The Numismatic Crime Information Center (NCIC) has had a busy couple of weeks with multiple coin thefts in a variety of situations. Fortunately, for one of these, a recovery of a recent missing package but it was tempered by the report of yet two more thefts. First, the good news.
Last week it was reported here on USCoinNews that a package from California with 19 high value coins was either stolen or lost. That package has been located. The package was heavily damaged but all of the coins that were in the package were recovered.
Unfortunately the good news of this recovery was tempered by the report of two more losses or thefts. The first was a USPS package that was shipped from Rhode Island to Salt Lake City, Utah. The package contained a PCGS graded 1856 Indian Princess Head 3 Dollar gold coin. The coin is a CAC coin graded at AU-55. The PGCS certification number is 32898897.
The second theft appears to be more of a theft than a loss. A package (the shipper was not disclosed) from San Diego, California to North Carolina. The package was received but one of the coins shipped was missing. The package had been cut open and had been re-taped. The missing coin is a 1652 Commonwealth Unite coin from Great Britain. The coin is PCGS graded AU-55 with certification number 144322.55/05250592.
Collectors and dealers are asked to be on the look out for these high value coins as, if they were stolen, the thief could try to get rid of them quickly at a price “too good to be true”. Dealers, coin shop owners, and pawn shop owners in particular are encouraged to be on the look out for one of these rare coins coming into their shop. The good news is that, with most of these coins being graded by NGC or PCGS, they will be more difficult to sell with diligence from collectors and dealers.
If you have any information on these coins or see any of them in your shop or online, you can contact Doug Davis at 817-723-7231 or Doug@numismaticcrimes.org with details. You can also contact your local police department who can contact NCIC.
The Numismatic Crime Information Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to serve as a national and international resource for collectors, dealers and law enforcement in the education, prevention and investigation of crimes involving coins, paper money, tokens, medals and related numismatic items.