My Take on the ANA Show in Baltimore

I was there yesterday (Friday) from about 9:30AM to 1PM.
The dealers appeared to be manning their tables although some slipped out for lunch.
There were plenty of customers, but not a crush. Makes sense considering the day and time.

The dealers brought their high-end stuff.
I wanted a couple AU SL dimes. No way. I couldn't even stretch my budget to get a MS-63 because the coins were mostly MS-65. Or more.

A friend of mine wanted a set of business strike Presidential dollars.
No such animal at THIS show.
Table prices were so high that dealers couldn't afford to bring such inexpensive stuff.

My time went something like this:

1. I entered



2. I looked around:



3. I bought Numismatic Photography by Mark Goodman.

4. I sent two coins to NGC:
a. A coin slabbed 1858 LL Flying Eagle that's really a 1858/7.
If it crosses over at the same grade AND gets the attribution, a $200 buy turns into about a $2000 coin.
b. An ANACS MS-65 1923 SLQ that I hope crosses over at the same grade (or better would be nice )

5. But the main reason I went was to get some sort of 1790's US coin.
And I did.
It's the least expensive variety of the least expensive US 1790's coin.
It's a 1798 Cent, Second Hair:



And that was my time at the show, other than looking a lot.

 

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Great stuff !!!
Did you happen by the PCGS booth and look at the Blay collection of Red Copper? It's there for the lookin !!!

 

Kanga - I love the large cent. I would be happy to attend a show and walk away with just that coin! Congrats!

P.S. Don't most shows prevent photography? I would like to take my 35mm sometime, but I don't want to drag it around if it is prohibited.

 

That large cent is really sweet. I need to pick up a 1700s US coin in the near future. One has been towards the top of my list for some time but I just haven't found the right on...yet. I have never visit a coin show before though, but from your pics...it looks like the right kind of place to find one.

 

wha dont you want him to be missing a few whiskers look how strong that security guard looked in the pic

 

I have been at some that had signs prohibiting photographs, and you may find that some dealers and collectors will also object to you taking pictures with them in them.

Best thing to do is check an ad for the show to get the contact info for the bourse chairman and ask them ahead of time if photography is permitted

 

Even the ANA is not consistent on its photography policy.

An e-mail to them several days BEFORE I went to the show wasn't answered until AFTER I got back.
They basically said "No."

But when I asked AT THE SHOW, the answer was "Yes, but ask first."

I didn't want pictues of specific dealers or customers.
I just wanted general pictures like I showed above.

 

Two years ago I was depressed at the amount of budget tables that seemed to keep shrinking. But if everything was as high as you say, I feel better for not going.

 

I think you'd find the Whitman shows better.
About as big as the ANA show, but lower table prices so more budget tables.

 

Great Large 1c, Kanga ! Nice work.

Anyone else have any feedback ? I would have loved to attend. Anyone hit any of the Power Player auctions ?

 

Not only does the number shrink, but the definition of "budget" keeps changing. When they started the Budget table area nothing could be over $100. And most things were pushing that limit. Then it went to $250, then $500, then $750. I think now budget is defined as nothing over $1000.

 

kanga,
Congratulations on that 1798 Cent. It is a very nice early copper! It is just like the kind that i am looking for as well.
Eduard

 

Kanga,

Thanks for the show report. I also really like your coin...very nice!

 

Eduard is widely known for his good taste in coins !