AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 23, 2005
REGISTRATION NO. 333-119253
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U. S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO
FORM SB-2
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
(Name of small business issuer in its charter)
DELAWARE 5094 35-2208007
(State or other jurisdiction of (Primary Standard Industrial (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Classification No.) Identification No.)
9478 WEST OLYMPIC BOULEVARD, BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA 90212
(310) 203-9855
(Address and telephone number of Registrant's principal executive offices
and principal place of business)
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PAUL BIBERKRAUT
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
9478 WEST OLYMPIC BOULEVARD
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA 90212
(310) 203-9855
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Agent for Service)
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Copies to:
THOMAS G. BROCKINGTON, ESQ.
KIM RIKER, ESQ.
RUTAN & TUCKER, LLP
611 ANTON BOULEVARD, 14TH FLOOR
COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA 92626
(714) 641-5100
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time to
time after this registration becomes effective.
IF ANY OF THE SECURITIES REGISTERED ON THIS FORM ARE TO BE OFFERED ON A DELAYED
OR CONTINUOUS BASIS PURSUANT TO RULE 415 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
CHECK THE FOLLOWING BOX. |X|
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant
to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list
the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective registration
statement for the same offering. |__|
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under
the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. |__|
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under
the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. |__|
If the delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
check the following box. |__|
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
========================================================================================================
Proposed Maximum Proposed Maximum
Title of Each Class of Amount to be Offering Price Aggregate Offering Amount of
Securities to be Registered Registered(1) per Unit Price Registration Fee
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ---------------- ------------------- -------------------
Common stock, $.001 par value 4,708,139(2) $2.00(3) $9,416,278 $789.37(4)
============================== ================ ================ =================== ===================
(1) The common stock being registered hereby includes both outstanding shares
of common stock and shares that are issuable upon the conversion of
outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock. The amount being
registered includes additional shares issuable as a result of the
anti-dilution provisions of the convertible preferred stock, as such number
may be adjusted as a result of stock splits, stock dividends and similar
transactions in accordance with Rule 416 of the Securities Act of 1933.
(2) Represents shares of common stock being offered by selling security
holders, including shares of common stock that are issuable upon conversion
of convertible preferred stock.
(3) The proposed maximum offering price per share has been estimated solely for
the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) of
the Securities Act of 1933 and is based upon the last reported sale price
of the Registrant's common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board on January 6,
2005.
(4) Previously paid.
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THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES
AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE
A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE ON
SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING UNDER SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
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THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED.
THE SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS IDENTIFIED IN THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT SELL
SECURITIES UNDER THIS PROSPECTUS UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT OF WHICH THIS
PROSPECTUS IS A PART BECOMES EFFECTIVE.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 23, 2005
PROSPECTUS
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
4,708,139 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
An aggregate of 1,524,000 issued and outstanding shares of our common
stock and an aggregate of 3,184,139 shares of our common stock underlying
convertible preferred stock are being offered for resale under this prospectus
by some of our security holders identified in this prospectus for their own
accounts. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the
selling shareholders. The selling shareholders include Stanford Venture Capital
Holdings, Inc., which is our majority shareholder, affiliates of Stanford
Venture Capital Holdings, Inc., an assignee of these affiliates and an
independent company that has rendered services to us.
Our common stock currently trades on the OTC Bulletin Board Market
under the symbol "SPGR." The last reported sale price of our common stock on
February 22, 2005 was $3.65 per share.
Our principal offices are located at 9478 West Olympic Boulevard,
Beverly Hills, California 90212 and our telephone number is (310) 203-9855.
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INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK INVOLVED RISKS.
PLEASE SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 5.
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You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with
information different from that contained in this prospectus.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS
PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THOSE SECURITIES AND IS NOT
SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THOSE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR
SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
The date of this prospectus is ___________, 2005.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Description Page No.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY.....................................................3
RISK FACTORS...........................................................5
USE OF PROCEEDS.......................................................12
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK...........................................13
CAPITALIZATION........................................................15
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.......................16
BUSINESS..............................................................31
MANAGEMENT............................................................38
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS........................43
PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS....................................45
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION..................................................47
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK..........................................50
LEGAL MATTERS.........................................................54
EXPERTS...............................................................54
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION...................................55
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS........................................F-1
2
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights some of the material information from this
prospectus. Because it is a summary, it necessarily does not contain all of the
information necessary to your investment decision. To understand this offering
fully, you should read carefully the entire prospectus.
OUR COMPANY
Our principal line of business is the sale of rare coins on a retail,
wholesale, and auction basis. Our retail and wholesale operations are conducted
in virtually every state in the United States. We also provide auction services
for customers seeking to sell their own coins. We market our services nationwide
through broadcasting and print media and independent sales agents, as well as on
the Internet through third party websites such as eBay and through our own
website at sgbh.com. Our headquarters are in Beverly Hills, California.
We were originally organized as a Nevada corporation in 1995. On June
30, 2003, our stockholders approved and we completed a reincorporation of our
company in the State of Delaware and changed our corporate name from Tangible
Asset Galleries, Inc. ("Tangible") to Superior Galleries, Inc. ("Superior").
These changes were effective at the close of business on June 30, 2003. Unless
the context otherwise requires, all references in this prospectus to "us," "we,"
"our" or "Superior" shall mean Superior Galleries, Inc. and Tangible, as
Superior's predecessor.
Our principal executive offices are located at 9478 West Olympic
Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California 90212, and our telephone number is (310)
203-9855.
3
THE OFFERING
Common stock offered by selling 4,708,139 (1)
security holders
Common stock outstanding prior 4,689,942 (2)
to this offering
Common stock outstanding 7,874,081(1)(2)
following this offering
if all shares are sold
Use of Proceeds All proceeds of this offering will be
received by selling security holders for
their own accounts.
Risk Factors You should read the "Risk Factors" section
beginning on page 5, as well as other
cautionary statements throughout this
prospectus, before investing in shares
of our common stock.
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(1) Includes 3,184,139 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of
presently outstanding convertible preferred stock.
(2) As of February 23, 2005, a total of 4,689,942 shares of common stock
were outstanding, excluding:
o shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of convertible
preferred stock whose underlying shares of common stock are
covered by this prospectus;
o approximately 930,830 shares of common stock issuable or to
become issuable upon exercise or conversion of outstanding
warrants, options and other convertible securities, other than
the convertible preferred stock whose underlying shares of
common stock are covered by this prospectus.
4
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. In
addition to the other information in this prospectus, you should carefully
consider the following risk factors before deciding to invest in shares of our
common stock. If any of the following risks actually occurs, it is likely that
our business, financial condition and operating results would be harmed. As a
result, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose
part or all of your investment.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
WE HAVE A RECENT HISTORY OF LOSSES AND MAY INCUR FUTURE LOSSES.
We may not be able to sustain profitability or significantly increase
our revenues. Although we recorded net income of $552,000 for the year ended
June 30, 2004, we incurred a net loss of $5,000 for the six month period ended
December 31, 2004 and a net loss of $3,491,000 for the year ended June 30, 2003,
and have incurred losses in prior fiscal years since July 1999. We cannot assure
you that we will be profitable in the future.
BECAUSE WE HAVE LIMITED WORKING CAPITAL, IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN OR
EXPAND OUR OPERATIONS.
Our working capital deficiency at December 31, 2004 was $468,000. There
can be no assurance that our revenue or results of operations will not decline
in the future, that we will not have losses in the future, or that we will be
able to continue funding such losses if they occur. Our limited capital could
adversely affect our ability to continue our operations.
OUR AUDIT OPINION COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR STOCK PRICE.
Our auditors have expressed an opinion on our financial statements for
the years ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 that contain an explanatory paragraph
that expresses doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern due to
recurring negative cash flows from operations, significant debt and limited
working capital.
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO COMPETE SUCCESSFULLY, OUR REVENUE AND PROFITABILITY WILL
DECREASE.
The business of selling coins and other collectibles is highly
competitive. We compete with a number of comparably sized and smaller firms, as
well as a number of larger firms throughout the United States. Our primary
competitors are Heritage Rare Coins, a large scale coin dealer and auctioneer,
the Spectrum Numismatic unit of Greg Manning Auctions, a large scale coin dealer
and auctioneer, National Globe Exchange, a large scale coin dealer and American
Numismatic Rarities, a comparably-sized coin auctioneer. Many of our competitors
have the ability to attract customers as a result of their reputation and the
quality collectibles they obtain through their industry connections.
Additionally, other reputable companies that sell or auction rare coins and
other collectibles may decide to enter our markets to compete with us. These
companies have greater name recognition and have greater financial and marketing
resources than we do. If these auction companies are successful in entering the
specialized market for premium collectibles in which we participate or if
dealers and sellers participate less in our auctions, we may attract fewer
buyers and our revenue could decrease.
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THE VOTING POWER OF SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC. IS SUBSTANTIALLY CONTROLLED BY
STANFORD VENTURE CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND A GROUP OF AFFILIATED PERSONS. THIS
CONCENTRATION OF VOTING POWER MAY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, DELAY OR FRUSTRATE THE
REMOVAL OF INCUMBENT DIRECTORS OR A TAKEOVER ATTEMPT, EVEN IF SUCH EVENTS MAY BE
BENEFICIAL TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS.
Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc., or "Stanford," and certain of
its affiliates collectively hold 57% of our voting securities. Consequently,
Stanford and its affiliates have sufficient voting power to control the outcome
of virtually all corporate matters submitted to the vote of our common
shareholders. Those matters could include the election of directors, changes in
the size and composition of the board of directors, and mergers and other
business combinations involving Superior. In addition, through this control of
the board of directors and voting power, Stanford is able to control certain
decisions, including decisions regarding the qualification and appointment of
officers, dividend policy, access to capital (including borrowing from
third-party lenders and the issuance of additional equity securities), and our
acquisition or disposition of assets. Also, the concentration of voting power in
the hands of Stanford could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change
in control of our company, even if the change in control would benefit our
shareholders, and may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
THE HIGH LEVEL OF OUR DEBT MAY LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT BUSINESS
STRATEGIES TO GROW OUR REVENUE AND IMPROVE OUR PROFITABILITY.
At December 31, 2004, we had total indebtedness of $10,937,000, of
which $10,231,000 was short-term debt. Our high level of debt limits the amount
of additional funds we can borrow, which in turn limits our ability to increase
inventory or make additional customer advances, thus restricting our ability to
grow our revenues. We do not have sufficient cash flow from operations to
rapidly repay this debt, and therefore if this debt was not renewed we would
have to seek new debt or equity financing to refinance our existing debt, or
liquidate inventory, possibly on unfavorable terms. In the past, we have
renegotiated or renewed the terms of our indebtedness on various occasions, but
we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so in the future or that new
debt or equity financing will be available for this purpose. This could result
in losses from operations, or could even require us to seek protection under the
bankruptcy laws.
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO PAY OUR SECURED DEBT ON A TIMELY BASIS, THE LENDERS COULD
REQUIRE THAT OUR ASSETS BE SOLD IN A FORECLOSURE SALE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN OUR
BANKRUPTCY.
We have borrowed funds from Stanford Venture Capital Group and another
private party, each of which has been granted a security interest in
substantially all of our assets. If we default in the repayment of these debts,
these lenders could, among other things, foreclose on their security interests,
which could result in the sale of substantially all of our assets, the proceeds
of which would be applied to repay our debts to them. If this were to occur, we
could be forced to file a bankruptcy petition, or could go out of business.
DECREASED DEMAND FOR RARE COINS COULD REDUCE OUR REVENUE AND PROFITABILITY.
We derive substantially all of our revenues from commissions paid to us
on the sale of rare coins in our auctions and sales of rare coins from our own
inventory. Sales of rare coins depend on discretionary consumer spending and are
affected by general market conditions, including perceived scarcity, subjective
value, general consumer trends, changes in the prices of precious metals,
government regulation of rare coin transactions, interest rates and other
general economic conditions. Many factors affect discretionary consumer
spending, including the unemployment rate, business conditions, interest rates,
inflation and tax rates. Spending on the types of luxury items that we typically
sell and auction are impacted by these factors more than sales of consumer
products in general.
6
Some of the market conditions that could cause the dollar volume spent
in our auctions to decrease include the following:
o fewer rare coins offered for sale;
o a decline in the prices buyers are willing to pay; and
o shifts in consumer trends.
As buyers' tastes change and economic conditions fluctuate, the supply,
demand and dollar volume of rare coins sales could decrease, which could reduce
our revenues and profits, or cause us to incur losses.
WE COULD BE SUBJECT TO SALES TAXES, INTEREST AND PENALTIES ON INTERSTATE SALES
FOR WHICH WE HAVE NOT COLLECTED TAXES.
We do not collect California sales tax on mail-order sales to
out-of-state customers, nor do we collect use tax on our interstate mail order
sales. We believe that our sales to interstate customers are generally
tax-exempt due to varying state exemptions relative to the definitions of being
engaged in business in particular states and the lack of current Internet
taxation. While we have not been contacted by any state authorities seeking to
enforce sales or use tax regulations, we cannot assure you that we will not be
contacted by authorities in the future with inquiries concerning our compliance
with current statutes, nor can we assure you that future statutes will not be
enacted that affect the sales and use tax aspects of our business.
THE LOSS OF THE SERVICES OF OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COULD SIGNIFICANTLY
REDUCE OUR REVENUE AND PROFITABILITY.
Our success and future performance depends on the continued services of
our Chief Executive Officer, Silvano DiGenova, on whom we rely heavily for his
expertise and reputation in the rare coin market. Specifically, Mr. DiGenova is
a substantial buyer, appraiser and seller of rare coins on our behalf as well as
a substantial draw to potential auction consigners. Mr. DiGenova's services
would be difficult to replace and the loss of these services could cause
significant harm to our business. While we have an employment agreement with Mr.
DiGenova that expires on March 31, 2005, this employment agreement may not
provide us with meaningful assurance that we will continue to have his services
available to us through that date.
OUR QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS MAY VARY, WHICH MAY CAUSE VOLATILITY OR A
DECLINE IN THE PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK.
Our revenue, expenses and operating results may vary significantly from
quarter to quarter due to a number of factors, some of which are beyond our
control. These factors include the following:
o potential unfavorable supply of or demand for rare coins;
o quarter-to-quarter variations due to the timing of coin
auctions;
o potential changes in consumer trends negatively affecting the
popularity of rare coins that we auction and sell from time to
time;
o unfavorable fluctuations in the prices of precious metals;
o costs associated with unanticipated personnel changes;
o our inability to maintain customer satisfaction;
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o quarter-to-quarter variations due to the size and timing of
capital expenditures and other costs associated with the
expansion of our business and infrastructure;
o our inability to resell our inventory of rare coins in a
timely manner;
o unexpected or severe price competition; o our inability to
maintain gross margins; and
o our inability to expand our sales and distribution channels.
Additional factors that may negatively affect our quarterly operating
results generally include technical difficulties or network downtime and general
economic conditions and economic conditions specific to our industries.
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL CAPITAL, OUR ABILITY TO INCREASE REVENUE
AND PROFITABILITY WILL BE LIMITED.
Since our business involves the financing of inventory, receivables,
and auction and customer advances, we may require substantial amounts of capital
in order to achieve and accomplish our future business plans. However, to the
extent we are in need of any additional financing, we cannot assure you that any
such additional financing will be available to us on acceptable terms, or at
all. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity securities,
further dilution to our existing shareholders may result.
THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR GROWTH PLANS MAY RESULT IN REDUCED PROFITABILITY.
We have experienced significant periods of growth and increased
personnel, marketing and other operational costs, and we anticipate that further
expansion will be required to address potential growth in our customer base and
market opportunities. This expansion has placed, and we expect it will continue
to place, a significant strain on our management and our operational and
financial resources. To manage this growth we must do the following:
o establish and develop operational, financial and management
systems;
o train, manage and motivate our employee base;
o hire additional technology and operations personnel; and
o hire additional rare coin specialists and appraisers.
We expect to incur significant costs in connection with these efforts.
If we underestimate the costs of these efforts or overestimate our anticipated
growth in revenue, we will incur reduce profitability or even losses.
WE MAY INCUR LOSSES AS A RESULT OF ACCUMULATING INVENTORY.
In addition to auctioning rare coins on consignment, a substantial
portion of the rare coins that we sell are from our own inventory. We purchase
these rare coins from dealers and collectors and assume the inventory and price
risks of these items until they are sold. If we are unable to resell the rare
coins that we purchase when we want or need to, or at prices sufficient to
generate a profit from their resale, or if the market value of our inventory of
purchased rare coins were to decline, our revenue would likely decline.
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO OBTAIN A SUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF RARE COINS FOR RESALE AND FOR
SALE AT AUCTIONS, WE WILL BE UNABLE TO SUSTAIN OR INCREASE OUR REVENUES.
Our business depends substantially on our ability to obtain rare coins
for appraisal, sale and auction. We depend on the availability of rare coins
through dealers and collectors, and we cannot assure you that rare coins will
8
continue to be available as before. Although we deal with numerous dealers and
collectors from whom we are able to obtain rare coins for resale and for our
auctions, only a limited number of dealers exist with the capacity to supply
rare coins for resale and auction on a regular basis. A change in our
relationships with suppliers or dealers could negatively affect our ability to
obtain, resell or auction rare coins in the quantities and at the times we
desire. A shortage in the supply of rare coins could impair our ability to
attract customers, which would harm our business, operating results and
financial condition.
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO ATTRACT SUFFICIENT CONSIGNMENT MERCHANDISE FOR SALE AT OUR
AUCTIONS, OUR AUCTION OPERATIONS MAY INCUR A LOSS.
We incur certain fixed costs in connection with each auction. Our
auction operations generate commission revenue based on the successful sale of
consigned merchandise. If the volume of sales at our auctions does not generate
sufficient commission revenue to cover fixed costs, our auction operations will
generate a loss.
IF WE EXPERIENCE AN INCREASE IN THE RESCISSION OF SALES, OUR REVENUE AND
PROFITABILITY COULD DECREASE.
Our operating results could suffer if we experience a significant
increase in the number of sales that are rescinded due to questions about title,
provenance or authenticity of an item. We warrant the title, provenance and
authenticity of each item that we sell, including items sold at auction. If a
buyer believes that any of these characteristics is in doubt, he or she must
notify us in writing within a certain number of days after the date of sale of
the property. If we cannot substantiate the questioned characteristics, the
buyer may rescind his or her purchase and we will refund the price paid at
auction to the buyer. When a purchase is rescinded, the seller is required to
refund the item's sale price less sellers' commissions and other sellers' fees.
OUR PLANNED EXPANSION AND ENHANCEMENT OF OUR WEBSITE AND INTERNET OPERATIONS MAY
NOT RESULT IN INCREASED PROFITABILITY.
The satisfactory performance, reliability and availability of our
website and network infrastructure are and will be critical to our reputation
and our ability to attract and retain customers and technical personnel and to
maintain adequate customer service levels. Any system interruptions or reduced
performance of our website could materially adversely affect our reputation and
our ability to attract new customers and technical personnel. We are in the
process of development and/or enhancement of several portions of our website
that will offer content and auctions for rare coins that may have a lower
average selling price than many of the rare coins in the markets we currently
serve. Continued development of our website will require significant resources
and expense. If the planned expansion of our website does not result in
increased revenue, we may experience decreased profitability.
OUR WEBSITE MAY BE VULNERABLE TO SECURITY BREACHES AND SIMILAR THREATS WHICH
COULD RESULT IN OUR LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES AND HARM TO OUR REPUTATION.
Despite the implementation of network security measures, our website is
vulnerable to computer viruses, break-ins and similar disruptive problems caused
by Internet users. These occurrences could result in our liability for damages,
and our reputation could suffer. The circumvention of our security measures may
result in the misappropriation of proprietary information. Any such security
breach could lead to interruptions and delays and the cessation of service to
our customers and could result in a decline in revenue and income.
9
RISKS RELATED TO THIS OFFERING
SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK ELIGIBLE OR TO BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC SALE COULD
ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR STOCK PRICE AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR US TO RAISE
ADDITIONAL CAPITAL THROUGH SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
As of February 23, 2005, we had outstanding 4,689,942 shares of common
stock, of which all but 1,304,008 shares were restricted under the Securities
Act of 1933, or the "Act." Of the restricted shares, substantially all are
eligible for resale without registration pursuant to Rule 144 under the Act, as
amended, subject to compliance with the volume limitations and other
requirements of that Rule. The volume limitations of Rule 144 provide that the
maximum number of shares that can be sold in any three-month period cannot
exceed the greater of 1% of the number of shares outstanding or the average
weekly trading volume in those shares during the four calendar weeks preceding
the filing of the Form 144 required under this rule. The other requirements of
the rule include that there be current public information available with respect
to the Company, that the shares be sold in a "broker's transaction" as defined
in the Act or in transactions directly with a market maker without solicitation
of orders or any payment in connection with the offer or sale to any person
other than the broker who executes the order, and that the seller file a Form
144 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Of the restricted shares eligible for sale under Rule 144,
approximately 325,400 shares are subject to lockup agreements that restrict
their resale. These agreements expire at various times through October 31, 2005.
As of February 23, 2005, we also had outstanding options, warrants and preferred
stock that were exercisable for or convertible into approximately 4,114,969
shares of common stock, including 3,184,139 shares which are being offered
pursuant to this prospectus. Sales of a substantial number of shares of our
common stock in the public market, or the perception that sales could occur,
could reduce the market price of our common stock. Any adverse effect on the
market price of our common stock could make it difficult for us to raise
additional capital through sales of equity securities at a time and at a price
that we deem appropriate.
OUR COMMON STOCK PRICE IS POTENTIALLY SUBJECT TO SIGNIFICANT VOLATILITY, WHICH
COULD RESULT IN SUBSTANTIAL LOSSES FOR INVESTORS.
Because we have low trading volume in our stock and we have several
shareholders who own very large blocks of our stock, the market price of our
common stock could fluctuate significantly in the future if one or more of these
shareholders attempted to sell a large number of shares.
Consequently, the price at which you purchase shares of our common
stock may not be indicative of the price that will prevail in the trading
market. You may be unable to sell your shares of common stock at or above your
purchase price, which may result in substantial losses to you.
BECAUSE OUR STOCK IS NOT LISTED ON A NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE, YOU MAY FIND
IT DIFFICULT TO DISPOSE OF OR OBTAIN QUOTATIONS FOR OUR COMMON STOCK.
Our common stock trades under the symbol "SPGR" on the OTC Bulletin
Board. Because our stock trades on the OTC Bulletin Board rather than on a
national securities exchange, you may find it difficult to either dispose of, or
to obtain quotations as to the price of, our common stock.
10
OUR SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK AND SERIES D PREFERRED STOCK HAVE ANTIDILUTION
TERMS THAT COULD RESULT IN THE ISSUANCE OF STOCK TO THE HOLDERS OF THOSE
SECURITIES WITHOUT THE PAYMENT OF ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION.
We currently have 3,400,00 shares of Series B $1.00 Convertible
Preferred Stock, or Series B Preferred Stock, and 2,000,000 shares of Series D
$1.00 Convertible Preferred Stock, or Series D Preferred Stock, outstanding.
These securities are convertible into our common stock. If we issue common stock
in the future at prices that are less than the "conversion prices" of those
securities, the conversion rates of those securities will be adjusted to provide
that additional shares of our common stock will be issuable upon their
conversion, without the payment of any additional consideration by the preferred
shareholders. After an adjustment like this, if the holders of these preferred
shares convert their preferred shares into common stock, our common stockholders
will suffer dilution, insofar as their proportional ownership of the company
will be reduced from what it would have been had this adjustment not been made.
The current conversion prices are $1.977 for the Series B Preferred
Stock and $1.20 for the Series D Preferred Stock. The adjustment provisions
apply both to issuances of common stock and of securities that are convertible
into or exercisable for common stock, but do not apply to options that were
outstanding at the time the preferred shares were issued, or are issued under
plans that are approved by the preferred stockholders.
All of our Series D Preferred Stock and 3,000,000 shares out of a total
of 3,400,000 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock are held by Stanford. The
following chart illustrates the number of additional shares of common stock
issuable to the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred
Stock in hypothetical situations, where we issue 1,000,000 shares of common
stock at prices that are 75%, 50% and 25% of the current conversion price of the
of the Series B Preferred Stock. This chart omits our currently outstanding
Series A Preferred Stock, the holders of which have exercised their redemption
rights.
SHARES HELD SHARES HELD SHARES HELD
BY CURRENT BY CURRENT BY CURRENT
SHAREHOLDERS (AS SHAREHOLDERS (AS SHAREHOLDERS (AS
SHARES PRESENTLY CONVERTED) AFTER CONVERTED) AFTER CONVERTED) AFTER
HELD BY CURRENT ISSUANCE OF ISSUANCE OF ISSUANCE OF
SHAREHOLDERS 1,000,000 SHARES 1,000,000 SHARES 1,000,000 SHARES
CLASS OF STOCK (AS CONVERTED) AT $1.50 AT $1.00 AT $0.50(1)
-------------- ---------------- ----------------- ---------------- ----------------
Common 4,689,942 4,689,942 4,689,942 4,689,942
Series B Preferred Stock 1,719,802 1,795,957 1,883,377 1,979,743
Series D Preferred Stock 1,666,667 1,666,667 1,716,959 1,857,052
- ----------------------
(1) Of the 450,326 additional shares issuable upon conversion of the Series B
Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock as a result of the operation
of the adjustment provisions illustrated above, Stanford would receive
419,745 shares.
OUR PREFERRED STOCK MAY DELAY OR PREVENT A TAKEOVER OF OUR COMPANY, POSSIBLY
PREVENTING YOU FROM OBTAINING HIGHER STOCK PRICES FOR YOUR SHARES.
Our board of directors has the authority to issue shares of preferred
stock and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including
voting rights of those shares, without any further vote or action by our
shareholders. The rights of the holders of our common stock will be subject to,
and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any preferred
11
stock that we may issue in the future. The issuance of preferred stock, while
providing desired flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other
corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a
third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting stock, which would
delay, defer or prevent a change in control of our company. Furthermore,
preferred stock may have other rights, including economic rights senior to the
common stock, and, as a result, the issuance of preferred stock could adversely
affect the market value of our common stock.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements, including among
others:
o our business strategy for expanding our presence in the rare
coin market;
o anticipated trends in our financial condition and results of
operations; and
o our ability to distinguish ourselves from our current and
future competitors.
You can identify forward-looking statements generally by the use of
forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "intends,"
"plans," "should," "could," "seeks," "pro forma," "anticipates," "estimates,"
"continues," or other variations thereof, including their use in the negative,
or by discussions of strategies, opportunities, plans or intentions. You may
find these forward-looking statements under the captions "Risk Factors,"
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations," and "Business," as well as captions elsewhere in this prospectus. A
number of factors could cause results to differ materially from those
anticipated by forward-looking statements, including those discussed under "Risk
Factors" and "Business."
These forward-looking statements necessarily depend upon assumptions
and estimates that may prove to be incorrect. Although we believe that the
assumptions and estimates reflected in the forward-looking statements are
reasonable, we cannot guarantee that we will achieve our plans, intentions or
expectations. The forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ in
significant ways from any future results expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements.
Any of the factors described above or in the "Risk Factors" section
below could cause our financial results, including our net income (loss) or
growth in net income (loss) to differ materially from prior results, which in
turn could, among other things, cause the price of our common stock to fluctuate
substantially.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares of
common stock offered under this prospectus by the selling security holders.
Rather, the selling security holders will receive those proceeds directly.
12
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
MARKET INFORMATION
Our common stock is quoted in the National Quotation Bureau's Pink
Sheets and listed on the OTC Electronic Bulletin Board under the symbol "SPGR."
Prior to July 1, 2003 our symbol was "TAGZ." Due to the reduced volume of
trading over the past 60 days, no public market is deemed to exist for our
common stock at this time.
The following table shows the trading price data for our common stock
as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board as the range of representative bid prices
for our common stock for the quarters indicated. The quotations reflect
inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, markdown or commission, may not
represent actual transactions and have been retroactively restated to reflect
the one-for-twenty reverse split of our common stock on June 30, 2003.
Fiscal 2005
--------------------------
Fiscal Quarter Ended: High Low
------------ ---------
December 31 $1.52 $0.65
September 30 $2.00 $1.25
Fiscal 2004
-------------------------
Fiscal Quarter Ended: High Low
------------ ---------
June 30 $2.15 $0.75
March 31 1.92 0.75
December 31 1.06 0.60
September 30 1.01 0.24
Fiscal 2003
-------------------------
Fiscal Quarter Ended: High Low
------------ ---------
June 30 $1.50 $0.02
March 31 0.60 0.02
December 31 0.60 0.20
September 30 2.40 0.60
HOLDERS
The number of holders of record of our common stock as of the close of
business on January 27, 2005 was approximately 203. Within the holders of record
of our common stock are depositories such as Cede & Co. that hold shares of
stock for brokerage firms which, in turn, hold shares of stock for beneficial
owners.
DIVIDENDS
To date, we have declared no cash dividends on our common stock, and do
not expect to pay cash dividends in the near future. We intend to retain future
earnings, if any, to provide funds for the operation of our business. The terms
of our Series A Redeemable 8% Convertible Preferred Stock, or Series A Preferred
Stock, prohibit us from paying dividends on shares of our common stock unless
dividends in such amount shall have been simultaneously paid or declared and set
apart for payment to the holders of our Series A Preferred Stock. In addition,
the terms of our Series B Preferred Stock prohibit us from making any
distributions on our common stock without the vote or written consent of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred Stock,
voting as a separate class.
13
STOCK OPTIONS
At December 31, 2004, there were 546,000 options outstanding under our
2003 Omnibus Stock Option Plan at a weighted average exercise price of $1.71.
14
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our capitalization as of December 31,
2004. You should read this information together with our financial statements
and the notes relating to those statements appearing elsewhere in this
prospectus. The table excludes an aggregate of approximately 4,114,969 shares of
common stock that were issuable upon conversion or exercise of outstanding
convertible notes, options and warrants as of December 31, 2004.
December 31,
2004
(unaudited)
--------------
Long term debt, less current portion(1)................................. $ 706,000
--------------
Stockholders' deficit:
Series B Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, Authorized 3,400,000
shares; issued and outstanding 3,400,000 shares..................... $ 2,967,000
Series D Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, Authorized 2,000,000
shares; issued and outstanding 2,000,000 shares..................... $ 1,931,000
Common stock, $.001 par value. Authorized 12,500,000 shares; issued
and outstanding, 4,509,942.......................................... 4,000
Additional paid in capital............................................ 7,987,000
Accumulated deficit..................................................... (13,902,000)
--------------
Total stockholders' deficit........................................ $ (1,013,000)
--------------
Total capitalization (unaudited)................................... $ (307,000)
--------------
(1) Long term debt includes $206,000 attributable to Series A $5.00
Redeemable 8% Convertible Preferred Stock $0.001 par value, which is
currently the subject of redemption. On March 31, 2004, in accordance
with the redemption provisions of the Series A Preferred Stock, all the
holders of the Series A Preferred Stock requested the redemption of
their shares. However, because our liabilities exceeded our assets at
the time, and continue to exceed our assets presently, we are
prohibited under Delaware corporation law from commencing the
redemption. We have informed the stockholders of these restrictions on
redemption. We intend to begin the redemption once we are legally
allowed to do so. We have reflected the Series A Preferred Stock
redemption payable as a liability on our Balance Sheet. As of December
31, 2004, the balance payable with respect to the Series A Preferred
Stock redemption was $687,000. Of this amount, $481,000 is reflected as
a current liability. We will continue to make quarterly dividend
payments as long as the Series A Preferred Stock redemption payable
remains outstanding. See Note 11 of Notes to Financial Statements at
June 30, 2004.
15
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction
with our consolidated financial statements and notes and the information
included under the caption "Risk Factors" included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Historical results of operations, percentage margin fluctuations and any trends
that may be inferred from the discussion below are not necessarily indicative of
the operating results for any future period.
Cautionary Statements
This Prospectus contains certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We intend that such forward-looking statements
be subject to the safe harbors created by such statutes. The forward-looking
statements included herein are based on current expectations that involve a
number of risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, to the extent that this
prospectus contains forward-looking statements regarding our financial
condition, operating results, business prospects or any other information or
aspect of our company, you are advised that our actual financial condition,
operating results and business performance may differ materially from that
projected or estimated by us in forward-looking statements. The differences may
be caused by a variety of factors, including but not limited to:
o those identified under "Risk Factors" herein,
o adverse economic conditions,
o unexpected costs and operating deficits,
o lower sales and revenues than forecast,
o loss of customers,
o litigation and administrative proceedings involving our
company,
o the possible acquisition of new businesses that result in
operating losses or that do not perform as anticipated,
resulting in unanticipated losses,
o adverse publicity and news coverage,
o inability to carry out our marketing and sales plans,
o changes in interest rates and inflationary factors, and
o other specific risks that may be referred to in this
prospectus or in other reports that we have issued.
In addition, our business and operations are subject to substantial
risks that increase the uncertainty inherent in the forward-looking statements.
The inclusion of forward-looking statements in this prospectus should not be
regarded as a representation by us or any other person that we will achieve our
objectives or plans.
TRENDS AND UNCERTAINTIES
As a dealer and auctioneer of rare coins, our revenue and profitability
can be materially affected by economic factors such as interest rates,
inflation, stock market performance, the price of gold and other precious metals
and world political stability. The demand for and therefore the price of rare
coins tends to increase with the price of gold. During times of unstable stock
market performance and low interest rates rare coins may become more attractive
as an investment as compared to the stock market or interest bearing securities.
In times of strong stock market returns and high interest rates, rare coins may
be viewed as a less favorable investment. Political instability may also
increase the demand for rare coins as individuals may perceive the security an
16
portability of rare coins more favorably as compared to other financial assets
such as stocks, bonds or cash. While we are currently experiencing economic
conditions that have increased the demand for rare coins, resulting in higher
revenue and profitability for us, future changes in the economy such as rapid
increases in interest rates, a decrease in the price of gold or strong growth in
the stock market could materially reduce our revenue, margins and profitability
and affect our liquidity as inventory turns would diminish.
Furthermore, certain types of rare coins, as is the case with other
collectibles, may become more or less popular based on market trends that we
cannot predict. Although we carry a diverse range of categories of rare coins, a
decrease in popularity in a particular category could result in diminished
liquidity as inventory turns decrease for the affected category.
Within the rare coin industry many of our customers and suppliers are
other dealers. We may be materially affected by both external and internal
factors that could affect the financial stability and liquidity of other dealers
with whom we conduct business. Our revenues and profitability could
significantly decrease if several dealers faced financial difficulties that
curtailed their ability to sell or purchase rare coins either directly or at our
auctions.
Prior to the year ended June 30, 2004, we incurred substantial losses
that severely diminished our capital base and our liquidity. Although we have
returned to profitability, we have a shareholders' deficit, limited working
capital and most our debt is short-term. Any significant unfavorable change in
the economic environment or in our industry could quickly result in declining
revenue and a return to operating losses. Our challenge is to both raise
additional permanent equity capital and restructure our debt to include a larger
long-term portion. Although we cannot assure you that we will be able to
accomplish these objectives, we believe that the achievement of these goals
would permit us to increase the levels of inventory that we have available for
sale and increase the funds available to loan to our consignment customers, thus
enhancing our revenues. Accordingly, it is our hope that if we are able to
restructure our debt and the raise additional equity we will mitigate some of
the impact of a future negative economic environment and conversely will benefit
more sharply from a positive environment.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Our Financial Statements are based on the selection and application of
significant accounting policies, which require our management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Balance Sheets and the
Statements of Operations. We believe that the following are the most critical
areas that may affect our financial condition and results of operations.
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. We are required to estimate the collectibility of
our accounts receivables. A considerable amount of judgment is required in
assessing the collectibility of these receivables, including judgments about the
current creditworthiness and financial condition of each client and related
aging of past due balances. We evaluate specific accounts receivable balances
when we become aware of a situation where a client may not be able to meets its
financial obligations to us. The amount of the required allowance is based on
the facts available to us and is reevaluated and adjusted as additional
information is available. Allowances are also established for probable loss
inherent in the remainder of the accounts receivable based on our historical bad
debt loss information. As a result of the expansion of our rare coin auction
business, we may attract new customers that may adversely affect our estimates
of accounts receivable collectibility, and, the creditworthiness of our clients
may deteriorate. These factors would require the reassessment of our estimates
and additional allowances resulting in a reduction of our operating results.
17
AUCTION AND CUSTOMER ADVANCES. We are required to estimate the
collectibility of our auction and customer advances. All of our advances are
secured by rare coins. Although we make our decision to advance funds based on
customers' creditworthiness, business history, and collateral valuation, the
collectibility of advances is primarily based on our estimate of sale of
customers' rare coin collateral on a wholesale liquidation basis. We evaluate
specific advance balances when we become aware of situations where a client may
not be able to meet its financial obligations to us or the value of collateral
securing the advance is impaired. Due to the availability of a line of credit
from Stanford Financial Group Company, which is an affiliate of our principal
shareholder, Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc. ("Stanford"), we have
recently and significantly expanded our auction and customer advance activities
and we do not have historical data to estimate probable loss nor have we had any
significant history of losses. It is difficult to assess future performance of
the rare coin market. A rapid adverse change in the rare coin market could
diminish the value of the collateral and the creditworthiness of our clients may
deteriorate. These factors would require the reassessment of our estimates and
additional allowances resulting in a reduction of our operating results.
REVENUE RECOGNITION. We generate revenue from wholesale and retail
sales of rare coins and precious metals bullion. The recognition of revenue
varies for wholesale and retail transactions and is, in large part, dependent on
the type of payment arrangements made between the parties.
We sell rare coins to other wholesalers/dealers within our industry on
credit, generally for terms of 15 to 60 days, but in no event greater than one
year. We grant credit to new dealers based on extensive credit evaluations and
for existing dealers based on established business relationships and payment
histories. We generally do not obtain collateral with which to secure our
accounts receivable when the sale is made to a dealer. We maintain reserves for
potential credit losses based on an evaluation of specific receivables and the
Company's historical experience related to credit losses. We recognize revenue
for monetary transactions (i.e., cash and receivables) with dealers when the
merchandise is shipped to a dealer.
We also sell rare coins to retail customers on credit, generally for
terms of 30 to 60 days, but in no event greater than one year. We grant credit
to retail customers based on credit evaluations and for existing retail
customers based on established business relationships and payment histories.
When a retail customer is granted credit, we generally collect a payment of 25%
of the sales price, establish a payment schedule for the remaining balance and
hold the merchandise as collateral as security against the customer's receivable
until all amounts due under the credit arrangement are paid in full. If the
customer defaults in the payment of any amount when due, we may declare the
customer's obligation in default, liquidate the collateral in a commercially
reasonable manner using such proceeds to extinguish the remaining balance and
disburse any amount in excess of the remaining balance to the customer.
Under this retail arrangement, we recognize revenue when our customer
agrees to the terms of the credit and makes the initial payment. Less than 5% of
our sales are retail credit sales. We have limited-in-duration money back
guaranty policies for our retail customers only, as discussed below.
In limited circumstances, we exchange merchandise for similar
merchandise and/or monetary consideration with both dealers and retail
customers, for which we recognize revenue in accordance with APB No. 29,
"ACCOUNTING FOR NON-MONETARY TRANSACTIONS." When we exchange merchandise for
similar merchandise and there is no monetary component to the exchange, we do
not recognize any revenue. Instead, the basis of the merchandise relinquished
becomes the basis of the merchandise received, less any indicated impairment of
18
value of the merchandise relinquished. When we exchange merchandise for similar
merchandise and there is a monetary component to the exchange, we recognize
revenue to the extent of monetary assets received and determine the cost of sale
based on the ratio of monetary assets received to monetary and non-monetary
assets received multiplied by the cost of the assets surrendered.
We have a return policy (money-back guarantee). The policy covers
retail transactions involving graded rare coins only. Our customers may return
graded rare coins purchased within 7 days of the receipt of the rare coins for a
full refund as long as the rare coins are returned in exactly the same condition
as they were delivered. In the case of rare coin sales on account, our customers
may cancel the sale within 7 days of making a commitment to purchase the rare
coins. The receipt of a deposit and a signed purchase order evidences the
commitment.
Historically, our retail customers have not exercised their rights to
money-back guarantees and as such, we have not provided a reserve for sales
returns in the accompanying financial statements. Revenues from the sale of
consigned goods are recognized as commission income on such sale if we are
acting as an agent for the consignor. If in the process of selling consigned
goods, we make an irrevocable payment to a consignor for the full amount due on
the consignment and the corresponding receivable from the buyer(s) has not been
collected by us at that payment date, then we record that payment as a purchase
and the sale of the consigned good(s) to the buyer as revenue as we have assumed
all collection risk.
Our auction business generates revenue in the form of commissions
charged to buyers and sellers of auction lots. Auction commissions include
buyers' commissions, sellers' commissions, and buyback commissions, each of
which are calculated based on a percentage of the hammer price. Buyers' and
sellers' commissions are recognized upon the confirmation of the identification
of the winning bidders. Funds charged to winning bidders include the hammer
price plus the commission. Only the commission portion of the funds received by
winning bidders is recorded as revenue. Buyback commissions represent an agreed
upon rate charged by us for goods entered in the auction and not sold. Goods
remain unsold when an auction lot does not meet the consignor reserve, which is
the minimum sales price as determined prior to auction, and when items sold at
auction are returned subsequent to the winning bidder taking possession. Buyback
commission is recognized along with sellers' commission or at the time an item
is returned. Returns from winning bidders are very limited and primarily occur
when a rare coin sold auction has an error in its description which the winning
bidder relied upon to purchase the item.
INVENTORY VALUATION. We value our inventory at the lower of cost or
market. On a periodic basis our numismatic staff will review market data to
determine whether or not the cost of our inventory is above or below market
price. If the market value of a coin is significantly less than its cost to us,
we will establish a reserve against inventory to reflect that the market value
of our rare coin inventory in the aggregate is below cost, which results in
reflecting the value of our inventory at the lower of cost or market.
19
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth the percentage of net revenue
represented by each item in our statement of operations for the periods
indicated:
Six Months Six Months
Ended December Ended December
30, 2004 30, 2003
--------------- --------------
Net Sales 95% 90%
Commission Income 5% 10%
--------------- --------------
Total Revenue 100% 100%
Cost of Sales 79% 80%
--------------- --------------
Gross Profit 21% 20%
Selling, general and administrative expenses 20% 24%
--------------- --------------
Income (loss) from operations 1% -4%
Other income (expense) -1% -1%
--------------- --------------
Income (loss) before income taxes 0% -5%
Income taxes 0% 0%
--------------- --------------
Net income (loss) 0% -5%
=============== ==============
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004 AND 2003
Our net loss for the six months ended December 31, 2004 was $5,000 or
$0.00 per share on both a basic and diluted basis as compared to a loss of
$544,000 or $0.14 per share on both a basic and diluted basis for the six months
ended December 31, 2003. Our improved performance for the six months ended
December 31, 2004 was primarily due to the continued strength of rare coin
sales.
TOTAL REVENUE. The table below sets forth our primary sources of
revenue for the quarters indicated:
SIX MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2004 DECEMBER 31, 2003
--------------------- ---------------------
Net Sales
Coins - Wholesale $11,800,000 67% $6,372,000 58%
Coins - Retail 4,968,000 28 3,238,000 29
Art, Collectibles & Other - - 376,000 3
----------- ------- ----------- ------
Total Net Sales 16,768,000 95 9,986,000 90
Commission Income 905,000 5 1,085,000 10
----------- ------- ----------- ------
Total Revenue $17,673,000 100% $11,071,000 100%
=========== ======= =========== ======
Total revenue for the six months ended December 31, 2004 increased
$6,602,000 or 60% to $17,673,000 from $11,071,000 for the six months ended
December 31, 2003. This increase in revenues is primarily due to the increase in
sales of rare coins. Wholesale rare coin sales for the six months ended December
31, 2004 increased $5,428,000 or 85% over the comparable period in 2003. This
increase was primarily due to strong market demand from other dealers which was
caused, we believe, by an increase in the price of gold, low interest rates and
uncertainty in the stock market and due to our higher levels of inventory
available for sale, which resulted from the availability to us of new financing
to purchase that inventory. Retail rare coin sales for the six months ended
December 31, 2004 increased $1,730,000 or 53% over the comparable period in
2003. This increase was primarily due to continued strength in the demand for
rare coins as stated above. We completed our exit of the Art business in October
2003 and a result we had no sales of art, collectibles and other for the six
20
months ended December 31, 2004. Commission income for the six months ended
December 31, 2004 decreased $180,000 or 17% over the comparable period in 2003.
This decrease was primarily due to entry of additional auction houses into the
rare coin market and the aggressive pricing by our competitors. Both of these
factors served to reduce our market share. Auction sales (hammer prices
realized, which are the aggregate amount of winning bids at our auctions
excluding the buyer's commission) were $9,618,000 for the six months ended
December 31, 2004 as compared to $11,924,000 for the six months ended December
31, 2003.
We believe that for our revenue to continue to grow in the future we
must continue to expand and diversify our distribution channels. We have
recently begun to consider, test and implement several growth strategies.
To expand our wholesale sales efforts we began to supply a television
home shopping channel with rare coins in October 2004. We will be evaluating our
arrangement with this supplier through March 2005, when we will determine
whether to continue this arrangement and what the parameters of the arrangement
should be. In January 2005, we began to supply internet retailer Amazon.com with
rare coins on a test basis and we are in negotiations to do the same with
Overstock.com. Our current relationship with Amazon.com is simply to provide
that company, on a nonexclusive basis, with coins to be offered for sale on its
website. We pay Amazon.com a commission, which is presently 15%, on any sales it
makes through this relationship. We have yet to determine the length of the test
period with either Amazon.com or Overstock.com.
Over the medium and long-term our growth strategy for wholesale type
distribution channels includes hiring of additional numismatic traders,
acquiring small rare coin dealers and supplying rare coins to gift and catalog
retailers. We have yet to determine the associated costs of our medium and
long-term growth strategies in the areas discussed above. We may extend or
terminate any of these arrangements at any time.
To expand our retail distribution channels, we began a significant
upgrade of our web-site in late December 2004. This upgrade includes software
tools to improve the ease of use of our internet shopping cart, enhance the
presentation of items for sale, increase traffic to our web-site and improve
on-line bidding and customer want-list capabilities. We estimate that the
one-time cost for this upgrade will be approximately $40,000 and that annual
maintenance cost associated with this upgrade will be approximately $20,000. We
anticipate that the web-site upgrade will be completed in March 2005. Other
growth plans include the expansion of our direct mail advertising targeting high
net worth collectors who are currently buying rare coins or other fine
collectibles.
We plan to expand our auction operations to include weekly
internet-only auctions through our strategic relationship with e-Bay.com. Under
this relationship, we have agreed that when we conduct internet-only auctions
through e-Bay.com, we will not simultaneously offer the auctioned items through
any other internet-based auction. We pay e-Bay.com a commission of 5% on sales
it makes, and when we auction coins in this manner we increase the charge to our
customer by 5%, to offset the commission paid to e-Bay.com. These internet-only
auctions will complement the seven major live auctions that we currently hold
during a year. We anticipate ramping toward weekly internet-only auctions by
April 2005. We would not hold an internet-only auction during the week that we
held a live auction as our live auctions are simultaneously broadcast over the
internet. We are considering adding an additional live auction event in the
fiscal quarter ending December 2005 so that we can have two live auctions per
quarter.
Our ability to expand our wholesale, retail and auction operations is
dependent in part upon the success of these strategies, which we have not yet
evaluated. The implementation of these strategies may not result in increased
revenues. We will seek to determine whether the expected benefits from these
21
strategies, measured principally in terms of increased revenue, justifies the
costs of implementing them. If we determine that any of these strategies is not
cost-effective, we will terminate or amend the strategy. We cannot assure you
that our growth plans will generate enough revenue to cover the additional
operating costs associated with these growth plans.
We also believe that over the long-term there are opportunities to
expand our collateralized customer lending activities. Currently, our primary
focus is to provide auction advances to our customers. However, we believe that
the potential exists to provide non-auction financing for rare coins and other
fine collectibles that we estimate will yield significantly higher interest
rates over what we currently charge our customers.
Our ability to expand our revenue is significantly contingent on the
availability of additional permanent equity and debt financing. As indicated in
our "Other Liquidity Plans" below we have plans to raise additional equity and
debt, but there is no assurances the we will successful in doing so on terms and
conditions that are acceptable to us.
COST OF SALES. Cost of sales is primarily comprised of the acquisition
price we pay for coins, and is dependent on our skill in identifying coins that
may be offered for sale at advantageous prices, as well as the supply and demand
factors at the time that we are purchasing coins. Commission income has minimal
cost of sales associated with it. Cost of sales for the six months ended
December 31, 2004 increased $5,135,000 or 58% to $14,003,000 or 79% of total
revenue, from $8,868,000 or 80% of total revenue for the six months ended
December 31, 2003. The increase in aggregate cost of sales in the current period
over the comparable period in 2003 was primarily due to the increase in rare
coin sales as discussed in "Total Revenue" above, rather than factors that might
influence the cost of any particular item of inventory. During the two periods
we had comparable success in purchasing coins at advantageous prices, which
resulted in our cost of sales as a percentage of revenue remaining similar.
Although the cost of sales as a percentage of total revenue may be similar from
the current and comparable period from the previous year, this may result from a
coincidental combination of factors that are not always consistent. These
factors, which we cannot predict from period to period, include our success in
buying coins that generate substantial margin, the supply of coins that our
customers wish to purchase, and the level of auction sales and the percentage of
commission on these sales that we earn.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit for the six months ended December 31, 2004
increased $1,467,000 or 67% to $3,670,000 or 21% of total revenue from
$2,203,000 or 20% of total revenue for the six months ended December 31, 2003.
The increase in gross profit in the current period over the comparable period in
2003 was primarily due to the increase in rare coin sales. The gross profit as a
percentage of revenue will vary from period to period due to variations in the
factors discussed in "Cost of Sales" above.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Selling, general and
administrative expenses for the six months ended December 31, 2004 increased
$800,000 or 30% to $3,496,000 from $2,696,000 for the six months ended December
31, 2003. These expenses represent 20% of total revenue for the six months ended
December 31, 2004 as compared to 24% of total revenue for the six months ended
December 31, 2003. The increase in these expenses was primarily due to the
hiring of new employees to enhance our operational infrastructure as we
anticipate continued growth in our revenue. Additionally, we incurred higher
commission and travel costs that resulted from higher wholesale sales and
increased marketing expenses in support of our retail sales efforts.
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES. Other expenses for the six months ended
December 31, 2004 increased $132,000 to $178,000 from $46,000 for the six months
ended December 31, 2003. This increase was primarily due to: (i) The decrease in
interest income of $58,000 that resulted from the decline in interest rates
charged to our customers; (ii) Increases in interest expenses of $96,000 that
resulted from the combination of increased use of our lines of credit to finance
our own inventory and increases in rates charged to us by our lenders for the
six months ended December 31, 2004 as compared to the six months ended December
31, 2003.
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES. Although we reported net losses the six
months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, we incurred income taxes for state
franchise and other minimum taxes totaling $1,000 and $5,000 respectively.
22
YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2004 AND 2003
The following table sets forth the percentage of net revenue
represented by each item in our statements of operations for the periods
indicated:
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
2004 2003
----------- ----------
Net Sales 89.7% 88.6%
Commission Income 10.3% 11.4%
----------- ----------
Total Revenue 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of Sales 77.9% 78.4%
----------- ----------
Gross Profit 22.1% 21.6%
Selling, general and administrative expenses 19.9% 32.8%
Impairment of goodwill 0.0% 2.9%
----------- ----------
Income (loss) from operations 2.2% -14.1%
Other income (expense) -0.3% -3.0%
----------- ----------
Income (loss) before taxes 1.9% -17.1%
Income taxes 0.1% 0.1%
----------- ----------
Net Income (loss) 1.8% -17.2%
=========== ==========
Our net income for the year ended June 30, 2004 was $552,266 or $0.11
and $0.06 per share on a basic and fully diluted basis respectively as compared
to a net loss of $3,491,003 or $1.75 per share on both a basic and fully diluted
basis for the year ended June 30, 2003. The improvement in our operating results
were primarily due to revenue growth resulting from the strength in the rare
coin market, decreased overhead costs and lower net interest expenses.
TOTAL REVENUE. The table below sets forth our primary sources of
revenue for the periods indicated:
Year Ended Year Ended
June 30, June 30,
2004 2003
--------------------- ---------------------
Net Sales
Coins - Wholesale $19,195,220 64% $9,050,773 44%
Coins - Retail 7,344,986 25% 8,263,941 41%
Art, collectibles & other 376,078 1% 729,112 4%
------------ ------- ------------- -------
Total Net Sales 26,916,284 90% 18,043,826 89%
Commission Income 3,081,028 10% 2,311,082 11%
------------ ------- ------------- -------
Total Revenue $29,997,312 100% $20,354,908 100%
============ ======= ============= =======
We recorded total revenue of $29,997,312 for the year ended June 30,
2004, an increase of $9,642,404 or 47% over the total revenue of $20,354,908
recorded for the year ended June 30, 2003. The increase in revenue is primarily
due to increased wholesale coin sales. Wholesale coin sales, which represented
64% of total revenue, increased $10,144,447 or 112% to $19,195,220. This
increase was primarily due to the strong market demand which was caused, we
believe, by an increase in the price of gold, low interest rates and uncertainty
in the stock market, and due to our higher level of inventory available for
sale, which resulted from the availability to us of new financing to purchase
that inventory. Retail coin sales, which represented 25% of total revenue,
23
decreased $918,955 or 11% to $7,344,986. This decrease was primarily due to our
aggressive pricing in 2003 to generate cash from inventory that resulted in
higher sales, but reduced gross margins.
Fine art, collectibles and other sales decreased $353,034 or 48% to
$376,078 during the year ended June 30, 2004. The decrease was primarily due to
the completion of the liquidation of our art inventory. In November 2002, we
made the decision to substantially reduce our art business segment operations
and by March 2003 all operational activities had ceased with the exception of
our efforts to liquidate the balance of our art inventory. The final liquidation
of our art inventory occurred in October 2003. Since that date that we have had
no material sales of fine art and other collectibles.
Commission income, which represented 10% of total revenue, increased
$769,946 or 33% to $3,081,028 for the year ended June 30, 2004. The increase in
commission income was primarily due to the continued strength in the rare coin
market and the number of rare auctions increasing to seven in fiscal 2004, as
compared to six in fiscal 2003. Auction sales (hammer prices realized) were
$30,032,985 for the year ended June 30, 2004 as compared to $25,023,893 for the
year ended June 30, 2003.
Our revenue and profitability during the year is subject to
seasonality. Our first and third fiscal quarters have traditionally been our
strongest because two well-attended auctions are normally scheduled during each
of these quarters and during these quarters there are more frequent and
better-attended trade shows. Our second fiscal quarter has traditionally been
our weakest because we conduct only one auction event and there are fewer, less
popular trade shows.
COST OF SALES. Cost of sales is primarily comprised of the acquisition
price we pay for coins, and is dependent on our skill in identifying coins that
may be offered for sale at advantageous prices, as well as supply and demand
factors at the time that we are purchasing coins. Cost of sales increased
$7,429,890 to $23,381,949 for the year ended June 30, 2004, representing 78% of
total revenue, compared to $15,952,059, for the year ended June 30, 2003, which
also represented 78% of total revenue. The increase in the aggregate cost of
sales was primarily due to the increased sale of rare coins as discussed in
"Total Revenue" above, rather than factors that might have influenced the cost
of any particular item of inventory. Thus, the increase in cost of sales in 2004
of 46% over 2003 is comparable to the net increase in total revenue in 2004 of
47% over 2003. During our 2003 and 2004 fiscal years, we had comparable success
in purchasing coins at advantageous prices, which resulted in our cost of sales
as a percentage of revenue remaining similar. Although cost of sales as a
percentage of total revenue may be similar from year to year, this may result
from a coincidental combination of factors that are not always consistent. These
factors, which we cannot predict from year to year, include our success in
buying coins that generate substantial margin, the supply of coins that our
customers wish to purchase, and the level of auction sales and the percentage of
commission on these sales that we earn.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit for the year ended June 30, 2004 increased
$2,212,514 or 50% to $6,615,363. This represented 22% of total revenue for the
year ended June 30, 2004, as compared to $4,402,849 for the year ended June 30,
2003, which also represented 22% of total revenue for that year. The increase in
the total amount of gross profit in 2004 was primarily due to the increase in
our rare coin sales and increased auction commission revenue. Gross profit as a
percentage of revenue will vary from period to period due to variations in the
factors discussed in "Cost of Sales," above.
24
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Selling, general and
administrative expenses decreased $716,800 or 11% to $5,958,829 for the year
ended June 30, 2004 from $6,675,629 for the year ended June 30, 2003. These
expenses represented 20% of total revenue for the year ended June 30, 2004 as
compared to 33% of total revenue for the year ended June 30, 2003. The decrease
in these expenses, both as a percentage of revenue and in the aggregate, were
due in part to the effect of our operational consolidation efforts that were
completed during the last half of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2003. Our
operational consolidation included the elimination of our Newport Beach
location, the reduction of staff as a result of our exit of the art business
segment and the elimination of duplicative systems with regard to operations,
accounting and sales and marketing. The cost savings from the operational
consolidation were approximately $325,000, however these cost savings were
offset in 2004 primarily by costs associated with increases in staff at our
Beverly Hills location of approximately $190,000 and increased advertising and
marketing costs of approximately $110,000. The prior year also included a
$418,000 fee to be the official auctioneer at a national rare coin trade show,
and two unusual bad debts totaling $330,714. There were no such costs in the
current year.
IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL. In July 2001, we recorded goodwill of $591,521
in connection with acquisition of our Superior Galleries Beverly Hills auction
unit. Based on our annual fair value assessment to determine the impairment, if
any, of goodwill, we determined that the goodwill associated with this
acquisition had become fully impaired resulting in charge of $591,521 for the
year ended June 30, 2003. There was no similar charge for the year ended June
30, 2004.
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES. Other expenses decreased $521,494 on a net
basis to $91,812 for the year ended June 30, 2004 from $613,306 for the year
ended June 30, 2003. This decrease is attributable primarily to an increase in
interest income of $350,789 as a result of a higher level of advances to
customers, and reductions in interest rates on our outstanding debt that
decreased interest expense by $137,050 for the year ended June 30, 2004 as
compared to the year ended June 30, 2003. Our higher level of auction and
customer advances during the year ended June 30, 2004 resulted from the
availability of our $7.5 million line of credit facility provided by Stanford
Financial Group Company in October 2003. Our ability to increase the level of
auction and customer advances enabled us to obtain more consignments which in
turn increased our commission revenue.
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES. Although we recorded income for the current
year, we have net operating losses ("NOL") carried forward from previous years
and we have only recorded income tax expenses of $12,456 for state and other
minimum taxes for the year ended June 30, 2004. We incurred a loss for the year
ended June 30, 2003 and we recorded income taxes expense of $13,396 for state
and other minimum taxes for that year. For federal income tax purposes, we have
a NOL carryforward of approximately $9,620,000 which is available to offset
future federal taxable income through 2023. For state income tax purposes, we
also have a NOL carryforward of approximately $5,370,000, which is available to
offset state taxable income through 2012. The use of these NOL carryforwards in
future years will be limited due to past changes in our ownership, the full
effect of which has yet to be calculated. In addition, NOL carryforwards for the
purposes of offsetting California state taxable income have been suspended for
the tax years beginning in 2002 and 2003.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
At December 31, 2004, we had a working capital deficiency of $468,000.
We used cash in operating activities of $350,000 for the six month period ending
December 31, 2004. Given our December 31, 2004 cash balance of $286,000 and our
projected operating cash requirements, we anticipate that our existing capital
25
resources may not be adequate to satisfy our cash flow requirements through June
30, 2005. We may require additional funding. Our cash flow estimates are based
upon achieving certain levels of sales and maintaining operating expenses at
current levels. Should sales be less than forecast, expenses be higher than
forecast or the liquidity not be available through financings of debt and/or
equity, we will not have adequate resources to fund operations. We were in
default under one of our lines of credit until September 30, 2003 when we
renegotiated the line of credit with our lender and cured the default. We have
entered into an agreement with this lender to make principal payments of
$100,000 on each of January 31, February 28 and March 31, 2005, together with
accrued interest, with the remaining balance being due January 31, 2006. We do
not expect future fixed obligations through June 30, 2005 to be paid by cash
generated from operating activities. We intend to pursue the following options,
among others, to provide cash to satisfy fixed obligations: (i) additional
debt/equity financings; (ii) extending vendor payments; (iii) an expanded line
of credit with Stanford Financial Group Company, and (iv) liquidation of
inventory. We cannot assure you, though, that any of these financing
alternatives will be available to us. If we are unable to satisfy our fixed
obligations as they become due, our creditors will be entitled to take legal
action against us. If they do, our business could be materially harmed.
OPERATING ACTIVITIES. Cash decreased $160,000 for the six months ended
December 31, 2004 to $286,000 from $446,000 at June 30, 2004. Cash used in our
operating activities totaled $350,000 resulting primarily from increases in
inventories of $654,000 and decreases in accounts payable of $3,401,000 that
were offset by repayments of auction and customer advances of $1,948,000 and
decreases in accounts receivable of $1,735,000
For the year ended June 30, 2004, cash decreased $242,342 to $446,530
from $688,872 at June 30, 2003. Cash used in our operating activities during the
year totaled $6,237,294, resulting primarily from increases in our accounts
receivable, inventories, and auction and customer advances of $887,167,
$3,609,158 and $2,906,538 respectively and were partially offset by our net
income of $552,266 and an increase in our accounts payable of $422,671. The
increases in receivable, inventories, and auction and customer advances are
primarily the result the significant increases in total revenues as compared to
the previous year.
We will continue to strive to gain operating efficiencies by turning
our inventory more quickly and monitoring the amount of inventory that we carry,
although there is no assurance we will achieve these efficiencies.
INVESTING ACTIVITIES. Cash used in investing activities for the six
months ended December 31, 2004 was $60,000 consisting of purchases of property
and equipment. For the year ended June 30, 2004 cash used in investing
activities was $45,583 consisting of purchases of property and equipment of
$55,757 and offset by $10,174 in proceeds on the sale of property and equipment.
FINANCING ACTIVITIES. Until the quarter ending March 31, 2004, we had
incurred losses since July 1999 and have financed these losses through
short-term and long-term borrowings, by issuing shares in various private
placement transactions and by liquidating assets. Cash provided by financing
activities totaled $250,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2004 reflected
by the following transactions:
FINANCING ACTIVITIES - DEBT. On October 17, 2000 we entered into a
long-term loan agreement, secured by a delivery van, payable in 60 monthly
installments of $457 each consisting of principal and interest at an annual
interest rate of 5.9%. The loan was repaid in full on December 16, 2003. During
the year ended June 30, 2004, the note was reduced by $7,008.
26
On July 6, 2001, we executed a note payable for the acquisition of the
assets of SGBH, secured by the assets acquired, and guaranteed by our CEO. The
loan provided for periodic payments through January 2002. We failed to pay the
loan in full at that date but continued to make loan payments through July 2002.
In October 2002 we renegotiated the payment terms by increasing the note balance
by $49,110 to cover unpaid interest and establishing a new interest rate of 4.5%
over the prime lending rate, to be paid in biweekly installments over one year.
On November 1, 2002 we made a lump-sum payment of $179,350 and renegotiated the
terms of payment for the balance due with the creditor. This note required ten
principal and interest installments of $19,133 each, beginning on December 1,
2002, with interest at the rate of 12% per annum. The note payable was repaid in
full on September 1, 2003. During the year ended June 30, 2004, the note was
reduced by $56,832.
On April 10, 2002 we executed a subordinated note payable to our CEO
bearing interest at 9% per annum with quarterly installment payments of $150,000
plus interest. No principal payments had been made through February 2003. On
February 14, 2003, the terms of the note were modified to provide for repayment
of principal in the amount of $50,000 per quarter commencing on September 30,
2003 and for interest to be paid monthly. The payments that were due March 31,
2004 and June 30, 2004, were deferred by verbal agreement with our CEO to
September 30, 2004. As of December 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004 the outstanding
balance was $850,000 and $900,000, respectively, and all interest payments were
paid to date on each of these dates and continue to be paid current on a monthly
basis. The principal repayments that were due on December 31, 2004, September
30, 2004 and June 30, 2004 were not paid when due, but our CEO has agreed to
further extend the due dates for these payments to March 31, 2005. During the
six months ended December 31, 2004, we made principal repayments of $50,000. If
we desire to obtain a further extension of the deferred portion of this loan in
March 2005, but our CEO is unwilling to provide such an extension, we will be
required to liquidate sufficient inventory to make this payment During the year
ended June 30, 2004, the note was reduced by $100,000.
On July 9, 2002 and July 26, 2002 we entered into temporary working
capital loan agreements with a private lender ("Lender") in the amounts of
$1,500,000 and $1,000,000 respectively. These loans bore interest at the prime
lending rate plus 7% per annum, were secured by our inventory and a personal
guarantee of our CEO and were due to be repaid in 60 days. On August 8, 2002 we
converted the two loans from the Lender into a line of credit (the "Private
LOC") with the Lender by executing a Secured Revolving Line of Credit Agreement.
The Private LOC bore interest at the prime lending rate plus 7% per annum, was
due on September 9, 2002, and was secured by substantially all the assets of the
Company and a personal guarantee of our CEO. The Private LOC provides for
interest payments to be made in cash, inventory or restricted common shares of
the Company at the sole discretion of the Lender. On September 16, 2002 the
Private LOC was amended to extend the due date to October 15, 2002. In November
2002 the Lender died and the Private LOC became an asset of the Estate of the
Lender ("Lender Estate"). On September 30, 2003, we executed a Renewal and
Modification Agreement that amended the Private LOC. In exchange for payment of
$230,000 representing interest in arrears through September 30, 2003, the Lender
Estate agreed to reduce the interest rate to 6% effective October 1, 2003,
release its priority lien position on all of our accounts receivable and to
consider the default cured at that time. The amendment also required monthly
interest payments that began on November 1, 2003 and included a provision that
the Private LOC was callable with five days notice. Effective as of December 15,
2004 we entered into an amendment with the Lender Estate, in which we agreed to
make principal payments of $100,000 on or before each of January 31, February 28
and March 31, 2005, and the Lender Estate agreed that the remaining principal
balance would become due and payable on January 31, 2006. Accrued interest
continues to be payable on a monthly basis. As of December 31, 2004 and June 30,
27
2004 the outstanding balance was $2,500,000, and all interest payments were paid
to date. No payments were made to reduce the principal balance of the Private
LOC during the three month period ended December 31, 2004 and the year ended
June 30, 2004.
On December 10, 2002 and December 13, 2002, our CEO advanced us
$289,970 and $70,000 respectively for working capital purposes. We executed two
unsecured promissory notes both payable on demand and bearing interest at the
rate of 12% per annum. On October 23, 2003, we reduced our unsecured notes
payable to our CEO by $350,000 as a result of his purchase of our art inventory
for $350,000 (see "Other Liquidity Plans," below). On February 4, 2004 the
remaining balance of the unsecured notes payable to our CEO of $9,970 was
repaid. During the year ended June 30, 2004 the notes payable were reduced by
$359,970.
On February 21, 2003, we entered into an auction line of credit
agreement ("Auction LOC") with a private lender whereby the lender would advance
funds to us for the sole purpose of providing auction advances to our
consignment customers. The maximum limit of the Auction LOC was $2,000,000 and
it bore interest at a rate of 10% per annum. The Auction LOC was secured by the
collateralization of inventory consigned by our auction advance customers and
the assignment of the auction advance agreements to the private lender. The
lender had the right to terminate this arrangement at any time. In September
2003, the private lender agreed to temporarily increase the Auction LOC maximum
limit to $2,800,000. On October 28, 2003 the Auction LOC was repaid in full and
the lender and Superior mutually agreed to terminate the agreement.
On October 13, 2003, we executed a Commercial Loan and Security
Agreement ("Commercial LOC") with Stanford Financial Group Company, an affiliate
of a principal stockholder, Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc., to provide
us with a $7.5 million line of credit for purposes of financing our inventory,
auction advances and inventory loans to other rare coin dealers and collectors.
The Commercial LOC bears interest at the prime-lending rate (5.25% at December
31, 2004), is secured by substantially all of our assets and matures on October
1, 2005. As of December 31, 2004 the outstanding Commercial LOC balance was
$6,250,000. The net principal repayments against the Commercial LOC during the
six months ended December 31, 2004 was $350,000. As of June 30, 2004 the
outstanding Commercial LOC balance was $6,600,000, and this balance reflected
the net borrowing against the Commercial LOC for the year ended June 30, 2004.
During October 2004, we executed three demand notes payable with a
private lender totaling $650,000 for the purpose of financing inventory. These
notes payable bear interest at 10% per annum secured by specific inventory.
Interest is payable monthly. As of December 31, 2004, the outstanding balance
was $650,000.
Since the Private LOC and Commercial LOC are secured by substantially
all of our assets, if we default in the performance of our obligations under
either of these loans the lender could foreclose its security interest, which
could lead to a termination of our business or require us to file a bankruptcy
petition.
We are currently in compliance with all of the financial covenants
contained in our credit agreements. While we are in default of the redemption
requirements of our Series A Preferred Stock, this default has not affected our
liquidity, as there are no cross default provisions in our outstanding debt
instruments that are tied to such a default. Our future liquidity, however, will
be reduced by the amount that we are required to pay in order to redeem our
Series A Preferred Stock, once we are legally permitted to do so. See Note 11 of
Notes to Financial Statements at June 30, 2004.
28
FINANCING ACTIVITIES - EQUITY. In April 2002 we raised $3,000,000
through the private placement of our Series B Preferred Stock to Stanford and
our CEO, Silvano DiGenova. In February 2003 we raised an additional $2,000,000
through the private placement of our Series D Preferred Stock to Stanford, and
our CEO converted his Series C Preferred Stock, which were equity securities
that carry redemption obligations similar to debt, into $700,000 of our common
stock at $1.20 per common share, which was the equivalent conversion price of
the Series D Preferred Stock. We have invested the net proceeds from each
private placement in our current operations and to reduce debt. However, this
equity capital may be insufficient to permit us to execute our operating plan.
OTHER LIQUIDITY PLANS. In November 2002, we began to reduce our
operations focused on the art segment of our business. Our initial plans
included using both our own and third party auction houses and Internet sites to
sell our inventory. From July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003, we sold
approximately $700,000 of our art inventory while still maintaining modest gross
margins on these sales. In February 2003, in addition to our exit from the art
business segment, we began to consolidate all our operations into our Beverly
Hills, California location. This operational consolidation allowed us to reduce
overhead costs by eliminating duplicative operational and administrative
expenses. In June 2003, we determined that our initial liquidation plans were no
longer effective and we decided to solicit offers from other art dealers and
collectors for them to purchase the balance of the art inventory owned by us. In
June 2003, based on our continued assessment of recoverability of the art
inventory including our evaluation of the current art market and informal offers
from other art dealers, we established a reserve to $665,000 or approximately
65% of our carrying cost. On October 23, 2003, our Board of Directors, after
reviewing other bids to purchase our art inventory, approved the sale of the art
inventory to our CEO for $350,000. This amount represented the highest bid that
we received. With this transaction, we completed our exit from the art business
segment. However, at some future date, we may resume our activities, on a
limited basis, as a consignment auctioneer in some areas of the art business
segment.
While we have completed our cost reduction plans and have plans to
secure additional financing and/or to raise additional capital, we cannot assure
you that we will be successful in completing these critical tasks. If we are
unable to successfully complete these critical tasks, we may be forced to
significantly and materially reduce our operations and/or liquidate inventory at
amounts below current carrying value to generate the necessary working capital
to fund any ongoing operations.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
The Company did not incur any material capital expenditures for
property and equipment during the six months ended December 31, 2004 or the year
ended June 30, 2004 and does not have any plans for material capital
expenditures through the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2005.
Pursuant to a lease agreement executed on August 6, 2002, we extended
our lease on our corporate headquarters and primary gallery located in Beverly
Hills, California. The monthly base rent is $17,193 and the lease will expire on
September 30, 2007.
29
The following table outlines payments due under our significant
contractual obligations over the next four years, exclusive of interest:
PAYMENT DUE BY PERIOD
---------------------
CONTRACT OBLIGATIONS LESS THAN LESS THAN LESS THAN AFTER
AT JUNE 30, 2004(1) TOTAL 1 YEAR 2 YEARS 3 YEARS 3 YEARS
- -------------------- ------------ ----------- --------- --------- ---------
Short Term Debt(2) $ 9,100,000 $ 9,100,000 $ -- $ -- $ --
Long Term Debt(3) 1,587,500 643,750 475,000 268,750 200,000
Operating Leases 765,981 261,135 224,376 224,376 56,094
------------ ----------- --------- --------- ---------
Total Contractual
Cash Obligations $11,453,481 $10,004,885 $699,376 $493,126 $256,094
============ =========== ========= ========= =========
(1) The above table outlines our obligations as of June 30, 2004 and does not
reflect any changes in our obligations that have occurred after that date.
(2) Short term debt is comprised of (a) a line of credit from a private lender
with a balance of $2.5 million bearing interest at 6% per annum and (b) a
line of credit from our affiliate, Stanford Financial Group Company, that
at June 30, 2004 had a principal balance of $6.6 million and was bearing
interest at the prime rate. We are unable to predict the future amount of
interest payments as the line of credit from Stanford Financial Group
Company will fluctuate during the year depending on our usage.
(3) Long-term debt consists of (a) a note payable to our Chief Executive
Officer in the amount of $900,000 at June 30, 2004, bearing interest at 9%
per annum, and (b) the balance due on the redemption of our Series A stock
in the amount of $687,500 bearing interest at 9% per annum. The maximum
interest payable in our fiscal year ending June 30, 2005 on this debt is
$142,875, and the actual amount that will be payable will depend on
whether any principal reductions are made to this debt.
(4) The foregoing amounts do not contain any amounts pertaining to our
obligations under our Guarantied Liquidity and Buy-Back at Grade Warranty.
Under this warranty, we agree with our customers to repurchase coins we
sell to them at a price that we determine is the wholesale market price of
the coins. This warranty has not historically been exercised in any
material amount, largely due to the fact that the repurchase price will
normally be less than the price paid by the customer for the coin.
30
BUSINESS
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Our principal line of business is the sale of rare coins on a retail,
wholesale, and auction basis. Our retail and wholesale operations are conducted
in virtually every state in the United States. We also provide auction services
for customers seeking to sell their own coins. We market our services nationwide
through broadcasting and print media and independent sales agents, as well as on
the Internet through third party websites such as eBay and through our own
website at sgbh.com. Our headquarters are in Beverly Hills, California.
We were originally organized as a Nevada corporation in 1995. On June
30, 2003, our stockholders approved and we completed a reincorporation of our
company in the State of Delaware and changed our corporate name from Tangible
Asset Galleries, Inc. ("Tangible") to Superior Galleries, Inc. ("Superior").
These changes were effective at the close of business on June 30, 2003.
HISTORY OF THE COMPANY
Tangible Investments of America, Inc. ("TIA") our predecessor, was
originally founded by our current chief executive officer ("CEO"), Silvano
DiGenova, in 1977 when Mr. DiGenova first exhibited his coins at a national coin
dealer's convention. That same year, Mr. DiGenova first became involved in other
collectibles such as fine arts and antiques. Mr. DiGenova has collected rare
coins since 1971 (when he was nine years old). While attending the Wharton
School of Business in the early 1980s, Mr. DiGenova continued to develop TIA,
and in May 1984, prior to graduating, Mr. DiGenova took a leave of absence from
Wharton and incorporated TIA in Pennsylvania.
In 1991, Mr. DiGenova relocated TIA to Laguna Beach, California and
continued to develop its rare coin, fine art and collectibles retail and
wholesale business, continuing to expand on a national level. We acquired TIA on
April 28, 1999 through a reverse-merger acquisition.
In December 1999, we acquired all of the outstanding common shares of
Gehringer and Kellar, Inc. d.b.a. Keystone Coin & Stamp Exchange, or Keystone.
Keystone is a wholesaler, retailer and auctioneer of rare coins located in
Allentown, Pennsylvania. We transferred the operations of this company to
certain members of its management in November 2001 and completed the sale of the
assets of this company in February 2002. In June 2001, we acquired all of the
outstanding common shares of HotelInteractive, Inc., or HI, an Internet-based
publisher of news and information. In February 2002, we sold this company to a
corporation controlled by Mr. Richard Viola, who was serving as a director on
our board at that time.
In November 2002, we began to reduce our operations that were focused
on the fine art, jewelry and collectibles ("Art") segment of our business. By
March 2003, with the exception of activities specifically related to the
liquidation of our remaining art inventory, all Art business segment operations
had ceased. We completed the liquidation of our art inventory in October 2003.
We may, at some future date and on a limited basis, re-enter some of the Art
business segment as a consignment auctioneer.
BACKGROUND OF THE COIN AND COLLECTIBLES INDUSTRY
Throughout history, coins have been widely regarded as a store of
value, particularly those struck in precious metals. Over the past 300 years,
coin collecting for enjoyment and profit has gained increasing prominence. The
31
coin industry has been active in trading since the 17th century. Today, coins
and collectibles are bought and sold throughout the world in galleries, shops,
stores, auctions and on the Internet at fixed prices.
According to experts in the field, it is difficult to determine the
total annual sales volume of the coin and collectibles business. One of the two
largest auctioneers in the world in the coin and collectibles markets reported
annual auction and related revenue from the sale of art and collectibles of $309
million for the year ended December 31, 2003. With specific regard to coins, the
U.S. Mint, in its 2003 annual report for the year ending September 30, 2003,
reported that there are over 130 million people collecting the new quarter
dollar coins from the 50 State Quarters(TM) program developed by the Mint. This
program was designed to increase coin collecting and the number of collectors by
minting five new designs annually of the quarter dollar with each design
featuring one each of the 50 states over a ten year period from 1998 through
2008. In addition, the U.S. Mint reported non-bullion numismatic revenue of $235
million in its 2003 annual report.
Typically, the coins that we buy and sell were originally manufactured
in the late 1700's to mid-1900's. Many of the items that we sell are
one-of-a-kind, or are one of few on the market at any time. We believe that coin
buyers generally start with a modest purchase amount and increase the size of
their transactions and the rarity of the items that they purchase as they gain
experience as a buyer in the market.
COIN GRADING AND TRADING SYSTEMS
Determining the market value of a given coin plays a vital role in
buying and selling rare coins. Rare coins are graded on a numerical scale from 0
to 70. Zero represents the basal state (or lowest condition or state of
preservation) and 70 represents an uncirculated (or mint state) specimen that is
perfect in condition or state of preservation in every aspect. As a result of
this numerical scale relating to condition or quality, there is a correlation to
value in that the higher its numerical grade, the more valuable a coin is to
collectors or dealers. A one point difference, not even discernible to a
layman's eye, can result in a difference in value of thousands of dollars.
Therefore, consistent grading according to a standard universally accepted by
the marketplace is very important. In 1986, the first uniform grading system was
implemented by the Professional Coin Grading Service, or the PCGS. Silvano
DiGenova, our chief executive officer, was a co-founder of the PCGS and assisted
in the development of the grading system used by the PCGS. Mr. DiGenova sold his
interest in the PCGS in 1987 and, since that time, has not been affiliated with
the PCGS, except as a customer of its services. A year after the PCGS was
founded, the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, or the NGC, was formed. Mr.
DiGenova is not affiliated with NGC except as a customer of its services.
These two firms established a uniform coin-grading standard, which has
gained almost universal acceptance throughout the world. Once a coin has been
graded and certified, both firms encapsulate the coin in tamper-proof acrylic
holders and register them by number, grade, date and mintmark. If applicable,
they identify variety and pedigree as well. Rare coins graded and certified by
either one of these services can then be traded with confidence. The advent of
certified grading has led to the formation of the Certified Coin Exchange, or
the CCE, which is a nationwide computerized trading network for rare coins. The
CCE is also the number one source of instantaneous price information. Coins can
be bought and sold sight unseen because of the certification and confidence
instilled in the market place by the CCE, the PCGS and the NGC. Mr. DiGenova was
a founder and board member of the CCE, and assisted in the organization of the
association. Mr. DiGenova sold his interests in the CCE in the late 1980s and
has not been affiliated with that entity since that time except as a user of its
services.
32
RETAIL AND WHOLESALE SALES
We sell rare coins on a wholesale and retail basis. On a wholesale
basis, our contacts include approximately 5,000 rare coin dealers across the
country who we contact through telephone, email, fax, electronic exchanges and
in person at the approximately 30 shows or expositions annually. Wholesale
transactions are usually completed with recognized dealers in the trade and are
often for immediate payment or with approved credit relationships, by payment
within 30 days from the date of sale. Retail transactions typically do not
involve the extension of any credit terms and payment is made at the time of
sale.
Our CEO, in consultation with senior management team members, approves
trade credit. In wholesale transactions, selling prices for rare coins are
determined by the marketplace and usually individually negotiated with the
buyer. There are several printed pricing guides, some published weekly, which
provide pricing indications as well as the CCE, a real-time exchange with bids
and asks on many of the coins in the market. Often, a wholesale customer is
buying rare coins from us because the wholesale customer has another customer,
whether wholesale or retail, already identified. Wholesale sales prices for rare
coins are determined primarily by the grade of the coins and are often
influenced by non-market factors such as the purchasing or selling dealer's
liquidity, the relative desire or need for the specific rare coin, the length of
time the selling dealer has held the rare coins and other factors. We have an
inventory turnover of four to five times per year.
When selling rare coins on a retail basis, we utilize direct mail,
telephone, fax, email and Internet-based retail and auctions, both private and
public, as channels of distribution. We maintain a database of over 30,000
potential customers for rare coins who are solicited regularly through these
channels. We currently maintain our website, www.sgbh.com, to offer rare coins
both at retail and at private auction. We have ongoing campaigns on eBay, a
third party website, to sell rare coins at its Internet public auction site. At
retail, we typically sell for immediate payment, holding the rare coins until
good funds are received. In a few instances, on large purchases, we will
consider financing a sale for a retail buyer. In these situations, we will hold
the rare coins as collateral. In retail transactions, the market determines sale
prices for rare coins and there are several pricing guides available to the
retail buyer including monthly and weekly publications and auction prices
realized. The price to be paid by a retail buyer for a rare coin is primarily
based on the coin's condition and rarity as determined by its grade but is also
influenced by the buyer's desire for the particular rare coin, the time it has
taken to find a suitable example for the buyer's collection, the relative rarity
of the coin to others held by the buyer and other factors. In retail
transactions, we principally sell rare coins that have been certified for
authenticity and quality by an independent recognized authority.
ACQUISITION OF INVENTORY
We acquire inventory of rare coins at wholesale through other dealers
in the trade, retail customers, trusts or estates desiring to sell their
holdings or by auction. We are not dependent on any major suppliers. During the
year ended June 30, 2004, no supplier provided more than 10% of our aggregate
purchases of coins. When purchasing from other dealers in the trade, we are
typically offered 15 days to pay the net invoice amount. Purchases from retail
customers, trusts and estates or at auction by an independent auction company
require immediate payment upon taking title and possession of the property. On
occasion, we may trade items from our inventory to either a dealer or a retail
customer in exchange for property from the dealer or retail customer. When
buying inventory from a dealer, the majority of these purchases are completed at
shows and expositions around the country, although a significant volume is
transacted over the telephone. Purchasing at auction is another major source of
inventory in rare coins. Purchase prices are negotiated by our buyers with
33
dealers in the trade and with the retail customers, trusts and estates. When
buying at auction, our buyers compete with other buyers in determining the final
bid for any given lot of property.
AUCTION OPERATIONS
On July 6, 2001, we acquired substantially all of the assets of
Superior Galleries, Inc., a California corporation, a company that was an
auctioneer of rare coins and collectibles located in Beverly Hills, California
("SGBH," which is not the same legal entity as Superior), for cash and a note.
Through June 30, 2003 we were operating this business as a subsidiary under the
name Superior Galleries Beverly Hills, Inc. although the seller retained certain
rights to the Superior Galleries name in the stamp and space memorabilia markets
for a period of two years from the date of the acquisition. As a result, we were
restricted until July 6, 2003 from doing business in either the rare stamp or
space memorabilia markets under this name for such period. Effective July 1,
2003, the auction operations of SGBH were combined with the remainder of our
operations.
Superior, as an auctioneer of rare coins and collectibles, has a
history dating back to 1929 with sales primarily in the rare coin and rare stamp
markets. With our long time location in Beverly Hills, our customers and clients
include many well-recognized names in the entertainment and sports fields.
We solicit and accept consignments of rare coins from individuals,
dealers and trusts and estates and charge a seller's commission along with a
buyer's premium on each lot sold. The combination of the seller's commission and
the buyer's premium on each lot equals approximately 5%-25% but averages
approximately 10%.
We market our services by advertising in trade journals, direct mail
and telemarketing and through attendance at major shows and exhibitions and by
personal visits. Each consignment of goods is evidenced by a contract signed by
both the consignor and Superior. In some instances, we may loan the consignor
funds in an amount up to approximately 60% of the expected prices realized from
the sale of the property in the consignment. The consignor loan amount maximums
are determined by a loan-to-value ratio based on our estimate of the wholesale
liquidation value in the event the consigned items do not sell at auction. In
this event, the consignor also executes a note and security agreement evidencing
the debt and providing a security interest to us in the consigned items. The
proceeds from the sale of the property are used to repay the loan amount and the
excess funds are paid to the consignor. Upon receipt of the consigned goods, we
record the receipt on our records and then catalog and photograph the items,
storing the information in digital format.
Auction sale dates are established approximately one year in advance.
As deadlines for each auction date approaches, we organize all of the digitized
information into a catalog of goods with photographs and subcontract the
printing and mailing of the catalog to be sent to our mailing list of buyers. In
addition, we load the digitized catalog on our web-site and into software
managed by Internet seller eBay, so that bidders on the Internet worldwide may
also leave absentee bids to be executed by us at the live auction. Our web-site
with its live auction capabilities and eBay's software also allows for Internet
bidders to bid competitively with the live auction in real time in competition
with the bidders present at the auction site.
Generally, the purchase price from the sale of rare coins is due upon
the completion of the auction, although we maintain credit relationships with
certain dealers in the trade and offer payment terms of 30 days to those
34
selected dealers. A contract with a consignor requires payment to the consignor,
less any loan amounts, accrued interest and commissions, to be made within 45
days of the sale date.
COMPETITION
The business of selling rare coins is highly competitive. Methods of
competition include pricing coins at levels that are lower than the published
prices of our competitors, charging reduced auction commissions to sellers,
increasing advertising and expanding Internet presence, and providing more
personalized service. We compete with a number of smaller, comparably sized, and
larger firms throughout the United States. These include: Heritage Rare Coin
Galleries, a large scale coin dealer and auctioneer; National Gold Exchange, a
large coin and bullion dealer; Spectrum, a large scale coin dealer and
auctioneer and a subsidiary of Greg Manning Auctions, Inc., a publicly traded
company; American Numismatic Rarities, a comparably-sized coin auction company;
U.S. Coins, a medium-sized coin dealer; and other companies. These competitors
are generally larger and better capitalized than we are. However, we believe
that we are able to compete with these competitors in part because of the
reputation of our Chief Executive Officer, Silvano DiGenova, who has twenty-five
years of experience in the rare coin industry. We cannot assure you, though,
that we can continue to compete successfully with other established companies.
REGULATION
The rare coin markets are not currently subject to direct federal,
state or local regulation. However, the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, and
many state attorneys general have shown an interest in regulating the sales of
rare coins and other tangible assets as investments. The State of New York has
determined that under certain circumstances, rare coins may be treated as
securities under state law, thereby requiring rare coin dealers to register as
broker-dealers and permitting investors all legal and equitable remedies
otherwise available to buyers of securities. We rely upon a 1998 U.S. Federal
Court ruling that the ordinary retail sale of rare coins to investors does not
constitute the sale of a security under the federal securities laws, and we
believe that our operations are not subject to regulation as involving the sale
of securities. There is no assurance, however, that at some time in the future,
the sale of rare coins will not be subject to increased regulation, and that our
business will not be materially adversely affected by such regulation. Any
increased regulation of our business could increase our costs of operation or
require us to change our business practices, either of which could have a
material and adverse impact on our business. For example, if we were required to
become registered as broker-dealers under federal or state securities laws, we
would have to hire additional staff and expend additional amounts in insuring
compliance with the regulations governing broker-dealers. The imposition of
these additional regulations would likely require us to hire additional
compliance staff and to expend resources in establishing and maintaining systems
to insure our compliance with these rules.
Over the past 15 years, the FTC has filed suits against numerous rare
coin dealers alleging that the dealers' representations about coins were false
or misleading or that the dealers' retail markups were so high that their
representations about investment risk and appreciation potential became
misleading or untrue. These cases have not, however, created any clear rules by
which dealers such as us can assure themselves of compliance. On January 1,
1996, the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule, authorized by the 1994 Telemarketing
and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act, took effect. "Telemarketing" is
defined as any plan, program, or campaign that is conducted to induce payment
for goods and services by use of more than one interstate telephone call. This
rule applies to all sales of "investment opportunities," which are defined by
whether the seller's marketing materials generally promote items on the basis of
representations about "income, profit, or appreciation." We believe that all of
our retail sales are covered by this rule, even those to collectors.
35
The Telemarketing Sales Rule requires us to inform customers of the
following before accepting payment: the number of items being sold, the purchase
price, and our refund/exchange/buyback policy. The rule also prohibits us from
misrepresenting the "risk, liquidity, earnings potential, and profitability" of
the items that we sell. This in itself did not materially change prior law.
However, during debates on the Telemarketing Sales Rule in 1995, FTC staff
attorneys tried to impose additional specific requirements that dealers in
"tangible assets" disclose to retail customers their actual cost for the items
they sell, and also disclose "all material facts" about their goods before
accepting any money from the customer. This would have required us to disclose
our actual margins to our retail customers, as well as impose on us the burden
of determining what facts were material to the purchase of coins or other
collectibles. Although the FTC ultimately removed these additional requirements
from the final version of the rule, the behavior of the FTC staff has
demonstrated its particular concern for telemarketing of coins as investments.
We cannot assure you that the FTC will not amend the rule in the future to
impose these or other additional regulations, or that individual states will not
impose such regulations. If the FTC or any state agency proposed additional
regulations relating to the telemarketing of coins, we could be required to
expend additional funds in order to hire staff and provide training. The expense
of complying with these requirements would likely reduce our profitability.
In addition, many investors favor rare coins because they can be
bought, owned and sold privately, i.e., without registering with or notifying
any government agency. However, the Internal Revenue Service now requires
dealers such as us to report all sales of coins in which more than $10,000 in
cash or a cash-like instrument is used as payment. The private nature of rare
coin ownership has occasionally resulted in rare coins being purchased by
taxpayers for the purpose of concealing unreported income, or used to "launder"
income derived from unlawful activities. This has caused local authorities to
consider imposing registration and/or reporting requirements upon rare coin
dealers, although we believe that the only such regulation enacted to date (in
the City of Chicago) has not been enforced against full-time dealers in rare
coins. We cannot assure you that additional regulations will not be imposed upon
us in the future, and that our business will not be harmed as a result.
TAXATION OF MAIL ORDER SALES
We do not collect California sales tax on mail order sales to
out-of-state customers, because interstate sales generally are tax-exempt. Nor
do we collect use tax on our interstate mail order sales. Most states impose a
use tax on "retailer(s) engaged in business in this state" on sales of "tangible
personal property for storage, use, or other consumption in this state." Use tax
is usually set at the same rate as sales tax, and its purpose is to equalize the
tax affects on local retailers who pay sales tax and out-of-state mail order
companies who do not. Some states exempt rare coin sales over $1,000 from sales
or use tax, but most do not. Although the United States Constitution restricts
the right of states to tax interstate commerce, states can assess use tax on any
transaction where the out-of-state mail order firm is deemed to be "engaged in
business" in the state. A retailer which has a "nexus" with the state, i.e., any
physical presence in the state, regardless of whether the sales themselves arise
from that local presence, is deemed to be "engaged in business" in the state.
"Nexus" includes attending conventions, although at least one state (California)
provides a seven-day "safe harbor" for out-of-state dealers attending
conventions and whose sales are less than a certain dollar threshold. It also
would include attending auctions or making buying or selling trips. On that
basis, we may be deemed to have "nexus" in many states.
36
Payment of use tax is the buyer's obligation, but states require
retailers engaged in business in that state to collect the tax on sales to
customers in that state and remit it to the state along with a use tax return.
There is no statute of limitations for use tax if the dealer has filed no
returns. To date, we have not been assessed for use tax by the taxing authority
of any other state for sales to customers in that state claiming that we are
engaged in business in that state and therefore required to collect and remit
the tax, nor have we received any inquiry indicating that we were being audited
for the purposes of such an assessment. However, there is no assurance that we
will not be audited by state taxing authorities and be assessed for unpaid use
taxes (plus interest and penalties) for a period of many years.
In addition to use tax, many states impose income and franchise taxes
on out-of-state companies that derive net income from business with their
residents. For example, California applies an income-based franchise tax to
out-of-state corporations operating in California for the privilege of using the
corporate form. The maximum California corporate tax rate is approximately 9%,
with a minimum tax of $800 per year. Income derived outside of California is not
taxed, and in-state income of taxpayers liable for tax in more than one state is
calculated using a formula contained in the Uniform Division of Income for
Taxation Purposes Act, a statute in effect in about one-half of the states. As
with use tax, nexus principles apply, and the U.S. Supreme Court requires "a
minimal connection between the interstate activities and the taxing state, and a
rational relationship between the income attributed to the State and the
intrastate values of the enterprise."
Assuming the existence of nexus, we could be subject to income-based
taxes in each of the states in which we have had a physical presence at
conventions, auctions or otherwise. The only exceptions would be in states where
we are protected by a federal law, 15 U.S.C. ss. 381, which immunizes companies
from state income taxes if the company's only business activities in the taxing
state consists of "solicitation of orders for interstate sales." There is no
statute of limitations for income or franchise tax if the dealer has filed no
return. To date, we have not been assessed for income tax or franchise tax by
the taxing authority of any other state, nor have we received any inquiry
indicating that we were being audited for purposes of such an assessment.
However, we cannot assure you that we will not be audited by state taxing
authorities and be assessed for unpaid income or franchise taxes (plus interest
and penalties) for a period of many years.
CUSTOMERS/DEPENDENCE ON KEY CUSTOMERS
We generally sell to a large variety of individual retail purchasers as
well as several wholesale purchasers throughout the nation and world. During the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, none of our customers accounted for more than
10% of our sales.
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
As of January 27, 2004, we co-employed or obtained contract services
from 29 persons, of which 28 were full-time co-employees. Our co-employment
relationship is with Administaff, as a professional employer organization. We
believe that our future success depends in part upon our ability to recruit and
retain qualified numismatists, marketing and other personnel. We consider our
relations with our employees to be good. None of our employees is represented by
a labor union.
FACILITIES
Our principal offices are located at 9478 West Olympic Boulevard,
Beverly Hills, California. We believe that our facilities are adequate for our
needs for the near future.
37
LEGAL MATTERS
From time to time, we may be involved in various claims, lawsuits,
disputes with third parties, actions involving allegations of discrimination, or
breach of contract actions incidental to the operation of our business. However,
we are not currently involved in any litigation which we believe could have a
materially adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
38
MANAGEMENT
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Our directors and executive officers are as follows:
NAME AGE POSITION
- ---- --- --------
Silvano DiGenova 42 Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer and Director
J. Michael Wolfe 46 Chief Operating Officer and
Executive Vice President
Paul Biberkraut 43 Chief Financial Officer,
Executive Vice President,
Secretary and Director
Lee Ittner 42 Director
David Rector 57 Director(1)
James Gollihugh 57 Director(2)
- ---------------------------
(1) Chairman of Compensation Committee.
(2) Chairman of Audit Committee.
SILVANO DIGENOVA is our chairman of the board, chief executive officer
and a director. He has served in these positions since the time our corporate
predecessor was formed in 1984. Mr. DiGenova has also served as our acting chief
financial officer from September 2002 through December 2002. Mr. DiGenova
founded TIA, which would later become our company, in 1977. Mr. DiGenova has
extensive experience in the numismatic and fine arts fields. In 1986, Mr.
DiGenova helped form the Professional Coin Grading Service, the first widely
accepted uniform grading system for rare coins. Mr. DiGenova attended the
Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania for four years.
However, Mr. DiGenova left Wharton in his fourth year to develop TIA, our
predecessor, and did not obtain a degree from Wharton.
J. MICHAEL WOLFE is our chief operating officer and executive vice
president. Mr. Wolfe has served in this role since July 2004. Mr. Wolfe has over
twenty years of experience in management roles in sales and marketing,
operations and executive management. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Wolfe was
a principal in a privately-held direct marketing start-up company, AdHome
Direct, LLC, from April 2002 to June 2004. Mr. Wolfe was the president and chief
operating officer from 1992 to 2000 and chief executive officer from 2000 to
2002 of Concepts Direct, Inc., a publicly traded company specializing in catalog
and Internet retailing.
PAUL BIBERKRAUT is our chief financial officer, executive vice
president, secretary and a director. Mr. Biberkraut has served in this role
since December 2002 and previously was our chief financial officer and vice
president of finance from October 1999 to December 2000. Mr. Biberkraut has over
fifteen years of experience in management roles with varying levels of
responsibilities for finance, accounting, information technology, operations and
human resources. Prior to returning to our company Mr. Biberkraut was a senior
finance manager for information technology at PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc., a
health care insurance company, from December 2000 to November 2002 and was the
corporate controller of Quality Systems, Inc., a medical software developer,
from November 1997 to June 1999. Mr. Biberkraut also served as the chairman of
the audit committee for an Orange County, California based credit union from
1997 to 1999 and had served as a board member, treasurer and president of an
Orange County, California based not-for-profit social service agency from 1989
to 1998.
39
LEE ITTNER is one of our directors. Mr. Ittner has served in the role
since May 2003. Mr. Ittner is currently the Vice President for Latin America for
Kyocera Wireless Corp., a position he has held since 2001. From 1989 to 2001,
Mr. Ittner held positions up to and including Senior Vice President of the
Americas Region for Cellstar Corporation, a provider of wireless telephone
services. Mr. Ittner has over 14 years of experience in both domestic and
international operational management, sales and marketing, customer relations
and strategic planning in the communications industry.
DAVID RECTOR is one of our directors and Chairman of our Compensation
Committee. Mr. Rector has served in this role since May 2003. Mr. Rector is
currently the chief executive officer, president and director of Nanoscience
Technologies, Inc., a publicly traded company, a position he has held since May
2004. From 1992 to 2004, Mr. Rector had been a principal management consultant
with The David Stephen Group, where he provided executive management services
for several companies, overseeing operations and strategic planning. Mr. Rector
has over twenty years of experience as a senior executive focusing on general
management with Fortune 100 and developmental companies.
JAMES M. GOLLIHUGH is one of our directors and the Chairman of our
Audit Committee. Mr. Gollihugh has served in these roles since October 2004. Mr.
Gollihugh is currently the chief executive officer of Management Resource
Center, Inc., a privately held merchant bank and mergers and acquisition
advisory firm, a position that he has held since 1976. Mr. Gollihugh is a
director and/or a shareholder of several real estate holding companies, a
commercial bank and other financial companies, all of which are privately held.
Mr. Gollihugh is Certified Public Accountant and is a past chairman of the
Institute of Merger and Acquisition Professionals. Mr. Gollihugh has 30 years of
financial and business experience ranging from the structuring and negotiating
private equity transactions to controller responsibilities at two Fortune 500
Corporations.
All directors hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders
or until their respective successors are elected or until their earlier death,
resignation or removal. Executive officers are appointed by and serve at the
discretion of the board of directors. We currently have one vacant seat on our
board of directors, which we are seeking to fill with a candidate who qualifies
as an audit committee financial expert.
40
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The summary compensation table below shows certain compensation
information for services rendered in all capacities to us by our chief executive
officer and by each other executive officer whose total annual salary and bonus
exceeded $100,000 during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002.
Other than as set forth below, no executive officer's total annual salary and
bonus exceeded $100,000 during our last fiscal year.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS
---------------------------------- -------------
SECURITIES
OTHER UNDERLYING
ANNUAL OPTIONS/
NAME AND SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION SARs
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR ($) ($) ($) (#)
- ----------------------------- ---- -------- ------- ------------ ----------
Silvano DiGenova, 2004 $375,000 $37,500 -0- 10,000
Chairman of the Board, 2003 $350,000 -0- -0- -0-
Chief Executive Officer 2002 $308,333 -0- -- 2,500
and President
Paul Biberkraut, 2004 $127,500 $30,000 -0- 60,000
Chief Financial Officer, 2003 $61,585 -0- -0- -0-
Executive Vice President 2002 -- -- -- --
and Secretary(1)
Stephen Deeds, 2004 n/a n/a n/a n/a
Executive Vice President(2) 2003 $215,625 -0- $115,436(3) -0-
2002 $210,938 -0- $63,999(3) -0-
- -------------------
(1) Mr. Biberkraut became an officer of the company in December 2002.
(2) Mr. Deeds resigned as an officer of our company effective June 30, 2003
and on July 1, 2003 we entered into an independent contractor agreement
with Stephen Deeds, Inc., a company controlled by Mr. Deeds, to provide
certain consulting services. The agreement to provide consulting services
was terminated in February 2004.
(3) Consists of sales commissions.
STOCK OPTIONS GRANTED TO EXECUTIVE OFFICERS DURING FISCAL 2004
The following table summarizes options to purchase shares of our common
stock that we granted during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004 to each of the
executive officers identified in the summary compensation table above. We have
never granted any stock appreciation rights.
NUMBER OF PERCENT OF
SECURITIES TOTAL OPTIONS
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO EXERCISE
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES IN PRICE(S) EXPIRATION
NAME GRANTED (#) FISCAL YEAR(%) ($/SHARE) DATE(S)
- ---------------- ----------- -------------- --------- -------------
Silvano DiGenova 10,000 4.55% $0.33 May 2009
Paul Biberkraut 10,000 4.55% $0.30 May 2009
Paul Biberkraut 25,000 11.36% $0.30 December 2012
Paul Biberkraut 25,000 11.36% $1.01 April 2013
- ------------------
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AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUES
The following table summarizes exercises of stock options during the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2004 by each of the executive officers named in the
summary compensation table above and the year-end value of unexercised options
for these executive officers.
NUMBER OF
UNEXERCISED SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
SHARES VALUE UNDERLYING OPTIONS IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
ACQUIRED REALIZED AT FISCAL YEAR END AT FISCAL YEAR END
NAME ON EXERCISE ($) EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE
- ---------------- ----------- -------- ------------------------- -------------------------
Silvano DiGenova 0 N/A 37,500/0 $17,950/0
Paul Biberkraut 0 N/A 16,250/43,750 $26,000/$52,250
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION. Each of our non-employee directors currently
receive cash compensation in the amount of $6,000 per year for service on our
board of directors and all directors are reimbursed for certain expenses in
connection with attendance at board meetings. Committee chairpersons receive an
additional $3,000 per year. At the discretion of our board of directors,
directors may be granted stock options. During the fiscal year ended June 30,
2004, our five directors were each granted options to purchase 10,000 shares of
our common stock at an exercise price of $0.30 per share. These options fully
vested on May 31, 2004 and are exercisable for a period of five years after
vesting or for three months, if vested, following the termination or resignation
of the director from the board. On July 15, 2004, we also issued options to
purchase an additional 10,000 shares to each of our directors at an exercise
price of $2.00 per share. These options fully vest on June 30, 2005, and are
also exercisable for a period of five years after vesting or for three months,
if vested, following the termination or resignation of the director from the
board. On October 25, 2004 we issued options to purchase 10,000 shares to a
recently appointed director, at an exercise price of $1.25 per share. These
options fully vest on October 25, 2005.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS. On June 15, 2001, we entered into an employment
agreement with Silvano DiGenova under which we agreed to pay an annual salary of
$375,000 and bonus arrangements based on a sliding scale of 5% to 50% of base
salary based on a corresponding fiscal year pre-tax income (as defined) of our
company from $250,000 to $4,000,000. This agreement terminates March 31, 2005.
Prior to that time we expect to negotiate with Mr. DiGenova in order to seek to
further extend that agreement.
On December 27, 2002 we entered into an employment agreement with our
Chief Financial Officer, Paul Biberkraut, under which we agreed to pay an annual
salary of $120,000 and bonus arrangements of up to 50% of base salary based on
personal and Company performance. Effective April 1, 2004, Mr. Biberkraut's
agreement was modified to increase his annual base salary to $150,000 and reduce
the maximum bonus as a percentage of base salary to 30%.
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
We are governed by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
This section provides for indemnification of directors, officers and other
employees in certain circumstances. Additionally, Section 102(b) (7) of the
Delaware General Corporation Law provides for the elimination or limitation of
the personal liability for monetary damages of directors under certain
circumstances.
42
Article VII of our certificate of incorporation eliminates the personal
liability for monetary damages of directors under certain circumstances. In
addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our executive
officers and directors on terms that are consistent with the provisions
described above. We believe that such agreements are necessary to attract and
retain qualified persons as directors and officers.
Our directors and officers are also presently covered by an insurance
policy indemnifying them against certain liabilities, including certain
liabilities arising under the Securities Act, which might be incurred by them in
such capacities and against which they may not be indemnified by us.
To the extent indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to our directors, officers and
controlling persons under the above provisions, or otherwise, we have been
advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of
1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable.
43
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The following describes certain transactions with certain parties with
whom we are affiliated, and which occurred during or after our 2003 fiscal year
(ended June 30, 2003). We believe that the terms of each of these transactions
were comparable to those that we could have obtained in similar transactions
with unrelated third parties.
On April 10, 2002 we borrowed $1,000,000 from our CEO pursuant to a
subordinated note bearing interest at 9% per annum with quarterly installment
payments of $150,000 plus interest. No principal payments had been made through
February 2003. On February 14, 2003, the terms of the note were modified to
provide for repayment of principal in the amount of $50,000 per quarter
commencing on September 30, 2003 and for interest to be paid monthly. The
payments that were due March 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004, were deferred by verbal
agreement with our CEO to September 30, 2004. As of June 30, 2004 the
outstanding balance was $900,000 and all interest payments were paid to date and
continue to be paid current on a monthly basis. The principal repayments that
were due on September 30, 2004, June 30, 2004 and March 31, 2004 totaling
$150,000 were not paid when due, but our CEO has agreed to further extend the
due dates for these payments to March 31, 2005.
On December 10, 2002 and December 13, 2002, our CEO advanced us
$289,970 and $70,000 respectively, for working capital purposes. We executed two
unsecured promissory notes to him, both payable on demand, and bearing interest
at the rate of 12% per annum. On October 23, 2003, we reduced our unsecured
notes payable to our CEO by $350,000 as a result of his purchase of our art
inventory for $350,000, as described below. On February 4, 2004 the remaining
balance of these notes of $9,970 was repaid.
On January 31, 2003, we entered into a consulting agreement with
Stanford, a principal stockholder, to provide financial and advisory services to
us for a three year period commencing on April 1, 2003. The annual fee for such
services is $60,000 and is payable on a quarterly basis. These fees are
comparable to or lower than those that would be charged to us by an unrelated
third party.
In February 2003 we issued 2,000,000 shares of our Series D Preferred
Stock to Stanford in order to raise $2,000,000 in equity capital. As a condition
of that transaction, the exercise price of certain outstanding warrants was
reduced to $0.001 per common share. The reduction of the exercise price was
required by Stanford as a condition to their agreement to invest in the Series D
Preferred Stock. We believe that as a result of our substantial losses prior to
that time, if we did not agree to these terms we would have been unable to
secure financing elsewhere and would not have been able to continue our
operations. At the time of this exercise price reduction, our stock was traded
only in the "pink sheets," and was trading at $0.20 per share. On July 24, 2003,
these warrants were exercised, resulting in the issuance of 1,845,100 common
shares to the following related parties and affiliates:
NUMBER
NAME AND RELATIONSHIP OF SHARES VALUE(1)
- --------------------- --------- ---------
Silvano DiGenova - Chief executive officer and principal stockholder.... 345,100 $ 68,675
Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc. - Principal stockholder.......... 750,000 149,250
Daniel Bogar - Employee of Stanford affiliate............................ 187,500 37,312
William Fusselmann - Employee of Stanford affiliate...................... 187,500 37,312
Osvaldo Pi - Employee of Stanford affiliate.............................. 187,500 37,312
Ronald Stein - Employee of Stanford affiliate............................ 187,500 37,312
--------- --------
Total........................................................... 1,845,100 $367,173
- --------------------
44
(1) Value is equal to the difference per share ($0.199) between the original
and amended exercise prices times the number of shares that were issuable under
the warrants.
The total proceeds to us from the issuance of the above referenced
common stock was $1,845.
On July 1, 2003, we entered into an Independent Contractor and
Proprietary Information Agreement with Stephen Deeds, Inc., a company controlled
by Stephen Deeds, who was one of our officers until June 30, 2003. Under this
agreement, Stephen Deeds, Inc. would receive payments consisting of a base
amount of $19,250 per month and commissions equal to 5% (until August 31, 2003)
and 10% (thereafter) of gross commissions and buyback fees received by us during
the consulting period. This agreement was terminated in February 2004. During
the period from July 1, 2003 to the termination date we paid the consultant an
aggregate of $337,401 under this agreement.
On October 13, 2003, we executed a Commercial Loan and Security
Agreement ("Commercial LOC") with Stanford Financial Group Company, an affiliate
of a principal stockholder, Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc., to provide
us with a $7.5 million line of credit for purposes of financing our inventory,
auction advances and inventory loans to other rare coin dealers and collectors.
The Commercial LOC bear interest at the prime-lending rate (4.00% at June 30,
2004) and is secured by substantially all of our assets.
On October 23, 2003, our Board of Directors approved the sale of our
remaining fine art inventory to Silvano DiGenova, our chief executive officer
and a principal stockholder ("CEO"), who is also an independent dealer of fine
art, for $350,000. We solicited bids from unrelated third parties and the bid
from the CEO was the highest. We realized a gross profit of $15,860 on sale of
the art inventory to the CEO. The sale was paid in full by reductions in the
balances owing on notes payable to the CEO. The remaining balances on these
notes were subsequently paid in full.
On May 28, 2004, our Board of Directors approved a short-term sub-lease
of a portion of our vacant Newport Beach facility to our CEO. The sublease term
was from June 1, 2004 through September 30, 2004 and provided for a monthly
rental payment of $4,000. The sub-lease terminated concurrently with our master
lease of the Newport facility.
45
PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth, as of February 23, 2005, certain
information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our stock by (i) each of
our executive officers named in the summary compensation table above (except
Stephen Deeds, who resigned as an officer on June 30, 2003), (ii) each of our
directors, (iii) each person known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than
5% of each class of our outstanding voting securities, (iv) all of our directors
and executive officers as a group; and (v) all selling stockholders.
Shares Beneficially Owned
Prior to Offering(1)
-----------------------------------------------
Shares
Name and Address Title Number % of Being
of Beneficial Holder of Class of Shares Class Offered(2)
- -------------------- ------------------ ------------ --------- ----------
Silvano DiGenova(4)............. Common(5) 2,040,764 40.61% 0
Series B
Preferred 400,000 11.76% 0
Stock
J. Michael Wolfe(4)............. Common -- -- 0
Paul Biberkraut(4).............. Common 22,500(6) * 0
Lee Ittner(4)................... Common 10,000(7) * 0
David Rector(4)................. Common 10,000(8) * 0
James Gollihugh(4).............. Common -- -- 0
Stanford Venture Capital
Holdings, Inc.(9)............ Common(10)(11) 4,584,139 58.22% 4,584,139
6075 Poplar Avenue Series B Preferred
Memphis, TN 38119 Stock 3,000,000 88.24% 0
Series D Preferred
Stock 2,000,000 100.00% 0
Daniel T. Bogar(12).............. Common 162,500 3.46% 162,500
1016 Sanibel Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019
William R. Fusselmann(12)........ Common 162,500 3.46% 162,500
1541 Crandon Blvd, #427
Key Biscayne, FL 33149
Osvaldo Pi(12)................... Common 162,500 3.46% 162,500
6405 SW 104th Street
Pinecrest, FL 33156
Ronald M. Stein(12).............. Common 162,500 3.46% 162,500
6520 Allison Road
Miami, FL 33141
Coffin Partners LLC(13).......... Common 24,000 * 24,000
1530 Ventura Blvd., Suite 303
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403-5866
Cisneros Capital Group, Inc. .... Common 229,651(14) 4.9% 100,000
4025 NE 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33137
All Executive Officers and
Directors as a Group (5........ Common(15) 2,083,264 41.11% 0
persons) Series B Preferred
Stock 400,000 11.76% 0
- ------------------
* Less than 1%
Table Continued
46a
Shares Beneficially Owned
After Offering(3)
--------------------------------------------------
Name and Address Title of Number % of
of Beneficial Holder Class of Shares Class
- -------------------------------- ---------- ---------- --------
Silvano DiGenova(4)............. Common 2,040,764 24.86%
Series B
Preferred 400,000 100.00%
Stock
J. Michael Wolfe(4)............. Common -- --
Paul Biberkraut(4).............. Common 22,500 *
Lee Ittner(4)................... Common 10,000 *
David Rector(4)................. Common 10,000 *
James Gollihugh(4).............. Common -- --
Stanford Venture Capital
Holdings, Inc.(9)............ Common(10) 0 *
6075 Poplar Avenue Series B Preferred
Memphis, TN 38119 Stock 0 *
Series D Preferred
Stock 0 *
Daniel T. Bogar(12)............. Common 0 *
1016 Sanibel Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019
William R. Fusselmann(12)....... Common 0 *
1541 Crandon Blvd, #427
Key Biscayne, FL 33149
Osvaldo Pi(12).................. Common 0 *
6405 SW 104th Street
Pinecrest, FL 33156
Ronald M. Stein(12)............. Common 0 *
6520 Allison Road
Miami, FL 33141
Coffin Partners LLC(13)......... Common 0 *
1530 Ventura Blvd., Suite 303
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403-5866
Cisneros Capital Group, Inc..... Common 129,651 1.65%
4025 NE 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33137
All Executive Officers and
Directors as a Group (5 Common(16) 2,083,264 26.32%
persons)...................... Series B Preferred
Stock 400,000 100.00%
- ------------------
* Less than 1%
46b
(1) Based upon information furnished to us by the directors and executive
officers or obtained from our stock transfer books showing 4,689,942
shares of common stock outstanding as of February 23, 2005. We are
informed that these persons hold the sole voting and dispositive power
with respect to the common stock except as noted herein. For purposes of
computing "beneficial ownership" and the percentage of outstanding common
stock held by each person or group of persons named above as of February
23, 2005, any security which such person or group of persons has the
right to acquire within 60 days after such date is deemed to be
outstanding for the purpose of computing beneficial ownership and the
percentage ownership of such person or persons, but is not deemed to be
outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any
other person.
(2) The actual number of shares of common stock offered in this prospectus,
and included in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a
part, includes such additional number of shares of common stock as may be
issued or issuable upon conversion of the Series B Convertible Preferred
Stock and Series D Convertible Preferred Stock by reason of the
anti-dilution provisions thereof, relating to any stock split, stock
dividend or similar transaction involving the common stock, in accordance
with Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933.
(3) Assumes all shares are sold. The number of shares of common stock
outstanding after the offering is 7,874,081, and assumes the conversion
into common stock of all Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and Series
D Convertible Preferred Stock owned by Stanford Venture Capital Holdings,
Inc.
(4) The address for each of Messrs. DiGenova, Wolfe, Biberkraut, Ittner,
Rector and Gollihugh is 9478 West Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills,
California 90212. Messrs. DiGenova, Biberkraut, Ittner, Rector and
Gollihugh are our directors. Messrs. DiGenova, Wolfe and Biberkraut are
officers of the Company.
(5) Includes 132,500 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of
options and warrants, 202,330 shares of common stock issuable upon the
conversion of Series B Preferred Stock, all of which were convertible
within 60 days of the date of this table, and 1,000 shares held by Mr.
DiGenova's minor children, over which Mr. DiGenova exercises voting
control.
(6) Includes 22,500 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of
options that are exercisable within 60 days. (7) Includes 10,000 shares
of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options that are
exercisable within 60 days. (8) Includes 10,000 shares of common stock
issuable upon the exercise of options that are exercisable within 60
days. (9) Voting and investment control of Stanford Venture Capital
Holdings, Inc. is held by R. Allen Stanford. Stanford Venture
Capital Holdings, Inc. is affiliated with Stanford Group Company, a
broker-dealer. Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc., our principal
stockholder, has provided us with a line of credit (see "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources; Financing Activities.")
Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc. has represented to us that at the
time that it acquired securities from us, it purchased these securities
for investment and not with a view to the distribution thereof, and did
not have any agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with
any person to distribute these securities. We pay Stanford Venture
Capital Holdings, Inc. a management fee of $5,000 per month, provide
auction services to parties affiliated with it, and from time to time
sell coins to it and its affiliates.
(10) Includes 1,517,472 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of
Series B Preferred Stock and 1,666,667 shares of common stock issuable
upon the conversion of Series D Preferred Stock both of which are
currently convertible within the next 60 days.
(11) Includes an aggregate of 650,000 shares of common stock owned by four of
Stanford's employees, Daniel Bogar, William Fusselmann, Osvaldo Pi and
Ronald Stein, in equal amounts.
(12) Messrs. Bogar, Fusselman, Pi and Stein are employees of Stanford
Financial Group, which is an affiliate of Stanford Venture Capital
Holdings, Inc., which is our majority stockholder.
(13) Coffin Partners LLC provides investor relations services for us. Voting
and investment control of Coffin Partners, LLC is held by William Coffin.
(14) Includes 129,651 shares of common stock held by James B. Cisneros, who is
an affiliate of Cisneros Capital Group, Inc. Voting and investment
control of Cisneros Capital Group, Inc. is held by James B. Cisneros.
(15) Includes 22,500 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of
options held by Paul Biberkraut and 10,000 shares each of common stock
issuable upon the exercise of options held by Lee Ittner and David
Rector, all of which were exercisable within 60 days of the date of this
table.
47
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The selling shareholders and any of their donees, pledgees, assignees
and other successors-in-interest may, from time to time, sell any or all of
their shares of common stock being offered under this prospectus on any stock
exchange, automated inter-dealer quotation system, market or trading facility on
which the shares are traded, or in the over-the-counter market, or private
transactions. These sales, which may include block transactions, may be at fixed
or negotiated prices. The selling shareholders may use any one or more of the
following methods when disposing of shares:
o ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the
broker-dealer solicits purchasers;
o block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell
the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of
the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;
o purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resales by the
broker-dealer for its own account;
o an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the
applicable exchange;
o privately negotiated transactions;
o short sales, which are contracts for the sale of shares of
stock that the seller does not own, or certificates for which
are not within the seller's control, so as to be available for
delivery at the time when, under applicable rules, delivery
must be made;
o transactions to cover short sales;
o through the distribution of the shares by any selling
shareholder to its partners, members or stockholders;
o broker-dealers may agree with the selling shareholders to sell
a specified number of shares at a stipulated price per share;
o one or more underwritten offerings on a firm commitment or
best efforts basis;
o a combination of any of these methods of sale; or
o any other method permitted by applicable law.
The sale price to the public may be:
o the market price prevailing at the time of sale;
o a price related to the prevailing market price;
o at negotiated prices; or
o a price the selling shareholder determines from time to time.
The selling shareholders have the sole and absolute discretion not to
accept any purchase offer or make any sale of shares if they deem the purchase
price to be unsatisfactory at any particular time.
The shares may also be sold under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, if
available, rather than under this prospectus. Under Rule 144, a selling
shareholder who has held his shares at least one year may, upon compliance with
the other requirements of the rule, sell during each three-month period an
amount equal to the greater of 1% of the outstanding shares of that class or the
average weekly trading volume in shares of that class for the four-week period
prior to the time that the selling shareholder files a Form 144 with respect to
the proposed sale. The other requirements of the rule include that there must be
adequate public information available regarding the issuer of the shares, the
shares must be sold in "broker's transactions" as defined in the Act or in
transactions directly with a market maker without solicitation of orders or any
payment in connection with the offer or sale to any person other than the broker
who executes the order, and the seller shall have filed a Form 144 with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition to the above, under Rule 144(k),
48
a stockholder who had held his shares at least two years, and has not been an
affiliate of the Company for at least three months, may sell his shares in
reliance on that rule without compliance with the current public information,
volume limitation, manner of sale and Form 144 filing requirements described
above.
The selling shareholders may also engage in short sales against the
box, which are sales where the seller owns enough shares to cover the borrowed
shares, if necessary, puts and calls and other transactions in our securities or
derivatives of our securities and may sell or deliver shares in connection with
these trades. The selling shareholders may pledge their shares to their brokers
under the margin provisions of customer agreements. If a selling shareholder
defaults on a margin loan, the broker may, from time to time, offer and sell the
pledged shares.
Notwithstanding the terms of this plan of distribution, the selling
shareholders may not use shares offered under this prospectus to cover short
sales or short sales against the box that are made before the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part becomes effective.
Broker-dealers engaged by the selling shareholders may arrange for
other broker-dealers to participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive
commissions or discounts from the selling shareholders (or, if any broker-dealer
acts as agent for the purchaser of shares, from the purchaser) in amounts to be
negotiated, which commissions as to a particular broker or dealer may be in
excess of customary commissions to the extent permitted by applicable law.
If sales of shares offered under this prospectus are made to
broker-dealers as principals, we would be required to file a post-effective
amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. In
the post-effective amendment, we would be required to disclose the names of any
participating broker-dealers and the compensation arrangements relating to such
sales.
The selling shareholders and any broker-dealers or agents that are
involved in selling the shares offered under this prospectus may be deemed to be
"underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with these
sales. Commissions received by these broker-dealers or agents and any profit on
the resale of the shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting
commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. Any broker-dealers or agents
that are deemed to be underwriters may not sell shares offered under this
prospectus unless and until we set forth the names of the underwriters and the
material details of their underwriting arrangements in a supplement to this
prospectus or, if required, in a replacement prospectus included in a
post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus
is a part.
The selling shareholders may sell all or any part of the shares offered
under this prospectus through an underwriter. To our knowledge, no selling
shareholder has entered into any agreement with a prospective underwriter, and
we cannot assure you as to whether any such agreement will be entered into. If a
selling shareholder informs us that it has entered into such an agreement or
agreements, any material details will be set forth in a supplement to this
prospectus or, if required, in a replacement prospectus included in a
post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus
is a part.
The selling shareholders and any other persons participating in the
sale or distribution of the shares offered under this prospectus will be subject
to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations under
that act, including Regulation M. These provisions may restrict activities of,
and limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the shares by, the selling
shareholders or any other person. Furthermore, under Regulation M, persons
engaged in a distribution of securities are prohibited from simultaneously
engaging in market making and other activities with respect to those securities
for a specified period of time prior to the commencement of such distributions,
subject to specified exceptions or exemptions. All of these limitations may
affect the marketability of the shares.
49
This prospectus does not cover the sale or other transfer of any of the
derivative securities whose underlying shares of common stock are being offered
for sale pursuant to this prospectus. If a selling shareholder transfers those
derivative securities prior to conversion, then the transferee of those
derivative securities may not sell the underlying shares of common stock under
this prospectus unless we amend or supplement this prospectus to cover such
sales.
In addition, if any of the shares of common stock offered for sale
pursuant to this prospectus are transferred other than pursuant to a sale under
this prospectus, then subsequent holders could not use this prospectus until a
post-effective amendment or prospectus supplement is filed, naming such holders.
We offer no assurance as to whether any of the selling shareholders will sell
all or any portion of the shares offered under this prospectus.
For the period a selling shareholder holds a derivative security whose
underlying shares of common stock are being offered for sale pursuant to this
prospectus, the selling shareholder has the opportunity to profit from a rise in
the market price of our common stock without assuming the risk of ownership of
the underlying shares of common stock. The terms on which we could obtain
additional capital during the period in which those derivative securities remain
outstanding may be adversely affected. The holders of derivative securities are
most likely to voluntarily convert their derivative securities when the
conversion price is less than the market price for our common stock. However, we
offer no assurance as to whether any of those derivative securities will be
converted.
We have agreed to pay expenses, other than broker discounts and
commissions, if any, in connection with this prospectus. We have agreed with
some of the selling shareholders to prepare and file all amendments and
supplements to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part as
may be necessary under the rules and regulations of the Securities Act of 1933
to keep it effective until the earlier of:
o the date that none of the securities covered the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part are or may become
issued and outstanding;
o the date that all of the securities offered by this prospectus
have been sold pursuant to the registration statement of which
this prospectus is a part;
o the date that those of our stockholders who have registration
rights receive an opinion of counsel that the securities
covered by such registration rights may be sold under the
provisions of Rule 144 without limitation as to volume;
o the date that the shares that are covered by registration
rights have been otherwise transferred to persons who may
trade such shares without restriction under the Act, and the
Company has delivered a new certificate for such shares not
bearing restrictive legend; or
o three years from the date on which the registration statement
of which this prospectus is a part first became effective.
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares of
common stock offered by the selling shareholders.
50
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
Our authorized capital stock consists of 12,500,000 shares of common
stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock,
$.001 par value per share. As of February 23, 2005, there were 4,689,942 shares
of common stock, 125,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, 3,400,000 shares of
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and 2,000,000 shares of Series D
Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding. The following is a summary description
of our capital stock.
COMMON STOCK
The holders of outstanding shares of our common stock are entitled to
receive dividends out of assets legally available at times and in amounts as the
board of directors may from time to time determine, subordinate to any
preferences that may be granted to the holders of preferred stock. Holders of
common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters on which the
holders of common stock are entitled to vote.
The common stock is not entitled to preemptive rights and may not be
redeemed or converted. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the
assets legally available for distribution to our shareholders are divided among
the holders of the common stock in proportion to the number of shares of common
stock held by each of them, after payment of all of our debts and liabilities
and fulfillment of the rights of any outstanding class or series of preferred
stock that has priority to distributed assets. The rights of holders of common
stock are subordinate to those of holders of any series of preferred stock.
SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
We currently have 125,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock
outstanding. The Series A Preferred Stock has not voting rights, but is entitled
to cumulative dividends, payable either in cash or in shares of our Common Stock
at our election, at the rate of 8% per annum. The Series A Preferred Stock is
also entitled to participate pari passu with shares of Common Stock in
connection with any dividends declared with respect to the our Common Stock,
with each Series A Preferred share being treated for this purpose the same as
eleven (11) shares of Common Stock. Dividends are payable quarterly. The Series
A Preferred Stock is not entitled to preemptive rights.
Each share of Series A Preferred Stock is entitled to a liquidation
preference of $5.10 per share in preference to our Common Stock and any other
shares that are junior in priority to the Series A Preferred Stock. Under the
Certificate of Designation for the Series A Preferred Stock, with certain
exceptions we are prohibited from granting a lien on our inventory to a third
party, unless such interest is subordinated to the interests of the Series A
Preferred Stock.
Each share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into 0.55 shares
of Common Stock at the election of the holder, and automatically converts into
Common Stock on the sale of substantially all of our assets, the consummation of
a merger, or the sale or exchange of all or substantially all of our Common
Stock. The conversion ratio is subject to automatic adjustment upon a
recapitalization, reorganization, stock dividend, and certain other similar
events.
The Series A Preferred Stock is subject to redemption at the option of
the Company for cash in the amount of $5.10 per share, and may be redeemed for
Common Stock at the conversion rate if the closing sale price of our Common
Stock has been $0.90 or more for any consecutive 5 trading days. In addition,
the Series A Preferred Stock is redeemable at the option of the holder for cash
in the amount of $5.50 per share or for shares of our Common Stock in accordance
with the conversion rate. If a holder or the Series A Preferred Stock exercises
51
this redemption right, such shares shall be redeemed at the rate of 1/10 of such
shares per quarterly period for any 10 consecutive quarterly periods commencing
after March 31, 2004. Our obligation to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock is
subject to compliance with applicable law, which may prohibit us from redeeming
the Series A Preferred Stock if we are insolvent or fail to meet certain
financial requirements.
SERIES B $1.00 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
We currently have 3,400,000 shares of Series B $1.00 Convertible
Preferred Stock, or Series B Preferred Stock, outstanding. These shares were
issued on April 10, 2002. In connection with this transaction, we also issued to
the purchasers of these shares warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,700,000
shares of our common stock, at exercise prices ranging from $2.00 to $4.00 per
share. We estimated the fair value of these warrants at $433,500, based on an
appraisal of previously issued options and this amount was recorded as
additional paid in capital.
The Series B Preferred Stock has voting rights with respect to all
matters presented to our stockholders, and each share of Series B Preferred
Stock is entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of shares of Common
Stock into which it is convertible at the time of voting. The Series B Preferred
Stock is not entitled to dividends or preemptive rights.
Each share of Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to a liquidation
preference of $1.00 per share in preference to our Common Stock and pari passu
with our Series D Preferred Stock, but subject to payment of the liquidation
preference on our Series A Preferred Stock.
Each share of Series B Preferred Stock is convertible into 0.506 shares
of Common Stock at the election of the holder. This ratio is determined by
dividing the "stated value" of the Series B Preferred Stock by its conversion
price, which is currently $1.977 per share. The conversion ratio is subject to
automatic adjustment upon a merger, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock
split, reclassification, and certain other similar events. In addition, the
conversion ratio is adjusted upon our issuance of Common Stock or securities
convertible into Common Stock at a price less than $1.977 per share. In this
case, the conversion price (presently $1.977 per share) is adjusted by
multiplying it by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares
outstanding immediately prior to the dilutive sale plus the number of shares of
common stock that the aggregate consideration received by the Company for such
issuance would purchase at the then existing conversion price, and the
denominator of which is the number of shares of common stock outstanding
immediately prior to such issuance plus the number of additional shares to be
issued in the dilutive sale. This adjustment is made regardless of the identity
of the purchaser in the dilutive sale, but would not be made upon the exercise
of stock options existing at the time the Series B Preferred Stock was issued,
or under a stock option plan approved by the holders of the Series B Preferred
Stock.
The Series B Preferred Stock is not subject to redemption. We are
prohibited from taking a number of corporate actions without the approval of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding Series B Preferred Stock, including:
o selling all or substantially all of our assets or taking any
action with results in the holders of our capital stock prior
to the transaction owning less than 50% of the voting power of
our capital stock after such transaction;
o amending our Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws;
o changing the nature of our business;
52
o making any distributions on or redemptions of any capital
stock other than those made pursuant to the certificates of
designation for our Series A Preferred Stock or Series B
Preferred Stock;
o issuing securities other than pursuant to certain securities,
options or warrants outstanding at the time the Series B
Preferred Stock was issued;
o making certain acquisitions of fixed assets in an amount of
more than $100,000 in any 12 month period
o entering into any credit facility or incurring debt, with
certain exceptions, involving more than $100,000;
o increasing the size of our board of directors to more than 5;
o entering into transactions with our affiliates; or
o filing a bankruptcy petition or taking certain other actions
relating to bankruptcy.
SERIES D $1.00 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
We currently have 2,000,000 shares of Series D $1.00 Convertible
Preferred Stock, or Series D Preferred Stock, outstanding. The Series D
Preferred Stock has voting rights with respect to all matters presented to our
stockholders, and each share of Series D Preferred Stock is entitled to the
number of votes equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into which it is
convertible at the time of voting. The Series D Preferred Stock is not entitled
to dividends or preemptive rights.
Each share of Series D Preferred Stock is entitled to a liquidation
preference of $1.00 per share in preference to our Common Stock and pari passu
with our Series B Preferred Stock, but subject to payment of the liquidation
preference on our Series A Preferred Stock.
Each share of Series D Preferred Stock is convertible into 0.833 shares
of Common Stock at the election of the holder. This ratio is determined by
dividing the "stated value" of the Series D Preferred Stock by its conversion
price, which is currently $1.20 per share. The conversion ratio is subject to
automatic adjustment upon a merger, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock
split, reclassification, and certain other similar events. In addition, the
conversion ratio is adjusted upon our issuance of Common Stock or securities
convertible into Common Stock at a price less than $1.20 per share. In this
case, the conversion price (presently $1.20 per share) is adjusted by
multiplying it by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares
outstanding immediately prior to the dilutive sale plus the number of shares of
common stock that the aggregate consideration received by the Company for such
issuance would purchase at the then existing conversion price, and the
denominator of which is the number of shares of common stock outstanding
immediately prior to such issuance plus the number of additional shares to be
issued in the dilutive sale. This adjustment is made regardless of the identity
of the purchaser in the dilutive sale, but would not be made upon the exercise
of stock options existing at the time the Series D Preferred Stock was issued,
or under a stock option plan approved by the holders of the Series D Preferred
Stock.
The Series D Preferred Stock is not subject to redemption. We are
prohibited from taking a number of corporate actions without the approval of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding Series D Preferred Stock, including:
53
o selling all or substantially all of our assets or taking any
action with results in the holders of our capital stock prior
to the transaction owning less than 50% of the voting power of
our capital stock after such transaction;
o amending our Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws;
o changing the nature of our business;
o making any distributions on or redemptions of any capital
stock other than those made pursuant to the certificates of
designation for our Series A Preferred Stock or Series B
Preferred Stock, and except for redemptions or repurchases of
up to $10,000 in any fiscal year;
o issuing securities other than pursuant to certain securities,
options or warrants outstanding at the time the Series B
Preferred Stock was issued;
o making certain acquisitions of fixed assets in an amount of
more than $100,000 in any 12 month period
o entering into any credit facility or incurring debt, with
certain exceptions, involving more than $100,000;
o increasing the size of our board of directors to more than 5;
o entering into transactions with our affiliates; or
o filing a bankruptcy petition or taking certain other actions
relating to bankruptcy.
UNDESIGNATED PREFERRED STOCK
Preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series,
and our board of directors, without action by the holders of common stock, may
fix or alter the voting rights, redemption provisions, dividend rights, dividend
rates, claims to our assets superior to those of holders of our common stock,
conversion rights and any other rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions
of any wholly unissued series of preferred stock. The board of directors,
without shareholder approval, can issue shares of preferred stock with rights
that could adversely affect the rights of the holders of common stock. The
issuance of shares of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of
the holders of common stock and could have the effect of making it more
difficult for a third party to acquire, or could discourage or delay a third
party from acquiring, a majority of our outstanding common stock.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Stalt, Inc.
Its telephone number is (650) 321-7111.
54
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of common stock offered under this
prospectus will be passed upon by Rutan & Tucker, LLP, Costa Mesa, California.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of Superior Galleries, Inc. as of June 30,
2004 , and for the year then ended have been included herein and in the
registration statement in reliance upon the report of Singer Lewak Greenbaum &
Goldstein LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, appearing
elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting
and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Superior Galleries, Inc. and
subsidiaries as of June 30, 2003 and for the year then ended have been included
herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the report of Haskell
& White LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere
herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
55
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a
registration statement on Form SB-2 under the Securities Act, and the rules and
regulations promulgated under the Securities Act, with respect to the common
stock offered under this prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes a part
of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information contained
in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration
statement. Many of the contracts and documents described in this prospectus are
filed as exhibits to the registration statements and you may review the full
text of such contracts and documents by referring to such exhibits.
For further information with respect to us and the common stock offered
under this prospectus, reference is made to the registration statement and its
exhibits and schedules. The registration statement, including its exhibits and
schedules, may be inspected without charge at the Public Reference Room
maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of such documents may be obtained from the
Securities and Exchange Commission upon the payment of the charges prescribed by
the Securities and Exchange Commission. The public may obtain information on the
operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the Securities and Exchange
Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330.
The Securities and Exchange Commission maintains an Internet web site
that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding issuers that file electronically with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The Securities and Exchange Commission's web site address is
http://www.sec.gov. Our web site address is http://www.sgbh.com.
All trademarks or trade names referred to in this prospectus are the
property of their respective owners.
56
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PAGE
----
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms' Reports ....................F-2
Financial Statements - June 30, 2004 and 2003
Balance Sheets .........................................................F-4
Statements of Operations................................................F-6
Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)............................F-8
Statements of Cash Flows................................................F-9
Notes to Financial Statements..........................................F-12
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts .......................F-37
Interim Financial Statements - December 31, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited)
Balance Sheets (unaudited) ............................................F-39
Statements of Operations (unaudited) ..................................F-41
Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) ..................................F-42
Notes to Interim Financial Statements (unaudited)......................F-43
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors
Superior Galleries, Inc.
Beverly Hills, California
We have audited the balance sheet of Superior Galleries, Inc. as of June 30,
2004 and the related statements of operations, stockholders' equity (deficit)
and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Superior Galleries, Inc. as of
June 30, 2004, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year
then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the
Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 14 to the
financial statements, the Company has suffered negative cash flows from
operations, has significant debt that is callable on demand, and has limited
working capital. This raises substantial doubt about the Company's ability to
continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are
also described in Note 14. The financial statements do not include any
adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ SINGER LEWAK GREENBAUM & GOLDSTEIN LLP
Los Angeles, California
July 27, 2004
F-2
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors
Superior Galleries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Beverly Hills, California
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Superior
Galleries, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of June 30, 2003, and the
related consolidated statement of operations, stockholders' equity (deficit) and
cash flows for the year ended June 30, 2003. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Superior Galleries,
Inc. and subsidiaries as of June 30, 2003, and the results of their operations
and their cash flows for the year ended June 30, 2003, in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming
that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 14 to
the consolidated financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses
from operations, negative cash flows from operations, is in default on a
significant debt obligation, and has limited working capital that raise
substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management's
plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 14. The consolidated
financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the
outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ HASKELL & WHITE LLP
Irvine, California
September 5, 2003
F-3
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
June 30, 2004 June 30, 2003
------------------------------
ASSETS
(NOTE 6 AND 7)
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 1) $ 446,530 $ 688,872
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts
of $259,007 (2004) and $270,663 (2003) (Note 1) 3,712,866 2,825,699
Auction and customer advances (Notes 1, 5 and 6) 6,401,873 3,495,335
Inventories (Notes 1, 2, 6, 7 and 9) 6,106,593 2,497,435
Prepaid expense and other 50,574 89,788
------------------------------
Total current assets 16,718,436 9,597,129
Property and equipment, net (Notes 1 and 3) 135,361 216,424
Other assets 11,100 13,779
------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 16,864,897 $ 9,827,332
==============================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Line of credit - related party (Note 6) $ 6,600,000 $ -
Line of credit (Note 7) 2,500,000 2,500,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 7,260,814 6,838,143
Notes payable to a related party (Note 9) 300,000 559,970
Series A stock redemption payable (Note 11) 343,750 -
Notes payable (Note 8) - 56,832
------------------------------
Total current liabilities 17,004,564 9,954,945
------------------------------
(See accompanying notes to Financial Statements)
F-4
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)
June 30, 2004 June 30, 2003
---------------------------------
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Notes payable to a related party, net of current portion (Note 9) $ 600,000 $ 800,000
Series A stock redemption payable, net of
current portion (Note 11) 343,750 -
Notes payable, net of current portion (Note 8) - 7,008
---------------------------------
Total long-term liabilities 943,750 807,008
---------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 17,948,314 10,761,953
---------------------------------
Series A $5.00 redeemable 8% convertible preferred stock $0.001 par
value, 1,400,000 shares designated, 125,000 shares issued and
outstanding with a liquidation preference of $637,500
(Note 11) - 637,469
---------------------------------
COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (NOTES 5, 6, 7,
9, 10, 11, 12 AND 14)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (NOTE 11)
Preferred Stock, 3,193,000 shares undesignated, none outstanding - -
Series B convertible preferred stock $1.00 par value, 3,400,000
shares designated 3,400,000 shares issued and outstanding with a
liquidation preference of $3,400,000 2,966,500 2,966,500
Series D convertible preferred stock $1.00 par value, 2,000,000
shares designated 2,000,000 shares issued and outstanding with a
liquidation preference of $2,000,000 1,931,456 1,931,456
Common stock, $.001 par value, 12,500,000 shares authorized,
4,485,942 (2004) and 2,640,836 (2003) issued and outstanding 4,486 2,641
Additional paid in capital 7,911,988 7,939,925
Accumulated deficit (13,897,847) (14,412,612)
---------------------------------
Total stockholders' equity (deficit) (1,083,417) (1,572,090)
---------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) $ 16,864,897 $ 9,827,332
=================================
(See accompanying notes to Financial Statements)
F-5
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended Year Ended
June 30, 2004 June 30, 2003
---------------------------------
Net sales $ 26,916,284 $ 18,043,826
Commission income 3,081,028 2,311,082
---------------------------------
TOTAL REVENUE 29,997,312 20,354,908
COST OF SALES 23,381,949 15,952,059
---------------------------------
GROSS PROFIT 6,615,363 4,402,849
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 5,958,829 6,675,629
IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL (NOTES 1 AND 4) - 591,521
---------------------------------
Income (loss) from operations 656,534 (2,864,301)
---------------------------------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest income 476,300 125,511
Interest expense (Notes 6, 7, 8 and 9) (535,248) (672,298)
Other expense, net (32,864) (66,519)
---------------------------------
Total other income (expense) (91,812) (613,306)
---------------------------------
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX PROVISION 564,722 (3,477,607)
INCOME TAX PROVISION (NOTE 10) 12,456 13,396
---------------------------------
NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 552,266 $ (3,491,003)
=================================
(See accompanying notes to Financial Statements)
F-6
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
Year Ended Year Ended
June 30, 2004 June 30, 2003
------------------------------
Calculation of net income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss) $552,266 $(3,491,003)
Preferred stock accretion (50,031) (66,681)
Preferred stock dividend (37,500) (429,267)
------------------------------
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares $464,735 $(3,986,951)
==============================
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:
from net income (loss), basic $0.11 $(1.75)
==============================
from net income (loss), fully diluted $0.06 $(1.75)
==============================
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Basic 4,369,675 2,277,672
==============================
Fully diluted 8,098,265 2,277,672
==============================
(See accompanying notes to Financial Statements)
F-7
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2004 AND 2003
Series B Series D Total
Preferred Stock Preferred Stock Retained Stock-
--------------------------------------------- Additional Earnings holder's
Common paid (Accumulated Equity
Shares Amount Shares Amount Shares Amount in Capital Deficit) (Deficit)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, June 30, 2002 3,400,000 $2,966,500 - $ - 2,060,573 $2,061 $6,938,810 $(10,492,343) $ (584,972)
Issuance of Series D
Preferred stock,
net of offering
cost (Note 11) - - 2,000,000 1,931,456 - - - - 1,931,456
Issuance of common
stock in exchange for
Series C Preferred
Stock (Note 11) - - - - 583,333 583 699,417 - 700,000
Fair value of
re-priced warrants as
dividends on Series B
Preferred Stock
(Note 11) - - - - - - 340,000 (340,000) -
Fair value of re-priced
warrants pursuant to
Series D Preferred
Stock offering
(Note 11) - - - - - - 29,020 - 29,020
Purchase and
cancellation of common
stock - - - - (3,070) (3) (641) - (644)
Accretion of redemption
value of Series A
Preferred Stock
(Note 11) - - - - - - (66,681) - (66,681)
Dividends on preferred
stock - - - - - - - (89,266) (89,266)
Net loss - - - - - - - (3,491,003) (3,491,003)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance June 30, 2003 3,400,000 2,966,500 2,000,000 1,931,456 2,640,836 2,641 7,939,925 (14,412,612) (1,572,090)
Reverse split adjustment - - - - 6 - - - -
Issuance of common stock
(Note 11) - - - - 1,845,100 1,845 - - 1,845
Fair value of options
granted - - - - - - 22,094 - 22,094
Accretion of redemption
value of Series A
Preferred Stock
(Note 11) - - - - - - (50,031) - (50,031)
Dividends on preferred
stock - - - - - - - (37,500) (37,500)
Net income - - - - - - - 552,265 552,265
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, June 30, 2004 3,400,000 $2,966,500 2,000,000 $1,931,456 4,485,942 $4,486 $7,911,988 $(13,897,847) $(1,083,417)
===========================================================================================================
(See accompanying notes to Financial Statements)
F-8
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended Year Ended
June 30, 2004 June 30, 2003
-----------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss) $ 552,266 $(3,491,003)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 93,781 127,376
Bad debts - 130,714
Loss on retirement of property and equipment 32,864 48,786
Loss on investments - 16,872
Impairment of goodwill - 591,521
Fair value of options, warrants and common stock granted 22,094 29,020
Increase (decrease) in cash from changes in assets and
liabilities
Accounts receivable (887,167) 2,428,989
Other receivables - 26,844
Inventories (3,609,158) 786,409
Prepaid expenses and other 39,214 (34,631)
Other assets 2,679 222,609
Auction and customer advances, net (2,906,538) (1,647,167)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 422,671 (124,791)
Customer deposits - (241,880)
-----------------------------
Net cash used in operating activities (6,237,294) (1,130,332)
-----------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property and equipment (55,757) (48,464)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 10,174 20,480
Collection on sale note receivable - 69,286
-----------------------------
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (45,583) 41,302
-----------------------------
(See accompanying notes to Financial Statements)
F-9
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
Year Ended Year Ended
June 30, 2004 June 30, 2003
-------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Borrowings under related party line of credit 11,000,000 -
Repayments under related party line of credit (4,400,000) -
Borrowings under lines of credit 3,300,000 2,500,000
Repayments under lines of credit (3,300,000) (376,393)
Borrowings under notes payable - 2,191,325
Repayments under notes payable (63,840) (4,212,002)
Borrowings under related party debt - 359,970
Repayments under related party debt (459,970) -
Repayments on obligations under capital lease - (3,646)
Repayments under repurchase agreement - (556,361)
Issuance of common shares 1,845 -
Issuance of Series D preferred shares, net of
offering expenses 1,931,456
Purchase of common stock for cancellation - (644)
Payment of dividends on preferred stock (37,500) (89,267)
-------------------------------
Net cash provided by financing activities 6,040,535 1,744,438
-------------------------------
Net (decrease) increase in cash and equivalents (242,342) 655,408
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 688,872 33,464
-------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $ 446,530 $ 688,872
===============================
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest $ 749,393 $ 458,124
===============================
Income taxes $ 9,008 $ 2,310
===============================
(See accompanying notes to Financial Statements)
F-10
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITY
During the years ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, the Company completed non-cash
transactions as follows:
Year Ended Year Ended
June 30, 2004 June 30, 2003
----------------------------
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Accretion of redemption value of Series A Preferred stock 50,031 66,681
Series A preferred stock redemption liability 687,500 -
Issuance of common stock on conversion of Series C
preferred stock - 700,000
Fair value of re-priced warrants as dividends on Series B
preferred stock - 340,000
Cancellation of treasury common stock - 644
(See accompanying notes to Financial Statements)
F-11
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS
Superior Galleries, Inc. ("Superior" or the "Company") is a wholesaler,
retailer, and auctioneer of rare coins. The Company is based in Beverly
Hills, California. On June 30, 2003 as part of a reincorporation in the
State of Delaware the Company's name was changed to Superior Galleries,
Inc. from Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc. Additionally, the Company's
subsidiary Superior Galleries, Inc., a Nevada corporation, name was changed
to Superior Galleries Beverly Hills, Inc. ("SGBH"). As of July 1, 2003, all
operations in SGBH ceased and were transferred to Superior.
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
At June 30, 2003, the consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of Superior and SGBH. At June 30, 2004 the financial statements
include only the accounts of Superior as all the accounts and operations in
SGBH were transferred effective July 1, 2003. For purposes of presentation,
the balances as at and the results of operations for the year ended June
30, 2003 were consolidated, but the balances as at and the results of
operations for the year ended June 30, 2004 were not consolidated. The
corporate charter of SGBH was surrendered during the year ending June 30,
2004.
For purposes of the consolidated financial statements during the year
ending, and, at June 30, 2003, all significant inter-company balances and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
See also Note 14 for discussions of going concern matters.
RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain amounts may have been reclassified in the 2003 consolidated
financial statements to conform to the basis of presentation used in 2004.
Such amounts, if any, are not material.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original
maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
The Company places its cash with high credit quality institutions. The
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") insures cash accounts at
each institution for up to $100,000. From time to time, the Company
maintains cash in excess of the FDIC limit.
INVENTORIES
Inventories consisting of rare coins are stated at the lower of cost (on a
specific identification basis) or market.
F-12
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated or amortized
(as applicable) using the straight-line method over the estimated useful
lives of the related assets, ranging from three to seven years. Maintenance
and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Significant renewals and
betterments are capitalized. At the time of retirement or other disposition
of property and equipment, the cost and accumulated depreciation and
amortization are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss
is reflected in operations.
The Company assesses the recoverability of property and equipment by
determining whether the depreciation and amortization of property and
equipment over its remaining life can be recovered through projected
un-discounted future cash flows. The amount of property and equipment
impairment, if any, is measured based on fair value and is charged to
operations in the period in which property and equipment impairment is
determined by management. At June 30, 2004 and 2003, management of the
Company has not identified any impaired assets.
GOODWILL
Effective July 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets". SFAS 142 requires that goodwill be tested for impairment on an
annual basis. As the Company recorded goodwill for its purchase of its SGBH
subsidiary in July 2001, it tested the goodwill for impairment during the
quarter ended December 31, 2002. Management estimated the fair value of the
reporting unit (i.e. Company as a whole) using a present value model on
estimated future cash flows. This value was then adjusted to calculate the
implied fair value of goodwill based on the allocation of the reporting
units assets and liabilities. The calculation identified that the implied
fair value was less than the carrying amount of goodwill, indicating that
the goodwill had been impaired. Based on this analysis, goodwill was
determined to be fully impaired and the Company had recorded an impairment
of goodwill charge to operations of $591,521 during the quarter ended
December 31, 2002.
USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported
amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Actual
results could materially differ from those estimates. Areas where
significant estimation is involved include, but are not limited to, the
evaluation of the collectibility of accounts receivable, and, auction and
customer advances, and the realizability and valuation of inventories.
F-13
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Company generates revenue from wholesale and retail sales of rare coins
and precious metals bullion. The recognition of revenue varies for
wholesale and retail transactions and is, in large part, dependent on the
type of payment arrangements made between the parties. We recognize sales
on an F.O.B. shipping point basis.
The Company sells rare coins to other wholesalers/dealers within its
industry on credit, generally for terms of 15 to 60 days, but in no event
greater than one year. The Company grants credit to new dealers based on
extensive credit evaluations and for existing dealers based on established
business relationships and payment histories. The Company generally does
not obtain collateral with which to secure its accounts receivable when the
sale is made to a dealer. The Company maintains reserves for potential
credit losses based on an evaluation of specific receivables and the
Company's historical experience related to credit losses. As of June 30,
2004 and 2003, management has established an accounts receivable reserve of
$259,007 and $270,663, respectively.
Revenues for monetary transactions (i.e., cash and receivables) with
dealers are recognized when the merchandise is shipped to the related
dealer.
The Company also sells rare coins to retail customers on credit, generally
for terms of 30 to 60 days, but in no event greater than one year. The
Company grants credit to retail customers based on extensive credit
evaluations and for existing retail customers based on established business
relationships and payment histories. When a retail customer is granted
credit, the Company generally collects a payment of 25% of the sales price,
establishes a payment schedule for the remaining balance and holds the
merchandise as collateral as security against the customer's receivable
until all amounts due under the credit arrangement are paid in full. If the
customer defaults in the payment of any amount when due, the Company may
declare the customer's obligation in default, liquidate the collateral in a
commercially reasonable manner using such proceeds to extinguish the
remaining balance and disburse any amount in excess of the remaining
balance to the customer.
Under this retail arrangement, revenues are recognized when the customer
agrees to the terms of the credit and makes the initial payment. Less than
5% of the Company's sales are retail credit sales. The Company's has a
limited-in-duration money back guaranty policies (as discussed below).
F-14
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
In limited circumstances, the Company exchanges merchandise for similar
merchandise and/or monetary consideration with both dealers and retail
customers, for which the Company recognizes revenue in accordance with APB
No. 29, "ACCOUNTING FOR NON-MONETARY TRANSACTIONS." When the Company
exchanges merchandise for similar merchandise and there is no monetary
component to the exchange, the Company does not recognize any revenue.
Instead, the basis of the merchandise relinquished becomes the basis of the
merchandise received, less any indicated impairment of value of the
merchandise relinquished. When the Company exchanges merchandise for
similar merchandise and there is a monetary component to the exchange, the
Company recognizes revenue to the extent of monetary assets received and
determines the cost of sale based on the ratio of monetary assets received
to monetary and non-monetary assets received multiplied by the cost of the
assets surrendered.
The Company has a return policy (money-back guarantee). The policy covers
retail transactions involving graded rare coins only. Customers may return
graded rare coins purchased within 7 days of the receipt of the rare coins
for a full refund as long as the rare coins are returned in exactly the
same condition as they were delivered. In the case of rare coin sales on
account, customers may cancel the sale within 7 days of making a commitment
to purchase the rare coins. The receipt of a deposit and a signed purchase
order evidences the commitment. Any customer may return a coin if they can
demonstrate that the coin is not authentic, or there was an error in the
description of a graded coin.
Historically, the Company's retail customers have not exercised their
rights to money-back guarantees and as such, the Company's management has
not provided a reserve for sales returns in the accompanying financial
statements. Revenues from the sale of consigned goods are recognized as
commission income on such sale if the Company is acting as an agent for the
consignor. If in the process of selling consigned goods, the Company makes
an irrevocable payment to a consignor for the full amount due on the
consignment and the corresponding receivable from the buyer(s) has not been
collected by the Company at that payment date, the Company records that
payment as a purchase and the sale of the consigned good(s) to the buyer as
revenue as the Company has assumed all collection risk.
The Company's auction businesses generate revenue in the form of
commissions charged to buyers and sellers of auction lots. Auction
commissions include buyers' commissions, sellers' commissions, and buyback
commissions, each of which are calculated based on a percentage of the
hammer price.
Buyers' and sellers' commissions are recognized upon the confirmation of
the identification of the winning bidders. Funds charged to winning bidders
include the hammer price plus the commission. Only the commission portion
of the funds received by winning bidders is recorded as revenue.
F-15
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
Buyback commissions represent an agreed upon rate charged by the Company
for goods entered in the auction and not sold. Goods remain unsold when an
auction lot does not meet the consignor reserve, which is the minimum sales
price as determined prior to auction, and when items sold at auction are
returned subsequent to the winning bidder taking possession. Buyback
commission is recognized along with sellers' commission or at the time an
item is returned. Returns from winning bidders are very limited and
primarily occur when a rare coin sold auction has an error in its
description in which the winner bidder relied upon to purchase the item.
ADVERTISING
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. During the years ended June 30,
2004 and 2003, advertising expenses were $578,116 and $502,260
respectively.
INCOME TAXES
The Company accounts for income taxes under Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109, "ACCOUNTING FOR INCOME TAXES" ("SFAS 109").
Under SFAS 109, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the
future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial
statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured
using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in
which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
A valuation allowance is provided for significant deferred tax assets when
it is more likely than not that such assets will not be recovered.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123 "ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED
COMPENSATION," encourages, but does not require companies to record
compensation cost for stock-based employee compensation plans at fair
value. As permitted under SFAS No. 123 and as amended by SFAS No. 148,
"ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - TRANSITION AND DISCLOSURE - AN
AMENDMENT OF STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARD NO. 123," the
Company accounts for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value
method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 ("APB 25"),
"ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK ISSUED TO EMPLOYEES" and related interpretations, and
provides the pro forma disclosure. Accordingly, compensation cost for the
stock options is measured as the excess, if any, of the fair value of the
Company's stock at the date of the grant over the amount an employee must
pay to acquire the stock.
F-16
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
Pro forma information regarding net income (loss) and income (loss) per
share is required by SFAS 123, and is to be determined as if the Company
had accounted for its employee stock options granted under the fair value
method pursuant to SFAS 123, rather than the intrinsic method pursuant to
APB 25. The fair value of these options was estimated at the date of grant
using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following range of
assumptions for 2004 (there were no options granted in 2003):
2004 2003
-------- --------
Risk free interest rate 1 - 2% n/a
Dividends - n/a
Volatility factor 275% n/a
Expected life 1 - 3 years n/a
For purpose of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the
options is amortized to expense over the options' vesting period. The
Company's pro-forma information for years ending June 30, 2004 and 2003 as
follows:
2004 2003
------------- -------------
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares,
as reported $464,735 $(3,986,951)
Add: Stock-based employee compensation included in
reported net income (loss) -- --
Less: Total stock-based employee compensation
expense determined under Black-Scholes
option pricing model, net of tax effects 21,030 -
------------- -------------
Pro forma net income (loss) $443,705 $(3,986,951)
============= =============
Earnings (loss) per share - as reported:
Basic $0.11 ($1.75)
Diluted $0.06 ($1.75)
Earnings (loss) per share - pro forma:
Basic $0.10 ($1.75)
Diluted $0.05 ($1.75)
F-17
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
Basic "Earnings Per Share ("EPS")," is computed as net income (loss)
applicable to common shares divided by the weighted average number of
common shares outstanding for the period. Net income (loss) applicable to
common shares is calculated as net income (loss) less dividends and
accretion on preferred stock. Dividends and accretion on preferred stock
totaled $37,500 and $50,031, respectively, for the year ended June 30,
2004. Dividends and accretion on preferred stock totaled $429,267 and
$66,681, respectively, for the year ended June 30, 2003. Diluted EPS
reflects the potential dilution that could occur from common shares
issuable through stock options, warrants and other convertible securities.
The total potential common shares that have not been included in the
calculation of diluted net loss per common share totaled 5,671,209 at June
30, 2003, as the effects of such are anti-dilutive for that year. All share
and per share amounts have been retroactively adjusted for the effect of a
one-for-twenty reverse stock split of the Company's common stock at June
30, 2003.
SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company adopted SFAS No. 131 ("SFAS 131"), "DISCLOSURES ABOUT SEGMENTS
OF AN ENTERPRISE AND RELATED INFORMATION," during fiscal 1999. SFAS 131
establishes standards for the way that public companies report information
about operating segments and related disclosures about products and
services, geographic areas and major customers in annual financial
statements. The Company views its operations and manages its business as
one segment, collectibles.
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Effective January 1, 1998, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" ("SFAS
130"). SFAS 130 established new rules for the reporting and display of
comprehensive income and its components in a full set of general-purpose
financial statements. The adoption of SFAS 130 had no effect on the
accompanying financial statements, because the Company had and continues to
have no other components of comprehensive income.
CUSTOMER AND VENDOR CONCENTRATIONS
During the years ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, the Company had no customer
that accounted for 10% or more of the Company's net sales. As of June 30,
2004, the Company had one customer that represented 18% of accounts
receivable as of such date; and as of June 30, 2003, the Company had two
customers that represented 31% of accounts receivable as of such date.
During the years ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, the Company did not purchase
10% or more of its inventories from any single vendor. As of June 30, 2004,
the Company had no vendor that represented more than 10% of accounts
payable of such date; and as June 30, 2003 the Company had one vendor that
represented more than 21% of accounts payable as of such date.
F-18
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
MARKET RISK
Over time, market demand for investment grade coins will vary due to
perceived scarcity, subjective valuation, general consumer trends,
variations in the price of precious metals, and other general economic
conditions. The Company derives a significant portion of its revenues from
wholesale dealers and retail collectors on the sales of investment grade
coins. Declines in market demand for investment grade coins would likely
cause a decrease in annual sales revenue and have an overall negative
effect on operations.
INVENTORY RISK
The Company purchases investment grade coins from dealers and collectors
and assumes the inventory and price risks of these items until sold. If the
Company were unable to sell such inventory, or if the prices were
insufficient to generate a profit, or if the market value of such inventory
were to decline, the ultimate amounts realized by the Company from the sale
of such inventory could be less than the carrying values reflected in the
accompanying balance sheets.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, "DISCLOSURES ABOUT
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS," requires the disclosure of the fair
value, if reasonably obtainable, of the Company's financial instruments.
The Company's financial instruments consist of its cash, accounts
receivable, line of credit, accounts payable and accrued expense; note
payable and notes payable to related parties. Management has determined
that, except for notes payable (see Note 9) to related parties, the fair
values of the Company's financial instruments approximate their carrying
values at June 30, 2004 and 2003. Management was unable to determine the
fair value of the notes payable to related parties, as an active market for
such instruments does not exist.
2. INVENTORIES
Inventories are comprised of the following:
June 30, 2004 June 30, 2003
--------------- ---------------
Rare coins $6,106,593 $2,147,435
Fine and decorative arts - 1,015,138
Reserve - (665,138)
--------------- ---------------
$6,106,593 $2,497,435
=============== ===============
Inventory totaling $1,228,813 and $904,677 was on consignment with third
parties at June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Inventory totaling $0 and
$171,562, was held for display at the residence of the chief executive
officer at June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
F-19
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. INVENTORIES (CONTINUED)
The Company, from time to time, enters into informal partnerships with
third parties who are either vendors or customers for the purchase and sale
of specific rare coins. These arrangements include joint ownership of the
rare coin and equal participation in profit or loss on specific
transactions adjusted for agreed upon expenses and interest costs. When the
rare coins are purchased the Company records its proportional ownership as
inventory and upon the sale of the rare coins, the Company records its
proportional sale and profit or loss. In most instances, the Company elects
to buy-out the partnership interest in rare coins prior to its sale and the
recording of a proportional sale and profit or loss are no longer
applicable. At any given time, the Company may be involved in one to two of
these agreements. As of June 30, 2004 and 2003, inventory totals reflected
the Company's total proportional ownership and does not include any
minority interest claims in regard to such partnership arrangements.
The inventory reserve of $665,138 at June 30, 2003 is the result of
management's estimate of the liquidation value of the entire Art inventory
based on management's decision to exit the Art business segment. The
Company completed the liquidation of the Art inventory in October 2003 (see
Note 13).
3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment consists of the following:
June 30, 2004 June 30, 2003
------------- -------------
Furniture and equipment $133,847 $232,615
Computer equipment 216,674 268,906
Vehicles - 24,676
Leasehold improvements 111,580 152,542
------------- -------------
462,101 678,739
Accumulated depreciation and amortization (326,740) (462,315)
------------- -------------
$135,361 $216,424
============= =============
Depreciation expense for the years ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 were
$93,781 and $127,376, respectively.
4. GOODWILL
On July 6, 2001, the Company recorded goodwill for its purchase of its SGBH
subsidiary in the amount of $591,521. The Company tested the goodwill for
impairment during the quarter ended December 31, 2002. Management estimated
the fair value of the reporting unit (i.e. Company as a whole) using a
present value model on estimated future cash flows. This value was then
adjusted to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill based on the
allocation of the reporting units assets and liabilities. The calculation
identified that the implied fair value was less than the carrying amount of
goodwill, indicating that the goodwill had been impaired. Based on this
F-20
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
analysis, goodwill was determined to be fully impaired and the Company
recorded an impairment of goodwill charge to operations of $591,521 during
the year ended June 30, 2003.
5. AUCTION AND CUSTOMER ADVANCES
Superior has established two short-term lending programs consisting of (i)
advancing consignment customers cash based on consigned inventory acquired
for upcoming auctions, and, (ii) advancing customers cash based on the
customer's assigning specific rare coins in their inventory to Superior as
collateral. Superior can advance a customer up to 70% of consigned or
assigned rare coin(s)' wholesale value. For auction advances, Superior will
advance cash to a customer and take control of the inventory to be held on
consignment for auction. The customer will sign a note receivable for the
funds advanced to be secured by the consigned inventory. As consigned
inventory is sold, the proceeds will be collected, repaying Superior for
the auction advance and any auction fees, with the remaining amount due to
the consignor. For customer inventory advances, Superior will advance cash
to a customer and take control of the assigned inventory. The customer will
sign a promissory note for the funds advanced to be secured by the assigned
inventory. Auction and customer advances bear interest at rates between 6%
and 12% based primarily on the customer's creditworthiness and the loan
size. The average term of the loan is approximately three months and no
individual loan will exceed one year. Customers may require minimum prices
for their consigned coins, and if the coin has not sold by the loan
maturity date, the customer must either refinance the loan, repay the loan,
or permit us to liquidate the coin. Superior will retain control of the
assigned inventory until the customer repays the advance. Auction and
customer advances consist of the follows:
June 30, 2004 June 30, 2003
------------- -------------
Auction advances $4,453,873 $3,495,335
Customer inventory advances 1,948,000 -
------------- -------------
$6,401,873 $3,495,335
============= =============
6. LINE-OF-CREDIT - RELATED PARTY
On October 13, 2003, Superior executed a Commercial Loan and Security
Agreement ("LOC") with Stanford Financial Group Company, an affiliate of a
principal stockholder, Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc., to provide
the Company with a $7.5 million line of credit for purposes of financing
inventory, auction advances and inventory loans to other rare coin dealers
and collectors. The LOC bear interest at the prime-lending rate (4.00% at
June 30, 2004) and is secured by substantially all of Superior's assets.
The LOC expires on October 1, 2004. As of June 30, 2004 the outstanding LOC
balance was $6,600,000. This balance reflects the net borrowing against the
LOC for the year ended June 30, 2004.
During the year ended June 30, 2004, Superior incurred interest expense on
the line of credit - related party totaling $104,206.
F-21
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
7. LINES-OF-CREDIT
On July 9, 2002 and July 26, 2002 the Company entered into temporary
working capital loan agreements with a private Lender ("Lender") in the
amounts of $1,500,000 and $1,000,000 respectively. These loans bore
interest at the prime lending rate plus 7% per annum (11% at June 30,
2003), were secured by the inventory of the Company and a personal
guarantee of the Company's chief executive officer and a principal
stockholder, and, were due to be repaid in 60 days. On August 8, 2002 the
Company converted the two loans from the Lender into a Line of Credit with
the Lender by executing a Secured Revolving Line of Credit Agreement ("Line
of Credit"). The Line of Credit bore interest at the prime lending rate
plus 7% per annum, was due on September 9, 2002, was secured by
substantially all the assets of the Company and a personal guarantee of the
Company's CEO. The Line of Credit provided for interest payments to made in
cash, inventory or restricted common shares of the Company at the sole
discretion of the Lender. On September 16, 2002 the Line of Credit was
amended to extend the due date to October 15, 2002. In November 2002 the
Lender became deceased and the aforementioned Line of Credit became an
asset of the Estate of the Lender ("Lender Estate"). On September 30, 2003
the Company and the executor of the Lender Estate executed a Renewal and
Modification Agreement that amended the Line of Credit. In exchange for a
payment of $230,000 representing interest in arrears through September 30,
2003, the Lender Estate agreed to reduce the interest rate to 6% effective
October 1, 2003, release its first priority lien position on all accounts
receivable of the Company and to consider the default cured at that time.
The amendment also required monthly interest payments beginning on November
1, 2003. The executor of the Lender Estate orally agreed to discuss
repayment terms at a future date, but the Line of Credit is callable with
five days notice and there is no guarantee that the Line of Credit will not
be called for repayment at any time. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to negotiate a repayment schedule for this obligation
on terms acceptable to the Company. The Company is current with monthly
interest payments, but has not made principal repayments during the years
ended June 30, 2004 and 2003. As of June 30, 2004 the outstanding balance
was $2,500,000.
On February 21, 2003, the Company entered into an oral auction line of
credit agreement ("Auction LOC") with a private lender whereby the lender
would advance funds to Superior for the sole purpose of providing auction
advances to its consignment customers. The maximum limit of the Auction LOC
was $2,000,000 and it bore interest at rate of 10% per annum with interest
payable monthly. The Auction LOC was secured by the collateralization of
inventory consigned by Superior's auction advance customers and the
assignment of the auction advance agreements to the private lender. The
lender could have terminated this arrangement and demanded payment at any
time. At June 30, 2003, there was no balance due on the Auction LOC. In
September 2003, the private lender agreed to temporarily increase the
Auction LOC maximum limit to $2,800,000. On October 28, 2003, the Auction
LOC was repaid in full and the lender and the Company mutually agreed to
terminate the agreement.
F-22
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
8. NOTES PAYABLE
Notes payable consist of the following:
June 30, 2004 June 30, 2003
-----------------------------
Note payable for acquisition of assets of SGBH, secured
by assets acquired, and guaranteed by the Company and
principal stockholder and chief executive officer. The
loan provided for periodic payments through January
2002, however, payments were suspended by the Company.
The Company renegotiated payment terms by increasing
the note balance by $49,110 to cover unpaid interest,
establishing a new rate of 4.5% over prime lending
rate, to be paid in biweekly installments over one
year. In November 2002 , the Company and creditor
renegotiated the payment terms. The Company made a
lump-sum payment of $179,350 and renegotiated the terms
of payment for the balance due with the creditor. The
Company made ten principal and interest installments of
$19,133 each that began on December 1, 2002 with
interest at the rate of 12% per annum. The note payable
was repaid in full on September 1, 2003. - $56,832
Long-term loan agreement dated October 17, 2000,
secured by a delivery van, payable in 60 monthly
installments of principal and interest at an annual
interest rate of 5.9%. The loan was repaid in full on
December 16, 2003. - 7,008
-----------------------------
- 63,840
Less current portion - (56,832)
-----------------------------
$ - $ 7,008
=============================
F-23
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
9. NOTES PAYABLE TO A RELATED PARTY
Notes payable to a related party consist of the
following:
June 30, 2004 June 30, 2003
-----------------------------
Subordinated note payable to Company's chief executive
officer and principal stockholder "CEO", secured by
inventory, bearing interest at 9% per annum. In April
2002 the note was renegotiated to include quarterly
installment payments of $150,000 plus accrued interest.
No principal payments had been made. In February 2003,
pursuant to the sale of Series D preferred stock (Note
10), the note was amended to include quarterly payments
of principal of $50,000 commencing September 30, 2003.
The current portion of the Notes Payable to a Related
Party reflect the current portion of the subordinated
note payable. During the year ending June 30, 2004,
$100,000 of principal payments were made. The CEO has
verbally agreed to delay two principal payments of
$50,000 each that were due on March 31, 2004 and June
30, 2004 to September 30, 2004 $ 900,000 $ 1,000,000
Demand note payable to Company's chief executive
officer and principal stockholder that bore interest at
12% per annum. On October 23, 2003, the Company repaid
the loan as part of the sale of its art inventory to
the CEO (see Note 13) - 289,970
Demand note payable to Company's chief executive
officer and principal stockholder that bore interest at
12% per annum. On October 23, 2003, the Company repaid
$60,030 of the loan principal as part of the sale of
its art inventory to the CEO (see Note 13). On February
4, 2004, the remaining balance was repaid - 70,000
-----------------------------
900,000 1,359,970
Less current portion (300,000) (559,970)
-----------------------------
$ 600,000 $ 800,000
=============================
F-24
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
9. NOTES PAYABLE TO A RELATED PARTY (CONTINUED)
Interest expense incurred to related parties during the year ended June 30,
2004 and 2003 totaled $101,392 and $121,855 respectively. Future minimum
payments under notes payable to a related party are as follows:
Year Ending
June 30 Amount
--------------- --------------
2005 $300,000
2006 $200,000
2007 $200,000
2008 $200,000
--------------
$900,000
==============
10. INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes consists of the following components:
Year Ended Year Ended
June 30, 2004 June 30, 2003
-----------------------------
Current:
Federal $ - $ -
State 12,456 13,396
-----------------------------
12,456 13,396
-----------------------------
Deferred:
Federal - -
State - -
-----------------------------
- -
-----------------------------
$12,456 $13,396
=============================
F-25
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
10. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences
between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial
reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The income
tax effects of significant items comprising the Company's net deferred
income tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
June 30, 2004 June 30, 2003
------------- -------------
Deferred tax assets:
Unearned income $ 7,465 $ 6,941
Net operating loss carryforwards 3,746,449 3,040,308
Inventory reserve - 264,954
Goodwill 202,726 204,211
Intangible asset 8,389 7,800
Accrued vacation pay 29,171 22,096
Allowance for doubtful accounts 110,959 189,762
Contributions 1,187 1,104
Options and warrants not exercised 54,489 41,865
Depreciation 11,553 36,063
Other 7,772 308,538
------------- -------------
Gross deferred tax assets 4,180,160 4,123,592
Valuation allowance (3,987,921) (4,011,206)
------------- -------------
Deferred tax assets, net of reserve 192,239 112,386
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation (192,239) (112,386)
------------- -------------
Net deferred tax liabilities $ - $ -
============= =============
At June 30, 2004 and 2003, a 100% valuation allowance has been provided on
the net deferred income tax assets since the Company cannot determine that
it is "more likely than not" they will be realized.
The income tax benefit differs from the amount of income tax determined by
applying the expected U.S. Federal income tax rate to pretax loss for the
fiscal periods as a result of:
Year Ended Year Ended
June 30, 2004 June 30, 2003
------------- -------------
Computed tax benefit $ 192,005 $ (1,182,386)
Decrease (increase) in income tax benefit resulting from:
Nondeductible expenses 12,348 4,152
State income tax expense 46,250 2,112
Change in valuation allowance (238,147) 1,173,586
Other - 15,932
------------- -------------
$ 12,456 $ 13,396
============= =============
F-26
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
10. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
At June 30, 2004, the Company has a Federal tax net operating loss ("NOL")
carryforward of approximately $9,620,000, which expires at various dates
though 2023, and a state net operating loss carryforward of approximately
$5,370,000, which expires at various dates through 2012.
A portion of the NOLs described above are subject to provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code ss.382 which limits the use of NOL carryforwards when
changes of ownership of more than 50% occur during a three-year testing
period. During the year ended June 30, 2003, the cumulative effects of
Stanford's investment in the Company through the Sale of Series B and
Series D preferred stock on April 3, 2002 and February 14, 2003,
respectively, the Company ownership changed by more than 50%. The issues of
common and preferred stock during the years-ended June 30, 2002 and 2003
will limit the use of these NOLs. Further changes in common or preferred
stock ownership in future years potentially limit the use of NOLs. The
effect of such limitations has yet to be determined. In addition, NOL
carryforwards for the purposes of offsetting California state taxable
income have been suspended for the tax years beginning in 2002 and 2003.
11. EQUITY
AUTHORIZED CAPITAL CHANGES
On June 30, 2003, the Company's stockholders at the Annual Meeting of the
Shareholders approved both an amendment to the Company's articles of
incorporation to effect a one-for-twenty reverse split of the Company's
common shares and the Company's re-incorporation into the State of Delaware
with authorized common stock of 12,500,000 and preferred stock of
10,000,000. The Series A, B and D preferred shares retained the same rights
and privileges as previously granted. All common share amounts presented
have been retroactively adjusted to reflect a one-for-twenty reverse stock
split.
COMMON STOCK TRANSACTIONS
On December 26, 2002, the Company purchased 3,222 of its own common stock
for $644. The common stock was held as treasury shares until they were
cancelled on March 26, 2003.
On July 24, 2003, the Company issued 1,845,100 common shares pursuant to
the exercise of 1,845,100 warrants to purchase the Company's common stock
with an exercise price of $0.001 per common share (see additional
discussion of warrants in Sale of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock
below).
F-27
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
11. EQUITY (CONTINUED)
SALE AND REDEMPTION OF SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
On July 3, 2001, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized
15,000,000 shares of $.001 par value preferred stock and simultaneously,
the Company commenced a private placement of Series A $5.00 Redeemable 8%
Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred Stock"). The Series A
Preferred Stock carried an annual dividend of $0.40 per share payable
quarterly in cash or common stock of the Company at the Company's election,
was convertible into 11 shares of the Company's common stock and provided
for cash redemption or conversion into common stock of the Company based on
elections by the holder or by the Company with certain contingencies. In
addition, the Series A Preferred Stockholders had lien rights on the
Company's inventory. The Company was prevented for allowing any liens on
inventory, unless subordinated to the interests of the Series A Preferred
Stockholders. The interest was 150% of the aggregate value of the
outstanding Series A Preferred Stock, or $937,500 at June 30, 2003. The
offering closed on October 31, 2001 with sales of 125,000 shares of
preferred stock with aggregate proceeds from the offering of $625,000. The
Series A Preferred Stock was redeemable after March 31, 2004 for cash, at
the option of the holder, in the amount of $5.50 per share, with such
aggregate amount for each holder payable in ten (10) equal quarterly
installments, the first such payment due the quarter immediately following
the redemption date. Since the option to redeem into cash was at the option
of the holder, the Company had classified this security on the balance
sheet outside of stockholders' equity. The Series A Preferred Stock would
have automatically converted into shares of the Company's common stock upon
sale of all the Company's assets, any merger or consolidation where the
Company was not to survive, or any sale or exchange of all outstanding
shares on the company's common stock. Prior to the reincorporation and
merger of the Company into a Delaware corporation on June 30, 2003, the
Series A Preferred Stock's certificate of designation was amended, as
approved by a majority of the Series A Preferred Stockholders, so that the
Series A Preferred Stock would not automatically convert into shares of the
Company's common stock as a result of the reincorporation and merger. The
Company had the option to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock for cash in
the amount of $5.10 per share, or for shares of the Company's common stock
in accordance with the conversion rate, in the event the closing quoted
market price of the Company's common stock is greater than or equal to
$18.00 for any consecutive five day period.
Since the redemption amount of the Series A Preferred Stock exceeded the
net proceeds of the offering, the carrying value of the issuance was being
increased through accretion up to the future redemption value at the
redemption date, March 31, 2004.
F-28
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
11. EQUITY (CONTINUED)
The offering required that the Company file a registration statement of the
common stock of the Company issuable upon the conversion of the Series A
Preferred Stock sixty days following the closing of the offering, or March
31, 2002. Because the Company was engaged in negotiations for a private
placement of a Series B preferred stock that would also require a
registration statement, the Company did not timely file the registration
statement pursuant to the offering of the Series A Preferred Stock, but
rather planned on combining the two registration statements. As of June 30,
2003 no registration statement had been filed. As a result, the Company was
obligated to issue warrants to purchase an aggregate of 6,250 shares of
common stock of the Company to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock
with an exercise price equal to the average of the closing price of the
common stock for the five days preceding the date the registration
statement should have been filed with an exercise period of three years.
The expense that corresponded to this issuance was recorded in the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2002.
On March 31, 2004, in accordance with the redemption provisions of the
Series A Preferred Stock, all the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock
requested the redemption of their shares. However, because the Company's
liabilities did and currently exceed its assets, the Company is prohibited
under Delaware corporation law from commencing the redemption. The Company
has informed the stockholders of the redemption provision. The Company
intends to begin the redemption once it is legally allowed to do so. The
Company has reflected the Series A Preferred Stock redemption payable as a
liability on its Balance Sheet. As of June 30, 2004, the balance payable
with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock redemption is $687,500. Of
this amount, $343,750 is reflect as a current liability as the Company is
required to make ten equal quarterly payments commencing June 30, 2004.
Therefore, five payments are due in fiscal 2005. The Company will continue
to make quarterly dividend payments as long as the Series A Preferred Stock
redemption payable remains outstanding.
Future minimum payments under the Series A Preferred Stock redemption
payable are as follows:
Year Ending
June 30 Amount
----------- ------------
2005 $343,750
2006 $343,750
------------
$687,500
============
F-29
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
11. EQUITY (CONTINUED)
SALE OF SERIES D CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
On February 14, 2003, the Company issued 2,000,000 shares of newly created
Series D $1.00 convertible preferred stock ("Series D stock") for a
purchase price of $2,000,000 pursuant to a stock purchase and warrant
agreement ("purchase agreement") with Stanford. On that date $1,500,000 of
the purchase price was paid with $500,000 in cash and the conversion of
$1,000,000 in bridge loans that Stanford granted to the Company in
anticipation of the closing of the purchase agreement. The balance of the
purchase price less interest due on the converted bridge loans and legal
fees was paid on March 14, 2003. The Series D stock is convertible into
common shares of the company at any time at the option of Stanford at the
conversion rate 0.833333 common shares for each Series D share subject to
certain anti-dilution adjustments. The Series D stockholders are entitled
to vote on all matters requiring a vote of the shareholders and are
entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of common shares into
which the Series D stock is convertible. The purchase agreement also
provided for the reduction to $0.001 per common share of the purchase price
of 1,500,000 warrants that were issued to Stanford and their designated
warrant holders as part of the Series B stock sale in April 2002. In
connection with warrant price reduction the Company recorded a dividend of
$300,000 on the Series B stock as its estimate of the fair value of the
transaction. The reduced warrant price contemplated the reverse stock split
that was provided for in the purchase agreement and that was subsequently
approved by the Company's stockholders on June 30, 2003. The warrants were
exercised on July 24, 2003. Concurrently with the closing of the purchase
agreement, the Company, Stanford and the CEO enter into a share exchange
and note modification agreement ("modification agreement"). Under the
modification agreement the CEO exchanged 7,000 Series C shares of the
Company for 583,333 common shares of the Company. The modification
agreement provided for a reduction to $0.001 per common share of the
exercise price of 345,100 warrants that were previously issued to the CEO.
The previously issued warrants consist of 200,000 warrants issued in
connection with the Series B stock in April 2002 and 145,100 warrants
issued in connection with personal loan guarantees by the CEO for the
Company's debt. In connection with the warrant price reductions the Company
recorded a dividend of 40,000 on the Series B stock and interest expense of
$29,020 as its estimates of the fair value of the transactions. The reduced
warrant price contemplated reverse stock split that was provided for in the
purchase agreement and that was subsequently approved by the Company's
stockholders on June 30, 2003. The warrants were exercised on July 24,
2003. Additionally, the CEO agreed to amend his $1,000,000 promissory note
due from the Company, to provide for quarterly principal payments of
$50,000 that were to commence on September 30, 2003 (Note 9).
The shareholders of preferred stock issued by the Company have a
liquidation preference over the common shareholders. The Series A Preferred
shareholders have primary preferential liquidation rights at $5.10 per
share, followed by the Series B and Series D Preferred shareholders at
$1.00 per share each.
F-30
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
11. EQUITY (CONTINUED)
SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
The Company currently has 3,400,000 shares of Series B $1.00 Convertible
Preferred Stock, or Series B Preferred Stock, outstanding. These shares
were issued on April 10, 2002. In connection with this transaction, the
Company issued to the purchasers warrants to purchase an aggregate of
1,700,000 shares of our common stock, at exercise prices ranging from $2.00
to $4.00 per share. Management estimated the fair value of these warrants
at $433,500, based on an appraisal of previously issued options with
similar terms and the trading price of the Company's stock, and this amount
was recorded as additional paid-in capital. The Series B Preferred Stock
has voting rights with respect to all matters presented to our
stockholders, and is entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of
shares of Common Stock into which it is convertible. The Series B Preferred
Stock is not entitled to dividends or preemptive rights.
Each share of Series B Preferred Stock is convertible into 0.5 shares of
Common Stock at the election of the holder subject to certain adjustments,
and is adjustable upon our issuance of Common Stock or securities
convertible into Common Stock at a price less than $1.00 per share.
STOCK OPTIONS
During the year ended June 30, 2004, the Company granted to certain
employees and non-employees, 410,000 stock options to purchase common stock
at an average exercise price of $0.77. The range of exercise prices of
options issued during the year was $0.24 to $1.01. Certain stock options
vest immediately and others vest over time. All are exercisable over period
of up to four years and expire at earlier of five years after the vesting
date of each option or one month after the termination of employment or
service agreement with the Company. The stock options were granted at
strike prices, which were set at closing price of the Company's stock as
listed on the NASDAQ Over-the-counter Bulletin Board and Pink Sheets as of
the date of grant. During the year ended June 30, 2004, the Company
cancelled 97,750 that expired or had not vested at the time of employees
and non-employees discontinued service with the Company. The stock option
grants during the year ended June 30, 2004 include 50,000 stock options to
Board of Director members. No options were granted during the year ended
June 30, 2003.
F-31
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
11. EQUITY (CONTINUED)
The following table summarizes information about stock option transactions
for the years shown:
Year Ended Year Ended
June 30, 2004 June 30, 2003
-------------------------------------------------------
Weighted Weighted
Average Average
Option Exercise Option Exercise
Shares Price Shares Price
-------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at beginning of period 113,750 $6.05 119,750 $14.20
Options granted 410,000 0.77 - -
Options canceled (97,750) 3.74 (6,000) 25.45
Options exercised - - - -
Outstanding at end of period 426,000 $1.50 113,750 $6.05
Exercisable at end of period 121,250 $2.96 95,667 $6.76
The weighted average remaining contractual life of the options outstanding
at June 30, 2004, is 7.6 years.
The following table provides information for the stock options granted
during the year ended June 30, 2004:
Weighted
Average Weighted
Exercise Average
Number Price Fair Value
---------- ---------- ------------
Options exercise price equal to stock price 400,000 $0.78 $0.77
Options exercise price exceeds the stock price 10,000 $0.33 $0.27
The following table provides additional information for stock options
outstanding at June 30, 2004:
Outstanding Exercisable
----------------------------------------- ----------------------
Weighted Weighted Weighted
Range Average Average Average
----------------------- Exercise Contractual Exercise
From To Number Price Life Number Price
------- ------- -------- -------- ----------- -------- ---------
$ 0.24 $ 0.33 100,000 $0.29 6.9 56,250 $ 0.31
$ 1.00 $ 2.00 287,500 $1.04 8.3 26,500 $ 1.16
$ 5.00 $ 8.75 32,500 $5.87 4.8 32,500 $ 5.87
$20.00 $20.00 6,000 $20.00 4.8 6,000 $20.00
--------- ---------
426,000 121,500
--------- ---------
F-32
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
11. EQUITY (CONTINUED)
As of June 30, 2004 and 2003, the Company had reserved shares of common
stock for the following purposes:
June 30, June 30,
2004 2003
----------- -----------
Options 426,000 113,750
Warrants 189,063 2,122,042
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock - 68,750
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock 1,700,000 1,700,000
Series D Convertible Preferred Stock 1,666,667 1,666,667
----------- -----------
Total 3,981,730 5,671,209
=========== ===========
12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
LEASES
The Company leases office space in Beverly Hills and Newport Beach,
California under operating lease agreements expiring in September 2007 and
September 2004, respectively. Future minimum rental payments required under
the above leases as of June 30, 2004 are as follows:
YEARS ENDING JUNE 30
2005 $ 261,135
2006 224,376
2007 224,376
2008 56,094
----------
$ 765,981
==========
Rent expense for all leases for the years ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 was
$385,966 and $387,750 respectively.
F-33
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
2003 OMNIBUS STOCK OPTION PLAN
On May 1, 2003, the Company's Board of Directors approved, subject to
shareholder approval which was obtained on June 30, 2003, a stock option
plan to attract and retain competent personnel and to provide to
participating officers, directors, employees and consultants long-term
incentive for high levels of performance and for unusual efforts to improve
the financial performance of the Company. The Plan provides for both
incentive stock options specifically tailored to the provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code and for options not qualifying as incentive stock
options. Employees and consultants of the Company, including officers and
directors, are eligible to receive options granted under the Plan. The
shares subject to the options will generally be made available from
authorized, but unissued shares. The Board of Directors ("Board") will
administer the Plan. The Board has full authority to award options under
the Plan, to establish the terms of the option agreements, and to take all
other action deemed appropriate for administration of the Plan. This Plan
replaced the 2000 Omnibus Stock Option Plan.
2000 OMNIBUS STOCK OPTION PLAN
On August 1, 2000, the Company's Board of Directors approved, subject to
shareholder approval which was obtained, a stock option plan to attract and
retain competent personnel and to provide to participating officers,
directors, employees and consultants long-term incentive for high levels of
performance and for unusual efforts to improve the financial performance of
the Company. The Plan provides for both incentive stock options
specifically tailored to the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and
for options not qualifying as incentive stock options. Employees and
consultants of the Company, including officers and directors, are eligible
to receive options granted under the Plan. The shares subject to the
options will generally be made available from authorized, but unissued
shares. The Board of Directors ("Board") will administer the Plan. The
Board has full authority to award options under the Plan, to establish the
terms of the option agreements, and to take all other action deemed
appropriate for administration of the Plan. This Plan was terminated on May
1, 2003 and was replaced by the 2003 Omnibus Stock Option Plan.
GUARANTEED LIQUIDITY AND BUY BACK
The Company provides a Guaranteed Liquidity and Buy Back at Grade warranty
(the "Guarantee") to its retail rare coin customers. Retail rare coin sales
amounted to $7,344,986 and $8,263,941 for years ended June 30, 2004 and
2003 respectively. The policy grants the customer the opportunity to sell
their coins back to the Company at the prevailing market "bid" (below the
current wholesale price). The Company determines the "bid" price based on
the prevailing market price at which the Company believes it could readily
liquidate the coin. The "bid" price may be substantially below what the
customer originally paid for the coin.
The values of the rare coins sold to retail customers continually
fluctuate. Furthermore, retail customers continually resell or trade coins
purchased from the Company with third parties. Once retail customers resell
the rare coins to third parties, the Guarantee is void. Lastly, the Company
has had minimal historical experience with customers exercising the
Guarantee. As a result, it is not possible for the Company to determine the
potential repurchase obligation pursuant to the Guarantee that it may be
subject to as a result of previous sales of retail rare coins.
F-34
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
PROFIT SHARING PLANS
The Company had a 401(k) profit sharing plan covering all employees who
have met certain service requirements. Through December 31, 2002, employees
were allowed to make contributions to the plan of up to 15% of their
salary. The Company was required to make nondiscretionary matching
contributions of 3% of eligible employees' salaries. Effective January 1,
2003 no further contributions by employees were permitted as all of the
Company's employees became co-employees of Administaff, a professional
employer organization. The Company terminated the plan effective January 1,
2004. The Company had failed to make timely nondiscretionary matching
contributions, caught up prior to the plan termination, but may be subject
to penalties. The amount of the potential penalties, if any, is
indeterminable at this time.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company may from time to time be involved in various claims, lawsuits,
disputes with third parties, actions involving allegations of
discrimination, or breach of contract actions incidental to the operation
of its business. The Company is not currently involved in any such
litigation which it believes could have a material adverse effect on its
financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or cash flows.
STATE SALES AND USE TAXES
The Company does not collect sales and use taxes for interstate sales.
Management believes that the Company's sales to interstate customers are
generally tax-exempt due to varying state exemptions relative to the
definitions of being engaged in business in particular states and the lack
of current Internet taxation. While the Company has not been contacted by
any state authorities seeking to enforce sales or use tax regulations,
there is no assurance that the Company will not be contacted by authorities
in the future with inquiries relative to compliance with current statutes,
nor is there any assurance that future statutes will not be enacted that
affect the sales and use aspects of the Company's business.
13. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
On January 31, 2003, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with
Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc., a principal stockholder to provide
financial and advisory services for a three year period commencing on April
1, 2003. The annual fee for such services is $60,000 and is payable on a
quarterly basis.
On October 23, 2003, the Company's Board of Directors approved the sale of
Superior's remaining fine art inventory to the Company's chief operating
officer and a principal stockholder ("CEO"), who is also an independent
dealer of fine art, for $350,000. The Company solicited bids from third
parties and the bid from the CEO was the highest. The Company realized a
gross profit of $15,860 on sale of the art inventory to the CEO. The sale
was paid in full by reductions of notes payable to the CEO (see Note 8).
F-35
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
13. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)
On May 28, 2004, the Company's Board of Directors approved a short-term
sub-lease of a portion of Superior's vacant Newport Beach facility to the
CEO. The lease term is from June 1, 2004 through September 30, 2004 and
provides for a monthly rental payment of $4,000. The sub-lease terminates
concurrently with the Company's master lease of the Newport facility.
See also notes 2, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11 for discussion of additional
transactions with related parties.
14. GOING CONCERN
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America,
which contemplate continuation of the Company as a going concern. However,
although the Company has returned to profitability in the last six month of
the year ended June 30, 2004, the Company continues to have negative cash
flows from operations, significant debt that is callable on demand by the
creditor, and has limited working capital. These items raise doubt about
the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
The Company has made and is continuing to make efforts to raise additional
permanent debt and equity and renegotiate debt. On February 14, 2003, the
Company completed an additional equity capital financing of $2 million with
Stanford and the Company's chief executive officer converted 7,000 shares
of the Company's $100 Series C Preferred Stock into $700,000 of the
Company's common stock (see Note 11).
On September 30, 2003, the Company renegotiated a $2.5 million dollar line
of credit (Note 7) that was in default and callable by the creditor. The
default was cured, but the line of credit is callable with 5 days notice.
Although management does not anticipate the creditor calling the loan,
there can be no assurance that this obligation will not become immediately
due. Given the current cash position of the Company, it would be unable to
satisfy this obligation in cash. The Company continues to seek
opportunities to refinance the line of credit with Stanford and is having
on-going discussions with the lender to grant extended payments terms.
However there can be no assurance that this obligation will be able to be
refinanced on terms acceptable to the Company.
In October 2003, the Company completed negotiations with Stanford to
provide a line of credit of $7.5 million (see Note 6) for auction advances,
inventory financing, and, inventory loans to other dealers and collectors.
The Company is intending to request an expansion of the line of credit over
the current limit of $7.5 million when the line of credit comes up for
renewal on October 1, 2004. Although there can be no assurance that the
Stanford line of credit will be renewed and expanded on terms acceptable to
the Company, management believes that the line of credit will be sufficient
to continue to fund the Company's operations.
F-36
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors
Superior Galleries, Inc.
Beverly Hills, California
Our audit was conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and was made for the purpose of
forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The
supplemental schedule II is presented for purposes of complying with the
Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and is not a part of the basic
financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to the auditing
procedures applied in our audit of the basic financial statements and, in our
opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic
financial statements taken and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material
respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
SINGER LEWAK GREENBAUM & GOLDSTEIN LLP
Los Angeles, California
July 27, 2004
F-37
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
SCHEDULE II
Charged to
Balance at expenses/ Write-offs
Beginning against net of Balance at
of Year revenue asset End of Year
----------- ------------ ------------ -------------
Allowance for doubtful accounts:
Year ended June 30, 2003 $ 25,000 250,663 -- $270,663
Year ended June 30, 2004 $270,663 20,134 (31,790) $259,007
Inventory reserve:
Year ended June 30, 2003 $525,000 140,138 -- $665,138
Year ended June 30, 2004 $665,138 -- (665,138) $ --
F-38
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
December 31,
2004 June 30,
(unaudited) 2004
------------ ------------
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash $ 286 $ 447
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for uncollectible
accounts of $115,522 (Dec. '04) and $259,007 (Jun. '04) 1,978 3,713
Auction and customer advances 4,454 6,402
Inventories 6,761 6,106
Prepaid expense and other 144 51
------------ ------------
Total current assets 13,623 16,719
Property and equipment, net 161 135
Other assets -- 11
------------ ------------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 13,784 $ 16,865
============ ============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Line of credit - related party $ 6,250 $ 6,600
Line of credit 2,500 2,500
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 3,860 7,261
Notes payable to a related party 350 300
Notes payable 650 --
Series A stock redemption payable 481 344
------------ ------------
Total current liabilities 14,091 17,005
------------ ------------
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Notes payable to a related party, net of current portion 500 600
Series A stock redemption payable, net of current portion 206 344
------------ ------------
Total long-term liabilities 706 944
------------ ------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 14,797 17,949
------------ ------------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTES 5, 6, 7 AND 10)
See accompanying notes to unaudited financial statements
F-39
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
December 31,
2004 June 30,
(unaudited) 2004
------------- -------------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Preferred stock, 3,193,000 shares undesignated,
none outstanding
Series B convertible preferred stock $1.00 par value 3,400,000 shares
designated 3,400,000 shares issued and outstanding
with a liquidation preference of $3,400,000 2,967 2,967
Series D convertible preferred stock $1.00 par value
2,000,000 shares designated 2,000,000 shares issued and outstanding
with a liquidation preference of $2,000,000 1,931 1,931
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 12,500,000 shares authorized;
4,509,942 outstanding as of December 31, 2004 and 4,485,942
outstanding as of June 30, 2004 4 4
Additional paid in capital 7,987 7,912
Accumulated deficit (13,902) (13,898)
------------- -------------
Total stockholders' equity (deficit) (1,013) (1,084)
------------- -------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) $ 13,784 $ 16,865
============= =============
See accompanying notes to unaudited financial statements
F-40
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except per share data)
Six Months Ended Three Months Ended
------------------------------- -------------------------------
December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31,
2004 2003 2004 2003
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Net sales $ 16,768 $ 9,986 $ 8,255 $ 4,910
Commission income 905 1,085 148 244
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
TOTAL REVENUE 17,673 11,071 8,403 5,154
COST OF SALES 14,003 8,868 6,787 4,242
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
GROSS PROFIT 3,670 2,203 1,616 912
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 3,496 2,696 1,642 1,387
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Income (loss) from operations 174 (493) (26) (475)
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest income 202 261 102 128
Interest expense (378) (282) (204) (121)
Other expense, net (2) (25) (2) (5)
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Total other income (expense) (178) (46) (104) 2
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
LOSS BEFORE PROVISION FOR TAXES (4) (539) (130) (473)
INCOME TAX PROVISION 1 5 -- 6
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
NET LOSS $ (5) $ (544) $ (130) $ (479)
============= ============= ============= =============
Calculation of net income (loss) per share:
Net income $ (5) $ (544) $ (130) $ (479)
Preferred stock accretion -- (33) -- (17)
Preferred stock dividend -- (25) -- (13)
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares $ (5) (602) $ (130) $ (509)
============= ============= ============= =============
NET LOSS PER SHARE
basic $ -- $ (0.14) $ (0.03) $ (0.11)
============= ============= ============= =============
fully diluted $ -- $ (0.14) $ (0.03) $ (0.11)
============= ============= ============= =============
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES
OUTSTANDING
basic 4,503 4,254 4,510 4,486
============= ============= ============= =============
fully diluted 4,503 4,254 4,510 4,486
============= ============= ============= =============
See accompanying notes to unaudited interim financial statements
F-41
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)
Six Months Ended
------------------------------
December 31, December 31,
2004 2003
------------ ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss $ (5) $ (544)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 32 49
Loss on retirement of property and equipment 2 25
Fair value of common stock options granted 45 7
Fair value of common stock issued for services 30 --
Increase (decrease) in cash from changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 1,735 1,512
Auction and customer advances, net 1,948 (1,696)
Inventories (654) (2,234)
Prepaid expenses and other (93) (70)
Other assets 11 --
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (3,401) (2,658)
------------ ------------
Net cash used in operating activities (350) (5,609)
------------ ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property and equipment (60) (18)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment -- 1
------------ ------------
Net cash used in investing activities (60) (17)
------------ ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Borrowings under related party line of credit 1,400 6,350
Repayments under related party line of credit (1,750) (450)
Borrowings under lines of credit -- 3,300
Repayments under lines of credit -- (3,300)
Repayments under related party debt (50) (400)
Borrowings under notes payable 650 --
Repayments under notes payable -- (64)
Issuance of common stock -- 2
Payment of dividends on preferred stock -- (25)
------------ ------------
Net cash provided by financing activities 250 5,413
------------ ------------
Net decrease in cash and equivalents (160) (213)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 446 688
------------ ------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 286 $ 475
============ ============
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest $ 378 $ 414
============ ============
Income taxes $ 1 $ --
============ ============
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Accretion of redemption value of Series A preferred stock $ -- $ 33
See accompanying notes to unaudited interim financial statements
F-42
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004
(UNAUDITED)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES
UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION. The accompanying unaudited
interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for the
presentation of interim financial information, but do not include all
the information and footnotes required by accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America. The balance sheet
as of June 30, 2004 has been derived from the audited financial
statements of Superior Galleries, Inc. ("Superior" or the "Company") at
that date.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for
a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the six
month and three-month periods ended December 31, 2004 are not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year
ending June 30, 2005. For further information, refer to the financial
statements for the year ended June 30, 2004 contained in Superior's
financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed
on August 12, 2004.
STOCK BASED COMPENSATION. The Company has a stock-based compensation
plan. The Company accounts for this plan under the recognition and
measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No, 25,
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations.
The Company has adopted the disclosure provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123, Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation, as amended by SFAS No. 148, Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure - an amendment of
FASB Statement No. 123. The following table illustrates the effect on
net loss and loss per share if the Company had applied the fair value
recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to stock-based employee
compensation for the six and three month periods ending December 31,
2004 and 2003:
Six Months Three Months
--------------------- ---------------------
2004 2003 2004 2003
-------- -------- -------- --------
(In thousands)
Net loss applicable to common shares, as reported $ (5) $ (602) $ (130) $ (544)
Add: Stock-based employee compensation included in Reported net
income -- -- -- --
F-43
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2004
(UNAUDITED)
Less: Total stock-based employee compensation
Expense determined under Black-Scholes
option pricing model, net of tax effects 118 6 58 6
-------- -------- -------- --------
Pro forma net loss $ (123) $ (608) $ (188) $ (550)
======== ======== ======== ========
Loss per share - as reported:
Basic $ 0.00 $ (0.14) $ (0.03) $ (0.11)
Diluted $ 0.00 $ (0.14) $ (0.03) $ (0.11)
Loss per share - pro forma:
Basic $ (0.03) $ (0.14) $ (0.04) $ (0.11)
Diluted $ (0.03) $ (0.14) $ (0.04) $ (0.11)
F-44
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2004
(UNAUDITED)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
-----------------------------------------
SFAS No. 151
------------
In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, "Inventory Costs". SFAS
No. 151 amends the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility
expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage) under
the guidance in ARB No. 43, Chapter 4, "Inventory Pricing". Paragraph 5
of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4, previously stated that ". . . under some
circumstances, items such as idle facility expense, excessive spoilage,
double freight, and rehandling costs may be so abnormal as to require
treatment as current period charges. . . ." This Statement requires
that those items be recognized as current-period charges regardless of
whether they meet the criterion of "so abnormal." In addition, this
Statement requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the
costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production
facilities. This statement is effective for inventory costs incurred
during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. Management does not
expect adoption of SFAS No. 151 to have a material impact on the
Company's financial statements.
SFAS No. 152
------------
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 152, "Accounting for Real
Estate Time-Sharing Transactions". The FASB issued this Statement as a
result of the guidance provided in AICPA Statement of Position (SOP)
04-2 "Accounting for Real Estate Time-Sharing Transactions". SOP 04-2
applies to all real estate time-sharing transactions. Among other
items, the SOP provides guidance on the recording of credit losses and
the treatment of selling costs, but does not change the revenue
recognition guidance in SFAS No. 66, "Accounting for Sales of Real
Estate", for real estate time-sharing transactions. SFAS No. 152 amends
Statement No. 66 to reference the guidance provided in SOP 04-2. SFAS
No. 152 also amends SFAS No. 67, "Accounting for Costs and Initial
Rental Operations of Real Estate Projects", to state that SOP 04-2
provides the relevant guidance on accounting for incidental operations
and costs related to the sale of real estate time-sharing transactions.
SFAS No. 152 is effective for years beginning after June 15, 2005, with
restatements of previously issued financial statements prohibited. This
statement is not applicable to the Company.
F-45
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2004
(UNAUDITED)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
SFAS No. 153
------------
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, "Exchanges of
Nonmonetary Assets," an amendment to Opinion No. 29, "Accounting for
Nonmonetary Transactions". Statement No. 153 eliminates certain
differences in the guidance in Opinion No. 29 as compared to the
guidance contained in standards issued by the International Accounting
Standards Board. The amendment to Opinion No. 29 eliminates the fair
value exception for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets
and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of nonmonetary
assets that do not have commercial substance. Such an exchange has
commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are
expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. SFAS No.
153 is effective for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in periods
beginning after June 15, 2005. Earlier application is permitted for
nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in periods beginning after
December 16, 2004. Management does not expect adoption of SFAS No. 153
to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
SFAS No. 123(R)
---------------
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R), "Share-Based
Payment". SFAS 123(R) amends SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation," and APB Opinion 25," Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees." SFAS No. 123(R) requires that the cost of share-based
payment transactions (including those with employees and non-employees)
be recognized in the financial statements. SFAS No. 123(R) applies to
all share-based payment transactions in which an entity acquires goods
or services by issuing (or offering to issue) its shares, share
options, or other equity instruments (except for those held by an ESOP)
or by incurring liabilities (1) in amounts based (even in part) on the
price of the entity's shares or other equity instruments, or (2) that
require (or may require) settlement by the issuance of an entity's
shares or other equity instruments. This statement is effective (1) for
public companies qualifying as SEC small business issuers, as of the
first interim period or fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2005,
or (2) for all other public companies, as of the first interim period
or fiscal year beginning after June 15, 2005, or (3) for all nonpublic
entities, as of the first fiscal year beginning after December 15,
2005. Management is currently assessing the effect of SFAS 123(R) on
the Company's financial statement.
2. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Superior is primarily a dealer and auctioneer of rare coins. The
Company is based in Beverly Hills, California.
F-46
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2004
(UNAUDITED)
3. INVENTORIES
The Company, from time to time, enters into informal partnerships with
third parties who are either vendors or customers for the purchase and
sale of specific rare coins. These arrangements include joint ownership
of the rare coin and equal participation in the profit or loss on
specific transactions adjusted for agreed upon expenses and interest
costs. When the rare coins are purchased the Company records its
proportional ownership as inventory and upon the sale of the rare
coins, the Company records its proportional sale and profit or loss. In
most instances, the Company elects to buy-out the partnership interest
in rare coins prior to its sale and the recording of a proportional
sale and profit or loss are no longer applicable. At any given time,
the Company may be involved in one to two of these agreements. The
entire inventory consists of rare coins. As of December 31, 2004 and
June 30, 2004, inventory totals reflected the Company's total
proportional ownership and does not include any minority interest
claims in regard to such joint venture or partnership arrangements.
4. AUCTION AND CUSTOMER ADVANCES
Superior has established two short-term lending programs consisting of
(i) advancing consignment customers cash based on consigned inventory
acquired for upcoming auctions, and (ii) advancing customers cash based
on the customer's assigning specific rare coins in their inventory to
Superior as collateral. Superior can advance a customer up to 70% of
consigned or assigned rare coin(s)' wholesale value. For auction
advances, Superior will advance cash to a customer and take control of
the inventory to be held on consignment for auction. The customer will
sign a note receivable for the funds advanced to be secured by the
consigned inventory. As consigned inventory is sold, the proceeds will
be collected, repaying Superior for the auction advance and any auction
fees, with the remaining amount due to the consignor. For customer
inventory advances, Superior will advance cash to a customer and take
control of the assigned inventory. The customer will sign a promissory
note for the funds advanced to be secured by the assigned inventory.
Superior will retain control of the assigned inventory until the
customer repays the advance. Auction and customer advances bear
interest at rates between 6% and 12% based primarily on the customer's
creditworthiness and the loan size. The average term of these loans is
approximately three months and no individual loan will exceed one year.
Customers may require minimum prices for their consigned coins, and if
the coin has not sold by the loan maturity date, the customer must
either refinance the loan, repay the loan, or permit us to liquidate
the coin. Auction and customer advances consist of the following:
December 31, 2004 June 30, 2004
----------------- -----------------
Auction advances $ 3,187,000 $ 4,454,000
Customer inventory advances 1,267,000 1,948,000
----------------- -----------------
$ 4,454,000 $ 6,402,000
================= =================
F-47
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2004
(UNAUDITED)
5. LINE OF CREDIT - RELATED PARTY
On October 13, 2003, Superior executed a Commercial Loan and Security
Agreement ("Commercial LOC") with Stanford Financial Group company, an
affiliate of a principal stockholder, Stanford Venture Capital
Holdings, Inc. to provide the Company with a $7.5 million line of
credit for purposes of financing inventory, auction advances and
inventory loans to other rare coin dealers and collectors. The
Commercial LOC bears interest at the prime-lending rate (5.25% at
December 31, 2004) and is secured by substantially all of Superior's
assets. The Commercial LOC expires on October 1, 2005. As of December
31, 2004 the outstanding balance was $6,250,000 and there is no accrued
interest payable.
6. LINE OF CREDIT
On July 9, 2002 and July 26, 2002 the Company entered into temporary
working capital loan agreements with a private Lender ("Lender") in the
amounts of $1,500,000 and $1,000,000 respectively. These loans bore
interest at the prime lending rate plus 7% per annum, were secured by
the inventory of the Company and a personal guarantee of the Company's
CEO, and, were due to be repaid in 60 days. On August 8, 2002 the
Company converted the two loans from the Lender into a Line of Credit
with the Lender by executing a Secured Revolving Line of Credit
Agreement ("Line of Credit"). The Line of Credit bore interest at the
prime lending rate plus 7% per annum, was due on September 9, 2002, was
secured by substantially all the assets of the Company and a personal
guarantee of the Company's CEO. The Line of Credit provides for
interest payments to be made in cash, inventory or restricted common
shares of the Company at the sole discretion of the Lender. On
September 16, 2002 the Line of Credit was amended to extend the due
date to October 15, 2002. In November 2002 the Lender became deceased
and the aforementioned Line of Credit became an asset of the Estate of
the Lender ("Lender Estate"). On September 30, 2003 the Company and the
executor of the Lender Estate executed a Renewal and Modification
Agreement that amended the Line of Credit. In exchange for a payment of
$230,000 representing interest in arrears through September 30, 2003,
the Lender Estate agreed to reduce the interest rate to 6% effective
October 1, 2003, release its first priority lien position on all
accounts receivable of the Company and to consider the default cured at
that time. The amendment also requires monthly interest payments
beginning on November 1, 2003. On December 15, 2004, the Company and
the executor of the Lender Estate executed an amendment to the Renewal
and Modification Agreement above that provides for principal payments
of $100,000 per month for three months starting January 31, 2005 with
the remaining principal balance of $2,200,000 to be repaid on January
31, 2006. As of December 31, 2004 the outstanding Line of Credit
balance was $2,500,000 and there was no accrued interest payable.
F-48
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2004
(UNAUDITED)
7. NOTE PAYABLE TO A RELATED PARTY
On April 10, 2002 the Company executed a subordinated note payable in
the amount of $1,000,000 to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and a
principal stockholder ("CEO") bearing interest at 9% per annum with
quarterly installment payments of $150,000 plus interest. As the CEO
did not enforce the repayment obligation, the amount had been
classified as long term. On February 14, 2003, the terms of the note
were modified to provide for repayment of principal in the amount of
$50,000 per quarter commencing on September 30, 2003 and for interest
to be paid monthly. The Company is in arrears of $150,000 of principal
payments. However, the CEO agreed to delay these principal repayments
until no later than March 31, 2005. As of December 31, 2004, the
outstanding balance was $850,000 and there was no accrued interest
payable.
8. NOTES PAYABLE
During October 2004 the Company executed three demand notes payable
with a private lender totaling $650,000 bearing interest at 10% per
annum secured by specific inventory. Interest is payable monthly. As of
December 31, 2004, the outstanding balance was $650,000 and there was
no accrued interest payable.
9. EQUITY
On August 20, 2004, the Company issued 24,000 common shares to an
investor and public relations firm in exchange for services. The
services were valued at $30,000 and were based on the closing price of
the Company's common stock as listed on NASDAQ's Over-the-counter
Bulletin Board on the day the shares were issued.
During the six month period ended December 31, 2004, the Company
granted to employees and directors 195,000 stock options to purchase
common shares with exercise prices ranging from $1.01 to $2.20. The
options vest over various periods of time ranging from one to four
years. During the six month period ended December 31, 2004, the Company
canceled 75,000 stock options to purchase common shares. The Company
records expenses for non-employee stock options using the Black-Scholes
option pricing model.
F-49
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2004
(UNAUDITED)
10. CONTINGENCIES
GUARANTEED LIQUIDITY AND BUY BACK
The Company provides a Guaranteed Liquidity and Buy Back at Grade
warranty (the "Guarantee") to its retail rare coin customers. Retail
rare coin sales amounted to $4,968,000 and $3,238,000 for the six
months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 respectively. The policy grants
the customer the opportunity to sell their coins back to the Company at
the prevailing market "bid" (below the current wholesale price). The
Company determines the "bid" price based on the prevailing market price
at which the Company believes it could readily liquidate the coin. The
"bid" price may be substantially below what the customer originally
paid for the coin.
The values of the rare coins sold to retail customers continually
fluctuate. Furthermore, retail customers continually resell or trade
coins purchased from the Company with third parties. Once retail
customers resell the rare coins to third parties, the Guarantee is
void. Lastly, the Company has had minimal historical experience with
customers exercising the Guarantee. As a result, it is not possible for
the Company to determine the potential repurchase obligation pursuant
to the Guarantee that it may be subject to as a result of previous
sales of retail rare coins.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company may from time to time be involved in various claims,
lawsuits, disputes with third parties, actions involving allegations of
discrimination, or breach of contract actions incidental to the
operation of its business. The Company is not currently involved in any
such litigation which it believes could have a material adverse effect
on its financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or cash
flows.
STATE SALES AND USE TAXES
The Company does not collect sales and use taxes for interstate sales.
Management believes that the Company's sales to interstate customers
are generally tax-exempt due to varying state exemptions relative to
the definitions of being engaged in business in particular states and
the lack of current internet taxation. While the Company has not been
contacted by any state authorities seeking to enforce sales or use tax
regulations, there is no assurance that the Company will not be
contacted by authorities in the future with inquiries relative to
compliance with current statutes, nor is there any assurance that
future statutes will not be enacted that affect the sales and use
aspects of the Company's business.
11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On January 4, 2005, the Company issued 180,000 common shares to an
investor relations firm in exchange for services. The services were
valued at $270,000 and were based on the closing price of the Company's
common stock as listed on NASDAQ's Over-the-counter Bulletin Board on
the day the shares were issued.
F-50
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
NOTES TO INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2004
(UNAUDITED)
12. GOING CONCERN
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America, which contemplate continuation of the Company as a going
concern. However, although the Company had returned to profitability in
the last six months of the year ended June 30, 2004 and has recorded a
substantial reduction in its loss for the six months ended December 31,
2004 as compared to the six months ended December 31, 2003, the Company
continues to have negative cash flows from operations, significant
short-term debt and has limited working capital. These items raise
doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
The Company has made and is continuing to make efforts to raise
additional permanent debt and equity and renegotiate debt.
In October 2003, the Company completed negotiations with Stanford to
provide a line of credit of $7.5 million (see Note 5) for auction
advances, inventory financing and inventory loans to other dealers and
collectors. The Company is intending to request an expansion of the
line of credit over the current limit of $7.5 million. There can be no
assurance that the Stanford line of credit will be expanded on terms
acceptable to the Company.
In December 2004, the Company renegotiated the repayment terms on a
$2.5 million dollar line of credit (see Note 6) that was callable on
demand by the lender. The lender agreed to modify the line of credit
terms to provide for principal repayments of $100,000 per month for
three months starting January 31, 2005 with the remaining principal
balance of $2,200,000 to be repaid on January 31, 2006. The Company
intends to seek further extensions to the repayment terms in the
future, however there can be no assurance that this obligation will be
able to be refinanced on terms acceptable to the Company.
F-51
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 24. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a
corporation to indemnify its directors and officers against expenses, judgments,
fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in
connection with a pending or completed action, suit or proceeding if the officer
or director acted in good faith and in a manner the officer or director
reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the corporation.
The registrant's amended and restated certificate of incorporation
provides that, except in certain specified instances, a director of the
registrant shall not be personally liable to the registrant or its stockholders
for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.
Those provisions require the registrant to indemnify the executives in
connection with third party actions and in connection with proceedings by or in
the right of the registrant, and to advance expenses prior to the final
disposition of an action or proceeding, to the fullest extent permitted by
Section 145 of the DGCL. Those provisions also prohibit the registrant from
bringing an action against the executives after the expiration of two years from
the date the executives cease to serve in the capacities covered by the
employment agreements.
The registrant and certain of the selling shareholders in the offering
covered by this registration statement each have agreed to indemnify the other
and their respective officers, directors and other controlling persons against
certain liabilities in connection with this registration statement, including
liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments such persons
may be required to make in respect thereof.
To the extent that indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling
the registrant under the provisions described above, the registrant has been
informed that in the opinion of the Commission, indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable.
II-1
ITEM 25. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses in connection
with the offering described in this Registration Statement:
SEC Registration $ 789
NASD Fees --
Accounting Fees and Expenses 45,000
Legal Fees and Expenses 55,000
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses 10,000
Placement Agent Fees and Expenses --
Printing Costs 2,000
Miscellaneous Expenses 1,000
---------
TOTAL $113,789
=========
All of the above estimated expenses have been or will be paid by the
Registrant.
- ----------
ITEM 26. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.
All of the share amounts and prices described below have been adjusted
to give effect to the 1-for-20 reverse stock split that we performed in June
2003. There were no underwriters for any of the transactions described below.
1. On November 27, 2001, we issued options to purchase 10,000
shares of our common stock to an employee. The options have an
exercise price of $2.00 per share and expire November 26,
2011. On that same date, we issued options to purchase 2,500
shares of our common stock to each of our 6 directors. These
options had an exercise price of $1.00 per share and expire
November 26, 2006. This issuance was made without general
solicitation, was made to sophisticated purchasers, and was
exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities
Act.
2. On November 27, 2001, in connection with the extension of the
maturity date of a financing agreement between us and NRLP, a
lender controlled by Carl Fusco, one of our former directors,
we agreed to issue to NRLP 24,000 shares of our common stock
and a warrant to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock.
We valued the stock at $24,000. The exercise price of the
warrant is $1.00 per share and it expires on November 26,
2006. The common stock and the warrants were issued to a
sophisticated purchaser in a transaction not involving any
general solicitation, and which was exempt from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to
Section 4(2) of that Act.
3. On November 27, 2001, in connection with the agreement to
issue his personal guaranty for certain obligations of the
company, we agreed to issue to Silvano DiGenova, our chief
executive officer, a warrant to purchase 20,000 shares of our
common stock. The exercise price of the warrant is $1.00 per
share and it expires on November 26, 2006. The common stock
was issued to a sophisticated purchaser in a transaction not
involving any general solicitation, and which was exempt from
the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant
to Section 4(2) of that Act.
II-2
4. On June 25, 2001, we entered into an advisory agreement with
Robert Escobio, who at that time was a director of our
company. Under the terms of that agreement, Mr. Escobio was to
provide us with advice regarding financial planning and
corporate capital structure. In consideration for rendering
such services, we agreed to pay Mr. Escobio certain fees and
granted him a warrant to purchase 5,000 shares of our common
stock at an exercise price of $6.80 per share. The warrant
expired on June 25, 2002. On November 27, 2001, we issued
66,667 shares of our common stock to Mr. Escobio in full
satisfaction of our future obligations under this agreement
and the agreement was terminated. We valued the shares at
$66,667. The common stock was issued to a sophisticated
purchaser in a transaction not involving any general
solicitation, and which was exempt from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2) of
that Act.
5. On December 31, 2001, we issued a stock dividend of 2,750
shares of common stock to the holders of our Series A
Preferred Stock. These shares were issued without the receipt
of consideration by us, and therefore did not involve a "sale"
under the Securities Act of 1933. There were a total of 12
holders of the Series A Preferred Stock.
6. On January 1, 2002 we issued 6,250 warrants to purchase common
stock to the 12 holders of our Series A Preferred Stock. These
warrants were issued in settlement of the stockholders' claims
as a result of our failure to file a registration statement on
their behalf. The warrants have an exercise price of $1.00 per
share, and expire January 1, 2005. This issuance was made
without general solicitation, was made to sophisticated
purchasers, and was exempt from registration under Section
4(2) of the Securities Act.
7. On January 1, 2002, we issued a warrant to purchase 300 shares
of our common stock to a placement agent with an exercise
price of $18.00 per share. This warrant expires on January 1,
2005. This issuance was made without general solicitation, was
made to a sophisticated purchaser, and was exempt from
registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
8. On February 22, 2002 we issued 16,250 shares of our common
stock to 2 persons, in consideration of their agreement to
assume certain obligations that had been incurred by us. We
valued these shares at $16,250. This issuance was made without
general solicitation, was made to sophisticated purchasers,
and was exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act.
9. On April 10, 2002, we completed the sale to Stanford Venture
Capital Holdings, Inc., or Stanford, of 3,000,000 shares of
our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and three warrants,
each to purchase 500,000 shares of our common stock. Each
share of the Series B Preferred Stock is convertible into
shares of our common stock at the option of the holder at the
conversion price of $2.00 per common share, subject to certain
anti-dilution adjustments. Upon issuance, the Series B
Preferred Stock was immediately convertible into shares of our
common stock and the warrants were immediately exercisable for
five years at the option of the holder with one-third of the
shares underlying each warrant exercisable for $2.00 per
share, one-third for $3.00 per share and one-third for $4.00
per share. The shares of Series B Preferred Stock and the
warrants were issued to a sophisticated purchaser in a
transaction not involving any general solicitation, and which
was exempt from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2) of that Act.
II-3
10. Also on April 10, 2002, pursuant to a Stock Purchase
Agreement, we sold 400,000 shares of our Series B Convertible
Preferred Stock, issued a warrant to purchase 200,000 shares
of our common stock and sold 7,000 shares of our newly created
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock to Mr. DiGenova, our
chief executive officer. Each share of the Series C
Convertible Preferred Stock carries a 9% dividend payable
quarterly and is convertible into shares of our common stock
at the option of the holder at the conversion price of $0.22
per common share, subject to certain anti-dilution
adjustments. In connection with the issuance of our Series B
Preferred Stock, we issued a secured and subordinated note to
Mr. DiGenova in the principal amount of $1,000,000 bearing
interest at the annual rate of 9% with interest and a
principal reduction payable quarterly of $150,000 until the
principal is paid in full. In payment for the aggregate amount
of $2,100,000 in new securities issued, Mr. DiGenova tendered
two notes previously issued by us to Mr. DiGenova in the
amounts of $1,400,000 and $700,000. The warrant is immediately
exercisable for a period of five years with one-third of the
shares underlying the warrant exercisable for $2.00 per share,
one-third exercisable for $3.00 per share and one-third
exercisable for $4.00 per share. These securities were issued
to a sophisticated purchaser in a transaction not involving
any general solicitation, and which was exempt from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to
Section 4(2) of that Act.
11. On February 14, 2003, we issued 2,000,000 shares of newly
created Series D $1.00 Convertible Preferred Stock for a
purchase price of $2,000,000 pursuant to a stock purchase and
warrant agreement with Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc.
("Stanford"). The Series D Convertible Preferred Stock and the
common shares issued upon exercise of those warrants were
issued to sophisticated purchasers in a transaction not
involving any general solicitation, and which was exempt from
the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant
to Section 4(2) of that Act.
12. On July 24, 2003, we issued 1,845,100 shares of our common
stock to our principal stockholders, Silvano DiGenova and
Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc. ("Stanford"), and four
Stanford employees pursuant to the exercise of warrants held
by those persons. The total proceeds to the Company as a
result of this transaction were $1,845, constituting the
exercise price of these warrants. The common stock issued
pursuant to the exercise of these warrants was exempt from
registration under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2)
and Regulation D thereunder. Both the warrants and the
underlying shares were issued to a small number of persons,
without general advertising or solicitation. Each of the
purchasers was a sophisticated investor with substantial
experience in investing in small companies.
13. On August 6, 2003 we issued options to purchase our common
stock to 6 persons, each of whom was an officer, director or
consultant to the company. A total of 110,000 shares were
covered by such options. The option term expires five years
after the date of issuance. The option exercise prices range
from $0.30 to 0.33 per share. The options were issued in a
private transaction exempt from registration under Section
4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, with persons who had a
preexisting business relationship with us. No advertising or
general solicitation was made in connection with these
issuances. Of these options, 35,000 were subsequently
cancelled.
14. On September 12, 2003 we issued options to purchase our common
stock to 1 person who was a consultant to the company. A total
of 25,000 shares were covered by such options. The options
contain vesting provisions that provide that they will become
exercisable over a period of from one to four years after the
issuance date, and the option term expires five years after
the vesting date. The option exercise price was $0.24 per
share. The options were issued in a private transaction exempt
from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of
1933, with a person who had a preexisting business
relationship with us. No advertising or general solicitation
was made in connection with this issuance.
II-4
15. On April 26, 2004 we issued options to purchase our common
stock to 12 persons, each of whom was an officer, employee or
consultant to the company. A total of 275,000 shares were
covered by such options. The options contain vesting
provisions that provide that they will become exercisable over
a period of from one to four years after the issuance date,
and the option term expires five years after the vesting date.
The option exercise price was $1.01 per share. The options
were issued in a private transaction exempt from registration
under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, with persons
who had a preexisting business relationship with us. No
advertising or general solicitation was made in connection
with these issuances.
16. On July 15, 2004 we issued options to purchase our common
stock to 6 persons, each of whom was an officer or director of
the company. A total of 150,000 shares were covered by such
options. The options contain vesting provisions that provide
that they will become exercisable over a period of from one to
three years after the issuance date, and the option term
expires five years after the vesting date. The option exercise
price was $2.00 per share. The options were issued in a
private transaction exempt from registration under Section
4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, with persons who had a
preexisting business relationship with us. No advertising or
general solicitation was made in connection with these
issuances.
17. On August 20, 2004 we issued 24,000 shares of our common stock
to an investor relations firm in exchange for services with a
value of $30,000. The shares were issued in a private
transaction exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act of 1933, with persons who had a preexisting
business relationship with us. No advertising or general
solicitation was made in connection with these issuances.
18. On October 25, 2004 we issued 10,000 options to purchase our
common stock to a director. The option term expires six years
after the date of issuance. The option exercise price for
these options was $1.25 per share. The options were issued in
a private transaction exempt from registration under Section
4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, to a sophisticated
investor. No advertising or general solicitation was made in
connection with this issuance.
19. On December 21, 2004 we issued options to purchase our common
stock to 2 persons, each of whom was an employee of the
company. A total of 20,000 shares were covered by such
options. The option term expires nine years after the date of
issuance. The option exercise price for these options was
$1.52 per share. The options were issued in a private
transaction exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act of 1933, with persons who had a preexisting
business relationship with us. No advertising or general
solicitation was made in connection with these issuances.
20. On January 4, 2005 we issued 180,000 shares of our common
stock to an investor relations firm in exchange for services
with a value of $270,000. 60,000 of these shares may be
transferred to up to 6 accredited investors. No advertising or
general solicitation was made in connection with these
issuances. These shares were issued in a private transaction
exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities
Act of 1933.
II-5
ITEM 27. EXHIBITS.
(a) EXHIBITS.
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------ -----------
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger dated June 30, 2003 by and
between Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc. and Superior Galleries,
Inc. (incorporated herein by this reference to Exhibit C to
the definitive Proxy Statement of Tangible Asset Galleries,
Inc. filed under the Exchange Act on June 5, 2003).
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of Superior Galleries, Inc.
(including Certificates of Designation of Superior Galleries,
Inc., relating to Series A $5.00 Redeemable 8% Convertible
Preferred Stock, Series B $1.00 Convertible Preferred Stock
and Series D $1.00 Convertible Preferred Stock) (incorporated
herein by this reference to Exhibit D to the definitive Proxy
Statement of Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc. filed under the
Exchange Act on June 5, 2003).
3.2 Bylaws of Superior Galleries, Inc. (incorporated herein by
this reference to Exhibit E to the definitive Proxy Statement
of Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc. filed under the Exchange Act
on June 5, 2003).
4.1 2003 Omnibus Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by this
reference to Exhibit A to the definitive Proxy Statement of
Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc., filed under the Exchange Act
on June 5, 2003).
4.2 Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement for 2003 Omnibus
Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by this reference to
Exhibit 4.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB of Superior
Galleries, Inc., filed under the Exchange Act, for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2003) .
4.3 Form of Employee Incentive Stock Option Agreement for 2003
Omnibus Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by this
reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB
of Superior Galleries, Inc., filed under the Exchange Act, for
the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003).
4.4 Lockup Agreement dated April 3, 2002 by and among Stanford
Venture Capital Holdings, Inc. and certain stockholders of
Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc. (incorporated herein by this
reference to Exhibit G included in Exhibit 10.1 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K of Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc., filed
under the Exchange Act on April 24, 2002).
4.5 Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock Issued to Series A
Preferred Stock Investors (incorporated herein by this
reference to Exhibit 4.14 of the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB
of Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc., for the year ended June 30,
2002, filed under the Exchange Act on February 19, 2003).
4.6 Warrant to Purchase 1,500,000 Shares of Common Stock dated
June 15, 2001 Issued to Silvano DiGenova (incorporated herein
by this reference to Exhibit 4.9 of the Annual Report on Form
10-KSB of Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc., for the year ended
June 30, 2002, filed under the Exchange Act on February 19,
2003).
4.7 Warrant to Purchase 1,000,000 Shares of Common Stock dated
November 27, 2001 Issued to NRLP (incorporated herein by this
reference to Exhibit 4.10 of the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB
of Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc., for the year ended June 30,
2002, filed under the Exchange Act on February 19, 2003).
4.8 Warrant to Purchase 250,000 Shares of Common Stock dated June
26, 2001 Issued to NRLP (incorporated herein by this reference
to Exhibit 4.11 of the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB of
Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc., for the year ended June 30,
2002, filed under the Exchange Act on February 19, 2003).
II-6
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------ -----------
4.9 Warrant to Purchase 250,000 Shares of Common Stock dated
November 14, 2000 Issued to NRLP (incorporated herein by this
reference to Exhibit 4.12 of the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB
of Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc., for the year ended June 30,
2002, filed under the Exchange Act on February 19, 2003).
4.10 Warrant to Purchase 500,000 Shares of Common Stock dated July
3, 2001 Issued to KSH Investment Fund LLP (incorporated herein
by this reference to Exhibit 4.13 of the Annual Report on Form
10-KSB of Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc., for the year ended
June 30, 2002, filed under the Exchange Act on February 19,
2003).
4.11 Liquidation Preferences Agreement between Tangible Asset
Galleries, Inc., the holders of the outstanding Series B
Preferred Stock of Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc. and Stanford
Venture Capital Holdings, Inc. dated January 31, 2003
(incorporated herein by this reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
Current Report on Form 8-K of Superior Galleries, Inc. filed
March 3, 2003).
5.1 Opinion of Rutan & Tucker, LLP re legality (previously filed).
9.1 Shareholders' Agreement dated April 3, 2002 by and among
Silvano DiGenova, Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc. and
Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc. (incorporated herein by this
reference to exhibit E included in Exhibit 10.1 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K of Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc., filed
under the Exchange Act on April 24, 2002).
10.1 Intentionally omitted.
10.2 Intentionally omitted.
10.3 Standard Multi-Tenant Office Lease-Gross dated August 6, 2002
by and between DBKK, LLC and Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc.
(incorporated herein by this reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the
Annual Report on Form 10-KSB of Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc.
for the year ended June 30, 2002, filed under the Exchange Act
on February 19, 2003).
10.4 Registration Rights Agreement dated January 31, 2003 by and
among Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc. and holders of our Series
B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, Series D Stock
and Certain Warrants (incorporated herein by this reference to
Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Tangible
Asset Galleries, Inc., filed under the Exchange Act on March
3, 2003).
10.5 Employment Agreement dated June 1, 2001 between Tangible Asset
Galleries, Inc. and Silvano DiGenova. (incorporated herein by
this reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Annual Report on Form
10-KSB of Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc. for the year ended
June 30, 2002, filed under the Exchange Act on February 19,
2003).
10.6 Employment Agreement dated December 27, 2002 between Tangible
Asset Galleries, Inc. and Paul Biberkraut (incorporated herein
by this reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Annual Report on Form
10-KSB of Superior Galleries, Inc., filed under the Exchange
Act, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003).
10.7 Commercial Loan and Security Agreement dated October 13, 2003
between Superior Galleries, Inc. and Stanford Financial Group
Company (incorporated herein by this reference to Exhibit 10.1
to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Superior Galleries, Inc.
filed under the Exchange Act, filed October 16, 2003).
10.8 Commercial Note by Superior Galleries, Inc. to Stanford
Financial Group Company dated October 1, 2003 (incorporated
herein by this reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report
on Form 8-K of Superior Galleries, Inc. filed October 16,
2003).
10.9 Secured Revolving Line of Credit Agreement dated August 8,
2002 between Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc. and John Wesley
English (previously filed).
10.10 Renewal and Modification Agreement dated September 30, 2003
between Superior Galleries, Inc. and the John Wesley English
Living Trust (previously filed).
II-7
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------ -----------
10.11 Promissory Note in the maximum amount of $1,000,000, dated
February 10, 2003, from Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc. to
Silvano DiGenova (previously filed).
10.12 Promissory Note dated December 10, 2002 by Tangible Asset
Galleries, Inc. to Silvano DiGenova (previously filed).
10.13 Promissory Note dated December 13, 2002 by Tangible Asset
Galleries, Inc. to Silvano DiGenova (previously filed).
10.14 Series D Preferred Stock Purchase and Warrant Exercise
Agreement dated January 31, 2003, between Tangible Asset
Galleries, Inc., Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc.,
Silvano DiGenova and certain warrant holders (incorporated
herein by this reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report
on Form 8-K of Superior Galleries, Inc. filed March 3, 2003).
10.15 Share Exchange and Note Modification Agreement dated January
31, 2003 between Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc., Stanford
Venture Capital Holdings, Inc. and Silvano DiGenova
(incorporated herein by this reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the
Current Report on Form 8-K of Superior Galleries, Inc. filed
March 3, 2003).
10.16 Consulting Agreement between Tangible Asset Galleries, Inc.
and Stanford Venture Capital Holdings, Inc., dated January 31,
2003 (previously filed).
10.17 Independent Contractor and Proprietary Information Agreement
dated July 1, 2003 between Superior Galleries, Inc. and
Stephen Deeds, Inc. (previously filed)
10.18 First Amendment to Renewal and Modification Agreement dated
December 15, 2004 between Superior Galleries, Inc. and the
John Wesley English Living Trust (previously filed)
10.19 Waiver and Extension Agreement dated December 29, 2004 between
Silvano DiGenova and Superior Galleries, Inc. (previously
filed)
10.20 Investor Relations Agreement dated December 30, 2004 between
American Capital Ventures, Inc. and Superior Galleries,
Inc(previously filed)
10.21 Promissory note dated October 1, 2004 by Superior Galleries,
Inc. in favor of Stephen Gehringer (previously filed)
10.22 Promissory note dated October 14, 2004 by Superior Galleries,
Inc. in favor of Stephen Gehringer (previously filed)
10.23 Promissory note dated October 25, 2004 by Superior Galleries,
Inc. in favor of Stephen Gehringer (previously filed)
23.1 Consent of Haskell & White LLP, Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm (filed herewith).
23.2 Consent of Singer Lewak Goldstein & Greenbaum LLP, Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm (filed herewith).
23.3 Consent of Rutan & Tucker, LLP (previously filed).
- -----------------
ITEM 28. UNDERTAKINGS
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement to:
(i) include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act");
II-8
(ii) reflect in the prospectus any facts or events which,
individually or together, represent a fundamental change in the
information in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if
the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that
which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the
aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20%
change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
"Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration
statement; and
(iii) include any additional or changed material information
on the plan of distribution.
(2) That, for determining liability under the Securities Act, each such
post-effective amendment shall be treated as a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To file a post-effective amendment to remove from registration any
of the securities being registered that remain unsold at the end of the
offering.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable.
In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
(other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer
or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction
the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication
of such issue.
II-9
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form SB-2 and authorized this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, in the city of Beverly
Hills, State of California, on February 23, 2005.
SUPERIOR GALLERIES, INC.
By: /s/ SILVANO DIGENOVA
-------------------------------------
Silvano DiGenova
President and Chief Executive Officer
II-10
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned officers and
directors of Superior Galleries, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which is filing
Amendment No. 4 to a registration statement on Form SB-2 with the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, hereby constitute and appoints Silvano DiGenova and Paul Biberkraut,
and each of them, their true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent; with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign such registration statement
and any or all amendments to the registration statement, including a prospectus
or an amended prospectus therein, and all other documents in connection
therewith to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each
and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all interests and purposes as they might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and
agents, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement has been signed by the following
persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name Title Date
- ----------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -----------------
/S/ SILVANO DIGENOVA President, Chairman of the Board, Chief February 23, 2005
- ----------------------------------- Executive Officer (principal executive
Silvano DiGenova officer) and Director
/S/ PAUL BIBERKRAUT Chief Financial Officer, Secretary February 23, 2005
- ----------------------------------- (principal accounting officer) and
Paul Biberkraut Director
/S/ LEE ITTNER Director February 23, 2005
- -----------------------------------
Lee Ittner
/S/ DAVID RECTOR Director February 23, 2005
- -----------------------------------
David Rector
/S/ JAMES GOLLIHUGH Director February 23, 2005
- -----------------------------------
James Gollihugh
II-11
INDEX TO EXHIBITS ATTACHED TO THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Exhibit
Number Description
------ -----------
23.1 Consent of Haskell & White LLP, Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm
23.2 Consent of Singer Lewak Goldstein & Greenbaum LLP, Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
II-12