By Sara Poirier Correa
Sentinel Contributor
Little did Chris Moran know as a young boy watching his grandfather collect coins that he was learning life lessons that would help shape his professional future. All grown up now, Moran is owner and operator of The Happy Coin, a marketplace for the collection, sale and appraisal of rare coins, jewelry and precious metals.
“He was gracious enough as a young person to make me think it was our collection,” Moran said of grandfather showing him the
numismatic ropes.
Now with a gallery in the heart of Cos Cob, Moran, a resident of Dutchess County, N.Y., has transformed his favorite pastime into a business that helps others find value in rare items.
“I came to Greenwich because I have some clients in Greenwich that sold me a large collection of coins,” Moran told the Greenwich Sentinel. “It’s worked out nicely.”
He added, “I’m the only rare coin and precious metals dealer in town, and it turns out there’s a need for it.”
Whether people are collectors themselves, their parents or relatives are collectors, or they’ve inherited a collection of coins and other items, there is always someone looking to buy, sell or find out what they have, Moran said. That’s where The Happy Coin comes into play.
As a dealer, Moran, who said he loves the history behind his artifacts, will appraise a collection of coins, looking at condition and original vintage to determine value. Making an offer to purchase and then reselling to other collectors and dealers is then the name of the game.
“I like to work with people and I like to help people,” the coin dealer said. “A lot of my clients don’t have any idea what
they have.”
Moran, who opened his gallery in January 2014, said, “Sometimes the best thing for [clients] to do is to not sell the coins.”
“So much about coins is about money,” Moran said. “I worry that people lose sight of the fact that this is an extremely wonderful hobby and pursuit.”
According to “Coin Collectors 101,” a blog post on thehappycoin.com, there are five types of coin collector: the “just for fun” novice (collects coins as they are found); the hobbyist (usually has coins in the collection that are easily available for purchase); the generalist (has rare and valuable coins from around the world, but no focus to the collection); the specialist (focus on a particular collection of coins), and the completist (someone who wants to build a complete collection of a particular category of coins).
Moran said that while his personal interest in coin collecting has come and gone throughout the years, it was about 15 years ago that his passion was reignited. He started as a “pocket dealer” working from a private office, and it has grown into a full-time job.
“It’s very much about the time I spent with my grandfather,” Moran said of what he likes most about his job. “It’s a very real timeline to my past and my relationship with my grandfather. I try to pass that along and push
that idea.”
And customers have been responding.
“Honest seller. Backs his products up with extremely good customer service,” wrote one customer on the business’ testimonial webpage.
Another wrote: “Excellent coins from a seller who seriously attempts to answer questions.”
The most expensive piece Moran said he has ever sold is a $650,000 Stella, a $4 coin produced in 1879 and 1880. Most recently, he added, he has started selling bullion (gold bars, silver bars, and other precious metals or ingots).
All of what The Happy Coin has to offer is on its website, from Mint sets (including from the Royal Canadian Mint and the Perth Mint in Australia) to proof coins, to commemorative tokens and more, such as a selection of American Gold and Silver Eagles. Moran also deals in Mont Blanc pens, diamonds, Rolex and Piaget watches, scrap gold, and even firearms.
More about The Happy Coin may be found on the website, by stopping at the gallery at 418 East Putnam Avenue in Cos Cob, or by calling 800-544-3750.
