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As Reported by Union Democrat

Collectible store reopens, expands

Written by Christina O'Haver, The Union Democrat October 10, 2012 03:00 pm

After Calaveras Coins & Collectibles lost its founder, Howard Wesely, to a heart attack in January, the 20-year-old Angels Camp business closed up shop. But overwhelming encouragement from the community led the Wesely family to reopen the store within less than two months and carry on the coin collector’s legacy. “Our goal is to run this business that would have made Howard proud and keep our clients coming back again and again,” his wife, Merinna May-Wesely, stated in a press release.  Calaveras Coins buys, sells and trades various collectibles including coins, beer steins, bottles, silverware, glassware, signs and lanterns.  However, May-Wesely, and her son, Scott May, are planning to move the business in January from its 900-square-foot location at 1263 South Main Street to the historic Angels Camp Hotel, which is about three times larger.  The new space will allow the business to display more of its collectibles and start a pawn shop, which would be the only pawn shop in town, according to employee Gerad Slayton. The shop will continue to provide free evaluations of antiques and collectibles to curious collectors, a service Wesely was known for. Many merchants said he “helped keep everyone honest” by offering the service for free and paying people the true market value for items they wanted to sell. Seven-year employee Berlene Horne said Wesely started collecting coins at age 4 and opened his first shop when he was 12-years-old. Slayton added that he heard stories of Wesely sitting on phone books to conduct transactions.  Wesely, a Modesto native, was on his way to Montana around 1993 to open a coin shop when his car broke down in Angels Camp. He took it as a sign and set up the shop in the Calaveras County town instead, Horne said.

Ready to Serve the Community

Calaveras Coins Reopens To Once Again Serve Community

How do you celebrate the legacy of a man who was part of Mother Lode history and Mother Lode history was part of him? This was the question that faced Calaveras Coins and Collectibles matriarch Merinna May-Wesely after the sudden passing of her beloved husband Howard Wesely in January.

Nearly twenty years after the opening of the internationally-recognized coin shop, the future of the business was uncertain however the outpouring of community support motivated Merinna and her son Scott to continue the family-run business that has been a mainstay in the historic district of the city of Angels Camp.

A common statement among fellow merchants was that “Howard helped keep everyone honest.” With amazing fortitude, they soon turned the grief of their loss into a celebration of the life in memory of the man who served his community and neighbors with integrity, honesty and knowledge for over two decades.

Within two months the shop was open once again for business. “The mentality of the whole team here at Calaveras Coins is to provide unsurpassed customer service and education to both our loyal clientele and new ones to empower them to make good solid decisions whether buying or selling,” states Scott.

Calaveras Coins turns unwanted items from garages, basements, attics, bookshelves, jewelry boxes, silverware drawers and curio cabinets into cash that people can use right now, when needed most. It is easy and convenient to sell with them and cash is paid on the spot. This helps avoid the need to sell online, have garages sales or buy a booth at a flea market.

Calaveras Coins is a one stop shop that serves the community and provides services far beyond just coins. Whether selling or not, free evaluations are given daily on antiques and collectibles that range from silverware collections to beer steins, steel toys, militaria, old bottles, tokens and, of course, coins. These services are invaluable during these tough economic times many in the Mother Lode find themselves facing.

For those who want to purchase jewelry like a engagement or bridal set their motto is never pay retail again! With nearly a 900% mark up on jewelry at retail stores, Calaveras Coins breaks the mold with its ability to pass on amazing savings to people, many times offering rings for the price of the gold alone. “Our goal is to run this business in a way that would have made Howard proud and keeps our clients coming back again and again,” commented Merinna.

The business is run in the same manner as before, serving clients from Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm and alternative times by appointment. With 50+ years of combined experience in the pawn, jewelry, coins and online sales businesses, the wealth of knowledge is a valuable asset to the patrons of this diamond in the rough.

Giving back to the community that has supported their business is a continued policy with donations to local charities, education of gold, silver, jewelry, collectibles and friendly service that can be rare to find among this industry. Visit their location at 1283 S. Main Street in Angels Camp and discover how Calaveras Coins can help you!