Universal Coin & Bullion

Universal Coin & Bullion: Making a Difference

In an industry overflowing with coin dealers, one of them is clearly the leader. In terms of its groundbreaking support of both the industry of collecting and selling coins, and in providing education and support to collectors nationwide, Universal Coin and Bullion of Beaumont, Texas stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Offering outstanding investment strategies, timely, in-depth numismatic analysis, and comprehensive consultation services to clients across the nation, the company has made a name for itself with consistent numismatic consumer advocacy and by consulting with local and national agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the United States Mint.

In 2011, with the United States Mint's mid-December sales cutoff deadline approaching, the president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation praised an eleventh hour effort by Universal Coin founder Mike Fuljenz for boosting lower-than-anticipated sales of that year’s commemorative Medal of Honor uncirculated silver dollars. At the end of the year, with sales of the uncirculated dollar coins lagging behind the proof version by over two-to-one, Fuljenz purchased 1,900 of the uncirculated dollars for sale to customers. It was the largest single purchase of this coin from the mint, and provided nearly $20,000 in surcharge proceeds to the foundation, as well as increasing public awareness of the Medal of Honor and the service and sacrifice it represented, Fuljenz said at the time.

Universal Coin & Bullion then offered the coins to the public for only five cents more than the mint’s price, as well as providing free shipping and a complimentary copy of a 30-minute documentary about past Medal of Honor recipients.

"The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation salutes Mike Fuljenz and Universal Coin and Bullion for all they do to support our men and women in uniform," Nicholas B. Kehoe, president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, said at the time.

Fuljenz, who was the target of a dismissed 2007 lawsuit involving Universal Coin and Bullion’s valuation of rare gold, platinum and silver coins, founded Universal Coin and Bullion in 1994. Before long, Universal Coin became one of the most well-regarded, nationally acclaimed and award-winning sources for gold, rare coin, and numismatic collectors. Specializing in rare and certified United States coins, Type II and Type III Liberty Double Eagles, Indian Head Quarter and Half Eagles, as well as Gold and Silver Eagle coins, Fuljenz’s company is run by an award-winning executive team with a strong understanding of rare coin markets.

Better Business Bureau-accredited since 1995, the company offers information and educational materials, including books, newsletters, and articles featuring singular commentary and analysis from Fuljenz that can help customers and collectors pursue financial and collecting excellence with every acquisition. Universal Coin, housed in a 35,000-square-foot office complex complete with vault services, national buying software, and ongoing training that provides some of the best service in the rare coin industry, also offers expert consumer education advice about trading and selling on the secondary market.

Both Fuljenz (who’s known in numismatic circles as “America's Gold Expert”) and Universal Coin and Bullion have received awards from the Press Club of Southeast Texas and the Numismatic Literary Guild for this type of consumer protection service work – a bonus typically not offered by most other coin and bullion sellers.