Has anyone here ever taken advantage of the "Plan a Visit to Heritage" option on their web

Longacre · September 29, 2008 2:55AM

I was taking a look at the Heritage website, and I just noticed something. There was a link entitled, "Plan a Visit to Heritage". I clicked on it, and it seems like you can have a fun-filled day of poking around Heritage's coin vault, speaking with a numismatist on staff, rubbing elbows with Jim Halperin, noshing with Todd Imhof, and even touring a rather impressive looking showroom of fine art. Of course, it is probably best to have real business to do with Heritage if you schedule a visit, rather than just stopping by there on a pleasure trip to take a tour, but I found it interesting. Has anyone taken Heritage up on this offer, and if so, what has your experience been? It seems pretty cool if you ask me.

messydesk · September 29, 2008 3:00AM

Don't you have to cut someone a $75,000 check before you are allowed any rubbing of elbows and/or noshing?

sonoranmonsoon · September 29, 2008 9:12AM

Sounds interesting, but I think my wife has other plans for a vacation. In fact, I will bet on it.

NHSBaseball · September 29, 2008 10:55AM

I once took a tour of the Dr. Enuf factory in Johnson City, TN. I have been a huge fan of their product since I was a kid and we'd visit my Grandmother in Kingsport. Me, my brother, my cousin and daughter showed up at the factory and asked the very puzzled receptionist for a tour. She said, "We've never had anyone ask for a tour before, I'm not sure that we have one!"

They gave us a tour anyway.

I'm actually the type of person who would consider taking a tour of the Heritage facility, and actually enjoy it.

WTCG · September 29, 2008 11:16AM

Because of security and liability reasons I highly doubt if Heritage will allow you to walk around their non-public areas regardless of whether you are escorted or not. Actually neither of the two major grading companies nor any of the largest numismatic companies will allow people who are not their employees to tour their facilities.

Ronyahski · September 29, 2008 3:06PM

I've been to Heritage a few times to view upcoming coins at auction held during shows that I could not attend. Some dealers do this as a course of their business, but it's a not too common occurence for many collectors. Actually, it was during one of my trips down to Heritage that it actually dawned on me how committed a collector I was when they pointed out that they were more used to hosting dealers than the likes of me.

I made one trip to Dallas a couple of years ago. On the first day, I had a business meeting to attend to, then spent the rest of the day walking around Dealey Plaza and visiting the Sixth Floor Museum (for anybody who can remember where they were the day President Kennedy was assasinated, this is a must visit). The second day I spent at Heritage.

I spent several hours viewing auction lots and was impressed with the courtesy extended me and the attention paid. They set me up in a conference room and made sure I had everything I needed. Even ordered in lunch. Steve Ivy stopped in to say hello and we talked taxes more than coins.

After lot viewing I went down to Greg Rohan's office. Greg has accomplished a great deal in the numismatic business. What I found most impressive was a little know fact about Greg. After trying to extol an example of my virtures as a real rennaissance collector, somebody who collected full step Jefferson nickels in the 70's before anybody even knew what they were, come to find out Greg actually was a dealer in them at the time. Made his first big time profits on Full Step Jeffs and moved onto bigger things.

Greg took me on an hour+ tour of the Heritage facilities. I got to see the inventory/processing room, the grading room (talk about some impressive talent here), photography room, etc., etc. It's a huge operation. Perhaps the most impressive area was the cataloguing process. Can't do it justice by describing, but the equipment they have that produce those auction catalogues is some of the most expensive and advanced in existence. It's a publishing business on its own.

Don't forget that Heritage is more than coins. I toured the art auction division and met the head guy there, (though don't think he was much impressed with the art pieces I own), and we spent some time looking talking movie posters.

Haven't clicked on Plan a visit to Heritage, but if they are offering anything like day I spent at Heritage, it sure is pretty cool. Heritage is a first class operation.

mrearlygold · September 29, 2008 3:28PM

I know the old place in Highland Park Village was amazing and working there was really something. The new place has got to be off the charts.

lordmarcovan · September 29, 2008 4:03PM

<< <i> I once took a tour of the Dr. Enuf factory in Johnson City, TN. I have been a huge fan of their product since I was a kid >>

OK, so what is it? Is it explosive? Looks like something you'd pour in a lawnmower engine.

I'd be skeered to drink it.

Torrero · September 30, 2008 2:23AM

I scheduled a visit not long ago while in Dallas on other business. It was one of the most enjoyable afternoons I ever spent on a coin related event. As Ronyahski explained, their facilities are very impressive. The people I met from every category were friendly, highly intelligent and seemingly happy to answer all my curious questions (and I don't think it was just because Todd Imhoff was accompanying me). It really transcends a simple coin firm. They're all about predicting where the coin and collectible markets will be ten years from now and making sure they remain the 800lb. gorilla.

Jay

bidask · September 30, 2008 11:14AM

There are several benefits of being a legacy member of heritage coin auctions.

In September 2007, I got to experience a very enjoyable one. My company sent me to Dallas for business and knowing I was going there I emailed Todd Imhoff at Heritage who arranged for a tour of their headquarters. Heritage is a growing company with about 300 employees.

I got a tour and met key employees of not only their coin operations but other collectible operations as well such as fine art, americana, comic books, sports memorablia, and jewelry and watches.

Todd, myself, and one of their auction specialists, Mike Sadler, went to lunch and shared stories about our respective collecing pasts and how we got into our businesses. Mike is a pilot and called the auction on heritage's recent Buzz Aldrin space memorabilia collection. A high tech ruler carried to the moon went for about 87k, imagine that.

I am always interested in hearing how a person gets in the coin business full time as it has been a thought of mine. I said hello Greg Rohan who was very gracious but did not see Steve Ivy, who I used to trade with when he was a proprietor in the 70's.

While for me, a collector, this experience was like being in a giant collectibles toy store, yet for heritage this is a business. Having said that, everywhere I saw not only hard working employees, but I got the sense they enjoyed their jobs. How could you not working around collectible fun stuff like that all day?

As far as my personal goals, as a legacy member, Heritage imaged a fair number of coins out of my collection gratis that I brought with me, as well as submitting a few items for me for the TPG services.

Todd asked me a question about my collecting goals. I wish I could have given him a better answer. Having collected for so long I just love coins and my collection rambles from US to foreign. Good stuff of course.

Anyway it was easy to see why they are such a successful firm with the people they have. It was a great visit that has endeared me even more to Heritage.

MacCrimmon · September 30, 2008 1:36PM

If you're planning a visit you should really stay at the old Adolphus Hotel to become one with the true heritage of Heritage, nee Steve Ivy Auctions. Back in the late 70s and early 80s the Adolphus hosted many Ivy auctions; back when all coins were raw, and we LIKED IT!!!

TexasNationals · September 30, 2008 2:02PM

I used to be a legacy member, but over a rude call over $299 I will never buy from them again. Heritage has lost over 42k in business this YTD from me, bought from other sources. Thanks customer service!

Torrero · September 30, 2008 11:19PM

Whew, Texas Nationals. We are sooo relieved you chimed in on a thread about visiting Heritage so you could complain about their calling you over $299 (undoubtedly over your not paying something on time, I presume). Give us a break.

coinut1799 · September 30, 2008 11:37PM

I travel to Dallas 3 or 4 times a year to visit my daughter and grandchildren. Before one trip I learned that Heritage had a large consignment of colonial coins for an upcoming Long Beach auction. I contacted Heritage and arranged to visit their offices and examine the coins. I spent over an hour looking at them and discussing them with David Lisot, who is a well know videographer, but knew little about colonials. He was gracious, gave me a tour of the facilities, and some time after my visit I was granted "Legacy" status. I consider myself fortunate to have that distinction, and truly enjoyed my morning at the Heritage offices.

Has anyone here ever taken advantage of the "Plan a Visit to Heritage" option on their web

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Has anyone here ever taken advantage of the &quot;Plan a Visit to Heritage&quot; option on their web

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Has anyone here ever taken advantage of the "Plan a Visit to Heritage" option on their web