Steve Contursi Honored by “World’s Greatest Coin Grader” Recognition

Veteran professional numismatist, Steven L. Contursi, Chief Executive Officer of Rare Coin Wholesalers (www.RareCoinWholesalers.com) in Laguna Beach, California, says he is truly honored to be recognized as one the world’s top rare coin experts.

Contursi was selected as one of the "World’s Greatest Coin Graders" in the just-published COINage 2025 Book of Lists. His profile article cites his diligent research that pinpointed an early American coin that many experts now believe is the first silver dollar ever struck by the young United States Mint in 1794. COINage describes it as "one of the most exciting discoveries in U.S. numismatics."

Contursi acquired the historic 1794 Flowing Hair dollar in 2003 and began his extensive research and collaboration with other experts including a side-by-side comparison with another 1794-dated dollar in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Subsequently graded PCGS SP66, he displayed his unique coin in educational exhibits across the country including World’s Fair of Money conventions, then sold it in 2010 for a record $7.85 million.

"That coin is a national treasure," said Contursi. "I never wanted to simply hide it in a vault because this coin is to our economy and international trade what the Declaration of Independence was to our country’s freedom: a significant piece of history and a national treasure."

For his years of expertise, Contursi now is listed in the just-published COINage 2025 Book of Lists as "World’s Greatest Coin Grader."

"Authentication and grading – correctly evaluating a coin’s authenticity and state of preservation – are crucial in determining the value of rare coins," explained Contursi. "I am honored to be cited as one of the world’s best rare coin experts."

A native of New York, Contursi began collecting as a youngster and worked part-time for a coin dealer while pursuing a graduate degree in physics at the University of Minnesota in 1975. He subsequently worked at several dealerships before founding Rare Coin Wholesalers in 1991 where he serves as CEO at the firm’s Laguna Beach, California offices.

Over the last 50 years, Contursi has traded well over $2 billion of historically significant, museum-quality United States rare coins. He manages along with his son, Michael Contursi, the largest active United States coin inventory in the world valued at over $100 million.

He also is Co-Proprietor with his wife, Seanne, of Napa Valley’s Arrow&Branch Winery and Tasting Lounge (www.ArrowAndBranchWinery.com) near Yountville, California.

The COINage 2025 Book of Lists is available at Barnes & Noble bookstores. For additional information, contact Rare Coin Wholesalers at (800) 347-3250 or visit online at www.RareCoinWholesalers.com.