I'm planning on it. Going to be there bright and early so I can still get up to the mountains and check out the foliage.
Not too far from me, but I don't have the $$$. Too many good coins online, I don't know how anyone has the money left for actual coin shows, LOL. I know some people probably do that in reverse, spend the money at the shows first. One day there will be shows in Portland Maine again....One day.
I went with my four-year-old son. We went to the Young Numismatics seminar from 11:00-12:30 and had a great time. He was given a bunch of used blue books, a handful of coins, and pizza. After that we walked around, I bought an uncirculated 2009 mint set and he bought about $5 in world coins.
It was fun. He was disappointed that there wasn't a playground. He heard there was a Kid Zone and imagined there being swings and a slide. I asked him if he'd go back in February and he told me no. I told him he wouldn't be able to pick out any coins if he didn't go, and he said to go by myself and surprise him.
I normally use vacation to take a table at the NHC&CE, but my workload didn't allow me to do so Thursday / Friday of this week. Walking the floor on Saturday, all of my business was purely wholesale, and I was focused on selling common stuff that you don't usually see me list on the site or on eBay. I happily liquidated a ton of common material, but found far fewer juicy coins to buy. I think that stuff largely traded hands on Thursday, and is destined for collectors in each dealer's locale. My impression is that the retail segment was poorly represented and that, at the expense of skipping shows, people are becoming more content to buy on-line than they used to be. I think this is okay for seasoned buyers who don't have as much to learn from in-hand examination, and face-to-face dealings. They have learned enough over the years to approach the offerings with sharp eyes, and healthy cynicism, enabling them to make good decisions. However, we can't lose sight of the need to properly educate the budding collectors who don't already have those experiences . . . we can't let the coin shows die off, for their sake. It is important for us to continue to attend and support the shows, even though it may be more convenient to buy other ways. Otherwise, inexperienced collectors may never become savvy enough buyers, develop the camaraderie with other collectors, share their enthusiasm for the hobby with others, and coin collecting will wither on the vine. I will continue to do my part . . . vacation days and all. - Mike
