items at your coin clubs and local shows this weekend...more heat the better chance to recover the items!
When showing coins to customer, show them one at a time. Don't let someone reach for a group of coins or badger you to show them a whole group of them at once. All it takes is one slip up, breakdown in security.
ScarsdaleCoin: <<Please mention the items at your coin clubs and local shows this weekend...more heat the better chance to recover the items!>>
I am almost certain that the publisher of CoinWeek.com would be willing to publicly list details and photos of the stolen coins, along with contact information for pertinent law enforcement officials. This would be a way of reaching a great many people, including honest owners of coin shops who may first try Google searches before buying scarce coins from unknown sellers. Plus, thousands of collectors come to CoinWeek every day! If stolen coins are listed on CoinWeek, then collectors who are offered such coins may know to call law enforcement officials or the rightful owners.
The Rarest 20th Century, Regular U.S. Coins: 1927-D Saint Gaudens Double Eagles ($20 gold pieces)
He says he is sick to his stomach but is trying to find a light in the tunnel.
The bad news is that all the coins were raw, but the good news(if that is possible) and I quote Brian....
"it was all higher value and I have the images and attributions that should make them easily identifiable in the coin community.
I'm going to get the images to Detective Sponsky next week and allow him to use them as he sees fit."
All the best to Brian.
It could and should become the premier database to be checked before purchasing coins off the street.
"Interest rates, the price of money, are the most important market. And, perversely, they’re the market that’s most manipulated by the Fed." - Doug Casey
<< <i>
<< <i>Are they in TPG slabs? If so, S/Ns would be a big help. >>
Brian told me he had no raw gold at the show.
I'm fairly certain that most, if not all of those coins are slabbed.
And to think he just bought Wayne Herndon's business and was coming into his own as a young coin entrepreneur in his mid thirties.
Sad.....wonder how it happened.
Numismatic Crime Info Ctr >>
What's Wayne going to do now if he's sold his business?
Were any of the coins certified PCGS Secure?
On a related question, has anyone recovered a stolen coin due to the PCGS Secure service?
<< <i>What's Wayne going to do now if he's sold his business? >>
how about this?
.
<< <i>
<< <i>What's Wayne going to do now if he's sold his business? >>
how about this?
. >>
Teaching? Cool
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>What's Wayne going to do now if he's sold his business? >>
how about this?
. >>
Teaching? Cool
Seriously, if Wayne Herndon sold his business, does anyone truthfully know what he's going to do?
DerryB: <<<maybe Doug at numismaticcrimes.org can get a tab added at the top of the home pages for "stolen items" where pics of raw coins and cert numbers for graded coins can be shown. This would be a great resource for the retail coin community to use when coins come in the door. Currently the website is nothing more than news stories about thefts and forms for reporting thefts>>
Of course, it is a good idea for such postings to occur at the numismatic crimes website. Even so, it is disappointing that my post above was ignored.
The leading online news publication is CoinWeek.com and tens of thousands of collectors and dealers visit every week. In some cases, dealers will, deliberately, accidentally, or negligently, sell stolen coins to collectors. It would be best if pictures and other information were to be posted at a site that tens of thousands of collectors visit every week.
Classic Gold Coins for less than $5000 each, Part 2: Commemorative One Dollar Gold Pieces
Building a Set of Almost Uncirculated-55 to ‘Mint State’-63 Barber Half Dollars
I'm just finding this feed about the incident that happened to Brian Cushing in 2014. If anyone here sees my message, please let me know if you know the current whereabouts of Brian Cushing.
I've been a victim of him, having consigned multiple coins that he has sold and not paid me for. He won't respond to emails, nor phone calls....some of his phone numbers have been disconnected. I have filed a police report with the Long Beach Police Department since the coins exchanged hands at the Long Beach show over the course of 2019. With the shutdown of everything due to Covid, a couple of years shot by before I became suspicious. Seeing this thread, I suspect he claimed the theft of these coins for tax fraud. Who has this number of highly valued coins not certified????
If you know anything that can help me, please email me at "kevinmcnamara@comcast.net"!
Upon closer inspection of the listed coins he "lost", I see they must be mostly if not all certified!
Here’s contact information from the PCGS authorized dealers directory:
Dick Osburn Rare Coins
603-767-7745 Peabody, MA Brian Cushing
And from CoinZip
https://coinzip.com/dealerPage.php?dealer=1017
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I looked up OsburnCushing Numismatics. The website now shows an address of a P.O. box in Pasadena, Maryland with no phone number. (The 603 area code Mark lists above googles as a New Hampshire-only area code). Here's a blurb I found in the "My Blog" section of the OsburnCushing website:
Dick Osburn has been collecting and trading coins since he was 10 years old. Dick has over his over 35 years as a coin dealer, handling over 40 million dollars of rare coinage during his esteemed career. Dick has written over three dozen articles for the Gobrecht Journal, the journal of the Liberty Seated Collectors' Club. Dick has been heavily involved with research on Seated half dollars since the mid-1980s, developing a strong friendship in the process with Bill Bugert and Randy Wiley while adding his expertise and knowledge to their vast research on Seated half dollars. Dick is the co-Author of the reference guide, "Liberty Seated Dollars: A Register of Die Varieties." Dick also authored the Seated Half section of Kevin Flynn's book on misplaced dates.
Dick has given educational seminars on Seated half dollars and Seated dollars at major conventions across the country. He regularly mans a booth at the Houston Coin Show for the Liberty Seated Collectors club, always willing and able to share his vast knowledge with those eager to learn. Dicks forthright personality, honesty and integrity have made him a favorite of dealers and collectors alike.
Brian Cushing has been collecting coins since he was eight. Those early Lincoln and Buffalo exhibits still grace his desk. Brian began his official Numismatic career at JJ Teaparty in downtown Boston under the tutelage of Elizabeth Coggan, the famed Numismatic expert who worked under Q David Bowers at American Numismatic Rarties. Liz created a passion for variety attribution within Brian that festered and grew over the years.
Brian Cushing Rare Coins was his first crack at Numismatic Entrepreneurship. Utilizing his national contacts, he founded the company as a wholesale outlet. During that endeavor, he was approached by Wayne Herndon with the opportunity to run Dick Osburn Rare Coins. Excited at the possibility of being mentored by a Numismatic legend, Brian accepted the positions of Vice President and Senior Numismatist. Dick and Brian quickly formed a wonderful friendship and mentorship. In February of 2014, Brian acquired the business from Wayne and is now the sole owner of Dick Osburn Rare Coins (now Osburn Cushing Numismatics).
Brian has established himself as a nationally recognized expert in all things early United States coinage. He has been heavily involved in the research and education of Liberty Seated dollars. He is the co-author of the reference guide, "Liberty Seated Dollars: A Register of Die Varieties." He is the West Coast Regional Director of the Liberty Seated Collectors Club. Brian has served on the Board of Governors for the National Silver Dollar Roundtable (NSDR) since 2018. In 2020, he was elected to a two-year term as NSDR Vice President starting for the year 2021. He also serves the NSDR as Chairman of the education and seminars committee. In 2019, Brian received the NSDR Presidents award. In 2020, Brian received the prestigious NSDR Man of the Year award, in recognition of his work establishing the NSDR Young Numismatist Scholarship Program.
Brian began shifting the focus of the coin business towards Numismatic consulting after the show disruptions in 2020 & 2021. As an expert in US coinage, Brian has offered coin appraisal, auction representation, professional grading processing and representation, pedigree application services, retail and wholesale broker services, will and trust consultation and appraisals. In addition to these services, we continue to offer premium Numismatic pieces to retail customers through our website and eBay.
This doesn't sound like someone who'd pull something like what's been asserted here.
Coinlearner, Ahrensdad, Nolawyer, RG, coinlieutenant, Yorkshireman, lordmarcovan, Soldi, masscrew, JimTyler, Relaxn, jclovescoins
Now listen boy, I'm tryin' to teach you sumthin' . . . . that ain't an optical illusion, it only looks like an optical illusion.
My mind reader refuses to charge me....
Strange that a disreputable dealer -- apparently a thief -- has such a prestigious academic, research, and writing background in the hobby. Usually, thieves prefer a much lower profile.
If this were me, I'd show up at his next coin show with a couple of police....or some big burly fellas and help myself to the cash value of what he stole from me from his table(s). Let him call the cops or security -- he can explain the crap he pulled with you.
Screw going through the courts and watching this fraud go underground again.
This is not a good idea.
Or maybe you have to wonder about a two-post wonder pouncing on a 8-year-old thread...
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
The disparity of the description of this man is large.
@Bigred0053 —The way that I can figure both to be true is: could someone have posed as him when you consigned the sale?
In reply to the question nine years ago:
You walk out with a box of coins as if you own it.
Edit: content