A spotlight on...
Ken Duncan, Sr.
U.S. Coins - Owner
Top 10 Coin World's 2025 Most Influential People in Numismatics
Ken Duncan Sr.’s career spans five decades. Attracted to the hobby in the early 1980’s, Ken Sr. formed U.S. Coins in the mid-eighties.
His first location was out of the back of a small coin shop in the local mall.
Within a few short years he owned that shop and had grown into one of the top wholesale companies in the country.
Built on a business model that treated each transaction with utmost fairness.
This model was forged with an undying work ethic, and the company continues to grow today.
The wholesale operation added another retail store in the early nineties.
Eventually, they combined the wholesale and two retail operations at a central location on the Katy Freeway in Houston, Texas.
Originally the store was run by Ken’s brother Johnny, who has since retired.
Still at the helm, Ken Sr. has relinquished much of the daily operations to his three sons Kenny Jr., Blake and Matthew.
Having grown up around the business they have proven to be as adept as the previous generation.
“My sons didn’t continue my business as usual. They each have stamped a part of the business with their own signature.”
“They have expanded U.S. Coins in unexpected ways. Their ability to network and utilize new technologies opened new and exciting opportunities for us.”
U.S. Coins celebrates its fortieth anniversary this year. Duncan continues to go strong: He remains active in the office and he still travels to the largest national coin shows to buy.
While he prefers to remain out of the spotlight, Ken Sr. has accumulated a number of industry awards over the years. These awards include induction into the PCGS Hall of Fame.
He also received Coin Age Magazine’s Numismatist of the Century, National Silver Dollar Roundtable Man of the Year 2011, and ANA’s Presidential Award 2018. He has been included in this list since its inception.
Mention of these accolades brings out a humbled Duncan.
“I’m honored to be included here and have been blessed to work alongside so many great numismatists over the years.”
“Many of my friends are listed here in this magazine and too many others are no longer with us. I give thanks to all those who have helped me along the way, and look forward to many more years doing what I enjoy – coins.”
This article is an excerpt from Coin World's 2025 Most Influential People in Numismatics. This Special Interest Publication was published and distributed for FREE to all active Coin World subscribers at the time. You can still access digital copy of the full issue, or order a back issue (while supplies last).
Coin World subscribers can look forward to receiving these complementary special issues throughout the year as part of their subscription. Check out our best subscription offers to join the ranks of Coin World magazine subscribers.
See the full list of the Most Influential People in Numismatics