OK, I've been at it a bit over a year or so I guess and I've been to maybe a dozen local coin shows and at a recent one a dealer told me I really should go to a bigger show to see what the hobby can really offer. So, with that bit of a seed planted into my head I asked the wife if she would want to go to Washington DC again for our vacation this year. We have been there before about 7 or 8 years ago but didn't see everything we thought we would be able to , And besides there just happens to be a big Whitman coin show in Baltimore. She agreed to the vaca spot and also agreed to let me have one whole day to do the "COIN DEXTER" hobby of mine. Coin dexter is her new word for me when she wants to call me a nerd for collecting coins. Even saying it, collecting coins, kinda makes me feel like a coin dexter. But what am I to do, I've been clobbered over the head by those gorgeous little metal objects and theres no turning back now. One of the things I had to "give up" in order to get the coinshow in the vacation roster is the fact that I have to leave my golf clubs at home. When I agreed to this , she knew it was serious. And although you would think golf and collecting coins could coexist in a mans brain, for some reason ever since I have been consumed with the coins of the brain , I just seem to have lost my appetite for golf. Now I have been called all or nothing many times in the close to 30years me and the bride have been together but I really never ,ever,ever, thought that I would be willing to put down the golf clubs even if it was beaten out of me buy some weird non golf likeing mystical demon being. But to just go ahead and lay them down with out even a wimper of a protest is actually scaring me too. Oh Yeah, there was a point to this whole thing before I went off on a totally left field rant. My original Idea was to get some tips from all you coindextering veterans on what I should do to maximize my 1 day at the show? My collecting interests have really no single direction. I just seem to fall in love with something new each week. Of course the proof-mint sets started me into the jungle but the state coins really grabbed me by the nickel sack and lately I seem to be looking at early 1800 capped busts, and a bit of the trade dollars. But who knows what it will be by then-2weeks? One thing I am definately on the lookout for is some way to organize the whole mess I have built. I have jumped in with both feet and I really couldn't give you a hint of what I even own downstairs in my quickly building pile of numismatics.There are litterally boxes and boxes of things in no particular rhyme reason or prayer of a organizational sp? order to it all. Its like a casserol of coins. So other than merry maids for coins I'll be looking for a way to get it all in order and be able to keep track of it all. So thats the one thing I know I'll be looking for but other than that I was hoping for you all to give me some sort of direction into the world of the big boys show. I did notice in one of the coin magazines the penney lady, and I'll be looking for her but other wise let me have it. I'll be going the first day of the show, thursday which is also our last day down there. I don't know if this is good or bad or indifferent but thats the plan, what do you guys (and gals) think?
Going early is always a plus(date and time wise). Bring some sort of price guide for sure. There will be plenty of supplies so I'm sure you can find that stuff. I like to look at every thing then make my choice(s). Specialty dealers are also nice if there's something specific your looking for or need to learn about. Most of all have fun
I you really want to get on Charmy's good side just bring up her Pawn Stars episode I've only ever been to a few shows and I can say this- walk away if something doesn't seem right, and if you find 'the' coin, buy it. You might regret it for the rest of your life if you pass up a coin you fell in love with. As for the whole golf thing,the coin collecting bug can do that to you. I have already had days where 4 things went through my head; Coins, food, sleep, and the bathroom.
I walk the floor and glance everything over once. After that, I go back to see what I thought was the most interesting coins and get them. Or I visit with some of my favorite dealers (they all know that I am an early proof collector) and see if they have anything for me. Mostly, I go to dexter out with the other dexters.
Can you get coins at melt or less at coin shows? I do see one of the local PM dealers does have a table at this large show around here.
You can sometimes if you shop around. Last year, when silver was at $40+ an oz, I bought $2 worth of silver for $25 from a dealer. I don't know if he didn't know what he had, or just didn't realize that silver had sky rocketed.
I was quite happy. I was tempted to sell it though later that day when someone offered me $60 for it that same day.
Biggest suggestion for a newbie at a coin show? DON'T put your hands in your pockets. Dealers are very nervous (rightfully so) of theft, so if you are near someone's table, keep your hands out of your pockets.
