Quite the counterpoint to the massive FUN show this weekend here in Florida, where local mask and vaccine mandates are actually banned. Typically, FUN sees more than 1,000 dealers and 10,000+ attendees. Says the FUN website, "The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) has not changed their COVID requirements for convention attendees. They do encourage wearing a mask and social distancing but it is not mandatory." http://www.funtopics.com/ I have to say that I am enjoying this thread more than most. I haven't been to a major show in years but I do have very fond memories of my coin show travels. I even miss the overnight Amtrak sleepers held together with duct tape!
Ah yes, the Amtrak memories! I went to NYINC several times by train from PA. Not comfortable, but definitely easier than driving. But it appears my NYINC days are over -edited Give me FUN any day.
The thread is in danger of running off the rails with that last message, but to try to right it, I plan to go to NYINC. The show is definitely going to be subdued and there will be some notable absences, but with a buoyant market I suspect it’ll still be fun.
I'm not even sure it will be subdued relative to a few years ago. The market for coins - all collectables really - has been blistering these past couple years. Even with some absences I predict it will be strong show overall. I'm still debating whether to attend Thursday or Friday. My heart keeps telling me that if I really want the best shot at the best coins I need to be there Thursday. But my wallet keeps reminding me I can save $125 by going on Friday.
If I were you, I'd go the 1 day early for the $125. A single coin buy generally makes that worth it. I paid the early fee in August at the ANA show and was very glad I did. I picked up a couple owls and some other things that I paid about half what I believe them to be worth. Here are a couple of them.
Those are beautiful owls, particularly the second one. If you paid half of what that coin is worth you saved a whole lot more than $125.
For years I refused to pay the early bird fee, but the last few times I did. I don’t know if it was worth it, but I definitely did some buying on the first day that might not have been possible if it were the next day.
Of the many coins I've purchased at previous NYINCs, 95+% of them were purchased within ~15 minutes of the show opening on Early Bird day. Perhaps they'd have still been around after the first day but I wouldn't count on it.
The early bird day is only three days after my cataract surgery on Monday. Hopefully I would feel sufficiently better by then if I decided to try going. I was already concerned about feeling well enough -- and able to see well enough! -- by Friday. Here's a separate question: what percentage of the dealers do people think expect to be paid in cash in order to give any kind of meaningful discount? Or would they all accept credit cards? When I was there two years ago, the smaller dealers did seem to expect payment in cash. I'm always a little concerned about carrying large amounts of cash with me. (Especially since I'd probably be going by subway. Although I suppose that if I'm going to be anticipating spending a good deal of money, I can afford to travel by Lyft!)
I was always asking myself the same thing. The few coins that I ever bought at coins shows were always significantly under 1k Eur though I have paid much more for single coins in auctions where I could pay with a wire transfer or a credit card. And I cant really imagine anyone carrying 20k or similar amount in their pocket when going to a coin show. But apparently that is required unless you have some special relationship with the dealer.
I wasn't really even thinking of 20k! I don't believe I've ever carried more than $1,000 or so in cash at once, and can't imagine carrying more under any circumstances. Even that much makes me feel queasy, but if dealers do expect cash payment to give discounts -- which was my experience two years ago -- I would probably use it up buying three or four coins at my usual price point.
I have never been to a coin auction/ show in person. A friend attended Triton XVIII event. He sat in room, heard that one bidder from Qatar had well over a Million US cash with him. Also up here we had the CNA event in Ottawa/ that was back in 2006. I was working that Sunday afternoon/ doing lawns. I decided to take a couple of hours off to quickly scout the event. I had $4000 in my pocket/ in case there was a nice coin at the dealers tables. One dealer, from the US had a MS-64 Ottoman Empire "Deluxe" 500 Piastres/ Mohammad VI from 1920 at $4500 Canadian. I offered my 4K/ and made a deal/ plus did not have to pay the sales tax I was glad I lost 2 hours work for a supberb coin. I went back to work with a big smile.
See, I would be uncomfortable even carrying $4,000 in cash. Even though I haven't been robbed/mugged, on the subway or elsewhere, since I was about 14 years old. (Knock on wood!) I am sure that dealers' willingness to give discounts for cash payments only has everything to do with avoiding having to document the transaction for sales tax (and other tax!) reasons. At the NYINC a couple of years ago, I experienced this expectation of cash payment from dealers you've heard of -- not only from small-timers. I won't name names, though!
Here where I live I would even feel at ease carrying 100K. We have zero muggings/ unless you take a stroll into low rental districts at night/ which I would not even attempt during daylight. All the bad stuff happens in seedier parts of Ottawa, where I live/ only people out and about are walking their dogs like I just did with my "Loki" . Just have to be carefull not to get to close and personal with this "Omicron" variant out there.
There is an ATM inside the Barclay. You will at least have a secure way to withdraw your daily max each day you attend. You can negotiate a cash price with dealers. You don't have to tell them the cash is not on your person but in your room safe, an ATM, or one of several bank branches within two blocks of the hotel. Dealers will put reserved coins aside while you retrieve the cash.
At fun show I always paid by check. New dealers would ask other dealers if they knew me occasionally. Never had my check refused.