IRVINE, Calif. – Bowers and Merena Auctions, America’s leading rare coin and currency auction house, today announced that it has named Matthew Quinn as director of currency auctions. Quinn will work alongside notable currency specialist, Kevin Foley, consignment director and senior numismatist for rare currency for Bowers and Merena.
The announcement comes on the heels of Bowers and Merena’s highly successful Official Auction of the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money in Los Angeles in early August, which presented more than 500 U.S. and world banknotes, including a Rare 1870 Fr. 1162 $100 California Gold Bank Note that realized an extraordinary $207,000.
Quinn comes to Bowers and Merena from sister company Spectrum Currency where he worked at dealing banknotes, cataloging, auction processing, and enhancing dealer relationships.
"Matt is an ambitious young talent in the industry who takes his passion for collectible paper money with serious detail," said Steve Deeds, president of Bowers and Merena.
"He has been working closely with Bowers and Merena on several auctions in recent months and he will surely be a valuable asset to our company and our consignors."
Originally from New Hampshire, Quinn credits his initial passion for numismatics to his grandfather.
"He introduced me to coins at a young age and provided me with my first Whitman books," Quinn said.
He added that he first learned the intricacies of U.S. banknotes from veteran currency dealer Donald Severance, and was inspired to pursue a career in numismatics and banknotes by seasoned currency expert Peter Treglia, both of whom he worked closely with during his time at Spectrum Currency.
Quinn became fascinated with the auction process while at Spectrum Currency as he assisted Bowers and Merena, enjoying cataloging U.S. banknotes and later adding world banknotes to his repertoire with the recent acquisition of Ponterio and Associates.
"I’ve always strived to be the best I can be, and with numismatics you can never stop learning. I am really looking forward to this new direction and challenge," Quinn said.
About Bowers and Merena Auctions
Bowers and Merena Auctions was founded in 1983 and has grown to become the world’s preeminent numismatic auctioneer with more than half a billion dollars in rare coin and currency sales.
They have been awarded the prestigious honor of Official Auctioneer for the 2009 American Numismatic Association Conventions in Portland and Los Angeles, in addition to their continued service as Official Auctioneer of the Baltimore Coin and Currency Conventions three times every year.
Bowers and Merena has handled four of the five most valuable United States coin collections ever sold, including the Louis E. Eliasberg Sr. Collection, the Harry W. Bass Jr. Collection, the Garrett Collection for The Johns Hopkins University, and the Norweb Collection.
In 2008, Bowers and Merena Auctions acquired Ponterio & Associates, Inc., which now serves as Bowers and Merena’s auction division for world and ancient coins and currency. Bowers and Merena Rare Coin Galleries offers direct buying and selling of exceptional quality gold and silver rare coins.
For more information about director of currency auctions, Matthew Quinn, and Bowers and Merena’s Official Auction of the ANA Los Angeles World’s Fair of Money in August, call 800.458.4646. For media inquiries, ask for President Steve Deeds. Complete prices realized for all past auctions are available at www.bowersandmerena.com.
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