Numismatics may not be rocket science, but holding a Cum Laude college degree in physics helps Steven L. Contursi focus on the crucial small details that can make a huge difference in rare coins. A collector since the age of seven when he used money from his paperboy job to fill holes in coin folders, Contursi built his childhood pastime into one of America’s most respected and renowned dealerships. A professional numismatist since 1975, he has bought and sold close to $1 billion worth of United States rare coins, and helps both collectors and other dealers acquire the finest quality, historically significant coins.

Contursi made international headlines in March 2004 when he and the American Numismatic Association unveiled new evidence about “Uncle Sam’s first buck.” The Neil/Carter/Contursi specimen 1794 Flowing Hair dollar is believed by many experts to be the very first silver dollar struck by the U.S. Mint, a truly historic national treasure - a coin that represented an economic declaration of independence for the young United States. (He has loaned the now famous coin to the ANA Money Museum in Colorado where tens of thousands of visitors have viewed it there and on exhibits around the country.)

Honored by New York University in 1974 as the graduating physics student with the highest academic achievement, Contursi then attended the University of Minnesota graduate school while moonlighting at a coin shop. Deciding that his future should involve numismatics rather than Newton’s Laws, he opened his own coin shop in a Minneapolis suburb in 1975. Since then, he has held executive positions with several prominent rare coin and precious metals companies including Northwest Territories Gold and Silver Exchange; Miller-Contursi; Blanchard and Company; and Monex Rare Coins. He has authored dozens of articles about coins.

Contursi has served as President of Rare Coin Wholesalers since January 2001, combining his management skills and numismatic expertise to create one of the countries’ foremost dealerships. (While at Blanchard in the 1980s, he personally helped founder James U. Blanchard expand the company from $500,000 per month in sales of U.S. coins to over $4 million a month through innovative marketing programs including an informative magazine.)

While coins and cross-country trips to major conventions, trade shows and auctions fill his professional hours, Contursi devotes considerable time to various community organizations in Orange County California. He and his wife, SeAnne, have five children, including one who proudly served in the United States Air Force.