More pix, more pix! Thanks @lordmarcovan for your running encapsulation. And also for sending my best wishes to a good buddy.
My second coin purchase for the show, from Karl Stephens. @Chris B ‘s silent influence and “Wildman” obsession made me do it. I bought it, and walked it straight over to the NGC booth, so off it goes. I hope it straight grades. Mr. Stephens said it had a light brushing in the past, and gave it 50-50 odds at a straight grade. The eye appeal is there (nice subtle colors in the cabinet toning), so even if it comes back with a “details” grade, I should have no trouble flipping it. (Straight grade, and I’m keeping it.) *Late-2023 update: the coin went "UNC details/cleaned" at NGC. I later sold it and bought a straight-graded AU55 of the same date.
Karl always has really nice coins. There usually is a crowd at his table. Bought a few "Hog Mouth" thalers from him over the years. Get on his mailing list. all kinds of goodies.
One booth was selling gemstones and stuff. I bought this polished Labradorite heart for Mom (she loved the stuff). Her birthday was January 4th- now the second we’ve had without her, as she passed on 12/23/21. While I’m here in Florida, I’ll be making a side trip to Sarasota to visit her grave, where I will leave this. I was at her memorial service but not her interment, so I haven’t been to visit her there yet. Tomorrow morning on my trip home, I’ll go do that.
Meet Hope, an Aussie shepherd I met outside. Pretty baby. Been there, got one of those. Meet Lucy, in this pic from home. (Note also the empty Vienna sausage can in the couch, which Lucy had filched from the recycling bin. See the guilty expression?) Also seen: Huckleberry the Cat, Grace the Dachshund, and many clumps of shed pet hair. An allergic person would perish from anaphylactic shock immediately upon entering our home.
My wallet finally loosened up a bit, and I bought these three. Update: graded XF40 at NGC. The last two were from Paul John Landsberg of Ephesus Numismatics. Update: graded MS65 at NGC. The anti-slavery Hard Times Token has some heavy scratches in its ANACS holder. I’ll cross it to PCGS or NGC eventually. I’ve long admired these types (and the similar British Conder token types which preceded them).
One final purchase to post, when I get back to the hotel. Whew, I’m spent. Physically and financially.