(Fallbrook, California) – The Professional Numismatists Guild and six individual dealers are offering a combined total of $22,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the thief or thieves who stole rare coins from long-time PNG member-dealer Julian M. Leidman of Silver Spring, Maryland.
This pattern 1879 silver dollar and off-center 1929 5 Reichsmark silver coin are two from the over 1,000 coins stolen from PNG member-dealer Julian M. Leidman
The theft occurred on Sunday, October 11, 2009, as Leidman was returning from a coin show in Connecticut. His entire inventory was stolen when his minivan was broken into during a stop in Pine Brook, New Jersey.
A complete list of stolen items is not available, but Leidman says there were over 1,000 coins including about 300 certified, encapsulated items as well as currency ranging from Colonial era to small size notes.
"There were common gold coins, bullion items and several significant coins." he explained.
"Among the scarce coins are 1920-S, 1921, 1925-S, 1927-S and 1932 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles, and several gorgeous, early half dollars including 1806, 1807, 1826 and some other late dates. Among the foreign coins is an off-center 1929-J German 5 Reichsmark silver coin (KM56)," Leidman said.
Other coins taken in the theft include 1873 proof pattern silver Trade dollar (J-1276), graded NGC PF65; 1879 proof silver dollar (J-1617), NGC PF65; and an 1892-O proof Morgan dollar described as very choice.
"I am asking people to contact me if they are offered anything that does not ‘look correct.’ There are just too many coins to list."
Two bags of clothing and Leidman’s laptop computer also were taken when the thief or thieves smashed a passenger window to remove three heavy bags of coins and paper money from his minivan.
PNG is offering a $2,500 reward; PNG member-dealers James Long of J.E.L. Coins in Baltimore, Maryland and Bob Higgins of Certified Assets Management in Wilmington, Delaware are each offering $1,000; PNG member-dealer Wayne Herndon of Wayne Herndon Rare Coins in Chantilly, Virginia has pledged $2,500; Laura Sperber of Legend Numismatics in Lincroft, New Jersey and PNG member-dealer Jonathan Lerner of Scarsdale Coin in Scarsdale, New York are offering a combined $5,000; and PNG member-dealer, William Dominick of Westwood Rare Coin Gallery in Tappan, New York is offering $10,000 to the reward fund for an aggregate total of $22,000.
"The PNG has a long history of offering rewards to help catch thieves of numismatic property. Any theft of coins or bank notes affects the entire hobby and profession in one or another. We must be vigilant in our security to prevent theft, but we must also come together to assist in the apprehension of criminals," said Robert Brueggeman, PNG Executive Director.
Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact the investigating police officer for this case, Detective Christopher M. Keezer, of the Montville, Township, New Jersey Police Department at (973) 257-4112 or by e-mail at CKeezeer@MontvilleNJ.org.
Julian M. Leidman can be contacted at (301) 585-8467 or by e-mail at Julian@JulianCoin.com, and PNG Executive Director Brueggeman can be reached at (760) 728-1300 or by e-mail at info@PNGdealers.com.
About the Professional Numismatists Guild
Founded in 1953, the Professional Numismatists Guild is a nonprofit trade association composed of the country’s top rare coin and paper money dealers who must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics in the buying and selling of numismatic merchandise.
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