Individual Expert Bios

Malcolm Varner is a member of the Professional Numismatist Guild since 1976, and a former member of the COB Industry Council of Tangible Assets. He is a recognized expert of rare coins, vintage watches, estate jewelry, and antiques.Since the late 1960s he has owned and operated a rare coin store, and in 1974 co-founded Alhambra Coin Center with his brother Jay. During that period he has received State and National Awards for Professionalism and Ethics.

Jay Varner expertise with coins is such that he has been called by the government to testify in federal court several times as a federally recognized expert and authenticator. He has received a Letter of Commendation from the Secret Service for his central role in detecting, exposing, and prosecuting a large counterfeiting operation, and has since worked with the FBI on several occasions in that role.

James Hill is a second-generation rare coin, antiques, and estate jewelry specialist. A long time member of the Professional Numismatic Guild (PNG), his 20 plus years of experience as both a dealer and appraiser have earned him a great deal of industry recognition and a reputation of excellence. He has been with the Alhambra Coin Center since 1990, where he specializes in the appraising of estates and a top tier advisor of the best way to handle inherited effects.

Shelley Griffiths is a third-generation coin dealer who has been dealing in coins since the early 70s. She has worked for several prominent coin companies, and has been with us at ACC since 1996. One of the most sought after professionals in the coin industry and a life long time member of ANA, Shelly is an industry renowned expert not only in coins and currency, but also in diamonds, antique jewelry and small antiques.

The Alhambra Coin Center started as, and remains today, a tight-knit family business! Rounding out the staff, and managing responsibilities from customer service at the counter to running large eBay businesses and everything in between, is the rest of the family: Amanda Varner (Jay's daughter), Barbara Griffiths (Shelly's mother), Jennifer Varner-Maclin (Mal's daughter), and Robert Maclin (Mal's son in law).