Was only able to go for Saturday and was there from a little after 10 until 3. There were a LOT of empty tables from "no-shows" (many East Coast weather related) or holders who left early. As the afternoon went on, more and more dealers packed up to leave, even though the show was open until 4. The weather was beautiful and sunny in Portland. I, my wife and my daughter enjoyed some awesome VooDoo Donuts outside before the show. I totally spent way more money than intended and was only able to really do a quick walk through. I hardly looked through any boxes or binders of coins. But I did buy 8 coins. Well, 12 if you count the US Mint's "change machine" where I got 4 uncirculated 2015 "Homestead" quarters! One dealer had this "do it yourself kit" for making 1815 Half Dollars. No, really. It is a contemporary counterfeiter's mold for casting half dollars. Thought it was pretty cool. And for sale, for the right price. And I bought a few coins... Gold Fanam from India and a Peruvian 5 Sol Some Half Dimes 1970 Australia 50 Cents, uncirculated (birth year) And the budget buster, but a really good buy I think: 1995 Civil War Commemorative Proof Set, in a case that looks like an old fashioned photograph holder. I'll be posting some additional photos in other type-specific forums. Anyone else attend the show and have a good time? I met a couple of folks including the "Penny Lady" and Amanda at their booths. Rob
We went down to Portland together...she and the girl went to OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry). But yeah...she's a keeper. Rob
Unfortunately for anyone heading East, the options out of Portland suck. I chatted with a couple of dealers on Friday... it was either the red eyes (and there are only a couple) or o'dark and scary on Sunday morning (like 6am, 7am). So I'm not surprised some bailed. There weren't A LOT missing on Friday and only one I was hoping to see, but he was snowed in Tuesday in Dallas.
That mold looks like the same one I saw at the Fun show. I ask for a price but the dealer was not selling it. Cool piece of history.
I HATE THE FACT that anyone can buy ANY counterfeit anything !!! And that is why every body like a certified coin now a day's !
The mold was not priced, but one of the guys said it could be bought for the right price. He said something in the $10,000 neighborhood. I picked up the Civil War Battlefields set for $345. Rob
I remember seeing those molds in a showcase display a while back and Ive always wondered why these exist at all. Back in the day, coins were basically worth their weight in silver. What work be the point of producing a coin if the cost would be as much as the face value? I suppose you could make the coins slightly less weight than the genuine coins, but it hardly seems worth the effort. For those of you who have not seen Steve's site yet, it is very fascinating and educational. A good read for collectors of all levels.
Look up "German Silver"... German silver - a silver-white alloy containing copper and zinc and nickel This link: http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/German_silver.aspx#2 gives more info including the approximate percentages of the three metals.
