Harlan Berk opened his Oak Park store last month, offering rare coins and other antiquities. He also has a store in Chicago. | Dan Luedert~Sun-Times Media

Years ago, Harlan Berk's passion for coins was ignited when his grandmother gave him an Indian Head penny, like these. | Dan Luedert~Sun-Times Media

The store is called Harlan Berk Coins, but the Oak Park business offers more than money, such as these Egyptian Ushabti statues. | Dan Luedert~Sun-Times Media

Harlan Berk holds history in his hands in the form of three Grecian coins. | Dan Luedert~Sun-Times Media

The head of a statue of Vespasian, a Roman emperor, is on display at Harlan Berk Coins in Oak Park | Dan Luedert~Sun-Times Media

The Confederate States of America printed its own money during the U.S. Civil War. | Dan Luedert~Sun-Times Media

One of the first U.S. postage stamps also is among the collectibles at Harlan Berk Coins in Oak Park. | Dan Luedert~Sun-Times Media

Harlan Berk stands next to one of the few self-portraits of surrealist artist Gertrude Abercrombie at his store, Harlan Berk Coins, in Oak Park. | Dan Luedert~Sun-Times Media