Went to the International Coin & Stamp Show today at the Tucson Convention Center. I thought it was a bit lackluster compared to last year, and I bought just a couple of rather ordinary silver coins. A lot of paper currency put out this time around, and virtually no generic bullion, at least in the one ounce size, and what little was there of that had a premium that can easily be beaten in any of the area's coin shops. While prices in general didn't seem to be out of line, "bargains" weren't in abundance. Several local dealers took tables, but fewer out of town participants seemed to have made the trip. Attendance was modest (albeit we're talking about a Friday opening). It looked to me like many more people showed up for the Quilt Show in the same building (which put pressure on the parking situation). There was also an American Indian Art Show in the adjacent room (lots of jewelry). But in the coin room, there were always chairs available at any table while I was there. Don't get me wrong, this show wasn't awful, it just wasn't great, either.
I'm married and 30, and would have ended up being dragged to the quilt show by my wife to see the amazing scrap quilts.
