We’re proud to have been selected for the Dec/Jan cover story of “2 for You” featuring our own John Maben and Justin Katz. “2 for You” is a highly successful publication and online resource (formerly “Hometown News”) that selects just two vetted companies from a given category selected for things like ratings, reviews, honesty, integrity, and fair dealings. You can read the full article below, or view the digital version of the publication here.
PEGASUS COIN & JEWELRY
By E. Adam Porter
You snap the latch on the case, tuck it under your arm, and head out the door with a smile on your face. For months, you had been searching for exactly the right coins to fill the final three empty spaces in that case. This morning, you found them, right down the street at Pegasus Coin & Jewelry.
John Maben’s team impressed you with their depth of knowledge and industry experience. They knew exactly what you were looking for, and they had the pieces in stock, at prices you would never find online. There’s no doubt, from now on, when you’re looking for high-quality coins and precious metals, you’re going to Pegasus first.
Personal And Professional
John Maben knelt down and held out a cookie, two more hidden in his closed palm. His little dogs danced and hopped, then sat, putting all their effort into looking as patient as possible. John smiled, passing out the biscuits one by one. As he stood, his wife, Dorinda, called from the front door. He joined her, and she pointed up into one of tall trees that line their property. A mated pair of bald eagles perched high in the branches, sharp eyes greeting the day.
“Dorinda taught me to appreciate moments like that.” John says. “I’m the classic workaholic. I’d go eight days a week if I could. She taught me to slow down, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of nature. I still work hard, but I love that we live somewhere we might catch a glimpse of something wild and beautiful, and I cherish those quiet moments curled up on the couch with Dorinda, the dogs, and our bearded dragon, Lou, who seems to enjoy hanging out as much as the rest of us. Don’t get me wrong; I still love my work. It’s one of the reasons Pegasus is open seven days a week.”
John learned the rewards of hard work at an early age. Growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, he started doing odd jobs around the neighborhood, anything he could find to put money in his pocket. At 17, he heard a local coin shop was hiring. He was already a stamp collector, and in those days stamps and coins were closely tied together, so he thought he would see what it was all about.
“That job provided the foundation for my education in this industry. I learned a tremendous amount, and after five years, I was ready to strike out on my own. I founded a little company called John Maben Rare Coins. After a couple of years, one of my larger customers invited me to come work for him. This was an opportunity to learn directly from a man who had been very successful in my industry, and, it was a six-figure salary, pretty good for a 25-year-old in 1985.
John continued his hands-on education over the next three decades, buying, selling, and working as a professional grader. He loved the work, was making good money, but wanted independence. So, John founded ModernCoinMart, an online coin and collectibles retailer that grew to employ 40 industry professionals, with annual sales in excess of $100 million.
After selling ModernCoinMart, John decided to take a break, though anyone who knew him understood that wouldn’t last.
“I had been in maybe a thousand coin shops all over the country, done every other thing I could in this industry, but I had never owned a shop. I was enjoying life with Dorinda and our furry kids, but pretty much every day, I thought about what it would be like to have my own shop.
“Dorinda and I developed a vision for the kind of shop I would’ve wanted to walk into during all those years I was buying and selling. Eventually, it was time to make that vision real. She designed a showroom that feels classy and inviting, beautiful without being pretentious.
“We wanted it to be a destination where dealers and collectors could sell to people they knew they could trust. I love it when sellers look us up before they come, because they see my 35-year membership in the Professional Numismatists Guild, and that I was a director on the board for that organization; and they see a team with multiple numismatists with more than 25 years’ experience, others with more than 15 years’ experience, four pro graders, and our store manager, Justin Katz, a Miami native with 20 years of industry experience, 15 of those managing a well-known Miami coin and gold shop.
“We are here, seven days a week, delivering a five-star experience, fair, up-front pricing, and expert advice from experienced industry professionals. We buy and sell coins as well as unwanted or broken jewelry; and we pay top-dollar prices few can match, not just locally, but anywhere in the country. We love what we do, and we’re excited to share our knowledge and our passion with every customer, whether you are just starting out, or you have been investing in coins and jewelry for years.”
Honest And Fair
Brenden Moriarty says he appreciates the fair, up-front valuation offered by Pegasus.
“I’m an attorney, and I was assisting a client who wanted to sell some or all of a very large coin collection that had belonged to her husband.
“The staff looked over a sample from the collection and offered up-front, clear prices, as well as an explanation for the valuation. From start to finish, the transaction was clear, honest, and fair. My client and I are both happy.”
Good Quality
Tony Zipperer has been collecting silver coins for about 20 years.
“I had been doing most of my shopping online, but you don’t really know the quality you’re getting. I found Pegasus about six months ago, and I’ve been back several times since.
“The store feels like a showroom, not like a pawn shop. They have quite an assortment of coins, and all the prices are clearly marked. You see what you’re getting, and the pricing is fair. If you are interested in investing in coins, definitely visit Pegasus.”
Convenient And Knowledgeable
Richard S. appreciates the convenience and professionalism he found at Pegasus.
“One of the first things I noticed about Pegasus is their extended hours. A lot of places aren’t open Sundays, so it’s difficult for me to get there. Pegasus is not only open, they are happy to welcome you. The staff is very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. The whole vibe of the place is so positive, just hanging out there feels good.
“I like supporting local businesses, so it’s nice to find such a wide selection at such great prices. You get that in-person service, and their prices are better than I was paying online.”
Pegasus Coin & Jewelry is located near the intersection of I-75 and SR-70 in the Twelve Oaks Publix Shopping Center at Tara, 7230 55th Avenue East in Bradenton, 34203. Call 941-725-6100, or visit www.PegaVault.com.
