Outstanding Coin Dealers & Auction Houses
Today almost everyone in Mexican Numismatics recognizes Richard (Rick) Ponterio on sight even though his hair and beard are graying. But how many know the other members of the Ponterio Family and their contributions to the famed auction house and Mexican Numismatics?
Let’s start from the beginning of this third generation numismatic family and look at how and what they have done to help our hobby. Rick Ponterio comes by his interest in Mexico and its coins honestly. His father, James E. Ponterio, a retired medical doctor, collected Mexican Republic 8 Reales after being introduced to them by Rick, then dark haired young man just beginning to be a world coin dealer.
Richard (Rick) Ponterio: Has been involved in Mexican coins for almost his whole life (or so it seems to him) and has been a collector/dealer for more than 45 years. He is a well-known and respected member of most world wide numismatic associations including; IAPN, PNG, ANA and numerous others.
Carola Ponterio: Is Rick’s patient, long-suffering wife and helpmate who also serves as a most capable numismatic photographer. Carola is also a wonderful lady and hostess, who makes you feel at home, which you will learn if you ever have the opportunity to visit them in San Diego.
Kent Ponterio: The newest member of the Ponterio Family of Mexican Numismatists is Kent who has already accomplished many serious research projects for such a young man. Kent is also a more than competent photographer, cataloger and chief bottle washer for the entire Ponterio staff. Before pouring over the Mexican coins in a new Ponterio catalog, I read every word of any new work published by Kent in the catalogs, even though I don’t collect Mexican Colonials. His articles and research are impeccable.
Stewart Westdal: Is the Senior (over 50 years of experience) Numismatist on the Ponterio staff, and he continually amazes me with the breath and scope of his overall knowledge when talking to him on the phone.
Martha Fletcher: Is the Office Manager and a “do-it-all” who keeps the wheels of the Ponterio organization well oiled and running. She has no qualms about calling you, if you are late paying any invoice too.
Kyle Ponterio: Rick’s youngest son has been a blessing for the Ponterio group for his expertise in helping with the website and is responsible for all website updating and activity in house.
Now that you know the Ponterio players, let’s see what they have accomplished during the last 35+ years.
Somehow, Martin Gengerke (in American Numismatic Auctions 1990) completely ignores the partnership formed between Rick Ponterio and Charles Wyatt during the 1970s? Gengerke lists Ponterio & Associates first sale in August 1974. However, the partnership between Ponterio and Wyatt continued until their 8th mail bid auction in November 1982. At that time Rick and Charles went their own ways.
The new Ponterio & Associates, Inc. had their first mail bid auction that closed on March 10, 1983. This first auction contained 13 nice lots of Mexican Colonial gold, 10 Republic gold pieces, a few modern gold pieces, and hundreds of copper and silver coins and patterns, plus a nice run of Mexican proclamation pieces and paper money. One of the highlights of the Mexican material in this auction was an excessively rare A Do 1840 OMC silver trial strike that wasn’t seen again until the famed Christie’s/Norweb Sale in November 1985. But this was just the beginning of the Ponterio Mexican Numismatic Legacy!
Over the years, from that first (Sale #9 March 1983) humble beginning until their present (Sale #138) live sale at the CICF’06 Show, the Ponterio catalogs have been stuffed with some of finest Mexican material ever offered publicly. Even though some of the more famous auction houses seem to gather the majority of the “blockbuster” Mexican coin collections, the Ponterio’s always seem to have a good selection of Mexican material in each sale they conduct. All Mexican collectors should thank Rick and family for staying close to their roots even though they could probably make more money by jumping into the U.S. Numismatic arena with both feet.
The Ponterio family has far too many great coins and sales to try to list in this short article, but always remember to closely scan any new offerings from them, because sometimes you will find a coin that could make your dreams come true.
While better known for their public auction catalogs, Rick also handles many fine Mexican coins by “Private Treaty”. How do I know? More than once I have received a notice from the USPO stating I have a package that needs to be signed for at the post office. It takes a “hell-of-a-friend” to just drop you a box of coins in the mail … unannounced. Talk about excitement and anticipation, you never know what you will find in one of Rick’s little boxes. Let me state here that some of the finest coins in my collections have arrived this way.
There is more, the Ponterio family is always willing to help others with their questions or research projects. Just pick up the phone and call, Rick, Kent, or Stewart they always found time for “true” collectors, large or small. And Rick has been more than kind and sharing with his vast store of information. In fact, I can only recall one “bad” piece of advice I have ever received from Rick. I questioned him about very nice Ca 1865 JC 8 Reales he had in a sale; he told me while it was nice, he was sure a better one would come along. Wrong, Rick it never happened in twenty years. So this was the only DAM I never had in my Chihuahua 8 Reales Collection, I kept waiting that coin to return to the auction block.
One more interesting little tale about Rick and our first meeting, I remember it like it happened yesterday. We met during a break at the great Christie’s/Norweb sale on the evening of November 6th 1985. This was the first, LIVE, numismatic auction I had ever attended, so I was on pins & needles. There was a whole crew of wicked looking individuals at the back of the room who had pulled together several tables crossing almost the whole room. Having seen this type of thing in art auctions before, I knew these were the “major” players at the auction, and I was going to have to impress on them that I was a “player” too.
I decided after the bidding began that I was going to need to impress them early, so Lot#5 became my first statement coin. I put my paddle in the air and held it there unrecognized until there were only two bidders remaining. I never took my paddle down until I was the winner, the under-bidder was a gentleman with piercing dark eyes and a black beard at the back table. I looked back, and our eyes met.
My next statement was Lot#24, when I repeated the same procedure, this time I was the under-bidder. We locked eyes again. We met again on Lot#143, this time I was the winner. Finally we arrived at what I had come for that night … Mrs. Norweb’s Guanajuato 8 Escudos! The “dogfight” started on Lot#185 and ended on Lot#221. The score was 24 to 13, I was the winner because I bought all of the coins I wanted, and couple I didn’t. This went on tooth and nail until a break was called.
While at the coffee pot (literally shaking with my success so for) and gulping down my first cup of black coffee I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see those dark brooding eyes and black beard from the back of the room staring at me.
“Who the %$&+% are you? You’ve been buying all of my coins tonight. Are you are dealer or collector, and where in the %$&+% did you come from?”, emitted from his tightly pursed lips. Then he stopped to catch his breath.
“I’m a collector. I’m from Fort Worth. I collect Mexican Republic 8 Reales and 8 Escudos.” I gasped, unsure what to do next.
“Hey, I’m Rick Ponterio, how about you meeting me in the bar after this session for a drink?” He replied.
All I could do was croak, “Yea, why not?”
So began a long, and hopefully profitable business relationship for both of us. Rick Ponterio soon became one of my many and greatest mentors leading me to fully explore the Wonderful World of Mexican Numismatics. Thanks Rick!
And remember, all serous Mexican coin and paper money collectors need to be allied with at least one top-notch dealer; maybe the Ponterio family could just fit your bill too.