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| Liberty Coin Carries Variety of Collectibles By Ofelia Saenz, Signal Tribune staff writer 
The recent release of the U.S. Mint's presidential coin series is likely to bring some new faces into the base of coin collectors nationwide. This is good news for stores like Liberty Coin Galleries in Signal Hill; in addition to buying and selling bullion from dealers and the general public, the store carries an ever-changing collection of original coins dating back to biblical times. Liberty Coin Galleries is a full service coin store. Customers can find books and supplies to accommodate levels from beginner to expert. It's a great beginning point for youngsters starting their first book, and it's a valuable local resource for serious collectors in the area who are constantly on the lookout for particular niche coins. Knowledgeable salespeople, straightforward advice and fair prices are some of the reasons Liberty Coin Galleries has remained in business for more than 42 years. It's the store's selection, however, that sets it apart. "Everything is unique," Mike "Mac" McArthy said of Liberty Coin's constantly changing inventory. McArthy is the store's general manager. Although it specializes in coins, Liberty Coin also has interesting sterling, a wide variety of maps, and new and estate jewelry, which customer's can browse for just the right treasure. The last time McArthy noticed a rise in interest among coin collectors was after the 1999 release of the 50 State Quarters Program, so he expects the new dollar series will also pique the attention of some would-be collectors. Although many of the coins can be acquired from local banks, some (like the Tennessee quarter) are harder to come by; Liberty Coin provides a convenient place to purchase them, typically at about the same price they can be purchased from the Mint. "It fosters an interest in [coin collecting] and brings customers into the store," said McArthy. Once in the store, they discover how vast the world of collecting can be. The presidential $1 coin, which was released one week before George Washington's birthday, will be of particular interest, said McArthy, because of its unique design. Unlike most coins that have reeding around the edges, the $1 is incused with the inscriptions E Pluribus Unum, In God We Trust, and the coin's release date and mint along the edges. This leaves more space on the front of the dollar for a better quality pressing of the president's face. "I think there's a sense of completion," McArthy said of the fascination that people have with collecting. "There's a certain amount of history that's involved and a certain amount of appreciation of the actual striking process." Liberty Coin Galleries is located at 2201 East Willow Street, suite AA, across from Costco. For information, call (562) 988-1516 or visit their Web site at LibCoin.com. |