DONALD JOHN MUNIZ

This week I took on research for another coin columnist, Donald J. Muniz. I found out a few interesting things about the first half of his life but the second half remains a mystery.

I started with his listing in the 1950 Census when he was five years old. He was living in Rutherford, New Jersey, with his father, Ricardo Muniz, his mother Lydia Muniz and his fourteen-year-old brother Richard. Ricardo was manager of the television receiver manufacturing division of the Allen B. DuMont Laboratories, Inc.

Donald John Muniz was married to Phyllis Nancy November on August 28, 1966. They had a daughter. In 1967, Donald J. Muniz graduated from Monmouth College with a B. A. degree in government.

Ricardo, the father, joined the A.N.A. in 1943 as member 9513. Richard, the son, joined the A.N.A, in 1960 as member 35455. In 1962, Ricardo joined Richard in his coin business in Miami. Donald J. Muniz joined the A.N.A. in 1969 as member R-83581. It was about that time that he joined his brother in the business.

Ed Reiter was one of the great writers of a coin column published in the Asbury Park Press, He mentioned Richard Muniz in a column in 1970.

Donald J. Muniz was frequently mentioned in one of the Ed Reiter columns as he offered an opinion on some aspect of the coin market. From 1971 through 1978, he was mentioned in a Reiter column 39 times and his photo was included five times. His photo also appeared at coin shows mentioned in the Reiter column.

Donald is listed as president of Richard M. Muniz, Inc. in 1971. In October 1971, the company was reorganized with Donald president for the new East Coast Coin Co. During 1971 to 1973, there were regular ads for East Coast Coin Co, in The Numismatist. These ads had his membership number (63581) but did not include his name.

Donald was active with the Monmouth Coin Club and he was vice president in 1972. He was a life member of the Garden State Numismatic Association.

The February 17, 1973, issue of The Daily Record (Long Branch, NJ) included "Coins Confidential," a column submitted by Donald J. Muniz. Subsequent columns were published on February 24 and March 17, 1973. I looked around and could not find any other columns or inclusion in any other papers.

Title of his first column was "Buyer Beware." Near the end he stated, "The American Numismatic Association (A.N.S.) is working hard to combat all the deceptions I've mentioned." Anyone can make a mistake, but that statement might have offended both the A.N.A. and the A.N.S. (They are not the same thing)

Also in 1973, The Daily Record was carrying the "Money Clips" column by Fred Reed. In the March 17, 1973, issue, both columns were published on different pages. The Reed columns continued after the Muniz columns were dropped.

In 1973, Muniz applied for membership in the Numismatic Literary Guild. In his application he stated that he contributed a numismatic column to six eastern newspapers. His membership was accepted. I did not find his by-line on any other item.

The New Jersey Numismatic Journal included a full-page ad for East Coast Coin Investment Company in 1975.

"Although East Coast employs a staff of qualified representatives, all portfolios are personally assembled by Donald J. Muniz, President of East Coast Coin Company. Mr. Muniz has been active in Coin Investments since the mid-fifties."

This did not explain that in the mid-fifties, Donald was ten years old.

In 1976, Muniz complained about the Bicentennial medals as reported in another Ed Reiter column:

East Coast Coin Auctions conducted sales in 1975, 1976 and 1977.

Along the way, Donald became an expert in numismatic investments. In 1976, he spoke at an investment diversification seminar in Baltimore. On February 17, 1978, there was an investment seminar in Atlanta. The promotional material stated: "Featured speaker will be Donald J. Muniz, a recognized expert on ‘the blending of financial planning strategies with the rare coin medium.'"

In March of 1979, two collectors obtained judgments against Muniz for misrepresenting the value of coins sold. On February 13, 1980, a Monmouth County grand jury handed down a 29-count indictment against Muniz for defrauding 23 customers of $536,463. In June, he pleaded guilty to nine counts of the indictment. On August 4, 1980, Muniz was sentenced for 11 to 19 years in state prison. In May, he was expelled from the A.N.A.

One unsatisfied customer was Dr, Michael J. Hyland. He withdrew $150,000 from his pension fund to buy an investment portfolio of coins and stamps from Muniz. He then had the collection appraised. The stamps declared to be worth $60,000 by Muniz were appraised to be worth less than $2,500. The coins declared to be worth $89, 950 were appraised at $28,700. The sale included a warranty that the collection could be returned for a refund within a year. Muniz refused to honor the warranty.

On March 28, 1980, a court issued a judgement of $150,000 against Muniz in favor of Dr. Hyland. It is unlikely that Dr. Hyland could collect on the judgement.

Across the hobby there are many similar stories of people with little knowledge of numismatics who fall prey to a numismatic investment expert or telemarketer. Donald Muniz and Phyllis were divorced in 1980.

On August 6, 1982, the name of Donald John Muniz was legally changed to Donald John Roberts. The name change was probably intended to isolate himself from a bad reputation. His new name is too common to trace without some context. I have no idea what he did in the second half of his life.

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