Ancients collectors' FUN show 2017 Roll Call

Happy new year to you as well Brian! BTW, any tips or suggestions you would be willing to share about going to a FUN show for someone like me who's never been to one?

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Only one obvious tip: don't buy anything until you've had the chance to check out all the ancient dealers/coins.

 

I feel this might be a bit difficult for me to follow. It makes sense for sure, to save your cash for what you absolutely want, but I'm worried that once I decide on what I want and I come back, whatever I was going to buy will already be gone. With my local show there is usually only one dealer (haven't been in a while so not sure if the specific dealer I know still goes), sometimes two, that sells ancients, so I am able to sit down, look at them, and then decide what to buy, all without moving away. I guess there must be something to your advice that is flying over my head here.

 

@ValiantKnight, if you are really serious about MAYBE buying a coin, most of the dealers will hold it for you a few hours. They might show it to someone else, but it will be reserved for you until the time runs out. You are not obligated to buy the coin, just be courteous and let the vendor know if you change your mind.

 

You will be like a kid in a candy shop with several Ancients Dealers. Personally, I walk the whole show just as a preliminary canvas. Say hello to all the Dealers I know and promise to come back. Then zoom in on the Dealers you want to spend time with that have coins you have general interest in. From there, develop your business relationship.

 

I thought about this, but I had figured some dealers might rather give the coin to the person willing to pay for it right away. I'll try it anyways though. Thanks.

 

I won't know any dealers there, so I guess I'll first go towards the friendlier ones and those with more interesting looking stock.

 

The great truth in life is that there are always more coins than your ability to buy. I simply do not stress it. If it is meant to be its meant to be.

Myself, I walk around kind of aimlessly for a bit, just to get the general feel of the offerings. Then I sit and look at a table that looks promising. If I spend all of my money at one table so be it, it meant I found nice coins at fair prices.

If you worry about "what could have been" you will simply drive yourself bonkers. Go, meet nice people, enjoy yourself, and try to buy some interesting things. Its your hobby, don't treat it like a job.

 

Perfectly said, I needed this. Thanks Medoraman!

Now I really can't wait! Especially for the cool late Roman/Byzantine/Germanic stuff that might be there!

 

Btw VK, you have it much easier than I anyways. You can just go to dealers and ask if they have any 5-7th century stuff. I collect so many areas I have to look at their whole dang stock!

 

Lately I've been moving into Greek coins also (casually), so this will be seriously tough. And I kind of have a small thing for European high medieval as well. Like you mentioned, so much stuff!

 

Hey @ValiantKnight : Happy New Year and see you on Thursday. Just want to let you know that the FUN shows kind of breaks up the dealers into what they sell. There will be an "ancients" section with probably 8 to 12 different vendors but other ancient dealers, and some who just have a few ancient coins, can be found spread throughout the floor. Also don't forget the bargain section where some very good deals can be found.

 

Thanks for the tips Brian!

 

Wow! I just looked at the list of vendors attending the FUN Show, and I spotted 22 ancient vendors (several are sharing a table). I thought I would provide this list for those of you who might make the mistake of just heading to the ancient section of the bourse

Table Number / Vendor
1031 BERK, HARLAN J., LTD. CHICAGO, IL – ask for Aaron Berk
1112 KERN, JONATHAN K. * LEXINGTON, KY
1214 SUBAKINC. * CHICAGO, IL
1631,1633,1730,1732 STACKS BOWERS GALERIES SANTA ANA, CA
1905 SCHINKE, GLENN * MONTROSE, CA
1905 COPPER PENNY * WETHERSFIELD, CT
1916 CLARK NUMISMATIC ATLANTA, GA
1917 PALMYRA HERITAGE *
1917 TIME MACHINE *
1926 CIVITAS GALLERIES MADISON, WI
2006 CONNIE'S COINS * THE VILLAGES, FL
2208 SPINK
2009 BEACH, JAMES * OWOSSO, MI
2014 PEGASI NUMISMATICS * ANN ARBOR, MI
2019 HERAKLES NUMISMATICS * CHARLOTTE, NC
2020 PARKER, DEL * $ DALLAS, TX
2104 DAMRON NUMISMATICS * MARTINEZ, GA
2107 LONDON COIN GALLERIES LTD. * LONDON, UK
2119 NOVA ONLINE INC. * $ TIGARD, OR
2220 VILMAR NUMISMATICS, NY, NY
2531 FIRST LIGHT NUMISMATICS MASON, MI
2741 BERMAN, ALLEN G., NUMISMATIST FAIRFIELD, CT

And these are just the US dealers! Many of the European dealers will also have ancient coins, but I only included one European dealer on this list, since I have dealt with them in the past.

 

Still trying to figure out if and when I will go. Maybe Thursday.

Harlan Berk and Jonathon Kern are big time dealers that usually do not go to the FUN show because it conflicts with the NY international. No conflict this year.

 

I will write CoinTalk on my name tag in addition to my name. Thus will you recognize me.

 

Good idea! I will do the same

 

It is a good idea and I will too. However, I usually do not look at name badges, and FUN is huge, so still not a great chance of seeing each other.

 

All the ancient dealers will be in a small area together.

It makes it easier to spot people than you might think.

 

I like the name badge idea as well. Will we be given one or can we bring our own? I'd rather have a lanyard badge instead of just a regular sticker (picky, I know...).