(Rosemont, Illinois) – Former American Numismatic Association authenticator, grader and instructor, Dr. Michael Fuljenz, will give expert advice about counterfeits in the marketplace during his Money Talks seminar at the ANA 2019 Chicago World’s Fair of Money®.
The World’s Fair of Money will take place at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, August 13-17. The Money Talks series of seminars will be held Aug. 15-16. Fuljenz’s presentation is one of 15 scheduled seminars, lasting 30-45 minutes, and accessible with admission to the convention.
Fuljenz, president of Universal Coin & Bullion in Beaumont, Texas, will present, “Fake(s) News: The proliferation of counterfeits & how to avoid becoming a victim,” at 1 p.m. on Friday, August 16, in Room 6 of the convention center.
“Counterfeit coins are costing unsuspecting buyers millions of dollars nationwide. Fakes are often manufactured in China and sometimes in the Middle East then brought into the U.S., and you must be very cautious,” Fuljenz advised.
Gaining Experience to Aid Others
Fuljenz draws on his years of experience and research in an effort to help collectors avoid
the pitfalls of purchasing counterfeits, and aid law enforcement in detecting counterfeit items. He has personally assisted collectors and investors recover hundreds of thousands of dollars after they unsuspectingly purchased counterfeits from dealers who knowingly or unknowingly sold the items.
“For the past three decades I have lectured about counterfeit detection at law enforcement seminars,” he said. “I have seen numerous counterfeit silver dollars and gold coins of all kinds, and I’ve seen mint marks added to many altered coins.”
The seminar presentation will include examples of counterfeit coins and fake third-party certification holders entering the marketplace. As well as discussion about how to avoid becoming a victim and what to do if you discover you’ve unwittingly purchased a counterfeit.
In addition to his work with individuals and groups, Fuljenz was instrumental in the development of legislation protecting people against counterfeit coins. In 2012, he worked with Texas Congressman Lamar Smith and former Congressman Jimmy Hayes to win approval of the Collectible Coin Protection Act, and in 2017, he assisted the Texas Attorney General to create a consumer/investor protection advisory about buying and selling gold coins.
To put it simply, being armed with the knowledge of what to look for is not only a good idea, it’s critical in the world today.
“Be aware that the counterfeit coin industry has grown exponentially in recent decades. Buyer and seller must beware,” Fuljenz emphasized.
Fuljenz is currently a member of the Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force. He teaches about combatting counterfeiting and numismatic fraud to law enforcement agencies on behalf of the Numismatic Crime Information Center. He also received prestigious anti-counterfeiting service awards from the Professional Numismatists Guild and the Industry Council for Tangible Assets (ICTA) and has sponsored the American Numismatic Association’s highest honor, the Farran Zerbe Award, for the past eight years. He’s served on boards of numerous other organizations and associations.
For more information about the World’s Fair of Money visit: www.money.org/worldsfairofmoney, call 800-367-9723, or email ana@money.org.
For more information about the Money Talks series of seminars to be held during the World’s Fair of Money, review this document>>
