Art & Coin TV: Meet Our Hosts

RICK TOMASKA

Rick Tomaska has been a professional numismatist for more than 30 years. Known as “The Cameo King,” he is the author of several books on Numismatics, and has received the Numismatic Literary Guild’s annual “Extraordinary Merit” award. Rick assisted in developing the U.S. grading standards for Cameo and Deep Cameo Proof coins, which are now used by both the PCGS and the NGC.

Throughout his many years in numismatics, Tomaska has helped collectors assemble some of the finest sets of U.S. proof coins. They include:

• The #1 ranked Proof Franklin set

• The #1 ranked Mint State Franklin set

• The #1 ranked Proof Morgan set (Chappell Collection)

• The #1 ranked Proof Walking Liberty set

• The #1 ranked Proof Barber Half set

• The #1 ranked Seated Half set

• The #1 ranked Proof Washington Quarter set

Rick currently hosts the Coin Show Spectacular on Art & Coin TV every other Tuesday. His show features the kinds of U.S. coins Rick has specialized in over the decades, especially Franklins and Kennedys. Rick offers ACTV viewers eye-appeal, high grade conditionally rare U.S. coins at special prices.

SHAWN LEFLAR

Growing up in Tennesee, Leflar's lifelong passion in numismatics started at the early age of eight with a gift from his grandfather - a Bicentennial Quarter. In college, he majored in Theater and minored in Broadcasting at the University of Tennessee. Shawn then played professional soccer for a numner of years with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Several years later, Leflar traded one passion for another when he rekindled his numismatic interest and began offering coins on television. Having spent the last fifteen years in the coin industry, Leflar comes to Art & Coin Television with the knowledge and passion of a true coin enthusiast.

Barry Chappell

For the last twenty years, Barry Chappell has helped thousands of people buy art, rare coins and other assorted collectibles on television at the lowest possible prices. His unmatched expertise combined with his passion for value has solidified his reputation as art's foremost expert. Barry combines two degrees in Economics with two decades of buying and selling experience to bring viewers the lowest prices on fine art.

"One of the things I'm most proud of is that I innovated a style of shopping that wasn't there before; a way of offering collectibles that bypasses art galleries and coin shops and makes rare items accessible no matter where you live. In the process, we've offered art from almost every conceivable artist and style, and also extremely rare one-of-a-kind coins, that in the past were tough to obtain unless you happened to be in the city where they were located.

"I personally buy almost everything that I've ever sold on TV. The biggest challenge I have is to acquire art and coins below wholesale and to be fierce when I buy. It's the greatest feeling for me when I can offer art and coins to my customers that they couldn't find anywhere else for even close to the same price.

"Collecting should be fun. I try to host a show for my viewers that's educational and enjoyable. I want everybody who comes into contact with me to walk away feeling better for the experience. So if somebody has fun watching my show, maybe learns a little about art or coins, and gets a fantastic deal on a rare coin or a painting, that's a win."

CLAIRE DITUSA

Under Barry Chappell's guidance, Claire DiTusa has developed a deep understanding and appreciation for fine art. A native of Chicago, Claire has been buying art for the Fine Art Showcase for the last five years. In addition, her Bachelor of Arts in Television Writing & Producing from Columbia College has helped her enthusiastically produce the Fine Art Showcase telecast along with Barry!

"Being trained as a buyer for Art & Coin TV has given me more experience and knowledge in the fine art category than I would have received elsewhere. From day one, I've been taught to find the best product and buy it better than anyone else. Buying art for customers brings finding great art to a personal level; I always have our customers in the forefront of my mind. I hope people enjoy watching my portion of the show as much as I enjoy hosting!"