Shaker Coin Company

Shaker Coin has been part of the Cleveland neighborhood since 1959.  Jim Irwin, as owner, learned the business from his parents, Lou and Edith, who entered the coin and stamp business after World War II.  Lou opened his first coin shop in Cleveland Heights next to the Cedar-Lee Theatre.  He then moved to Van Aken Shopping Center in Shaker Heights where he coined the name, Shaker Coin Shop, Inc.  After 20 years or so, the family moved to La Place in  Beachwood.  And, after another 20 years or so, and after his parents' passing, Jim moved the business to its present location in Woodmere.    Jim has been in the business since childhood, learning from his parents. He has a reputation for being characteristically honest, forthright, and fair. He enjoys watching all Cleveland sports teams, even when they don't do well, and he cares deeply about his family and his business. He plays golf and works out avidly.    As second generation in the business, Jim works with many of the same national coin dealers and refiners that his father did.  These professional relationships, built over decades, allow Shaker Coin to get its customers top prices for their merchandise.  Jim's wife, Hedy, helps with the store when she is not practicing law.  Hedy enjoys the challenge of researching and marketing new and different merchandise. She expanded Shaker Coin into the web with its eBay auctions. Hedy also enjoys art, pinball, and traveling to national parks.  Jim has had the benefit these last 10 years to have Al Baumann by his side.  Al retired after 44 years as a chemical engineer at  Lubrizol.  A proud graduate of Purdue University, Al is a serious coin and stamp collector who has contributed his calm demeanor, organizational skills and collector's knowledge to the business.   Jim and Hedy have a daughter named Sarah, who essentially grew up in the store until she left for college. She recently graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in business and is now working for the finance department at Eaton Corporation in Minneapolis. So proud!  Jim and Hedy are aided in their operation by family from around the state. Their nephews, Logan and Matt, help out as webmasters, computer technicians, and Ebay consultants.