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1988 Morgan Dollar for $100,000

According to The New York Post, a man's friend sold him a 1988 Morgan Dollar for $100,000 and a total of 86 coins for $17 Million over the past 15 years. I'm sorry, but if he's spending that much money over that amount of time and he didn't know he was getting ripped-off, well, let's just say a fool and his money..........

https://nypost.com/2018/04/02/family-blew-through-kids-trust-funds-investing-in-phony-coins/

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    david3142david3142 Posts: 3,686 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The article states that the 1988 Morgan was in fact worth only $200. Nice research, boys.

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    DBSTrader2DBSTrader2 Posts: 3,530 ✭✭✭✭

    Am I missing something? A 1988 Morgan?

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    Type2Type2 Posts: 13,985 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Wow I have some nice seated dollars to sell. ;);)


    and some trade dollars as well.



    Hoard the keys.
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    northcoinnorthcoin Posts: 4,987 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 2, 2018 10:33AM

    Haven't read the article yet, but the title suggests something more nefarious as in a mini money laundering scheme. The seller(s) could well have been in on it and this was just a way to get money out of the minor's trust fund with the adults involved sharing in the proceeds.

    Edited to add: OK, having looked at the article if the above suspicion is correct, there was probably more to the story. For example, still a possibility that it was only one of the adults profiting and now claiming to the other after the fact that he/she was misled as to the coin values.

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    JimnightJimnight Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Now I've heard it all.

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    ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,461 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 2, 2018 11:29PM

    The case says Harold Adamo Jr. purchased the 1988 Morgan for $200 in April 2003 and then sold it to Rocco and Josephine Marini for $100,000 in December 2003. Here's more:

    https://www.leagle.com/decision/infdco20140207b67

    Harold Adamo used part of the $17 million to send his children to Hofstra University, Fairfield University and Brooklyn Law School. He said the following after the courts prevented the Marini's from getting money back from the schools:

    “I’m allowed to educate my kids in order to give them a better education so I don’t have to support them,” Adamo said.

    Of note, Harold Adamo Jr. is the godfather of the Marinis' children.

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    bigmountainlionbigmountainlion Posts: 274 ✭✭✭

    The article had a typo, it should be 1888 Morgan, apparently the dealer also sold a Stella, a $50 commemorative coin, and many other rare coins at much inflated prices, sometimes buying the same coin back at higher price to keep Adamo interested. Link posted by zoins is interesting.

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    northcoinnorthcoin Posts: 4,987 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The date of the court case is 2014. Maybe expert Fred Weinberg , who testified in the trial, can update as to any appeals and/or collection on the judgement. Given the large amount of cash alleged to have been paid in the millions there could have been IRS implications as well.

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    TreashuntTreashunt Posts: 6,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Never, never believe anything that the NY Post prints.

    "Among the pair’s coin purchases was a 1988 Morgan Silver Dollar that they bought from Adamo for $100,000. The coin turned out to be worth $200, according to court papers."

    yeah, right!

    Frank

    BHNC #203

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    rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    This is - potentially - a real rat's nest...and the court may be missing the entire root issue (as mentioned above)....That being said, if the case is actually as stated, then it is a major con job and the dealer should rot in prison. Cheers, RickO

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    FredWeinbergFredWeinberg Posts: 6,026 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I was one of two PNG Expert witnesses' in that
    $20 Million Rare Coin Fraud, in Federal Court.

    Our Side won.

    That NY Post article is correct - I sold the
    'Bad' dealer a 1888 (not 1988) Morgan Dollar
    with a real nice large, raised retained Lamination
    flap (looked like a 3-D Wing raised off the coin) for
    $200, and he sold it to the Plaintiff (which I testified on behalf of)
    the coin for $100,000.

    I was sent a copy of the NY Article a few days ago by the
    plaintif, who I've been helping in numerous ways before,
    during, and since he won the case, to recover monies from
    the judgement. As far as I know, he has not recovered much
    at all, but he's keeping a good eye on everything the loosing
    defendant (and a poor excuse for a human being) is doing.

    Not much more I can common on at this time on the article.
    Maybe later

    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
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    SmudgeSmudge Posts: 9,969 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Isn't the NY Post sort of like the National Enquirer?

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    AzurescensAzurescens Posts: 2,903 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I thought the Post was the "common man's" NY Times.

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    ArizonaRareCoinsArizonaRareCoins Posts: 679 ✭✭✭✭

    @Smudge said:
    Isn't the NY Post sort of like the National Enquirer?

    No, that's The New York Times.

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    SmudgeSmudge Posts: 9,969 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Good one.

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    bsshog40bsshog40 Posts: 4,037 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Must have been some kind of an anniversary year for the 1988 Morgan huh? Probably already sold out at the Mint. B)

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    BLUEJAYWAYBLUEJAYWAY Posts: 11,615 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @FredWeinberg said:
    I was one of two PNG Expert witnesses' in that
    $20 Million Rare Coin Fraud, in Federal Court.

    Our Side won.

    That NY Post article is correct - I sold the
    'Bad' dealer a 1888 (not 1988) Morgan Dollar
    with a real nice large, raised retained Lamination
    flap (looked like a 3-D Wing raised off the coin) for
    $200, and he sold it to the Plaintiff (which I testified on behalf of)
    the coin for $100,000.

    I was sent a copy of the NY Article a few days ago by the
    plaintif, who I've been helping in numerous ways before,
    during, and since he won the case, to recover monies from
    the judgement. As far as I know, he has not recovered much
    at all, but he's keeping a good eye on everything the loosing
    defendant (and a poor excuse for a human being) is doing.

    Not much more I can common on at this time on the article.
    Maybe later

    Any chance you can post a photo of the coin? Thanks

    Successful transactions:Tookybandit. "Everyone is equal, some are more equal than others".
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    Timbuk3Timbuk3 Posts: 11,658 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Very sad story to hear !!! :'(

    Timbuk3

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