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 Replies: 50 / Views: 3,642 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1083 Posts |
As they used to say on NYPD Blue - be careful out there! Around a month ago an acquaintance from another state that I used to metal detect with was in town. He called me for lunch and I offered to take him to my bank and show him my coin collection. He is a collector and had been asking me for advice on buying a large cent on ebay. Being proud and all - I said sure. All my type coins that are raw are stored in two by two plastic snap holders in the blue plastic 8 inch boxes in ordered by denomination and age. As I was occupied removing other things I wanted to show him, he sat across the table from me pulling the coins out of the box. About three days ago I removed the coins from my bank box to place them in the 7070 album as I now had the whole type set. Well I was pretty surprised to realize that my 1817 - 13 star XF-45 Matron Head Large Cent was not in the box. This was one of my early acquired type coins and the prices for problem free examples have sky rocketed. I do not intend to pursue this any further. I do not have any evidence that this person took my coin except for opportunity and motivation. To add insult to injury I have given this individual duplicate coins that I had in my type set, including a Seated Liberty half dollar of a lower grade. I am going to bite the bullet and try and find another Large Cent of this type. Not sure if this story would help any of you and probably just exposes how dumb and naive I am, but telling it is cathartic. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1083 Posts |
Just one more thought. I have never heard this mentioned in discussions on merits of albums versus individual coin storage, but albums may be safer in some situations. Having all my type coins in one album makes them a lead pipe cinch to keep track of when showing off my collection. If my 1817 Cent had been in the 7070 when I showed it, maybe I would still have it. Of course the safest choice is keep them in a safe and never show anyone, but where's the joy in that?
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Valued Member
United States
52 Posts |
If your confident you had the coin in that box that he was going through, I wouldnt think twice about confronting him. I wouldnt think twice. Espically since you are helping him out, it sounds like you talk to him once in a while, you wouldnt take just anyone to you bank and show you collection off...
I would confront him, either in person or on the phone so you can gauge his reaction. If he has an honest reaction and he says he would never do that, then it is what it is. I would definately bring it up.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3233 Posts |
I agree with the previous poster on this. I would be totally honest with him.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
I would probably explain it something like this !!
A funny thing happened ,,after we were looking at my coins ,that day ,,do you remember seeing the 1813 Large cent ? well that coin has come up missing ,, I have reported it stolen and provided the police with a very detailed picture ,and description of the coin ,, they asked me who knew it was there and who may have had access to it ,, I had to give them your name and address since you had been in the vault with me ,, I hope its ok that I did that !!
anyway this would be my approach to the person who you believe took the coin !!only problem is ,,I would be telling the truth !! I would have actually done just what I have described above !! I cant tolerate a thief !!
Metalman
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
I agree with metalman, that's how I would approach him.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1083 Posts |
Two things wrong with confronting him. One, I could be wrong. Two, would you expect a confession? I don't think that if he took the coin that he is going to confess and give it back. This guy is too intelligent to be scared of law enforcement when he know that I have no evidence. I also have some idea from other incidents involving petty dishonesty and things that he has told me, that this individual may be having some depression and other problems. He will know I realize what he did since I am cutting off contact. I could never be sure about him again. Yes Zett, I am sure the coin was in the box. I looked at it when I was there three days before I took my friend. I have a very efficient safety deposit box operation at my bank and they never fail to let me leave without checking the room I used to insure I didn't leave anything out of the box. This coins has been in my box without removal from the bank for over five years. I'm afraid I am going to have to eat this one.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
If the coin was Insured you cannot collect without a police report .
your not accusing him !! your letting him know that in the course of the investigation he will more than likely be contacted , let the police do the investigation ,,that is not what your about !!
from the story you just told us ,,a good investigator may just get a confession and the coin back ,, I speak from experiance !! at the very least you will be no worse off than you are now ,, at the very best the thief goes to jail and you get your coin back ,,both positives in my opinion !!
Metalman
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1952 Posts |
Call your bank and ask if the room you used is vidio taped and ask to see the vidio of that day and if you see him take it then go to the police.
JMO
Gary
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1840 Posts |
Forgive me if this is a dumb question, I've never had a safety deposit box: Does the bank have cameras in the room where you view your coins?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1083 Posts |
Hey folks I appreciate all of you wanting a solution to this, but there just isn't any. In terms of an insurance claim, if this loss is even covered under the personal loss clause of my homeowners policy, the value would not exceed the $500 deductible. They did make him sign in when we visited the bank box; however, banks generally do not video tape the rooms used for safety deposit boxes as one of the things you are paying them for is privacy. This guy is a former friend of mine and even if I had a video tape, I would not send the law after him even if they would help. I feel nothing but pity for him. If I'm mad at anyone it is me.
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Valued Member
United States
52 Posts |
...... I am sure that they video tape inside the vault. You are paying for protection of your box items, not the privacy. At least check the tape to make sure it was him that took it. Sounds like your "friend" is having some problems. If my so called friend did this to me you better believe I would go after him. If I were you I would keep my eye on ebay for a few weeks. Not that you can do anything about it without filing a police report... |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1083 Posts |
Just called the bank. There are no videos inside the rooms. The entrance into the rooms is taped, but nothing that goes on inside. I called because at least I could confirm that my suspicions were correct, but no luck. I believe this is standard for safety deposit box rooms.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1083 Posts |
Keep in mind that we were in a separate room out of the vault. That is where he would have lifted my coin. The inside of the vault is taped, but not the privacy rooms used to open the boxes.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1106 Posts |
You said that you had given him duplicates of coins you had. Call him and tell him him that your coin is missing, and ask him if you "by accident" gave him your coin by mistake. Make it clear that it was the only time for the mix up to have happened. Tell him how much the coin meant to you and just maybe regret will come over him for what he did, and will use this out you gave him to return the coin.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
965 Posts |
A friend wouldn't have taken a coin from you. You may think of him as a friend, but apparently, he though of you as an opportunity. Do whatever you need to do for yourself, whether it be contacting the police, confronting him, or just eating it. At the end of the day, you have to live with yourself. I would avoid any and all future contact with him, though.
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Replies: 50 / Views: 3,642 |
Posted 05/15/2007 12:37 pm
