Just Back from the San Diego Coinorama and Now Headed to See the B-52s! So it's Sunday evening, I just returned from the San Diego 2-day coin show, and am getting ready to see the B-52s in concert at the OC Fairgrounds! They are great in concert and their music is fantastic - and a few rum and cokes will sure cool us off since the concert is outdoors and we are having a big heat wave (yes, I know, nothing compared to what Jack and you others in Arizona are going through!). Any way, about the show - this is an annual 2-day show down in east San Diego just past Hotel Circle right off Highway 8. There are about 75+ tables and probably over 100 dealers. I've been doing this show for 3-4 years now and it's always been very active and profitable since it's one of the few coin shows in San Diego County. My son Troy accompanied me and was a big help, as usual. And we stayed at the Barona Hotel and Casino Resort. Didn't do too well at the poker tables, but I always enjoy myself, especially if I can make $100-$200 last for over 4+ hours! OK, back to the show, even though attendance seemed to be plentiful on Saturday (but much more sparse on Sunday), unfortunately, the consensus is that the poor economy has caught up with the coin industry, since the past few shows for most people have not been very good sales-wise. Many collectors seem to be holding onto their money, or only wanting to pay wholesale prices or even less, which leaves the dealers no where to make any money. However, I enjoy this show and will definitely do it again next year, since it's not too far for me, and I just love the San Diego area. By the way, I am headed to a new show for me in northern California this next weekend (July 25-26) - the Fremont Coin Show just north of San Jose and south of the Bay Area. I understand this show has been going on for over 30 years and is well established. Even though it is relatively small (about 45 tables), I've heard good things about the show so I thought I'd try it. So if any of you live up in the Northern California area, or will be visiting there next weekend, please stop by and check it out! Here's a link to their website: http://home.comcast.net/~fremontcoinclub/shows.htm Then, it's off to the great ANA show! I have high hopes that we will start to see a turn around in the coin industry during this show, so we shall see.
Charmy I hope you are right about the ANA show. I'm on the East Coast and won't be there but I am quite underwhelmed by the auction offerings in the series I collect. On the other hand, I would love to see all five 1913 Liberty nickels and other rarities that are being displayed.
Just heard over on the CU forum that the #1 Trade Dollar set ever will be on display at Legend's table at the ANA... will have to check that out too!!! Hope the ANA is a good show too and I'm willing to buy coins, but I also have a few to sell/trade as well, and it makes it much harder to buy at a dealer's strong retail prices when so many of those same dealers will hardly pay greysheet bid prices for nice looking slabbed coins. We'll see what happens
Yep the original members are still alive and kickin, quite well. We just sat down, the weather is a very nice 80s, were on our 2nd R and C, and were waiting for the opening band , the '88s, to begin, whoever they are. It promises to be a rockin, time! Regarding coins, I will gladly pay grey sheet for nice copper but I am a little more selective these days so bring your copper to my table so I can take a look! Got to go, the band has begun!
The 88's stand for the number of keys on a piano, many blues and honkytonk bands have taken that type of name. Here in Phoenix, there is a band called the Rocket 88's, a top blues act, maybe it is them. They do tour as a supporting act, but I would have never guessed the B-52's. Darn Chamry, and you call ME busy?
Have fun at the love shack with the B-52's!!!!!! Sounds like a great coinshow especialy with a concert afterwards! This is my favorite B-52. AKA the Buff, brings back memories. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-52_Stratofortress
Well the concert just ended and the 88s were the B52s back up band! What an excellent concert! Wow, lots of energy, no one ever sits. They played my 3 very favorite songs, Roam, of course Love Shack, and ended with Rock Lobster. They sound as good as ever, that's for sure! More later, got to go.
Thanks for both reports, sounds like a great time all around. To bad about the coin show attendance. Hopefully it will turn around before to long.
Man a coin show and a concert? I was going to see Tool but then I found out I couldn't so it freed up money for coins lol, but it would be nice to have a job.
I hear you brother! Any job that I would want to work at, I am not legally allowed to, and mowing lawns in 100+++ degree whether down here is just plain stupid, so that is out of the question as well. It would be nice to be able to make some real cash on buy/selling coins.
I have only sold two coins lol. Granted I bought them cheap and the profit margin on one was 50% and the other 100%.
I have to say that I really love being a coin dealer and am fortunate enough to work at something I love. But I did pay my dues in the corporate world, actually the legal world, for 35 years. I certainly made more money as a litigation paralegal, but I am having so much more fun, and making good enough money doing what I love. By the way, the B-52s were playing at the Orange County Fair, Pacific Amphitheater, so the tickets were less than what we've paid to see them at other venues, but this venue was just as nice, but not quite as large as other concert theaters, though the stadium was completely packed. I know I'm hijacking my own thread a bit, but here are a couple photos I took last night with my Blackberry. We were only about 25 or so rows back dead center, though the photos look like we were in nosebleed seats! Also, here are two video clips from YouTube with my 2 favorite-B-52 songs (I took some video with my Blackberry but the sound quality was terrible so I'm posting these instead) - enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leohcvmf8kM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyj6t-5THic p.s. Harry, I like your B-52s too! My dad - who I am thankful is still with us - was in the Navy and in Pearl Harbor when it was attacked. He was 18 and working on the docks re-fueling some of the battleships when they were attacked. Any way, he later became an airplane mechanic for the Navy and loved to talk about his experiences, so I learned a few tidbits about airplanes, and the B-52 bombers were/are legendary!
Sounds like a great concert. Here is a pic of a B52 (BUFF) like the ones I saw everyday for several years. Castle AFB in Merced CA.
