A brief glance at FUN 2017

I didn't think I'd be able to attend FUN, but things just worked out, and I managed to spend 3 hours at the show this Saturday.

The show is free. You show up, they give you a nametag and a complimentary pocket loupe, and you are free to go in and browse the dealers' tables. The whole thing is immense, but don't feel overwhelmed because the reality is that most of these tables are full of modern slabbed bullion, foreign slabbed bullion, slabbed commemorative coins, slabbed foreign coins, etc. It's really mostly a sea of slabs that are best avoided.



And then you see it, right at the end of the sea of tables there is a small area where the ancient dealers are at. It's probably no more than about 7-8% of the entire floor show. But that's more than enough to make you crack a smile and have a fun time.



Even here there are some nasty slabs to deal with...but I suggest you simply laugh at them and move on. Prices at FUN are already a joke, but slabbed ancients are so jacked up in price they make everything else look cheap.

More than $2000 for a VF Late lifetime/early posthumous tet? Hahaha, move on soldier! And is that a Philip Tet for $1,400 next to it? Hahahaha. I know there's a sucker born every second, but can you find one gullible enough to swallow even those prices?



But once you get past the outrageously priced slabbed ancients (which I'm happy to say were a tiny minority of all ancient coins), there are table after table of raw ancient beauties. Even these are grossly overpriced, but there are some deals to be had for those with a discerning eye.

Yes, even for lovers of Asian coins!



And lovers of Late Roman bronze!



And lovers of pre-Islamic and Islamic middle Eastern coins



And yes, even for those with the Midas touch! @panzerman , I'm looking at you.




Lots and lots of coins!



Well, I hope that was at least mildly entertaining for those who couldn't be there this time. A comprehensive tour through the show it is not, but it should at least wet your appetite for the next coin show in a town near you.

 

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Great pics, always enjoy seeing "coin porn"!

I do think the prices, especially the slabs, are a f-en joke.

I also dread the time when all ancients will be in the pile of slabs, it's gonna happen whether we want it too or not.

 

The Indo-scythian drachm and Gordian III denarius I bought for $150 total, and could have probably been purchased for $25 less had I been bidding at an auction such as Agora, or even JA's. And that's after getting the dealers to knock off about 20-30% off their asking prices.

That's why I think shows like this will eventually die. It costs dealers a lot have to travel from California or New York or wherever, then pay for a table, and pay for a hotel, and try to pass the cost on to suckers (I mean...show attendees) in the form of grossly overpriced coins. It's a lot simpler having a website and selling these coins online on vcoins, Ebay, their own websites, etc. It translates to less overheads and more profits for the dealers, and cheaper coins for the consumers. Shows are nice to see the coin porn, but not so much to buy.

 

I don't collect ancients but really liked your report and the pics were great. Thanks Why can't a lot of dealers just put a fair price on there coins?

 

Slabs themselves are a market novelty.
All of us atleast most of us agree ancient coins have no business being put in a plastic tomb.
I had my moderns out last weekend & realized that more than half were indeed slabbed. I actually added a coin to it after a modern no buy period of 6 months. But these are modern coins, a completely different market.
It'll be a sad day when all you can buy are slabbed ancients.

 

I have never been to a coin show and I will look forward to going to one now after seeing your tour of one. Thank you.

 

This thread is so full of false information I don't know where to start. Actually I'm not even going to reply to the information because it is just so wrong.

 

Ah yes, Slabs. Anytime we ancient collectors mention "The S Word", a debate/long thread ensues about the right/wrong of plastic.



Slab Debate, Round X, Begin!

 

It's the 'ancient' point of view Larry. Those fellows view things differntly than us more 'modern' folks. Sorry I missed the show and meeting up with you again. Always a pleasure. Did you see that old crusty fellow cpm9ball?

 

Must be the Scotch........

 

I wish we had coin shows like that here in Melbourne, our biggest are about a tenth of the size of your one with about a hundred ancient coins and the rest world.

 

And I know you ancient fellows want to touch everything.......that's how one contracts a disease......

 

Funny how I've always felt that, as a buyer, I mostly see garbage for selection and prices online, but more often seeing incredible coins and getting amazing deals at shows.

 

I looked at the ancients at FUN and IMO there were plenty of beautiful raw and slabed coins to suit any taste. Great prices too. I did notice that most coins that would go into my collection were in the 400-900 range. That's a lot of money and the reason I don't collect much anymore. There were tons of beautiful "sand colored" patina inexpensive coins too.

 

Sorry, I should've known better.

 

I have yet to go to a coin show. Close this year but notta.
Great pics & tour Sallent.

 

There were also tables with ancient artifacts, but I did not have much time to browse those.





I also loved the collections on display. Look at this one of pre-colonial African money. I met the owner and he gave me the most fascinating lecture on this type of money.

 

Twelve Caesars Exhibition

 

Thats cool!