R.I.P Robert Chambers - Coin Vault Host

JazzmanJAB · April 15, 2014 10:13PM

He died April 14,2014.

I never purchased anything from them, but, I liked to compare their prices
to the real world.

R.I.P.

LanceNewmanOCC · April 15, 2014 10:22PM

.

<< In lieu of flowers, Robert’s family are requesting donations be made to either of the following charities: >>

absolutely fantastic

he must have been quite the philanthropist if his family thought this was the proper way to honor his memory. a big +1 to that idea.
.

NotSure · April 16, 2014 12:25AM

By the looks of that bottom picture, I'm guessing it was the big 'C'. When I first watched him as a kid, what was I, maybe 11-12 y.o., on the now defunct ShopAtHome (first with that scrawny guy Louis Revels of Chattanooga Coin, then with that kid, Shawn Lefler), he was kinda a heavy guy. That image, man, he didn't look 'good'. Huckster or not, regardless of what we all thought of him, it's sad to see someone go before his time. As for his being a philanthropist, I remember he and Lefler talking about getting into Platinum waaaaay back when it was like sub $200 (?), and recall Lefler making reference to being able to buy his new house for cash, due to Chambers' suggestion of buying Platinum (Lefler was giddy like a little schoolgirl). He must've made a bundle, ergo, huckster or not, had good knowledge about PM's.

TwoSides2aCoin · April 16, 2014 12:42AM

I loved this guy's spunk. He was a good representative for "coins" with his knowledge. And who cares beyond that ? Fond memories are ours to have. Bitter reminders are just a smile away from remembering the "good old days". Some people are just miserable all their lives long. Some just have setbacks and successes along the way. People who did ALL their collecting on television have the hardest pill to swallow.

We all end up in the prone position without another breath, one day. Celebrate life and enjoy. Why not ?
God bless us all. Amen.

19Lyds · April 16, 2014 12:52AM

My mother always said if you don't have anything good to say then don't say anything at all.

STONE · April 16, 2014 1:16AM

He looks fairly young

123cents · April 16, 2014 1:29AM

My prayers go out to his family and friends.

Justlooking · April 16, 2014 1:36AM

There was just something about his voice ... I remember watching the show for hours without ever buying anything. I couldn't turn it off.

Without Coin Vault, I probably never would have heard about PCGS. And that's the truth.

He will be missed.

NotSure · April 16, 2014 1:44AM

Yep, just as I thought, the big 'C'. Found this on 'The Huff Post'

And this from Fox News out of Cleveland.

These were from just last December, and it looks like he survived, perhaps, a year or so, from diagnosis to the grave. He's referred to as 'the owner of The Coin Vault'??? Must have been LOADED. In the image with his wife, it certainly looks like they weren't financially strapped. He was really my first 'introduction' to coins, as I had insomnia as a kid (still do) and would leave the TV on and go to sleep while listening to his voice (what's it referred to...'white noise'?). ShopAtHome was running The Coin Vault seemingly every night back then. Regardless of what was thought of him, and his pricing, he certainly seemed to have had a knack for the TV coin gig. It's odd, as I remember when he was with Lewis Revels (Revels always had dirty, gnarly fingernails, like the ones we make fun of in some ebay images), they sold raw crap, and when he was with that Lefler kid (no 'kid' anymore) they were into graded modern 'crap' and the usual MS63 Morgans (usually graded from ATS). That slight southern drawl put me to sleep many nights, and though the prices were outrageous (never realized that back then, but never bought anything, either), he did have a way with presentation, and I do admit, he did know (at least seemed to know) a few things about the hobby...whether it was learned out of 'necessity' in order to sell, or he had it all along, I don't know.

I remember seeing him walking the floor at the summer ANA World's Fair of Money in Baltimore when I was like 15 (what was it, '03?). It was before I knew better, and before I knew how TV 'coin hucksters' were viewed....it was like I saw a celeb, not a celeb like, say, Tom Hanks, but more of a TV 'soap' celeb (don't hate me, c'mon, I wasn't even old enough to drive!). My pops drove me from Boston to Baltimore for that weekend. It was a big deal for me back then, as it was my first real coin show, other than small, local ones. I went to that ANA show even before my first Bay State Show. That was the year when the Walton specimen of the 1913 Liberty Nickel stole the show and was confirmed as authentic, and all the hoopla surrounding it, and seeing the display of all 5 together for the first time in umpteen years (still have a pic pops took of me standing at the display case they were in, as originally, they were going to display for the first time in a looong time, all 4, prior to Walton's heirs going to Baltimore and having that one authenticated, making it an 'even' 5 to display).

That show was really one of my first real memories of my collecting journey, at made a huge impression on me, with all the excitement/buzz of the Walton specimen amongst collectors, MY first real road trip with pops, the aquarium, etc. On top of all the numismatic buzz, saw an Orioles/Red Sox game that weekend (wasn't hard to get seats...lol) at the new Camden Yards, too. It was my first time there (and realized not ALL ballpark's fans hated when the visitor's fans there...the O's fans were really VERY nice, not like a Yankees fan at Fenway, or a Red Sox fan at Yankee Stadium would be treated). It was also my first exposure to 'Boogs BBQ', where it seemed like Boog Powell would cook up any critter that walked on 4 legs. At that game, a storm was passing through (it was SOOO hot and muggy, as I recall), a HUGE rumble of thunder boomed, so loud at least one Sox player in the field literally hit the dirt, as if someone was shooting (my pops said to me, KINDA tongue-in-cheek, 'Ken, this IS Baltimore, son'...no offense to those who live there). Sorry for the rambling, but that weekend will stay with me for a long time, with all we did in that weekend, it was very memorable, and yeah, Chambers was a small part of it. Afterall, he 'put me to sleep' many nights with that 'white noise' (with a bit of knowledge).

pitboss · April 16, 2014 2:06AM

He did know the coin business and did a great job hawking the coins on the coin vault even though I never bought any.

So sorry hardly expresses my feelings for his family who he most likely left early in life.

derryb · April 16, 2014 2:12AM

I like his motto: "Describe exactly what the item is, be precise about the grade or condition, and deliver it in the timeliest fashion."

I notice he didn't mention "best price."

Burnie · April 16, 2014 2:59AM

Coin Vault was how I started collecting 15 years ago. Bought my first coin late one night because of how Robert Chambers sold it. He could sell anything and always made it much more exciting.

R.I.P.

MGLICKER · April 16, 2014 3:02AM

<< My mother always said if you don't have anything good to say then don't say anything at all. >>

Agree.

Type2 · April 16, 2014 4:12AM

You know he sold alot of coins i could see some thing was wrong you could see it in some of his shows back when he could add up prices in a snap and say all the items with out thinking but he had a tuff tim at the end. I bought some coins here and there fliped and made some $$$. But i away looked at his shows when he was all dressed up down to the T-shert and flip flops at the end, I'm happy he had fun selling on TV but sorry it was cut short you can tell he loved his work. He will be missed he would hype it all up and we put it on the bay at a discount and sell all we hade. R.I.P my friend and my Condolences to the family......... I loved his saying " In the leading Numismatic Catalog " or LNC.

WoW just WoW that was to fast.

AUandAG · April 16, 2014 4:31AM

Never saw his show. No impact on me but then TV is not my way of viewing coins.

Too young, for sure, no matter what he did for a living.

Condolences to those that knew him and loved him.

bob

edix2001 · April 16, 2014 4:55AM

What they say about salesmen had to be true about that guy: You'll pay to have them go away.

joeykoins · April 16, 2014 5:10AM

I too have to admit, I watched the man many hours on the "vault"! He spoke of the Lord quite frequently also. What sticks in my mind about Robert was he said he himself bought 1000 sets of the first year of the satin finish coins( when they first came out ). I think it was the Statehood Quarters? I also remember the man when he was selling baseball cards on air as well. Himself and that guy that would be constantly screaming when pushing merchandise, the name alludes me. I pray for his family.

johnny9434 · April 16, 2014 5:19AM

im sorry to hear that. my condolences to him and his family.

7over8 · April 18, 2014 5:45AM

He had a distinctive voice, I remember him in the early days in the late 80's early 90's, was on TV late at night - and if you were to "nod" off during a commercial, that voice of his would wake you right up after the break!

Rest in Peace.

pennyannie · April 18, 2014 6:14AM

RIP, I like watching the show and listening to the guy. I did buy a few items over the years and liked what I got from him. I bought some metal indigo currency things for pretty cheap ( still have them) a signed leather bound book ( sold and doubled my money) and a few other odds and ins. Put in context it was not bad. Died to young.

smirkingchamp · April 18, 2014 6:52AM

Agree or disagree with the products, the bottom line is that the man did his job well and with enthusiasm. RIP.

braddick · April 18, 2014 7:06AM

<< 

<< My mother always said if you don't have anything good to say then don't say anything at all. >>

Agree. >>

Yes, but you do realize by even quoting or stating such within this thread is tacitly throwing stones.

Coinsponge · April 18, 2014 7:34AM

Oh I am sorry to hear about that. I like to watch the show to relax at night when there is nothing interesting on. Most of their stuff does not stir my buying interest so my credit card is usually safe although they got me a time or 2 awhile back. I was watching it last night and did not even know about Robert. They had this cute young lady I found very charming with Scott and she seemed to have some knowledge about coins. I hope they keep her but then again maybe she was memorex.

joeykoins · April 18, 2014 8:18AM

Robert really,really help NGC's business by certifying tons and tons of coins every year! When the Silver eagles came out in the first of the year, he would have whole " Green Monster" boxes certified! Amazing! He really boosted thier population of slabs.

SeattleSlammer · April 18, 2014 8:50AM

<< 

<< 

<< My mother always said if you don't have anything good to say then don't say anything at all. >>

Agree. >>

Yes, but you do realize by even quoting or stating such within this thread is tacitly throwing stones. >>

This!

ElKevvo · April 18, 2014 12:28PM

Agree or disagree with the products, the bottom line is that the man did his job well and with enthusiasm. RIP.

He did seem to be very knowledgeable and I did like watching him on the tv...

K

Prethen · April 28, 2014 1:15AM

I never bought any coins from the Coin Vault but I did find it somewhat entertaining to watch the show (and still will on occasion for a few moments). He seemed to have an incredible personality and probably was a pretty decent and nice person off air. It's very sad to see this happen to someone so young and in our hobby (albeit with its controversy).

joeykoins · April 28, 2014 1:58AM

Yeah, you wonder now if his wife or family will continue with the business?

telephoto1 · April 28, 2014 2:43AM

<< Agree or disagree with the products, the bottom line is that the man did his job well and with enthusiasm. RIP. >>

+1 to that sentiment. Sorry to hear of his passing and I do think that he educated himself about what he was selling, unlike some TV sellers.

I did have to grin when I read that he sold over $1 billion in coins... I immediately thought "....with a total real market value of about 200 grand"....

johnny9434 · April 28, 2014 5:09AM

<< Agree or disagree with the products, the bottom line is that the man did his job well and with enthusiasm. RIP. >>

agreed, he was good at it for sure

Snowman24 · April 30, 2014 8:33AM

I never bought anything from the show but Robert showed what graded coins were all about because I never heard of them

the coin he was trying to sell was a 1995 double die Lincoln in a NGC that one night I was watching

so thanks Robert.. if I never watched the show that one night.. I guess I would not be here on PCGS

Thanks Robert

Snowman

R.I.P Robert Chambers - Coin Vault Host

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