A-Mark Coin Co. v. General Mills, Inc.

A-Mark Coin Company (A-Mark) appeals from a judgment after a court trial denying it any relief in its suit against respondents General Mills, Inc. (General Mills), Bowers & Ruddy Galleries, Inc. (Bowers & Ruddy), Rare Coin Galleries (Rare Coin), James F. Ruddy (Ruddy), Q. David Bowers (Bowers) and Joel Rettew (Rettew). A-Mark’s suit against respondents was based on allegations of intentional interference with a contractual relationship and with an advantageous business relationship.

There is no dispute as to the essential facts giving rise to the lawsuit, and, accordingly, we summarize those facts as found by the trial court.

Facts

A gentleman named La Vere Redfield died in 1974, a resident of Nevada. He left a sizeable estate which included a collection of slightly less than 500,000 United States silver dollars, some in uncirculated condition and some having numismatic value to collectors and dealers in rare coins (the Redfield collection). Mr. Redfield’s will was admitted to probate, and his estate, including the Redfield collection, became subject to probate administration under the supervision of the Second Judicial District Court of Nevada for the County of Washoe…