History

The History of Cincinnati Rare Coin Galleries:
Cincinnati Rare Coin Galleries began at 233 Main Street in Hamilton Ohio. The first official day of business for the new store was September 1st, 2001. However, the story actually began a few years before when founders Michael Dickmann and Joseph Barrett met, by chance, in a small resale shop elsewhere in Hamilton. The two were fast friends and even discussed a business partnership that very day. The two began attending coin shows and visiting coin shops in the greater Cincinnati area. Once a location was found, the real work began. For over two years, Main Street Coin operated at 233 Main Street in Hamilton, Ohio. These were the leanest of times, and days would go by when unlocking at opening and locking at closing would be the only activity the front door would see. There were signs of hope, but few and far between. After two years, the Hamilton Main Street/High Street bridge project was proposed at an association meeting one of the two had attended. For almost a year the traffic to the West side of Hamilton would have to be diverted, which would make an already low customer traffic situation much worse. Mike & Joe found a building for rent in neighboring Fairfield Ohio at 4942 Dixie Hwy. The move was difficult and full of uncertainty, but it became obvious nearly from the start that this new home was the right one. Business increased from day one and the foundation on which Cincinnati Rare Coin Galleries now rests was forged over the coming four years. As Mike was a native of Hyde Park, Ohio, he’d always wanted the two to have a store there. The two met Clayton Wallen at the Fairfield store, and similar to when Mike and Joe met, it was obvious they belonged together. Clay became a partner when the new Hyde Park location was opened, and ”Cincinnati Rare Coin Galleries” was born. Time went on and another chance meeting brought Brad Dutro into the group as a partner in the third store, Common Cents Coins in Milford; which had been operated under another owner for many years. Florence Rare Coin, the fourth location, was opened not long ago when another gentleman of high caliber found his way into this group: Taylor Fraley. Today the four stores operate within their communities very much the way the four partners do with each other; understanding that our success has always rested upon hard work & integrity, yes; but mostly on the principle of building a future. We do not conduct ourselves, nor our business, in the moment. All that we do, each contact with our clients or potential clients, is done to ensure that we will have the opportunity to serve our clients & community not just now, but always.