New platform lets collectors and dealers interact, post news and comments, create set registries, and access TheftCheck database of stolen certified coins
MyCollect™, a new social network for coin collectors, has launched. Founded and operated by collectors and for collectors, it combines the best interactive features of the hobby and trade, such as informative message boards and set registries, but eliminates the algorithm problems often encountered with such platforms as Facebook.
“The website (www.mycollect.com) is free of charge. Among the many features are competitive sets of all U.S. coin series, the ability to post publicly or only privately to selected friends, and TheftCheck™, the most extensive and timely searchable database of stolen certified coins,” explained Ian Russell, Founder of MyCollect and President of GreatCollections in Irvine, California.
“We have five enjoyable and educational goals for everyone in the hobby: connecting, interacting, learning, collecting, and competing in a safe environment run by collectors. Also, the registry section is not limited to one certification service, so participants can add any or all of their PCGS-, NGC-, and CACG-certified coins to their inventory and MyCollect Sets,” Russell stated.
“This is going to be a game changer. MyCollect is going to be a great tool for collectors and dealers alike,” stated Kenny Duncan, Jr., chief numismatist at U.S. Coins and Jewelry in Houston, Texas who was given an early look at the platform.
Within the first hours of operations on July 10, 2023, hundreds of accounts were created and messages posted, and over $250 million in rare coins were added for visitors to see in the MyCollect Sets section. The sets include the Elite Collection of Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles featuring the world’s most valuable rare coin: a 1933 Double Eagle that sold at auction for $18.9 million.
“The big names like Facebook and Instagram are at a disadvantage as they do not have vital coin or collectibles knowledge, and their frustrating algorithms are criticized for not permitting users to always see all of their friends’ posts in real time. MyCollect is 100 percent owned and operated by collectors with the long-term vision to help grow the hobby and marketplace. We have plans to add dozens of other collectibles categories worldwide,” said Russell
“One important feature, TheftCheck, is a tool the coin market has wanted and needed for over a decade. By entering a PCGS, NGC, or CACG certification number, you can instantly confirm if a coin has been reported stolen,” he explained.
The TheftCheck database is managed by former Texas Police Chief Doug Davis, founder of the Numismatic Crime Information Center (NCIC). He will be entering theft reports on behalf of dealers, collectors, insurance companies, and law enforcement agencies.
In addition to collector user-friendly features, dealers and auction houses will be able to use the MyCollect and TheftCheck application programming interface (API).
“It’s been an immense amount of fun building MyCollect with our team. We added features that help collectors and will continue to add more,” said Russell.
Visitors to the American Numismatic Association (ANA) 2023 Pittsburgh World’s Fair of Money can see demonstrations of MyCollect at table 1200, August 8-12, in the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
The first interview about MyCollect and demonstrations of the platform’s many features were recently conducted in Houston, Texas for the Coin Shop Podcast hosted by Kenny Duncan, Jr. and Matthew Duncan.
For additional information, visit www.mycollect.com, phone (949) 679-4180, or email [email protected].
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About MyCollect
MyCollect is a new, free social media platform for collectibles enthusiasts that provides hobby enjoyment, educational information, and the ability to easily interact with other collectors worldwide. Participants can view and learn about rare coins and antiques, post images of their collections, compete in registry competitions, and buy and sell with leading dealers. The site also features TheftCheck™, the world’s largest searchable database of stolen certified coins.
