Coin Business ‘Mint’ to be For Local Man

The economy’s decline has proven to be a boon for those in the coin and antiques business.

Marlon Mathre, owner of Fox Valley Coins, said often people who need some extra money will head to the nearest junk drawer.

“They’ll sell us their old coins and gold jewelery that’s cluttering their drawers,” Mathre said. “And it’s the same thing with silverware. A lot of people say they hate to sell it, but when they find out what it’s worth they say, ‘Well, of course for $2,000 we’re going to sell it. We don’t ever use it.’”

In November, Mathre opened his third Fox Valley Coins location at 1155 N. Bridge St., in Yorkville. His other stores are located in Aurora and Naperville.

He has long been in the coin industry, having started the now-closed Yorkville Coin Investments in 1981 in the city’s downtown.

He and his family, which includes his wife and three kids, are Yorkville residents. He is one of several Yorkville merchants who were instrumental in starting up the Hometown Days festival.

“I love Yorkville,” Mathre said. “My kids have all gone to school here.”

Some patrons who frequent his shops these days are investing in gold and silver.

“A lot of people are putting their money into precious metals, because they’re afraid of what’s going to happen to the U.S. dollar,” Mathre said. “They want to put their money into something they think is going to hold it’s value better.”

At his Naperville store, he also accepts collectibles as well as coins.

“We’ve had everything from rare coins to $1,000 bills, $500 bills, and war relics,” Mathre said.

Fox Valley Coins hosts multiple auctions throughout the year.

A woman came into one of his stores with a Purdey shotgun made in 1880 she wanted to sell.

“She was hoping it would go for $3,000. It ended up going for over $11,000,” Mathre said.

Another woman came in with her late husband’s train collection, which sold for more than $280,000, Mathre said.

“It’s kind of like having a garage, but instead of getting 50 cents for an item, in some cases they’re getting hundreds and thousands of dollars,” he said.

For more information about Fox Valley Coins, visit the company's website or Facebook page, or call (630) 305-0100.