Jhonn

Hey all, haven't posted here in a long while but I was curious as to what there is to do coin-wise in and around Tampa. I'll be there from Oct. 29th through Nov. 4th on a last minute work-related trip. I'll have time to explore Tampa from the 1st or 2nd until the 3rd and 4th...not a huge gap but enough time to sneak some coin fun in I'm sure. Here are my questions:

1) I noticed there is a coin show in Port Richey that weekend. Is this worth going to? I'm REALLY bummed because I'm missing the huge semi-annual Denver coin show that same weekend and was planning on making a lot of purchases then but it's all out the window now.

2) Are there any really good coin shops in Tampa? Google pulled up quite a few but I don't know what's worth going to. Since I'll be missing this Denver show I *might* try to snag a pricier coin (around the $200 range...what I'd be spending at the Denver show total probably)...maybe a gold coin or some sort of cob (I figure FL would be a good place to find Spanish stuff).

3) What's fun in Tampa in general? Don't say 'World Series' because I can't go to that obviously. Are the beaches still nice this time of year? I'll have a car so I can drive pretty much wherever.

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

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"Love, hate, kings, queens: / You die alone in a cold world." - Lyrics from the band Cold World

HandsomeToad

The beaches in Florida are always good but the east coast beaches are the better ones. If you have a metal detector, the beaches are always combable and will always cough up something. So if you don't have a metal detector, spend your $200 on one and then you'll find it's the gift that truly keeps on giving.

Ribbit

Ps: The east coast beaches are also the better ones to comb but any beach is good.

Jhonn

I do indeed have a metal detector! Took it to Costa Rica a while back but found nothing . I've been to FL a few times...Miami is nice but I'm actually partial to the Gulf side .

__________________
"Love, hate, kings, queens: / You die alone in a cold world." - Lyrics from the band Cold World

HandsomeToad

Were you one the West Coast in Costa Rica? Flamingo/Tamarindo area?

Ribbit

Ps: The lost Spanish Galleons were on the Atlanic side of Florida so the "Spanish Gold" washes up on their beaches, not the gulf beaches.

Jhonn

I have been to Tamarindo before but this last time I was on the Caribbean side so I was hoping to find a little something. Oh well.

Just being near a beach period will be nice...not too many of those in Denver! If I find anything at all while detecting will thrill me as I don't detect much.

__________________
"Love, hate, kings, queens: / You die alone in a cold world." - Lyrics from the band Cold World

HandsomeToad

As a note - be careful where you MD on beaches in Florida. Some are off limits and they can confiscate your MD. So be certain it's otay before doing it and do a little online research to find the better spots (old forts, military clashes, etc...) to MD in and around Tampa.

Ribbit

Ps: I live in Playas del Coco, just north of Tamarindo. I loved it and hope to retire there.

dready

I have lived in Florida for the past 30 years and I have to disagree with you on this one. If you want white sand beaches and warmer and cleaner water then the WEST coast (Gulf coast) is by far nicer than the East coast. If you want brown sand and cooler water then you would prefer the East coast. I've lived on both coasts and for beauttiful beaches and sunsets that are drop-dead gorgeous, It's the west coast. As for metal detecting you are going to find all the usual things (keys,rings and change) on both sides. One spot that I've been to on the East coast that has given up some GOLD coins is Sebastion Inlet. Folks have had luck there AFTER a storm stirs things up. As for coin shops: Dales Coins in Dunedin, Glenn's Coins in Largo and Hauser's Coins in Clearwater are a few that I deal with . All highly recommended. If you going to do beach time, you know, catch some rays,swim or look at the scenery,wink,wink, I'd go to Clearwater Beach. Late afternoon or early morning is good detecting time. Enjoy your visit to the Sunshine State..........John