Coin Day Participants

Paul Bosco began collecting coins in 1959, when "the back of the 'penny' changed." In 1965, he expanded his sphere of numismatic interests to foreign coins. In 1972, two weeks after graduating from Stony Brook University, he moved to NYC; shortly thereafter, he joined the legendary Schulman coin company, where he honed skills in the Tokens and Medals fields.

In 1992 he opened a store in the Manhattan Art & Antiques Center, while continuing to conduct public auctions. Dealing in all areas of numismatics, he is an expert in World Coins after 1500. His 150,000-piece inventory-which excludes the 25,000 items in his personal collection-includes the world's largest stocks of Tokens and Medals. He hopes his son John Peter, now nearing age 3, will be a star, either "in the movies or Shea Stadium," but would not mind if JP inherits the business. For more about Paul, check out his acclaimed(!)Yellow Pages ad.

Mr. David Jen is a Chinese coin specialist who offers free consultation on Chinese cash coins, their identification, sales and purchases.

In 1880, Roland M. Smythe established a unique company for the purpose of providing the financial community, and private individuals, with accurate information concerning obsolete securities and banknotes. Over the years, R.M. Smythe and Company has developed into one of the world's premier auction houses, specializing in Antique Stocks and Bonds, Banknotes, Coins, Autographs, and Photographs.

Mr. David Vagi is a specialist in ancient Greek and Roman coins who devotes himself equally to academic and commercial pursuits. After studying at the University of Manchester in the U. K. and earning degrees in history and journalism at the University of Missouri at Columbia, Mr. Vagi joined Coin World newspaper as a staff writer. Ever since, he has been a full-time dealer in ancient coins and antiquities.

A columnist in leading industry publications, Mr. Vagi is also a frequent lecturer and an author of research articles. He was formerly editor of the Journal of the Society for Ancient Numismatics, and is a recipient of the Numismatic Literary Guild's 'Best Column' award, as well as the American Numismatic Association's Heath Literary Award and the Presidential Award. For several years he has been an instructor of Greek and Roman coins at the ANA's week-long Summer Conference.

Mr. Vagi was formerly director of ancient coins for Superior Galleries in Beverly Hills, California, after which he returned to New York City to serve as vice president of the coin division of the fine arts auctioneer Christie's. Currently, he is the ancient coin specialist for R.M. Smythe in New York City. In addition to servicing his own clientele, Mr. Vagi is an active consultant to collectors, museums, publishers and auction firms throughout the United States and Europe.

Spink America, the New York office of the world's oldest coin dealers, Spink & Son of London is a member of the Christie's group. In addition to holding regular auctions of coins and stamps at Christie's Rockefeller Plaza auction rooms, Spink actively deal in all types of numismatic items.

Wall Street Rarities, which just opened its gallery on May 24, 2000, specializes in rare American paintings, coins, documents and paper money. The vision of 33-year-old William T. Anton III, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wall Street Rarities, is to bring the rarities collecting experience - historically the purview of the affluent - to everyone. The company carries one-of-a-kind pieces of history, ranging in price from less than $100 to several million dollars. The retail gallery is open to the public from 10:00a.m. to 5:00p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, and by appointment.