Well, you've probably read a dozen reports by now, but I'm going to throw my 2 cents in as well. (if you don't recognize the names, they are probably from the NGC boards) I left Charleston Thursday after work, spent the night with a buddy in Jacksonville, and finally arrived in Tampa Friday morning. My first impression was - I don't like the location. I'd never been to Tampa before, so I will say its a beautiful city. But the signs were not clear, I got lost, parking was difficult to find (especially Saturday, when the garage was full before the show even opened). The center itself was nice, although much smaller than Orlando. So, I got in and immediately went to the ancient and foreign section. I had a few things to sell, and my main goal Friday morning was to sell them. The first dealer I went to bought most of my foreign material, mostly a bunch of French Colonial coinage. I have decided to get out of that set, in favor of focusing on my Shilling set. Speaking of - there were very few problem free, original shillings on the floor, and absolutely none in the foreign dealer section. The only shilling which fit my criteria of 1.) problem free 2.) original and 3.) not already represented in my collection was a stunning James II that Aspen Park had. I didn't buy it, but I might if they still have it in the near future. The other items I had to sell were my Draped Bust Half, which I had decided to sell in favor of some prooflikes. The Draped Bust was a gorgeous, original coin which many sellers loved the look of, but just couldn't pay me enough for it. I had bought it at nearly the top of the Bust market a couple of years ago, and had paid a premium for the R5 variety on top - most dealers wanted to give me less than half of what I paid. So I decided to take it to JJ Teaparty and see if they would buy it back (I had originally gotten it from them). Liz was very generous, and gave me a far stronger offer than any other dealer had, so I sold it back to them. There were absolutely no Franklins on the floor at all, and nobody was buying them. The Franklin market has apparently completely disappeared, most dealers would not even look at the two I was trying to sell. Maybe Tomaska's new book will help re-invigorate the market - but not a single book dealer even had it for sale. On a side note, I got my copy a week before Christmas and read through it and was rather disappointed. The color photos are nice, but I can see those on the Registry. Overall, I felt the information had been dumbed down and everything read more like an advertisement. The 2nd edition remains my standard reference for the series, I would encourage you to pick that up over the new book. Tomaska was not at the show, which was disappointing as I had hoped to show him my '63 toner. Now on to what I got: The name of the game this year for me was "Stunning Originality." I didn't want to buy anything unless it was extraordinarily special - original, colorful, tremendous eye appeal. I wanted everything I bought to have that "Wow" factor. I started with this 1826 CBH graded PCGS EF-45, which I got from 900fine. He had a table on the very last row (which is where I started), and it was very nice to meet him. I have bought coins from him before, and he has always been great to work with. This CBH has tremendous color, and fits in well with my CBH date set. Next up was this 1838 Reeded Edge CBH, PCGS EF-40. I've been wanting one of these for a while, but it seems like every single one I see has some sort of negative - weak strike, terrible eye appeal, washed out, cleaned, or some other problem. It is almost impossible to find an eye appealing Reeded Edge, with choice dark original color, a strong strike, and overall the "gem circulated cameo" coinage that I love. This coin fits the bill. Its also a JR-7, which is an R-6 die marriage - but absolutely nobody collects Reeded Edge varieties, so there is no premium. There were a few dealers with Walkers, but almost none with toned Walkers. Almost all the Walkers I looked at were mushy strikes, blast white, dipped out, generic Walkers. And then I saw this one. While the strike isn't as great as I would like (although it is an S mint), the color and originality sold me. It is a great match for the '43 that I already have in my set. PCGS MS-65. Every dealer I stopped at I asked about prooflikes. Many said they admired them, a few had no idea what I was talking about, but very few actually had any. I brought a few of my best pieces to show off at the luncheon on Saturday, so I was showing these to dealers. My 1855 half cent was a real hit - almost every dealer had that "Wow" reaction that I really enjoy. A few highlights in dealers cases: 1895S Barber 50c that was fully PL, but undesignated; a couple of gold PLs (more on that later), and a couple of borderline undesignated Seated coins of various denominations. However, the real highlight of the show came when I saw Century Coin's table. It started off with a 3 cent silver, graded MS-66PL. This stunner was absolutely gorgeous - deep mirrors, original color, and the strongest cameo you've ever seen. They wanted $7500 for it, and I would have paid it if I had it. But then I saw the most amazing thing: not one, but TWO prooflike Capped Bust Halves. They had an 1834 NGC MS-66PL (!!!) ($30k) and an 1830 NGC MS-64PL. ($19K). I sat at that table and looked at them for at least half an hour. Their entire table was full of stunning coins, including a 1796 Half in AU-50! I could have spent all day at that table. Well, moving on, I finally found a PL that I didn't have and that I could afford, this 49S Dime, NGC 66PL. Strong mirrors, but the strike is a bit weak. 49S is also the most common date for silver Roosie PLs, which makes it great for type. Friday night I went up to Orlando and hung out with another buddy from college, who just happened to be in town on vacation. Saturday morning I went back to the show, picked up the lot I won at the Heritage Platinum Night auction, and then went to the NGC Luncheon. Great food as always, but the real highlight was hanging out with good people. Shane, Chris, $ilverHawk, and a few others were at my table (and we saved a seat in memory of Lou), and we had a great time passing around the coins we had bought/brought. Some highlights: $ilverHawk's stunning textile toner and very nice, original set of Walkers, Shane's stack of stunning toners, Sy's stack of stunning toners that Shane had brought to show off, and the medal Shane got for Chris. However, the highlight of this little show and tell had to be Sy's CAMEO proof Walker. Yeah, that's right. A proof Walker with no-question black and white cameo contrast. It was an absolutely stunning coin, and thanks for sharing it with us. I've seen pictures of it before, but they just can't compare with holding it in hand. The other highlight of the show, which I will at long last finally come to, was the lot I won at Heritage. I hadn't really intended to win it (this was one of those that, like Schatzy, I just sort of put a bid in for the heck of it, and wound up winning). I fully expected it to go higher than it did, but I'm glad I won it. This is my first PL Gold, an 1880 G$1, NGC MS-65PL. Idhair has in the past recommended not purchasing PL gold in less than 64PL, and now I can see why. This coin is absolutely fantastic, and embodies my goal of "stunning originality". The color is absolutely original, orange gold, with full flashy mirrors, a gorgeous light cameo on the devices, and strong strike. I am terrifically proud of this coin, and hope to fill my set with coins like this. Well, if you've made it this far you are probably bored to death, so thanks for reading. I had a great time, got some great coins, and met some great people.
Thank you for the report, Physics, very insightful, and a great read! I wish I could have seen those PL CBHs, they must have been quite a sight.
Always nice catching up with you and getting to see your PL's....I agree with the sentiment on the PL half cent and your Gold dollar was very swwet with nice original color as well.
Thanks, Jason! Yes, it is always great to be with friends whether it is just for small talk or about coins, but those coins ain't exactly shabby either. Chris
I keep coming back to see your 1880 G$1. Your photos are so so much better than HAs own. Very impressive coin.
Heck yeah ! That's how ya do it. Thanks to your fabulous images, I'm missing it ! I'm glad you got it. Great to hang with CT guys. I'm very pro-CBH. They reward the search with some very lovely, lustrous coins. Other Capped Bust denominations are much tougher. All the best to everyone ! I'm glad the Tampa FUN was such a smash.
Wow, that's a reallly sweet 1826. The 1838 is awesome too - I love collecting those obscure and rare ones so few collect!
Many of my coins have a Wow! factor too. It's just, ,"Wow! Why would you want a scuzzy coin?" Thanks for holding up the other end of the hobby for me.
Back from Tampa. Nice town ! Be sure to check out Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City. It's voted "Best Place to Take Out-of-towners"... or should be. Thanks Mike !
