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“You Thought It Was More” is a profane and raucously funny memoir from the world’s greatest counterfeiter, Louis ‘The Coin’ Colavecchio. Colavecchio, who created mass quantities of undetectable slot machine tokens, writes with commanding vigor about his wild adventures throughout the US and Europe. His talents as a jeweler, manufacturer and man of romance are part of the historical record – as seen on The History Channel and The BBC. It might be an understatement to say Colavecchio changed the face of casino gambling forever.

Ride with Louis The Coin at 160 mph in his Lamborghini making score after score. From Providence to Atlantic City and Vegas to Rome, Milan, Florence, Geneva, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, he’s the genuine article. As one of the cops who arrested Louis notes in the introduction, “He was very creative, an artist.” Who knew metallurgy could be riveting? What? You thought it was more …

‘Compassionate’ – not so much – release

King Louis de la Provvidenza by Rick Reyes ⁦@CosmicJibaros

‘Freedom’ cover by Rick Reyes ⁦@CosmicJibaros

Excerpts from Prosecutor's Sentencing Memo...

The Early Years
According to COLAVECCHIO, his criminal escapades started in his teen years. Over the course of time, he enjoyed the tutelage mobster and businessman, Vincent Miele (who he referred to as Vinny or his Uncle Vinny) and the New England Crime Boss, Raymond Patriarca (The Boss, The Old Man, or George). They were men that COLAVECCHIO idolized. (p. 16). He shared the presence of mobsters and hitmen throughout the account of his entire life. A young mind shaped by such powerful and influential role models holds that shape well beyond the average criminal. He wrote, “I was so fascinated by the wise guy lifestyle, I’m sure I would have wound up in that scene.” (p. 18). As a man in his 70’s he still admires the lifestyle. He romanticized his role as a wise guy throughout 21 chapters and an epilogue.

The First Counterfeiting Crime

In a chapter that COLAVECCHIO entitled, The Counterfeit King, he recounted the crime that led to his first counterfeiting conviction. (Chapter 14). In this chapter, COLAVECCHIO devoted many pages to describing in great detail the technical processes of minting coins and the obstacles he encountered in duplicating casino chips and tokens. Of course, in the retelling, ever flaunting how clever he was at the art of counterfeiting.
“As soon as possible, I began taking chips to casinos everywhere … It was a thrilling life.” (p. 271).

Prison Life

During his brief time in prison for his first counterfeiting conviction, COLAVECCHIO enjoyed prestige as a notorious criminal and powerful inmate. He met new inmates with a familiar greeting, “Hi, I’m Lou.” (p. 393). Apparently, no last name was necessary. A man nicknamed “The Sarge” a former Army Ranger and a “trained assassin” paid him homage, “Yeah, I can see you’re the boss around here.” (p. 393).

'A tale told in a voice that rings true, very much in the aesthetic tradition of our best oral histories. Louis ‘The Coin’ Colavecchio would probably be right at home in a Studs Terkel book." -Poet Jon Andersen, Professor Of English, Quinebaug Valley Community College, and author of “Stomp And Sing.”

“So much sets this book apart – the extraordinary tales it tells, its insider’s look at organized crime, and Louis Colavecchio's enormous affection for his characters. But the biggest surprise? I was held in total suspense by the technical sections. I never expected to be riveted by metallurgy . . . but I was.” -Novelist Pam Lewis, author of “Speak Softly, She Can Hear” and “Perfect Family.”

"Louis took me so far into the Providence Mob that I thought I was a snitch! I’m still looking over my shoulder!” -Mickey Sherman, criminal defense lawyer, CBS legal analyst and author of "How Can You Defend Those People?"

“This tale gives you an unblinking look straight into the criminal mind.” -Novelist Denning Powell, author of “Monkey Trap” and “Hiding Hand.”

“Riveting! Raises the bar for all future storytellers in this genre of wise guys and their adventures.” -New York trial attorney Bruce Baron, frequent media commentator on outlets including MSNBC and Fox News.

“Louis has nailed Rhode Island In The 1960s and 70s: Raymond, National Vending, the wise guys, the cars, the cash-carrying habits of certain individuals, travel tips in Italy and more.” -Ed Dunn, retired newspaper editor, USA Today and The Norwich Bulletin.

“Remarkably crafted. Who would have thought Louis the Coin could be a vivid storyteller? He writes with commanding vigor. Reminiscent of ‘Honor Thy Father,’ the gracious portrait of the Bonanno crime family by Gay Talese.” -James H. Smith, a New England journalist for nearly 40 years and author of “A Passion for Journalism.”

“Louis ‘The Coin’ Colavecchio won a name for himself by being able to make anything, and now he has made a profane and raucously funny memoir of his life of crime. This is a world of hot cars, hot jewels, hot women, a wad of cash in your pocket and a handmade silencer on your Ruger automatic pistol. Bookies and loan sharks, enforcers and counterfeiters, con men and scam artists: You Thought It Was More evokes a bygone era, treating us to a wise-guy crime romance that's part Law & “It is fortunate … that he lived to tell the tale … Louis The Coin offers the novice the genuine article …” -Lionel Bascom, Professor of Writing at Western Connecticut State University and author of “Rubouts” (Avon 1991) and “A Renaissance in Harlem: The Voices of a Lost American Community” (HarperTrade, 2001).

“Louis ‘The Coin’ Colavecchio won a name for himself by being able to make anything, and now he has made a profane and raucously funny memoir of his life of crime. This is a world of hot cars, hot jewels, hot women, a wad of cash in your pocket and a handmade silencer on your Ruger automatic pistol. Bookies and loan sharks, enforcers and counterfeiters, con men and scam artists: You Thought It Was More evokes a bygone era, treating us to a wise-guy crime romance that's part Law & Order, part Guys & Dolls.” -Rand Richards Cooper, author of “Big as Life,”is an essayist, and restaurant critic for the New York Times.

“Louis came up with a brilliant plan. We The Cops did, too. I do not condone his criminal behavior, but I understand it; he was very creative, an artist. I assisted in some small way with him going to jail and he served his time ... After spending time together after the case closed, we have developed a friendship. That’s OK with me. I am no longer a trooper, having retired in 2003. He’s retired, too, right?” -CT State Police Det. Sgt. (Retired) Jerry Longo, now a senior investigator for a major casino.