About Our Staff
..................................................................... Donald H. Kagin, Ph.D. / Numismatics
 Don 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. Graduate and post graduate studies at the Union Institute and University, Northwestern, Drake and John Hopkins Universities along with the American Numismatic Association, the American Numismatic Society and the Smithsonian Institution earned Don the first doctorate in Numismatics ever granted in the United States.
Dr. Kagin's numismatic fields of expertise are in Pioneer Gold, 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 US Coins, the Coin and Currency Dealer Newsletter, which he founded, and regularly features articles in the nations leading numismatic periodicals. Dr. Kagin has received the coveted Heath Literary Award for several of his articles. His quotes 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 widely conducted seminars and educational forums, and made several radio and television appearances including Good Morning America and the History Channel.
As chairman of the American Money and Gold Rush Museum, Dr. Kagin proposed and successfully engineered the passage of a Congressional bill allowing the minting of San Francisco Mint Commemorative gold and silver coins. Net proceeds exceeded $4.75 million, which will go to renovate the historic Old San Francisco Mint. A seat on the American Numismatic Association's Board of Govenors for two terms as educational chairman allowed Dr. Kagin to leverage his commitment to numismatic education and expand the world of numismatics through seminars and increased educational resources to members of the largest numismatic association in the world.
David J. McCarthy
 David is the senior numismatist and researcher at Kagin's, Inc. Before beginning his career in numismatics, he worked as a concert promoter and talent buyer in Western New York, producing concerts by such luminaries as Bob Dylan, Smashing Pumpkins, and Cher. In January of 2000, he took a job with Richard Nachbar Rare Coins, where he soon began buying and selling coins full time.
In 2003 he relocated to Northen California to take a position with Kagin's. Since then he has handled an astonishing array of major U.S. and world rarities, has acted as a consultant to several banks, museums and grading companies, and has established himself as a leading expert on the subject of Pioneer Gold, Colonials and Early Federal Coins, becoming a Red Book contributor in 2007.
Cherie Schoeps
 After many years of experience in business administration and human resources, Cherie Schoeps began a career at Kagin's as the Office Manager and found herself embracing numismatics. She eventually became a numismatist specializing in Pioneer & California Fractional gold coinage. After over a decade of specialization, she is now considered one of the foremost authorities in Cal Fractional and State gold.
Cherie is Vice President of the Society of Private and Pioneer Numismatists and has been a member since 1998. She is a member of Woman in Numismatics and the Pacific Coast Numismatic Society and a regular contributor to the Official Red Book on US Coins and the 2nd edition of the California Pioneer Fractional Gold Book.
Meredith J. Hilton
 Following in the footsteps of Art Kagin, Meredith Hilton has advanced quickly up the numismatic ladder. Specializing in large size United States Currency, Meredith is an expert grader and has an uncanny ability to foresee numismatic trends, assisting clients in assembling important currency collections.
Hilton's numismatic career began at age 10 when he received his first $2 bill in change. Thinking they were rare, he started collecting $2 bills as a child. A graduate of both San Franciso State University (MA) and the University of California at San Diego (BA), he is a member of the ANA, CSNS, FUN,SPPN,PCDA, and of the Kagin family since 2002.
Fred Holabird
 Fred is President of our subsidiary company, Holabird-Kagin Americana. He has an extensive background in both mining and numismatics. Over the past 30 years Fred has had a huge impact on all aspects of mining and numismatics.
His career in mining and geology started in 1976, just after graduating from Humboldt State University with a BA in geology. Becoming President of Columbus Industries, Inc. Fred's work led to the discovery and production of the Gold Bar Mine. With many great projects and jobs in between, he went on to beome owner of Holabird Americana and Holabird Mining, Environmental and Historical Consultants.
He has published more than 5-dozen papers and has conducted 40 plus seminars and classes relating to the field. In 2004 the American Numismatic Association celebrated Fred's work by giving him the Raymond Award for the most outstanding paper in the field of numismatic science.
Fred has achievments in the development of technology through precious metals fingerprinting. His advanced work and published papers on the theory and practices of this subject have led to international press coverage. One of his professional papers, presented to the American Academy of Forensic Science in 2004 was featured on the cover of New Science Magazine [London].
Fred is also a leader in the field of appraisals of rare and unusual western ephemera, documents, gold artifacts, and numismatica. He has worked on the SS Central America and Republic, and counts many of the major western banks, mining companies and law firms as clients.
Today, Fred continues to deliver a piece of history with each and every catalog that is produced, carefully researching every piece he acquires, and also ensuring its authenticity. His knowledge of the history behind the mining industry is next to none.
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