Don Kagin

Donald H. Kagin, Ph.D., has unique credentials as a numismatic authority.  He earned the first Bachelor of Arts degree in Numismatics granted by Northwestern University, simultaneously earning another B.A. in History.  Post graduate studies at the Union Institute and University, Northwestern, Drake and Johns Hopkins Universities, along with the American Numismatic Association, the American Numismatic Society, and Smithsonian Institution, earned Dr. Kagin the first doctorate in numismatics ever granted in the United States. Dr. Kagin’s numismatic fields of expertise are in Pioneer Gold coins, United States currency and numismatic investments.  He authored the most comprehensive book to date in his field, Private Gold Coins and Patterns of the United States, which won the Numismatic Literary Guild’s “Best Book of the Year” award.  Don contributes to the Official Guide to United States Coins, the Coin and Currency Dealer Newsletter, which he founded, and regularly features articles in the nation’s leading numismatic periodicals.  Dr. Kagin has received the coveted Heath Literary Award for several of his articles.  His work can be found in national publications such as Money magazine, U.S. News and World Report, Barron’s and the Wall Street Journal.  He has also lectured and taught across the United States, conducted seminars and educational forums, and made several radio and television appearances including Good Morning America and multiple shows on the History Channel. Dr. Kagin is the nation’s number one numismatic advisor.  He serves as a consultant for governments, banks and trust departments, money managers, financial planners, and professionals seeking to implement or build a numismatic collection or investment program, or to dispose of a collection.  Having earned a Certified Financial Planning degree, he has also been called upon to lecture at annual conventions of the International Association of Financial Planners, the IAFP World Congress, the International Monetary Conference, the Convention of Certified Accountants, Tiger 21 Clubs and other seminars within the financial community.  Appointed as Chief Numismatic Expert for Odyssey Marine Exploration, Dr. Kagin assisted in authenticating and appraising the findings on the S.S. Republic shipwreck treasure. His nationally acclaimed one-man shows, “The Oldest Living Pioneer” and “Colonial Man” are considered among the most innovative and entertaining educational programs ever presented. Most recently he led the Kagin team in authenticating, conserving, marketing and selling the $10+ million Saddle Ridge Hoard Treasure – the greatest buried treasure find in U.S. history.  Over 1.6 million websites carried this unique story to well over one billion people, resulting in several millions of dollars in added demand and revenue.  Today, Dr. Kagin serves as President of Kagin’s, Inc., the nation’s oldest family-owned numismatic firm and Kagin Americana, the largest Western Americana dealer and auctioneer.  His new book, Profit from Gold and Rare Coins Now (Zyrus Press, 2014), is receiving widespread critical acclaim as the ultimate gold and rare coin investment guide, which makes a compelling and timely case for wealth preservation and appreciation through diversification in gold and rare coins.