News / Business
Three Masked Men Steal $4 Million in Coins at Florida Convention
For the second time in two years the Florida United Numismatists’ annual coin show was the target of a heist. This time the robbers netted $4 million in rare coins including an 1843 set once owned by President John Tyler.
The coins were stolen while a man was unloading an SUV in a valet area of the Peabody Hotel. One of the thieves held a knife to the man’s throat and knocked him to the ground while two other men proceeded to grab a suitcase from the van.
All three men were wearing surgical masks at the time of the Saturday heist.
Last year several dealers’ vehicles were broken into resulting in $450,000 worth of coins being stolen. Organizers of the convention stepped up security this year with more off-duty officers and arranged for a secured room for dealers to keep their coins.
Police have yet to determine if this year’s robbery is connected to the break-ins of a year ago.
