Coin Show etiquette.. any advice?

This I can report from firsthand knowledge - the "pressure" on the Exhibiting Committee of the ANA to "dumb down" competitive exhibiting was absolutely palpable at Dallas/Irving last month. Coming from whom? ANA Board members and the Executive Director. I was shocked to the point of not knowing what to say. I know, right? I'm happy to report the leadership of the Exhibiting Committee pushed back .... HARD! Bravos to them.

 

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Whoa,.......what?????

 

Thank you for the advice, @TheRed —you're right—the possibility of over spending is a poor excuse—and just that—an excuse. The opportunity to meet you, Mr. @dougsmit , Mr. @John Anthony , and Mr. @V. Kurt Bellman —to name a few, is more than enough incentive. Attending the shows is one of the best ways to support the hobby which I've grown to love.

 

When I was a teenaged coin collector, I knew a half-dozen other teenaged coin collectors. Additional teenagers collected stamps or sports cards. That was 40 years ago. Teenagers today don't seem to have the urge to collect anything. Do video games and organized athletics absorb all their free time? Do "helicopter" parents refuse to let them participate? I'm not sure what the reasons are, but something has changed. It worries me, for the reasons Doug stated.

 

Amongst many other reasons, with coin collecting being more of a singular/solitary sport, I think many kids are attracted to the intensity of other venues. They’ve been exposed to so much hype and action that unless someone shows them the nuances, beauty, and history associated with the coins, they find more exciting purviews. For some, the allure of riches may attract, then eventually turn into an interest more than the monetary side associated with coin collecting. But for most, their piers allure them away.
Also, we of older bent, grew up when there was more time to just to sit and think. To really study what we were doing.

 

In my experience with collecting, I've been doing it for as long as I can remember, but it picked up in the past three years. It was after I read about the history of these old countries or empires that I became interested in really collecting coins. The first culture that really fascinated me was the Byzantine Empire. I read many books about it, and, of course, coinage was mentioned. In fact, the whole reason that I became interested in Byzantium was a Year 10 follis of Justin II and Sophia made at the third oficina at Constantinople. Being able to figure out all of the markings and symbols on the coin made me interested in seeing what else they had done. I still have the sheet of paper I worked it out on. At first, I thought the oficina number was the regnal number of the Emperor! After that, the constant intermingling with other cultures mentioned in the book fascinated me as well, so I read about the Medieval West next. That somehow led into the Far East. I made a list of what I considered the best emperor from each dynasty of Byzantium, and one coin from each period China was unified. It worked as a checklist, and by definition I stuck to one denomination, with one or two exceptions. Overall, I still collect for the historical value. I find a 1/2 skilling from 1794 which was issued when the King of Sweden visited the mint much more interesting than one of the modern bullion coins. I collect a few coins for nice designs, but I don't find very many that I truly find beautiful. As a 16 year old collector, I still enjoy things such as video games. But I am able to also set aside time for researching things, because one of my favorite things to do is to identify coins for people, or for myself. Sorry about the whole essay, but that's sort of my story on how I started collecting coins. If I hadn't read about the cultures, I would've taken no interest in Chinese coins. I think that the historical context of a coin is what makes it interesting to people. It certainly is the case with the Shekel of Tyre dated 33/34 AD.

 

I plan to go to my first coin show at the end of July, near St. Louis. Having read everything here, I'm sure to be a better customer when I go!

 

I was at a recent show with probably 29 modern dealers and 1 ancient dealer. The ancient dealer had most of his time taken by a couple of ignorant guys taking his seats and asking him things they should have asked a modern dealer. Literally “I have a 1913 nickel at home how much is it worth? I have a 1920 quarter at home how much is it worth?” And on and on. The dealer was polite but his time monopolized. Don’t be those guys.

As for the hobby sometimes I wonder if the modern market is set for a crash. The majority of people I see at shows are mostly senior citizens. The younger crowd isn’t into coins because they don’t spend paper/coin money they use plastic. Just like they aren’t into stamps because few people use snail mail anymore. There’s no context for them. From what I understand stamp collecting is at a low right now. I imagine modern coins are headed the same way. There will always be collectors but it seems like there are fewer interested in the next generation.

Ancient coins occupy a smaller market already so I don’t think the impact will be as dramatic.

 

Gosh, you mean when I go to my first coin show everyone there will be as old as me? Do we get to flash our AARP cards and get discounts?

But we should remember, the old coins we collect now were once "moderns" to our grandparents. And I think the coins today will bring with them the same sense of history that we get from our older coins.

 

They will be proud of their BitCoins?

 

I'm glad you're here in CT, Mike ! Being Educated is always a GOOD THING !

 

Entitled much?

Respect begets respect, Mike. The sooner you understand, the better off you'll be. No "lesson" required.

 

This statement points out we have visitors from the modern hobby here on the ancient board. I do occasionally hear someone express the opinion that Mercury dimes and Buffalo nickels are ancient but I have spent both, perhaps on coins at shops and shows. The age gained by the Greek and Roman coins collected by those of us who post here is only about 3% since some of us have been in the hobby. If you are collecting coins that were "moderns" to your grandparents, try collecting those used by your Great, great, great......insert 100 greats....great grandparents like we here on the ancient board do.

 

Nothing wrong with senior citizens. I look forward to the golden years. It’s just an observation seeing all the dealers and buyers to be mostly in or nearing retirement. You wonder who will buy all their slabbed coins in 20 years.

 

...if ye see a coin on the ground and ye wear a kilt please try dont bend over to pick it up...

 

I understand, but how do you figure this is the ancient coin board? I thought it was the coin show etiquette board.

 

Okay, this is one suggestion I have a question about. When I go to a coin show I plan to have my Kindle with me because it has a coin app that has my coin inventory on it. I can use it to see what I have and need. Is that going to be a problem? Also, when I do buy a coin, how would I carry it if I can't have a bag or even a fanny pack to put it in? I fully understand the security concerns of the dealers, but unless I stand up for the whole transaction then what am I supposed to do?

 

The Kindle is okay. I use an iPad sometimes. However, if it's bigger than a phone, keep it below table level, perhaps on your lap. As for a bag, NOT on the display cases. I usually have some sort of bag, not always, but I am wary of somebody just nabbing it and walking off, so I always use something that I can put my leg through a strap to keep it secure. Most backpacks are good for this.

 

I do not claim to be an expert. Others may have better responses.

I take a (canvas) briefcase with a carrying strap. It is big enough for your Kindle, a blue box for coins, and any other small things you might want to take like a magnifying glass and cash. I am careful to keep it well away from the table top and I put it on the floor with my foot down on the strap when looking at coins.

 

I typically shove purchased coins in my pockets. Maybe I'm not buying enough coins if that system works for me.