Author Visits Universal Coin & Bullion to Research the Hulagu Ilkhan

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To research the background of the Hulagu Silver Dirham, author David Hearne visited Universal Coin & Bullion, a major company serving the numismatic community. The main reason for the visit was to verify the authenticity of 4 Hulagu Ilkhans and to discuss the supposition that an astute numismatist could charm a rare coin collection into a large sum of money within a few years.

 

Beaumont, Texas (PRWEB) May 16, 2007 -- To research the background of the Hulagu Silver Dirham, author David Hearne visited Universal Coin & Bullion, a major company serving the numismatic community. Mike Fuljenz the President of Universal Coin & bullion was kind enough to offer his numismatic expertise and give Mr. Hearne a guided tour of the multi buildings compound. The main reason for the visit was to verify the authenticity of 4 Hulagu Ilkhans and to discuss the supposition that an astute numismatist could charm a rare coin collection into a large sum of money within a few years. In "Hulagu's Web", Senator Katherine Laforge does in fact raise a large portion of her campaign funds by selling rare coins from her collection.

 

With a device resembling a microscope, Mr. Fuljenz examined the four Hulagu Ilkhans and gave his professional opinion on their authenticity. All of them were genuine and one probably could have been considered in vf condition. Universal Coin & Bullion does not commonly deal in this type of coin, so Fuljenz provided the names of two other experts that could give second opinions on the Ilkhans. The Hulagu Ilkhans are more than 700 years old. They were probably minted in about 1256 AD after Hulagu Kahn swept through Iraq and sacked Baghdad. Mr. Fuljenz, himself a big history buff displayed some shekels from biblical times. These coins are of course considerably older than the Ilkhans. The shekel, is about the only ancient coin Universal Coin & Bullion deals with. However, Mike Fuljenz, guaranteed that if the book "Hulagu's Web" creates a demand for the Hulagu Ilkhans, he would certainly consider dealing in this coin.

 

Regarding the supposition that an astute coin collector could make a fortune quickly by buying and selling coins, Mr. Fuljenz offered the names of some famous collectors that in fact did create a fortune from the coin market. He provided some historical numbers about the famous Pittman collection. Mr. Pittman was the epitome of an astute coin buyer. He purchased an uncirculated Type II gold dollar for a measly $7 dollars, which eventually sold for $55,000. In another one of his deals, he bought an 1835 half eagle $5 gold piece for $140 and sold it for an astounding $308,000.

 

In "Hulagu's Web", Senator Laforge's coin collection plays a pivotal role in raising the money to launch her Presidential campaign. She actively collected rare coins over a 40-year span so it would have been quite plausible that they had matured enough to provide the funds that her campaign initially needed. The Hulagu Ilkhans were inexpensive coins from her collection that took on major importance in the book and eventually proved to be a conduit between her and another person.

 

Writing a book that is entertaining but factual often needs the help of experts in various fields and the help offered by Mike Fuljenz was invaluable. He is truly the heart of Universal Coin & Bullion.