American Numismatic Association

Law enforcement offered free course in numismatic investigations

The Numismatic Crime Information Center will offer a one-day training course Oct. 18 for law-enforcement personnel who investigate numismatic crimes. The class is being held in conjunction with the American Numismatic Association Fall National Money Show^SM in Dallas, which runs from Oct. 18-20.

The goal of the one-day class is to help law-enforcement personnel, including patrol officers, detectives, investigators and prosecutors, better understand the world of numismatics and the unique challenges criminals pose to the industry. The course, held at the Dallas Convention Center, Rooms 171/173, is free for law-enforcement personnel.

"The problem we have is that across the country, there's a lot of inexperience when it comes to investigating numismatic crimes," said Doug Davis, president of the Numismatic Crime Information Center. "There have never really been that many resources to assist them."

Davis has attempted to provide more education to law enforcement ever since founding the Numismatic Crime Information Center in 1987. Davis is a semi-retired 34-year veteran of the Pantego Police Department in Pantego, Texas, where he remains a part-time investigator. He also has 25 years of experience as a coin dealer, giving him a unique perspective and expertise for numismatic crimes.

"A lot of times law-enforcement officers will be scratching their heads if you said you were a numismatist who lost your slabbed collection of seated half dimes," Davis said. "They'd look at you like you're some kind of nut. This course will teach them about the terminology used in numismatics and provide the necessary tools and resources to properly investigate a numismatic crime."  

Topics to be covered in the one-day seminar include: types of coins, medals, tokens and paper money; factors effecting numismatic crime, especially as it relates to counterfeiting; precious metals, including new laws governing the purchase of such metals; jurisdictional issues; organized crime groups and a look at the victims of numismatic crimes.

To register for the course, go to NationalMoneyShow.com/NCIC and fill out the form. For questions on the seminar, contact Davis at 817-705-4450.

The National Money Show in Dallas will feature more than 500 numismatic dealers; a world-class auction by Heritage Auctions; the ANA Museum Showcase, exhibiting some of the world's most valuable and beautiful coins and paper money; the Collector Exhibits area; educational presentations and seminars; and other special events.
 
Show hours are 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Oct. 18-19 and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Oct 20. Admission is $6 for adults, and free for ANA members and children 12 and under. Save $2 on admission by downloading a coupon at  www.NationalMoneyShow.com . For more information, call  719-482-9849.


The American Numismatic Association is a congressionally chartered nonprofit educational organization dedicated to encouraging people to study and collect money and related items. The ANA helps its 28,000 members and the public discover and explore the world of money through its vast array of education and outreach programs, as well as its museum, library, publications, conventions and seminars. For more information, call 719-632-2646 or go to www.money.org.