Ellsworth names best-secured coin shows

Col. Steven Ellsworth of the Butternut Company has announced the annual selection of “The Best Secured Coin Shows for 2008.”

Ellsworth personally attended nearly 100 coin shows during 2007 and 2008, where he evaluated the security provided for both dealers and the public. In addition, he received hundreds of reports from coin dealers and collectors as well as crime incident reports, all from across the nation.

“The last two years we have had an increase in robberies, in addition to thefts,” Ellsworth stated. “I am sorry to say that not only the numbers have increased but also the level of violence and the brazen boldness of criminals have escalated.”

As in previous years, Ellsworth reports that the single greatest risk to a dealer or collector is following a coin show or event, then leaving coins in an unattended vehicle.

“I have continually advised against this action for over 15 years, yet it still seems to be the single largest incident for numismatic losses,” said Ellsworth.

This kind of loss can be a great financial drain on victims, he says.

“Some dealers are virtually wiped out, and a collector who has his entire collection stolen usually quits the hobby.”

Ellsworth advises that, most importantly, security is an individual’s own responsibility. He says most dealers simply ignore the risks and pretend they will not be victims.

“There are only a few dealers I know who have taken the time or spent the money for serious security training.”

Show organizers can do more in the way of prevention, too.

“The security presence during dealer set-up and breakdown, not only on the bourse floor, is still a major problem and an area for improvement,” said Ellsworth. “It still seems like most show administrators forget that dealers are extremely vulnerable during set-up and breakdown, moving into and out of the facility and while loading their vehicles.”

Following are Ellsworth’s 2008 selections for the very best in coin show security, and has listed them with those rated best for 2007. He took into consideration not only the show security itself, but also “the awareness and concern of the sponsors as it pertains to security.”

1. American Numismatic Association National Money Show, Charlotte, N.C. (2007). Security was continually provided by uniformed Charlotte Police and plain clothes private security. Security was provided in and out of the facility during set-up and breakdown, and dealers had access to underground convention unloading and loading with security vigilant during the process. Registration and name tags were required for all attendees.

2. American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money, Baltimore, Md. (2008). Security was continually provided by private security and uniformed Baltimore City Police. In addition, numerous federal agents were present when U.S. Mint and Printing items were displayed. Unloading and loading was in a gated section of the convention center and provided better-than-average security for dealers. Registration and name tags were required for all attendees.

3. Blue Ridge Numismatic Association, Dalton, Ga. (2007, 2008). Security was continually provided by off-duty uniformed Walker County Sheriffs, off-duty GBI agents and private security. Security was provided in and out of the facility during set-up and breakdown. Unloading and loading was under watchful eyes of security personnel. A registration fee and name tags were required for all attendees.

4. Charlotte Coin Club (2007, 2008). Security was provided by off-duty uniformed Charlotte/Mecklenburg Police. Security was excellent in and out of the facility during set-up and breakdown, and dealers were allowed to unload inside the convention facility. During breakdown, non-table holders were required to leave by security personnel, giving dealers a full two hours of uninterrupted breakdown. Registration and name tags were required for all attendees.

5. Early American Copper Convention, Dallas, Texas (2008). Security was provided by a private security contractor and supplemented by uniformed local police. Security was vigilant in and out of the facility during set-up and breakdown. Security was extremely vigilant during the show, which drastically deters shoplifting. In addition, the principal security contractor has established and maintains a national database for numismatic crimes and is well-respected throughout the hobby as an expert in the field of numismatic crimes. Registration and name tags were required for all attendees.

6. Florida United Numismatist Convention, Orlando, Fla. (2007, 2008). Security was provided by a private security contractor and supplemented by numerous off-duty uniformed Orange County Police. Security was vigilant in and out of the facility during set-up and breakdown. Security was triple layered with uniformed personnel, plain clothes personnel and video surveillance. Parking areas were also patrolled before, during and following the show. Registration and name tags were required for all attendees.

7. Georgia State Numismatic Association, Dalton, Ga. (2007, 2008). Security was continually provided by off-duty uniformed Walker County Sheriffs, off-duty GBI agents and private security. Security was provided in and out of the facility during set-up and breakdown. Unloading and loading took place in the presence of watchful security personnel. A registration fee and name tags were required for all attendees.
8. Houston Money Show, Houston, Texas (2007, 2008). Security is provided by off-duty Houston police. Loading and unloading is in a secure area with security personal present. The shows promoter is particularly aware of the shows security and continually strives to improve the safety and security of all dealers and attendees. Registration and name tags are required for all attendees.

9. Long Beach Coin Expo, Long Beach, Calif. (2007, 2008). Security was provided by off-duty Long Beach Police with identifiable “Security” jackets. Ample security was provided in and out of the facility during set-up and breakdown, with numerous plain clothes officers continually working the floor from the moment the show opened until it closed. All security officers were tied into a monitored communication net. In addition, the convention facility allowed for overhead “catwalk” patrols to deter shoplifting. A registration fee and name tags were required for all attendees.

10. North Carolina State Numismatic Association, Hickory, N.C. (2007, 2008). Off-duty uniformed Hickory Police provided continual security. Security was vigilant in and out of the facility during set-up and breakdown, and additional security was provided with police on foot in and around the loading areas. Security personal continually walked and surveyed the show during show hours. Registration and name tags were required for all attendees.

11. South Carolina Numismatist Convention, Greenville, S.C. (2007, 2008). Security was provided by South Carolina Constables and off-duty South Carolina State Troopers. Security was vigilant in and out of the facility during set-up and breakdown and was continuous during the show. Officers were equipped with additional assault weapons and equipment at night. Registration and name tags were required for all attendees.

12. Trevose, Pa. (2007, 2008). Even though this is little one-day, 35-table show, security was provided by two off-duty plain clothes Philadelphia police officers. This show continues to have some of the best security in the country for a small show. Two officers are continually walking the area during the show and have kept sticky fingers to a minimum. During set-up and breakdown, security was excellent and present in the loading and parking areas.

13. Wasatch Winter Coin Club, Salt Lake City, Utah (2007, 2008). Security was provided by off-duty uniformed Salt Lake County Sheriff’s SWAT team deputies. Law enforcement personnel continually walked the show floor to discourage shoplifting. In addition, they monitored the entrances and provided surveillance of the unloading and loading of dealers’ vehicles. Needless to say, having SWAT team members present means fire power is available if needed during closing hours.

14. Weyers Cave, Va. (2007, 2008). Security was provided by off-duty plain clothes Augusta County Sheriff’s deputies and court security personnel. Even though it is a small show with just 40 tables, two officers were present during the show and during set-up and breakdown. Law enforcement personnel continually monitored the entrances, loading and parking areas.

15. Whitman Baltimore Coin & Currency Convention (2007, 2008). Security was continually provided by private security and uniformed Baltimore City Police. Unloading and loading took place in a gated section of the convention center and provided better-than-average security for dealers. Registration and name tags were required for all attendees.

Ellsworth served the Army for 32 years, with assignments as a security inspector. He has worked with Blackwater for the last three years in developing security training for coin dealers. He is a full-time coin dealer and collector.

Contact him by e-mail at butternut@butternut.org, by mail at P.O. Box 498, Clifton, VA 20124-0498, or visit the Web site www.butternut.org.