Historian, coin expert fails to front court over alleged theft of vintage coins
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A decorated Tasmanian historian and coin expert has failed to appear in court to face charges of dishonestly acquiring financial advantage and stealing.
Roger McNeice received a Medal of the Order of Australia in 1996 and was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 1984 to study developments in the conservation and preservation of coins and medals in the United Kingdom.
He has also worked as an honorary curator of numismatics at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.
Mr McNeice, 73, was due to appear at the Magistrate's Court in Hobart on Tuesday morning on four counts of dishonestly acquiring a financial advantage and one count of stealing.
The charges relate to a range of coins and notes, including:
- One 10-pound note worth $800
- A convict coin set worth $400
- Mint sets worth $387
- 100 $2 notes worth $400
- A 1960 proof penny, 1961 proof halfpenny and a 1962 mint penny with a total value of $3,400
It is understood the historic currency was left by a Vietnam war veteran to his friend and fellow soldier, and that Mc Niece had been asked to value and sell some of the items.
It will be alleged he was supposed to sell them on behalf of the complainant but did not pass on the proceeds.
Mr McNeice is yet to appear in court or enter a plea.
At his last scheduled appearance the court heard he was unable to attend for health reasons.
No explanation was given for his non-appearance on Tuesday.
Topics: law-crime-and-justice, history, community-and-society, hobart-7000
