4670 Lake Street Lake Charles, LA 70605 (337) 478-2646
About Us
For over 36 years, Southland Coins & Collectibles has worked to provide the utmost in quality coins and collectibles to our clients. With client transactions approaching one billion dollars, Southland Coins is known for its dedication to customer service and satisfaction. The success of Southland Coins has been built from long and fruitful relationships with our clients.
Located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Southland Coins is home to an experienced staff committed to serving your precious metal or collector-related needs.
Located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Southland Coins is home to an experienced staff committed to serving your precious metal or collector-related needs.
How It All Began
Owner Malcolm Self realized a long-term dream when he moved into his own building on 4670 Lake Street a year ago. Malcolm recalls how his love of coins began:
“When I was five years old, my dad brought home a large bag of coins and dumped them on the kitchen table. I was mesmerized. Dad then pulled out several books with holes in which the coins would fit. He showed me how to read numbers and dates and asked me to help him fill in all the holes in the coin books. I was hooked. For the next ten years, I spent my entire allowance and job money buying coins. When I was 15, I set up a table at my first coin show; it was a huge rush. I knew then that I wanted to own my own coin business someday. Buying and selling coins became more than a hobby. I paid for college doing what I loved. I graduated from Louisiana Tech University in Chemical Engineering. Working as an engineer would pay the bills while I learned the ropes to being a full-time coin dealer.”
Southland Coins and Collectibles opened in 1985 at a weekend flea market. After two years, Malcolm knew it was time to quit his job as an engineer and go for the gold, so to speak. He resigned on February 15, 1987, incorporated the business, and opened its doors at a strip center on May 1, 1987. The U.S. was in the middle of a recession, and keeping the business open proved to be a challenge. In addition, Malcolm had a wife and two children to support. Failure for Malcolm was not an option, and as he says, “I loved every minute of it.”
Despite the stagnating economy in the Lake Area, Southland Coins and Collectibles continued to grow, and Malcolm hired his first full-time employee. By 1999, however, the business seemed to stall. Malcolm’s nephew, Derek, who worked part-time at Southland Coins while attending McNeese State University, suggested that Malcolm try selling coins on the Internet. It took Derek several weeks to convince Malcolm, but once Derek proved that he could make a profit selling coins on the Internet, Malcolm was convinced.
By going on the World Wide Web, Southland Coins has become an international business. Since 1999 sales has increased an average of 22 percent a year. In 1999, 90 percent of Southland Coins’ customers came through the front door. By 2009, 90 percent of its customers span the globe.
Malcolm concludes by saying, “I had the help and support of great mentors. My wife Donna and my father Marvin are at the top of the list. My dad’s advice on business and the economy have been invaluable. With the help of God and my family, I will continue to be successful in life as well as in business. How sweet it is!”
“When I was five years old, my dad brought home a large bag of coins and dumped them on the kitchen table. I was mesmerized. Dad then pulled out several books with holes in which the coins would fit. He showed me how to read numbers and dates and asked me to help him fill in all the holes in the coin books. I was hooked. For the next ten years, I spent my entire allowance and job money buying coins. When I was 15, I set up a table at my first coin show; it was a huge rush. I knew then that I wanted to own my own coin business someday. Buying and selling coins became more than a hobby. I paid for college doing what I loved. I graduated from Louisiana Tech University in Chemical Engineering. Working as an engineer would pay the bills while I learned the ropes to being a full-time coin dealer.”
Southland Coins and Collectibles opened in 1985 at a weekend flea market. After two years, Malcolm knew it was time to quit his job as an engineer and go for the gold, so to speak. He resigned on February 15, 1987, incorporated the business, and opened its doors at a strip center on May 1, 1987. The U.S. was in the middle of a recession, and keeping the business open proved to be a challenge. In addition, Malcolm had a wife and two children to support. Failure for Malcolm was not an option, and as he says, “I loved every minute of it.”
Despite the stagnating economy in the Lake Area, Southland Coins and Collectibles continued to grow, and Malcolm hired his first full-time employee. By 1999, however, the business seemed to stall. Malcolm’s nephew, Derek, who worked part-time at Southland Coins while attending McNeese State University, suggested that Malcolm try selling coins on the Internet. It took Derek several weeks to convince Malcolm, but once Derek proved that he could make a profit selling coins on the Internet, Malcolm was convinced.
By going on the World Wide Web, Southland Coins has become an international business. Since 1999 sales has increased an average of 22 percent a year. In 1999, 90 percent of Southland Coins’ customers came through the front door. By 2009, 90 percent of its customers span the globe.
Malcolm concludes by saying, “I had the help and support of great mentors. My wife Donna and my father Marvin are at the top of the list. My dad’s advice on business and the economy have been invaluable. With the help of God and my family, I will continue to be successful in life as well as in business. How sweet it is!”