I would like to go. It's the only show that is close to me. I live about 35 miles from the Fairgrounds. If I am allowed to go by my wife, it will be quite a treat. At 75, I am sure to enjoy it.
I'm actually hoping to get over there Friday afternoon -- looking to get opinions on some coins a friend inherited. I may go back Saturday, depending on how things look. One year there was a guy there with an XRF gun, but only on Friday. If he ever shows again, I've got a coin-jewelry item and a mineral sample I'd like to hit. The Raleigh show is always worth hitting, and it's only 20 miles for me, nearly all interstate, so basically a 20-minute drive. (Not to brag, but okay, maybe to brag a little.)
Heading out ("like a herd of turtles", as my wife likes to say). Report to follow, although I'll have less time there today than I wanted. (Grumble, grumble, forgetting where I put things...)
Back now. Crowds were kind of slim in mid-to-late afternoon; one vendor said there was a lot of traffic from the public in the morning. I saw at least half a dozen tables with place markers for vendors who weren't there. I'll go back tomorrow and see if any of them show up. Offers for 90% silver ranged from 18x to 18x, with a couple of "no thank you"s. My usual buyer was represented by a couple of his assistants, who said he doesn't buy 90%; either they're misinformed or he's changed his policy. Most interesting inventory to my eyes was from Mike's Rare Coins & Errors (New Bedford, MA) -- lots of examples of most of the real errors that we see here, in various combinations and permutations. (He had a PCGS MS61 25-cent unstruck planchet with a partial missing clad layer!) I foolishly didn't capture the name of the dealer who had a PCGS VF30 Humbert octagon $50 gold (they were away from the table). I'll try to post a photo later. I don't believe I've ever seen even an image of a well-circulated Half Union.
Huh -- according to PCGS, these are usually heavily circulated. And I suppose as a non-government strike it shouldn't really be called a Half Union, but that's the way I always think of a pre-1933 $50 gold piece.
Back today, and yep, nearly every table is occupied. More attendees, too. Off to see if anyone will offer better than 18x for my friend's silver...
