Rick Harrison is a "Silver Dollar Specialist"!
EXOJUNKIE
Posts: 1,626 ✭✭✭✭✭
In case you didn't know, that's Rick Harrison of "Pawn Stars" fame ... he's not only a celebrity, he's a "silver dollar specialist." Who knew, right?! 
coinweek.com/modern-coins/modern-coin-mart-offers-ana-signature-labels-pawn-stars-rick-harrison/
Definition of a specialist: (noun); a person who concentrates primarily on a particular subject or activity; a person highly skilled in a specific and restricted field. Synonyms: expert, authority, pundit, professional.
Really?!?!
This one had me laughing so hard I just had to share.
I'm addicted to exonumia ... it is numismatic crack!
ANA LM
USAF Retired — 34 years of active military service! 🇺🇸
ANA LM
USAF Retired — 34 years of active military service! 🇺🇸
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Comments
In his store a half dozen years ago he had an uncirculated but holed 1895-O Morgan in the case. The card beside it read that it would have been worth several thousand dollars without the hole but was worthless in the damaged condition.
They turned down my $100 offer.
I don't know about specialist, but he is kind of a coin nerd and probably can grade better than the vast majority of pawn shop owners out there.
Chumlee specializes in hobo nickels.
Old Man will take a shot at the occasional walk-in CC $20.
For, among others, CC dollars, does anyone remember Bill Spears?
This could be true given the sheer volume of coins that come through his store. Point taken, but not sure it is saying much!
ANA LM
USAF Retired — 34 years of active military service! 🇺🇸
He's been to NGC and I'll bet he would love to take a tour of PCGS. If I were Mr. Hall, I 'd invite him over for lunch and a tour. That would piss off Mark at NGC when he found out.
Take some photos together too!
I can think of one retired fellow that can out grade John Albanese. In a way they all can because they are dealing in raw stuff and don't have the benefit of a previous encapsulated grade.
You could likely call him a 'specialist', as he is a coin geek and probably a proficient grader but he is certainly not an expert nor someone that I would defer to.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
LOL, there are probably a few dead guys who could do the same but there have been a lot of changes over time.
You mean like this?
ANA LM
USAF Retired — 34 years of active military service! 🇺🇸
Or like this?
The Mysterious Egyptian Magic Coin
Coins in Movies
Coins on Television
In The Old Man and Rick Harrisons' life times, Las Vegas was THE MECCA for silver dollars. In their location and in their line of business, it would hardly be surprising that they have handled a couple hundred thousand pieces.
How quickly the new crop of the computer nerds forget.
I think my depiction of Rick Harrison as a coin geek was more accurate haha.
ANA LM
USAF Retired — 34 years of active military service! 🇺🇸
Can he tell what a silver dollar is?
BHNC #203
You're Confusing him with John Albanese.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
He sure is an expert on making money. I could not believe the marketing gimmicks at his shop on my visit.
In today's generalist lexicon, much like grades, there are levels....sort of like an opthamologist of the left eye only...
.... Cheers, RickO
In layman's terms, that pretty much means if you work around ____ for long enough, you pretty much know your ____.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
About 3 years ago there was an episode where someone came in to their pawn shop with a PF64 1895P Morgan. Rick didnt know anything about it and had to call over one of his security guards that collected Morgans.
One supposes that the story line that your television show producers/writers come up with (to keep the viewers interested and amused) is a bit different than one's own business acumen. And in real life, how many times would somebody walk into your pawn shop with a Proof Morgan dollar? Once in thirty years seems high to me. Pawn Stars is scripted television.
If Rick Harrison says he knows a lot about silver dollars, I wouldn't be surprised; Las Vegas is the place for silver dollars. Harrison has to know a little bit about a very wide-range of dross, ephemera and valuables.
They just had an episode I saw this past week where a "coin dealer" came in with slabbed examples of a Gobrecht dollar (PF64) and an 1857-s $20 (MS65). The asking prices were $28K and $14K as I recall. And this "walk in" the store dealer was Jeff Garrett.....tell me this wasn't made for TV "reality." Rick didn't want the $20 because he said the ship wreck coins had stuff done to them so you can never be sure of what they'll look like down the road. Ok. I Garrett gave his "best" price on the Gobrecht at $25K as I recall.....Rick then countered with $24K....and I think they met at $24,500. In any case, it wasn't his "best" price 1st or 2nd time around. The only reason he said he caved in is that it was for Rick's personal "collection." I wonder if I could use that line on my next major purchase?
I kept asking myself why Garrett was bringing those 2 coins to a pawn shop?
I believe that some of the people who bring in the better items get an "appearance fee", but Mr. Garrett probably did the appearance to add to his professional vitae or resume. Or maybe just for fun.
That is hard nose negotiation.
Because he's getting paid to appear on camera. It's all show.
The money is in TV, and future syndication / repeats.
Rick always calls NGC's Dave Vagi to come in and look at coins before he buys them, so if he is a 'specialist', he certainly doesn't trust his own judgment.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
If I had the access to such people, I wouldn't be too proud to ask - especially on big ticket items. The show is even perhaps telling its viewers not to be afraid to ask for advice or a second opinion on collectibles. One supposes that some of the "experts" might even pay the show for the opportunity to be seen and named on camera.
I would not at all be surprised if Rick Harrison is a Silver Dollar specialist. He's a history nut in general.
I heard him do a lengthy radio interview several years ago and was quite impressed. He probably knows more American history than 99.9% of Americans.
As for his dad, his son, and Chumlee? No idea.
I am not sure if he's a specialist. Let me call my buddy who is a specialist on specialists and see what he has to say.
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
Scripted or not the show is quite entertaining.
People watch because of the stories, the history, and the goofy subplots the writers throw in (ie. Old Man and Rick get in an argument about the Old Man sleeping too much, etc.).
Jeff G. posted on his FB page that the Gobrecht sale was completely legit and that Rick did indeed buy the coin.