The
collecting of money has been around since
money was invented. Some of us collect
more than others and we all have varied
interests however one thing we all share
in common whether we are dealers, collectors,
or investors is ideas on how we can be
more secure with our investments.
Col.
Steven Butternut has produced a series
of observations, opinions on security,
home security for the collector, self-defense
measures all related to how we as Coin
Dealers, Coin Collectors, Coin Investors
protect ourselves from the scourge of
society, thieves and worse , that would
not hesitate to relieve you, me, our families
of our valuables in whatever way possible
to do so. I have always taken this subject
seriously and have always made sure that
my home and Family are secure. It shocks
me to hear collectors loudly talking about
the days score at the coin show while
having a few drinks over dinner at a local
restaurant and sometimes there's a big
mouth coin dealer sitting at the table
loudly bragging about his exploits and
believe me, I'm not the only one that
overhears these things. PLEASE DON'T DO
THAT. Think about some of the posters
from a different era and apply them to
yourself when you are talking about your
coins.
And
please substitute the word Jewelry, Diamonds,
Money, Art, Gold, or any asset of value
for rare coins and start taking steps
today to create a safer environment for
you and your Family to enjoy the fruits
of your labors. After all you're supposed
to have fun with coins. This ain't the
stock market or the golf course!
This
is the first in the series, I'll be posting
them every week for a few weeks. If you
have any questions, opinions, suggestions
please contact
me
And
don't forget that while US Rare Coin Investments
generally displays a 7 figure online inventory
this does NOT represent all our coins.
We have coins that may never see the website
that we may be brokering, own in partnership
with others who do not wish their coins
displayed on the internet, specific inventory
we generally reserve for specific clients
sometimes don't see the website until
they are placed in the archives. So please
email me or call me with what you want
to pursue and I'll do my best to offer
to you, or help you confidentially hunt
it/those coins down.
Coins
and Home Security by Col.
Steven Ellsworth - The Butternut Company
“DEALER
ROBBED” “COLLECTOR BURGLARIZED”
These are headlines that appear almost
weekly in the major numismatic publications.
It has been previously said that one out
of three collections will eventually be
stolen. Many are never reported. The impact
is not only financial, but emotional as
well. A sense of violation occurs that
is difficult to describe. The loss has
a negative impact to the victim in particular
and to our hobby in general. Simply put,
it’s bad for business.
The age-old adage “An ounce of prevention
is worth a pound of cure” could
never be truer than with coin security.
The easiest way to prevent crime is to
avoid it by not giving criminals the opportunity
to perpetrate their crimes against you.
In hopes of keeping the "joys of
collecting" enjoyable and the dreams
alive, these guidelines should help reduce
the risks of theft to collectors and dealers.
After studying hundreds of thefts, it
is my belief that nearly always, one or
more of these guidelines have been ignored.
Security risks can never be eliminated,
but they can be managed to a tolerable
level. Security is a constant. Vigilance
must always be maintained. Be alert and
aware of your surroundings. Criminals
avoid vigilant persons.
Some
of these suggestions you may already know
about and practice. Some may be new that
you could put into practice. Few people
can do all that I suggest, but the more
suggestions you implement, you lower your
risk of being a target and eventually
a victim. Hopefully, my recommendations
and suggestions will be useful and helpful
to most collectors and dealers...if they
continually practice and use them.
Most security can be developed and divided
into four parts: operational- perimeter-external
and interior-security.
Operational security is how you operate
or refers to as "your mode of operation”
You need to ask yourself; “What
kind of target am I"?
Perimeter
security is considered in the immediate
area near the target...your coins and
collection. As an example, in home security
your property line to your home would
be the perimeter.
External security is considered the outside
shell or walls of your home or car.
Internal
security is inside your car, home or anywhere
you can physically touch your coins. Your
objective should be to try to think of
ways you can protect and improve on each
of these four areas.
Operational:
Sanitize
your home address by using a post office
box on any coin publications and mailings.
If you are a professional collector or
dealer, your home address should be removed
from the phone book, listing only your
name and town. Don't forget about your
stationary, envelopes, business cards
and checks. I recently gave a personal
check with my street address to another
dealer, who unfortunately suffered a theft,
which included my check. Will the thief
assume that the address on my check is
another potential target? Also, insure
that your trash does not give away that
you are a dealer or collector of rare
coins.
Insurance is an excellent idea for both
collectors and dealers. The normal costs
are approximately 1% a year. For professional
collectors and dealers, this cost is a
deductible expense. Most policies have
a number of restrictions and exceptions
including coins left in unattended vehicles.
