Coin Collectors Beware

Coin collecting was supposed to be fun. No fun in getting killed over it. The guy should be executed the way they do it in North Korea .

This is a very interesting topic. And something I can say I have definitely thought of. You cant trust anyone, I have learned that myself. Honestly, for this reason I was even hesitant to join this forum. Let alone post pictures. I figure someone could hack your IP address and get your real address and BOOM you're HIT. It really is sad that you have to live life this way and that there are bad people in this world, it sucks, but it is what it is. Nothing you can do but protect yourself. And its sad that sometimes you even have to protect and be cautious of family members, they are the last people you would want to worry about. I have been talking to wife about this lately, that I'm at the point where we need a better safe. I have my notes and coins in a safe.. One that would be near impossible to open, but very easy to just pick up and walk away. We need a large safe that has a dial and bolts to the floor.

Uggh, thinking about this now makes me sick it really does suck. It sucks that you have to live this way and protect from thieves, murderers and thoughtless empty human beings. But that brings up another point. To some people this may not matter but to me it does.. I mean I collect because I love the history and the story and common rarity that comes with collecting coins and bank notes, and I want to keep them in MY family and have hopes that family will continue to pass them on, never selling. But if you have to be secretive and quiet where is the fun in that? I would love to show people that come over for a family reunion or a child's birthday party and if the topic/discussion comes up show my collection. Let people see and personally enjoy the smiles and OOOH's and AAAAH's that come about it. That's when you can sit back and enjoy that people are enjoying the collection you put together and the fact that you have and they are holding old pieces of their countries history. But when that is risky and becomes dangerous and you have such a vast amount of pcs. that if it was stolen it would be devastating or even worse killed, then what is the point.. Is it even worth it?

I guess it is worth it. If I have to keep my collection to me, myself, and I then so be it. And maybe if you feel the urge to show somebody an interesting piece of history maybe just show one or two pieces either a coin or a bank note, you don't have to say "hey, I have more, a hundred thousand worth"..

And what's the difference between a coin collection or a collection of old rare Coca-Cola Tins on the wall, or a Classic Model A worth 100 grand sitting in the garage.. Not much really..

Well it is clear what everyone should do

Never mention or talk about coins to anyone. (Who needs new collectors anyway.)

This was done by someone that was trusted, so develop a strong case of paranoia, never develop any friends, cut yourself off from all family.

Quit you job since you obviously won't be able to trust any of your co-workers or deal with the public. (See the paranoia we developed a moment ago.)

Go live like a hermit and dress and act like a street bum so no one will ever think you have anything. Make sure you lash out and anyone that tries to get close to you, that should keep everyone away

Stay off-line lest anyone be able to track you down.

Never buy anything that has to be shipped to you, even a P O Box isn't safe enough.

Never buy anything in person. If you do someone will see you and know that you have something.

Now you can enjoy your collection in peace and safety. (sarc)

You are a coin collector, you will never be "normal"!

This is why I live in a state that allows carrying a firearm and makes it very easy to obtain one

I just read about a coin theft of $150,000 worth of gold coins from a collector in a nearby town in CT.

Here's what the victim did wrong and you should not do.
1. Hire a complete stranger (convicted felon) to do odd jobs inside and outside of your house.
2. Give the stranger access to your security system so he could 'make sure it is working correctly'.
3. Ask the stranger to make a display case for the gold coins.

You know unless you have loaded gun right by your hand and have very ample warning that someone is fixing to rob you then you are at real disadvantage against armed criminal with bad intent. I don't advertise that I have coin collections. I do have 870 Remington shotgun and a handgun, but no carry permit yet. My wife is very frightened of guns. I am not being a veteran, but getting into a gunfight unless your life is really in specific danger is a bad idea IMO. A guy here in Tampa killed one of two robbers lately and now there is some question about use of deadly force. This is BS to me since if someone attempts to rob you with a weapon then you have the right to kill them if you can. It really is a big deal, however. People do prey on coin collectors and we must all be careful and alert to potential danger. The LCS I use I don't see any guns, but I know they are armed and have cameras all over the place.

There isn't much we can do if an acquaintance betrays us. I heard Lou Holtz speak back in the nineties & I never forgot what he said about friends. He said, "Before I call someone friend, I have to ask myself three questions about the person;
1)Do you care? 2)Are you committed? Can I trust you?" Everyone else is an acquaintance.
We are lucky if we can answer yes to all three questions for a handful of people in our lifetime. Everyone else is an acquaintance. I'm not worried about one of my friends doing this to me. Then again, I only have three people I call friend

I have several good acquaintances I've known for up to 40 years. I enjoy spending time with them but I don't mix them up with my friends. This is where safety starts with me.

Best to keep security measures to ourselves. The bad guys can find us via the internet, GPS, or just stumble onto us breaking into our homes or at our cars. Makes no difference. Just have a plan & execute it!