Charmy's FUN Show Report....

This was my second FUN show, and it was more busy than last year, very successful, and lots of "fun"!

My coin photographer Todd (blu62vette) and his dad worked the table with me and, even though I had to fire Todd at least 20 times for insubordination, making fun of the boss, failure to work, having too much fun on company time, taking too many breaks, and poor salesmanship, I did raise his dad's salary at least twice, gave him extra fringe benefits (snacks), and even several pats on the back for a job well done!!!

Seriously, the FUN show is such a busy and active show, that working it alone would have been nearly impossible so I am very grateful that Todd and his dad were there to help me. And I saw several of the DMPLs and other silver pieces that they picked up at the show. In spite of my incessant ribbings and jabs about those large silver disks they keep showing me, I honestly can see and understand their appeal (even though silver just can't quite compete with copper in my book!).

I stayed at a condo with Rick Snow's assistant Karin, which was located across from Rick's condo. He flew Todd to Florida early so he could photograph the finest Indian cent collection (the Carnton collection) which Rick had on consignment. Those coins are absolutely beautiful and stunning!! Anyone who had the chance to see the coins in person could not disagree that each one of those beautiful original red Indian cents are truly amazing.

I was pleased to meet/see several CT members who stopped by my table - I was actually surprised that many of you actually found me waaaay out in the boondocks! It was really great that Ricky/900Fine and Robin were able to join us for dinner on Friday night for some very yummy Chinest food. It's always nice seeing and spending time with them. They are such kind and positive people who are truly excited about coins!

I was especially happy to finally meet Dan/Catbert since we are kindred spirits drawn by our love of copper, especially Conder Tokens! What a very nice guy he is, and he has such great taste in coins, that's for sure!!!

But I thank each of you for taking the time to look me up and work your way to the back of the room just to say hi!

For me, the show was very successful - though I probably bought more than I sold, which is sometimes the case, but at this show I found some amazing copper pieces that I just "couldn't live with out," several of which I will be tucking away in my own collection! I found the most beautiful Conder tokens that I was able to "cherry pick" from two different people (Gary Groll and Ron Sirna).

I bought a very rare and beautiful Cat and Dog piece from Ron (ANA legal counsel) who was responsible for helping me buy my first two Conder tokens. He was staying at the same condo with Rick so Wednesday night after dinner, we all ended up back at Rick and Ron's condo for some wine. Ron then proceeded to give me first shot at all his Conder tokens that he brought to the show to sell. Wow, I got to see each and every one of those 300+ tokens and selected about two dozen from my initial pass, then narrowed it down to half that, including one of the nicest rare Dog/Cat pieces out there (I was later told by another token lover that my particular token was the nicest Conder token he had seen at any show in a long time!). I sent them all home with Todd to photograph and will post them in the next couple weeks.

I also bought a beautifully toned crisply struck 1926-S Lincoln cent (NGC MS64) - this coin is the twin to the 1955 double die that I recently posted here. They both have the same beautiful bluish magenta gun metal toning, and this little puppy is one of the most well struck 1926-S Lincolns I've seen! Of course, I will post a photo of this coin as soon as Todd sends it to me!

After dinner on Friday night, a few of us went back to Ron and Rick's condo and played some poker using pretzels as chips. However, the only deck we had was missing about 10 cards, but with the wine flowing and only $5.00 buy in, no one really cared!

I came home late Saturday night just so I could keep my commitment to set up at my local monthly show today. Though it sure was hard to get up early this morning then set everything up at the Anaheim show, it was worth it, and I was glad to see all the regulars at this show.

Then, the icing on the cake was that I finally got to see my son (he's 25) who has been in Japan for over a year (teaching English). He left Japan and flew to Australia over the holidays to meet his brother and dad there before heading home to the states. But they happened to arrive in California the same day I left for FUN, so I wasn't able to see him until this evening! Wow, was it ever wonderful to see his sweet face and give him a big fat long hug after all this time!

I understand the next two FUN shows will be held in Tampa instead of Orlando. So, if you can possibly work it out, I highly recommend this show to all coin people. Start planning now for the first week in January - it is well worth it and lots of fun!!!

 

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Happy you liked it.

 

I was wondering when you would post. You really mean to tell me that someone has a better Indian set than yours? I find that hard to believe. You have got to post that 26-S. I have some well struck ones, but none will slab as unc.

 

Thanks for the report.

I'd say you had an excellent week!

Sounds like it couldn't have been better. Congratulations!

 

Great report. It sounds like you had fun with people and coins. It sounds like a great show to attend.

 

Thanks for a great report PL, I really need to go visit relatives in FL next year.

 

Charmy,

If I could get to Florida in January only to meet you in person, it would be an awesome trip!

unfortunately, I am stuck in Chicago all winter!!! Doh!

 

Thanks for the update!!

 

nice report.

Just make sure to bring some nice examples to Tucson so I can see them

 

Thanks for the report, Charmy. Unfortunately I caught a terrible cold/flu and was unable to come over and infect FUN.

Wow, I wasn't aware of that.

 

Charmy, it was nice meeting you and I had a chance to take a photo of a coin that I purchased from you, maybe you'll remember it I came back on Saturday just to see someone else at your booth selling notes :crying:, but all is well!

That 11cent piece was more impressive than the pictures led me to believe!

 

I'm sure he enjoyed the snacks... but I bet he would prefer a glass of cabernet !!! :mouth:

Always a joy, Charmy. Great to see you. :high5:

 

Thanks for the report, Charmy. One of these days I'm gonna break down and do a FUN myself ... Tampa sounds right nice about now ...

 

It was very nice meeting you too! And of course I remember this pretty coin - your photos really pick up the grayish blue toning on this piece! And so sorry I missed you on Saturday - I had a local show I was scheduled to attend on Sunday so had to scoot out of the FUN show a bit early (even though I had permission, I understand those who left early without permission would be moved one row further towards the back for the next show - however, if that had happened to me, I guess I would be setting up in the restrooms next time!).

RLM, well, in my humble opinion, solid red sets are a dime a dozen - so having a pretty toned set to me is much more appealing!!! And you bet I'm going to post that 1926-S - it's sure pretty!!!

Magman, all of my newps are with Todd and I won't have them back in hand until the San Jose show which is AFTER Tucson, however, I will bring some of the Conder tokens I already have to show off if you'd care to see them.

Leadfoot, hope you're feeling better - look forward to seeing you perhaps in Tamps, if not sooner!

Mikenoodle, I will be in Chicago for MidAmerica this summer (July 14-17), so perhaps we'll meet there.

And thanks everyone - the FUN show is really one of the best run shows around, and one of the highlights of these larger shows is meeting/seeing forum members!

I will be at the March Baltimore as well as the Central States and MidAmerica shows, so hopefully we can meet again!

 

dang!

But yeah, I'd like to see some of those tokens

Anyway, I look forward to seeing you again!

 

Charmy...I am looking forward to seeing those newp's too!
And it was good to meet you. It was too bad about the other show as I stopped by every day hoping you were just at the bathroom or something

 

Duke, you too! And I'm not sure which show you missed me at? Will you be at the Tucson show?

 

Thanks for the update , I'll have to make FUN one year . Also can't wait to see your new pics especially the Condors , bet Catbert loved them .
rzage

 

By the way, if any of you want to see some great photos of what the FUN show looks like, check out this thread on the PCGS forum: http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=26&threadid=757471

 

Charmy,

Have you seen the Goldberg (pre-Long Beach) catalog yet? They have the Douglas M McHenry collection of Condor Tokens and they are off the hook. Over 250 lots of gorgeous uncirculated Condors. They are so nice that I am taking $1,000 and dedicating it to bidding on several of them for an NGC signature set. Good luck and can't wait to see photos of your newps.