While still a teenager, Steve became so enamored with the rare coin business that he decided to open his own mail order business and attend major coin shows. His success, both then and now, is due in no small part to his willingness to devote the time and recourses required to cultivate trusting relationships. Steve has always prided himself on his ability to help clients feel comfortable with him and with all of their numismatic transactions.

In the early 1970s, Steve relocated to New York City, where he opened Metropolitan Rare Coin Galleries. At the height of the boom that followed upon the heels of the government's lifting the ban on private ownership of gold, his coin sales surpassed the $100 million mark in a single calendar year.

By the mid-1970s, Steve had decided to return to California. There he partnered with two other professional numismatists in the acquisition and sale of what was, at that time, the largest rare coin transaction in history: the LaVere Redfield Hoard of Morgan and Peace Dollars.

Following that transaction, Steve became one of the pioneers in the repatriation of U.S. gold coins that the federal government had sent to Europe as part of reparations after both world wars. From 1983 to 1995, he built another successful coin business, buying and selling some of the rarest U.S. coins on the market. Shortly thereafter, he found his niche in the numismatic auction market.

Today, Steve Deeds still makes ample use of his ability to satisfy clients and service their every need-skills he has been developing and honing since the start of his numismatic career. He helps consignors feel comfortable with selling their coins through auction by building relationships built upon trust and mutual understanding. His knowledge of numismatic auctions, as well as the rare coin market as a whole, is readily accessible to those who seek his counsel.

Foley is a graduate of Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, and holds a Masters of Public Administration degree from the Graduate School of Public Affairs of the State University of New York at Albany. He was the founding Secretary of the Professional Currency Dealers Association and is one of only three individuals to receive that organization’s coveted President’s Award in its nearly 25-year history. He serves as Bourse Chairman of PCDA’s National and World Paper Money Convention.

As a Past President of the Central States Numismatic Society, Foley has received both that organization’s prestigious Ray O. Lefman Medal of Merit as well as its Elston Bradfield Literary Award for the best article to appear in its quarterly membership journal, the award-winning Centinel. Since 1998 he has served as General Chairman of the 300-booth CSNS Convention.

For the past 15 years he has been the author of the highly regarded monthly market commentary, Activity Across the Market, for the regularly consulted wholesale pricing guide, The Currency Dealer Newsletter.

In addition, Foley’s numismatic presence includes convention management responsibilities for the Krause Publications-sponsored Chicago Paper Money Exposition, the Chicago International Coin Fair, as well as Krause’s MidAmerica Coin Expo. Since 1999 he has also served as Chairman of the New York International Numismatic Convention.

In discussing his love of collectable paper money Foley told us, “While in school I became interested in rare currency after attending a coin show in Utica, N.Y., and meeting one of the pioneering currency dealers, William Donlon, who at the time conducted highly regarded mail bid sales. I was especially fascinated by the National Bank Notes Mr. Donlon had and their connection to local area history, as well as the commercial and economic development of the communities where they were issued. When people ask me how I became a currency dealer I sometimes quip that I was never comfortable wearing a suit and tie and wanted something where such onerous burdens were not part of the equation. Although everyone I say that to always assumes that I’m attempting to be humorous, there is a solid element of truth in that perhaps too-candid admission.”

“I’ve never lost sight of the historical importance of the notes I deal with on behalf of Bowers and Merena and I especially enjoy cataloging the currency in our auctions. Every note has a story to tell, some rather mundane and others quite exciting. Their real value is as part of our economic and cultural heritage, a value that far transcends whatever price they achieve in our auctions. They help tell the story of our history and of the individuals who’ve contributed to what we are as a people. I am really quite privileged to be able to have such interesting cultural artifacts be a part of my daily life.”

Her numismatic journey started in New Hampshire working directly with Q. David Bowers. When the company relocated to Louisiana in 2003, she moved and started her new position as Retail Department Manager. Now in Irvine, California, Debbie is a Consignment Director who is always available to answer all questions about the numismatic auction process. She frequently travels to numismatic conventions to receive consignments, and to participate in Bowers and Merena’s live auctions.

Debbie has been privileged and honored to be part of some of the most famous and lucrative coin actions of the 20th and 21st centuries. These include the Norweb and Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collections. During the latter sale, she was able to meet and spend time with Richard Eliasberg and his family. Beginning in the 1990’s and continuing through the early years of the 21st century, Debbie also helped to orchestrate the four-part sale of the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection. More recently, she has played an integral part in Bowers and Merena’s sale of the Louis E. Ferrari Collection—a highlight collection in our October 2004 Mandalay Bay Rarities Sale.

Debbie is married with three children, and has been a member of the ANA and ANS since the 1990s.

When consignments first arrive at Bowers and Merena’s Irvine headquarters, Raeleen works closely with President Steve Deeds to update and maintain consignor accounts. During catalog production, she coordinates with the Graphics Department, also lending her strong proofreading skills to the process.

Raeleen’s additional responsibilities put her in touch with virtually all other departments at Bowers and Merena Auctions. Some of those which she interacts with daily include Customer Service, Accounting, and Shipping. Raeleen also travels to all of the firm’s live auctions. She particularly enjoys this travel, since it allows her and her co-workers to witness first-hand the results of their efforts during the weeks leading up to the actual date of sale. Indeed, the collaborative process of assembling and executing an auction is a fulfilling experience for Raeleen, and one in which she takes great pride.

Raeleen also coordinates the auction process for Kingswood, Bowers and Merena’s sister coin auction company. Her responsibilities are equally vital and diverse for both firms.