Rare Coin Company of America, Inc. (RARCOA, www.rarcoa.com) of Willowbrook, Illinois and Standard Numismatics LLC of Chicago have completed their previously announced merger.
In recognition of finalizing the arrangement, leaders of both firms, RARCOA Chief Executive Officer Wayde Milas and Standard Numismatics President Brett Charville, are each donating $50,000 to the Professional Numismatists Guild (www.PNGdealers.org) to help combat counterfeits.
"RARCOA has been in business for over 80 years, and I’m not sure our profession has ever encountered a danger as real as the current threat of counterfeiting. For the profession and the hobby to thrive for another 80 years we must pull out all the stops to combat counterfeiters," said Milas who serves as PNG Treasurer.
"Over the years I have come to realize just how fortunate I am to be part of the numismatic community, and I want to make sure I’m doing my part to combat the very real dangers that threaten our beloved profession every day by counterfeiters. The successes I’ve enjoyed may not be possible to future generations if counterfeiters have their way," said Charville, a member of the PNG Board of Directors.
"The PNG is delighted that Wayde and Brett are so generous with a combined donation of $100,000 to support the fabulous work of the Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force (ACTF). The PNG looks forward to working with Beth Deisher, ACTF’s Director of Anti-Counterfeiting, to continue and advance the success of the program," said PNG Executive Director Robert Brueggeman. He serves on the steering committee of the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation.
Now that the merger has been completed, Evan Clarke, a staff numismatist with Standard Numismatics, will be leaving RARCOA on November 21, and Charville will leave on December 31.
"Both Brett and Evan worked tirelessly to merge our two organizations and their efforts did not go unnoticed. We thank them for their assistance during the merger and we wish them both the best in their future endeavors," said Milas.
Former PNG President Jeffrey Bernberg has moved up from RARCOA Vice President to become the firm’s Chief Operating Officer, and RARCOA trader Cole Twitchell now is the firm’s Managing Director of U.S. Gold Trading.
Another Standard Numismatics staff member, Ryan Cook, has become Director of Modern and Retailer Programs at RARCOA.
This past summer, the PNG donated more than $15,000 to the Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force. The money was raised through donations from PNG Board members and from a portion of the fees from PNG members who took tables at the PNG/ANA Numismatic Trade Show in Philadelphia in August.
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. The organization also has an Accredited Precious Metals Dealer program (www.apmddealers.org).
The PNG and individual PNG member-dealers have provided expert assistance to local, regional and federal law enforcement agencies to help solve numismatic-related crimes. Contact PNG at info@PNGdealers.org or call 951-587-8300.
