Independent Coin & Currency Evaluation

Your Trusted Coin & Currency Advisor

Expert documentation, preservation, and sales preparation services

With roots in Sioux County and experiences from the Black Hills, I focus on helping you with preservation, valuation, sales preparation and ensuring fair(er) division among heirs, all while maintaining confidentiality.

The name Sioux Collective is triple inspired: My Sioux County roots, my first coins (Indian Head Cents) and my years in the Black Hills. My focus is not to deal coins and currency. I may buy or sell a bit, but my main focus on helping you inventorying, evaluation, preservation, and sale preparation. A fire at my home in 2022 ruined much, my collection was ok, because it wasn't in the house. Off-site proper storage is key (& never clean them!). It’s tone, not tarnish. Our fire at our Sheldon home is the inspiration for this business. I gained a lot of experience in inventorying thousands of items, and I know what insurance companies need.

I’m a lifelong collector, focusing on coins and currency. I was inspired to get into this hobby at an early age by four NW Iowans: The first was my grandmother, Johanna Kooiker of Hull (who gave me an 1879 penny, which I still have). 2nd, Paul Hurd of Sheldon who worked at the Hollander 5 & 10 many years ago (now Dr. Brown's Dental office) and had a stunning collection. I still remember his 1884, 1885 and 1886 Liberty nickels - all pulled from circulation. 3rd, Jim Doorenbos of Boyden, who showed me a 1909-S VDB penny for the first time and shared with me the story of the 1894-S dime (which he did not have, but he was a great storyteller). 4th, Dr. Ed Geels, a chemistry professor from Dordt College who was an avid dealer and collector. I remember him telling me the story of helping an attorney inventory an ice cream pail of $3.00 gold pieces for a divorce. They are small, and you can fit a lot of those in an ice cream pail! He also gave me a 1914 Buffalo nickel at an auction at the Ashton Community Center. I was young and still remember the spot I was standing when he came up to me after an auction and gave me that coin. All four of these special people have now passed away.

I was raised on a farm southwest of Boyden, graduated from Western Christian in Hull, and the University of South Dakota with my master's in public administration. My graduate internship was in Crime Analysis at the Sioux City Police Department. I was working for Gateway Computers. I married Jennifer King of Lead, SD and we moved to Rapid City, where I continued to work for Gateway Computers, and then Golden West Technologies. I was elected 5 times to the Rapid City Council, and twice as mayor. All 2-year terms, plus two run-off elections - a lot of interaction with a lot of people, and I also gained a lot of experience. We lived in Rapid City for 16 years and have been back in NW Iowa since fall 2015 where I have served two different communities in City Administration - Cherokee and Sheldon. I have many years of experience in research and documenting, and this is a skillset valuable in helping you with your collection. As previously mentioned, our family experienced a major house fire, and I understand the importance of good inventorying and good storage (off site is best).

I work full-time in local government. Therefore, this a part-time passion. Free initial consult; fair fees.

Based in NW Iowa, including collectors, heirs, estates, conservatorships. Confidential services.

Sam Kooiker - sam@siouxcollective.com

Note: I come to you. I don't take collections to my house. If I help you with your collection, I will come to you or meet you somewhere. Multiple visits may be required.