Port Chester Police Seek Clues To Old-Coins Mystery

Port Chester police are investigating the possibility that two old coins purchased by a local merchant could be valuable collectibles that may have been stolen.

The coins, two U.S. silver dollars from the 1800s, were turned into police by an 80-year-old Port Chester shoemaker on Friday after he bought them for $35 from a man who came to his shop.

Lt. James Ladeairous said the merchant was approached by a man who showed him a New Jersey driver's license to identify himself and then asked $20 and $15 for the old coins. Ladeairous said the merchant bought the coins and after taking a close look at them suspected the coins could be very valuable — and might have been stolen.

Ladeairous said there have been no local reports of similar coins stolen, but detectives are checking throughout the region to determine whether the coins may have been taken from a store or a home during a theft reported to police. Police ask that anyone who might have information about the coins contact Port Chester detectives at 914-939-8419.

Police are not releasing the year printed on the coins to prevent receiving false claims of ownership. If the coins are not found to be stolen, Ladeairous said they will be returned to the merchant who alerted police.