By Debbie Bradley, Numismatic News November 05, 2009

Security at the coin convention may be stellar, but the coin dealer or collector may find he is most vulnerable to thieves on his way to or from the convention.

“Remember that the business that you’re in makes you a target because you have something of value,” warned Doug Davis, president of the Numismatic Crime Information Center of Pantego, Texas.

News about the increase in gold values and coins selling for millions of dollars “piques the interest of the criminal element,” he said. That calls for numismatic collectors and dealers to be all the more vigilant about security.

The numismatic community has been brought to attention about security needs following the recent theft of dealer Julian Leidman’s inventory from his locked mini-van while he ate at a restaurant.

“Witnesses say his vehicle was parked within his view, but it was the opposite side where the suspects came up to his car, smashed the window, grabbed the cases and sped away,” Davis said. “It all happened within a couple of minutes.”

It could very well be that Leidman was targeted when he was at the coin show that he was returning from in Stamford, Conn., Davis said.

“It looks like they knew what they were going after and where the cases were going to be,” Davis said.

During the past eight months other dealers have been the victims of similar thefts and feel they were targeted at shows, he said.

“Collectors and dealers have to be careful about how they conduct business,” Davis said. “You have to know what’s going on around you. People have heard that but we tend to be apathetic and think it’s not going to happen to us, but it does.”

That means being cautious about what you say and who you talk to at shows.

“Be suspicious of people you don’t know who ask you questions about what you have, where you are from and how you got to the show, especially when you are out in the hallways at the convention,” he said.

Don’t talk about the business you’ve conducted in the show, how much money you spent or what you bought, he said.

“You’re signaling people to look at what you’re doing and there may be that criminal who is looking for the opportunity to follow you out,” he said.

And don’t talk about what you bought or what a good show you had around the dinner table at a restaurant or at the coffee shop.

“That just raises a flag and targets you as potential prey for someone who is out there looking for coins,” he said.

One of the weakest points in security is once the collector or dealer has left the show, Davis said.

“If you’re going to the airport, you still need to be cognizant of what’s going on around you. The weakest point is when you get out of that taxi cab or you get out of that shuttle. You’re trying to give people a tip and you drop the bag down for a couple of seconds. Those are vulnerable points.”

Organized criminals may also use a distraction to take your property or your bag, he warned. Beware of the “fight” or “heart attack victim” that draws your attention. It may be a ruse to make you drop your bag of coins so they can grab it.

If traveling by car, make sure it is mechanically safe, have a cellphone with you and know where the “dead” areas are along your route, Davis said.

If the car has mechanical trouble and you have to pull over, check to see if there is a car behind you. If there is, stay in the car and call 911, Davis said. If your vehicle is bumped or in a minor accident or there is a flat tire, it may be the work of a thief. Again, stay in the car and call 911.

There has always been an element of organized crime activity with Colombian and South American gangs targeting the numismatic and jewelry industries, Davis said. There has been a steady increase in that activity in recent months, and given the economy, he expects to see an increase in the next year.

“I think we can minimize some of that with education,” said Davis, who will continue working with dealers, collectors and numismatic associations across the country.

NCIC also offers assistance after a crime occurs.

“We help when people get hit,” he said. “We can coordinate with law enforcement and provide strategies. In most cases we’re able to relieve some of that anxiety between victim and law enforcement.”

NCIC is on the Web at www.numismaticcrimes.org.

More Resources:

• Ultimate Standard Catalog of World Coins 5-CD Set (1600-Present)

• 2010 U.S. Coin Digest, The Complete Guide to Current Market Values

• Standard Guide to Small-Size U.S. Paper Money, 1928 to Date