Stolen Coins -Adelaide

purplepennyhunter · July 07, 2013, 04:52:50 PM

We've been away for just 2 days and come home to hear about this:

Stolen Coins Adelaide

We've missed the TV news about this but the collector may have appeared on the news about the loss. The news story shows an IS Wright 2x2 and we believe it was an IS Wright employee David Featherstone who has now lost his entire collection.

Fulvio · July 07, 2013, 05:04:20 PM

That totally sucks. On the upside, a collection like that won't be easy to fence, and the turd will get caught when he tries.

trout · July 07, 2013, 05:09:38 PM

I am so glad I live in the sticks.
This is awful, 30 years of collecting gone in heartbeat.
I hope Fulvio is right and the bastard gets his come uppence :aggressive:

echidna · July 07, 2013, 05:10:35 PM

Perhaps a few photos could be made public somewhere.
Collectors have good memories for detail and might spot one somewhere.

purplepennyhunter · July 07, 2013, 05:52:35 PM

I only know what I read in that news story. If anyone else has any info. Being in Adelaide it's possible we'll be approached but such a collection would probably be moved interstate.

Goldseeker · July 07, 2013, 09:44:27 PM

Quote from: 'purplepennyhunter' pid='20644' dateline='1373185355'I only know what I read in that news story. If anyone else has any info. Being in Adelaide it's possible we'll be approached but such a collection would probably be moved interstate.

Or melted down.............

Fulvio · July 07, 2013, 09:46:51 PM

Quote from: 'Goldseeker' pid='20667' dateline='1373199267'
Quote from: 'purplepennyhunter' pid='20644' dateline='1373185355'such a collection would probably be moved interstate.

Or melted down.............

I think both of you are giving the crook more credit than is due. Almost certainly a DFI (Drug-F***ed Idiot) who will try and either spend them or flog 'em at Cash Converters.

Goldseeker · July 07, 2013, 09:50:14 PM

But why keep so valuable coins at home? All my top /valuable coins are tucked away in a safety deposit box.

triplewitch · July 07, 2013, 10:23:45 PM

Since the house was ransacked, the burglar may have known the coins were there and had a plan to dispose of them once he obtained them.-John

Ozcoins · July 07, 2013, 11:41:47 PM

Its terrible that this has happened. It must be devastating.
Just some thoughts:
Coins worth that much would probably be in a safe - I would hope so any way!.
If they were taken out of a locked safe, then I think the thief was not just some opportunistic druggo as I assume they would have to be prepared to get into a safe.

Robster · July 08, 2013, 12:30:50 AM

Somebody knew somebody who probably said something in the wrong company I fear.!!

ausjack · July 08, 2013, 02:08:34 AM

well I don't have a collection worth that much and live in a quiet sort of place but we have security screens so I would have thought you'd have that at minimum but I am a little security conscious.

Fulvio · July 08, 2013, 04:05:32 AM

Quote from: 'triplewitch' pid='20674' dateline='1373201625'Since the house was ransacked, the burglar may have known the coins were there and had a plan to dispose of them once he obtained them.-John

Mmmmm... If you've ever been burgled, you know what 'ransacked' really means. We came home from work late one night to find the front door open, the back window smashed and EVERYthing opened, tipped out, ripped, trampled, wrecked or otherwise 'searched'. They found a stash of notes, some jewellery, and a few bits and pieces of electronics (but stupidly left critical bits like power supplies behind.. real geniuses) yet left more valuable things behind. The scene looked like one of those news reports of a tornado or tsunami aftermath. These clowns are no professionals, and often leave a wide swathe of destruction that far exceeds the value of what they take.

Yes, it may have been a targetted hit, but probability says DFI's are far more likely perpetrators.

Which of course is of interest to all of us. As Goldy says, high value items should be well secured. A bank vault may be worth the expense. Or a decent safe that can't just be picked up and walked out with. Or other carefully-considered alternatives. But whatever you do, you need a plan, because chances are pretty good of being a victim SOMEtime in your lifetime.

As for me, the high-value items are secure, while the run-of-the-mill stuff would need a forklift to remove, so I'll take my chances for now.

coxspau · July 08, 2013, 08:29:57 AM

This sort of news always strikes at the heart of most collectors. Security is essential, but it's only since I've moved out of city and into a rural place that I had enough space to set up my own security (safe and locked filing cabinets). My hope is that they will act as a deterrent to any crime of opportunity. Any criminal that is planned and prepared are unlikely to be stopped unless items are kept offsite.

I once read, perhaps here or another forum, that a collector used to leave a dummy album out in the open. I've heard of similar things done with electronics and jewellery.

It might pay to leave a few RAM products lying around....In the event you were robbed, you'd probably net more back from insurance that you would if you tried to sell them through normal channels.

Unicorn · July 08, 2013, 08:31:55 AM

I'm really hoping that the owner documented the collection well and has lots of pics and a list to share with us. (Hopefully one of the Adelaide crew will know the owner and find out).