Steven L. Contursi (born May 21, 1952) is an American businessman and numismatist. He is the founder and president of Rare Coin Wholesalers. In the past 38 years, Steve Contursi has bought and sold over $1 billion worth of rare United States coins.[1]
Steven L. Contursi | |
|---|---|
 At a press conference in 2013 | |
| Born | May 21, 1952 The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | President of Rare Coin Wholesalers |
Education
editSteven graduated with a Cum Laude degree in physics from Lehman College of the City University of New York, as well as being honored with the 1974 Joseph A. Gillet Prize for being the top Physics student as a senior.[citation needed]
Notable coins
editIn 2004, Contursi sought evidence for his coin to be the first silver dollar made for the United States, a 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar.[2] The coin was sold in May 2010, for $7.85 million, making it the most expensive coin ever sold.[3][4]
In addition to owning the first silver dollar, Steven owned the first gold coin made for the U.S., the ‘Unique’ Brasher Doubloon.[5] The coin was struck in 1787 by silversmith Ephraim Brasher, a neighbor of George Washington.[6] With the “EB” stamped on the chest, it was sold in December 2011 to a Wall Street investment firm for $7.4 million.[7]
In 2005, Steven purchased the King of Siam proof set for $8.5 million in a private sale.[8]
In June 2012, Steven purchased the highest grade “Ultra High Relief” 1907 Saint Gaudens Double Eagle (PR69) nicknamed “America’s Most Beautiful Coin Design” by experts.[9]
In late December 2011, Steven donated a 1792 half disme to the ANA Money Museum. The coin, purchased for $220,000, was donated with “no strings attached.” He said, “This donation is my way of giving back to the ANA for the wonderful things that they do for collectors.”[10]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "Steve Contursi". Rare Coin Wholesalers. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
- ^ Wilson, Amy. "Silver Piece, Golden Potential." OC Register 2 Aug. 2003. Print.
- ^ "1794 dollar sells for record $7.85M". Associated Press. 20 May 2010. Archived from the original on 22 June 2010. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
- ^ "1794 silver dollar sells for record $7.85 mn". AGENCIES. 21 May 2010. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
- ^ Adelson, Andrea. "$3 Million Buys a Coin Held by Geo. Washington." The Laguna Beach Independent 4 Feb. 2005. Print.
- ^ Adams, Caitlin (20 December 2011). "Irvine coin dealer sells rare Brasher Doubloon". OC Metro. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
- ^ PRWeb (19 Dec 2011). "Unique, Early American Brasher Doubloon Gold Coin Sold for Record Price by Steven L. Contursi". Yahoo News.
- ^ Healey, Matthew (31 October 2005). "A Fabled Coin Set Goes for the Record Price of $8.5 Million". New York Times. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
- ^ "Extremely Rare 1907 $20 Gold Coin Soars To Over $2.7 Million In The Stack's Bowers Galleries Baltimore Auction On June 29". Stack's Bowers Galleries. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
- ^ Scott, RyAnne. "Money Museum receives 1792 Half Disme from California coin dealer". American Numismatic Association. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
External links
editOfficial
Other