Archangel Coins owner/founder Chris Shands turned his passion for history into a successful numismatic business.
“When it comes to coins, the fun part is remembering it is history,” Shands said. “It brings the past to life.”
Shand’s 1,000-square-foot coin shop, located 594 S. Decatur Blvd., offers a wide array of U.S. and foreign collector coins, currency, and precious metals such as gold and silver.
A collector himself, he enjoys helping fellow collectors of all ages and levels build their collections through buying, selling, or trading.
“We help the child putting together his first set to high-end seasoned collectors,” Shands said. “And everything in between – including people who are just looking to buy and sell precious metals.”
Those looking to sell coins, Shands ensures the fairest market value. As a member of the Certified Coin Exchange, he has access to up-to-the-minute pricing. In addition, he is able to determine the best value by cross-referencing a database of auction records.
“It’s a very valuable tool,” Shands said about the Certified Coin Exchange. We also have access to 15 million auction records through multiple sources.”
Shands, who’s brokered coins well into the six figures, has spent the last twenty years educating himself on coins and collecting.
He understands all the intricate details about the hobby, noting that it’s more than just buying and selling coins.
“There’s a lot to collecting,” Shands said. “I’m a big proponent of education. The more the customer knows the more comfortable they become.”
Understanding how coins are valued is important for any collector. Shands said coins are graded using a 70-point scale. The higher the number the better the coin’s grade. Coins of potential higher value can be certified through the Numismatic Coin Grading (NGC) or Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS).
He further helps customers learn about the potential pitfalls with the hobby.
“For some reason, people approach coins differently than other things, it’s too easy to get taken advantage of,” Shands said, adding some recommendations for collectors. “Buy a few books to understand what to look for and join a coin club to have conversations with collectors.”
Shand’s personal collection focuses on coins from the post-colonial period ranging from the 1780s through 1836; a time period where individual coins were hand struck.
He discovered the hobby at age 11 during a family trip visiting his uncle in New Jersey. His uncle, Joseph Cavallaro, owned an antique and coin store.
“I walked through the front doors of his shop and said, ‘I’m in love,’” Shands recalls. “I always loved history but never saw a route to make money until that trip.”
Cavallaro, who retired and moved to Las Vegas one year later, continued to inspire and help Shands with his collection.
The first time Shands made money selling coins came after attending his first Vegas coin show with Cavallaro at age 12. After purchasing $46 worth of coins, he turned around and sold his collection a couple of months later netting a $24 profit.
At age 15, Shands worked area coin shows, helping other collectors find and purchase rare coins. He also sold coins at an antique mall Cavallaro managed.
“I had a six-foot case inside his booth at the antique mall,” Shands recalls. “At that point, I was pretty much buying coins for resale.”
A special memory occurred during a coin show he attended in California, where he purchased a rare 1794 half dollar.
“I love telling that story,” said Shands, who was 17 at the time. “I asked the dealer to show me the coin. He was hesitant because it was very expensive. I pulled out $5,000 and sat it on the case and said, ‘Please show it to me.’”
Shands achieved several milestones at a young age. He was the youngest board member for the Las Vegas Numismatic Society, (Coin Club), earning that honor at age 17. He served in that capacity for over ten years.
“It was against the Coin Clubs constitution for anyone under the age of 18 to serve as a board member,” Shands said. “High-ranking members approached me and said they would like me to take a position.”
Shands’ lucrative hobby provided enough capital to purchase his first home at age 23. A year later he started his business.
The young entrepreneur initially operated out of a small office focusing strictly on wholesale buying and selling coins. Two years later he opened his retail shop, patterning it after an East Coast old-fashioned coin shop. His vision was to foster a welcoming atmosphere where customers enjoyed coming and spending time.
“The store serves as a place for a free exchange of information,” Shands said. “We don’t want to rush people. One of our biggest goals is to make sure when someone leaves our store, they feel like they’ve made a new friend.”
He selected the name Archangel, after his uncle’s New Jersey antique and coin store.
“I felt it was only appropriate to pay homage to where I got my start,” Shands said. Cavallaro encouraged Shands to start the business and remains an active participant in the daily operation.
Lucky visitors are greeted by the shop’s mascot, Kira, a Siberian Husky Shands rescued five years ago as a puppy.
“I always wanted a Siberian Husky,” Shands said. “I get to bring her with me every day.”
Besides the storefront, Shands has a significant virtual presence, selling to collectors from all over the world.
The biggest challenge he faces is fighting the ever-increasing attempt to pass counterfeit coins and currency. He spends hours reading about the latest industry information and warnings and has invested in state-of-the-art equipment to help detect fakes.
The thriving shop is undergoing a renovation, expanding to over 1,800 square feet.
“It’s going to double the amount of inventory we have on display,” Shands said. “It will allow us to exhibit approximately 2,500 to 3,000 coins.”
He hopes once the COVID restrictions are lifted he plans to offer classes on collecting and expand the hobby.
Archangel coins is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit archangelcoins.com or call 702-683-2196.
Members of the editorial and news staff of the Las Vegas Review-Journal were not involved in the creation of this content.