I'll be honest main reason I go to these things is just the fun of being able to talk "shop" with coin people in person. Love all you guys, but there's just something about having a conversation with people in the same room. After getting my 2 free grading submissions with ANACS (submitted the US Air Force medal, and a 2005-S proof American bison nickel), did pick up a few things: Eisenhower dollars: 1977-D (oops already had it), 1978-D, silver uncirculated 1971-S, 1972-S, & 1974-S (they didn't have 1973 unfortunately) 1958 proof set (this was the one thing I was specifically determined to find) Capital plastic holder for 1967 Canadian coins (I had this set in a US holder, so the dollar was loose since it was smaller than a US dollar lol... now they're in a holder that fits properly) Random foreign coins: 2006 Iceland 1 krona, 2015 South Africa 2 rand, 1943 India 2 anna, 1974 Netherlands Antilles 5 cents, 1982 Ireland 5 pence Foreign currency: Bank of China 10 fen foreign exchange certificate, 2002 Cambodia 50 riel, 2014 Cambodia 100 riel, 1991 Bulgaria 20 leva, China 2 jiao Had an overpriced, but tasty, baked potato with brisket, sour cream, cheese, and jalapeños, but hey parking was free so kind of made up for it lol.
There sure is. And thank goodness I can get my fellowship and education here, without facing scary physically-present people...
I made it to the show yesterday; what a blast! I went to a fairly large local show about 25 years ago and was so overwhelmed I ended up leaving after only an hour or so. This time I had a little more confidence going in but was still extremely anxious. After paying and entering to win a gold eagle I went up to the bourse floor. I spent about 10 minutes or so wandering around and watching how people were moving and associating with the dealers and began to feel at home. Just normal people, many had paper lists or (like me) had their phone in hand. I am fine buying common date coins on Ebay under $300, but anything over that prefer to pay cash; no point in you-know-who seeing where my cash goes (not talking about my wife). Because of this I had selected 8 higher-dollar coins, all cents and nickels, to focus on, had grades/costs figured out and available on my phone. According to the dealer list there were 89 there. I had some personal and work issues so only had about 4 hours to spend, so I methodically weaved back and forth through the room; took about 2-1/2 hours (one bathroom break, no lunch) and found 2 of my wanted items. Then I went back and did another 1-1/2 hour route and picked up 2 more; so 4 for 8, not bad. I am sure at some point I passed @Troodon and @Pickin and Grinin and maybe others and just didn't know it. @-jeffB ; you would be fine, no scary folks and the dealers were all very nice. Talking with the dealers they were doing well; saw a lot of them purchasing from the crowd. Prices were better than I expected; I spent in total a couple hundred more than what I hoped but feel good about it. I sold two gold eagles and got 4k each: right at spot (thanks to Erie Gold & Silver). The biggest table was at the front, West Coast Coins out of Oregon, and that's where I picked up 3 trophies. Charlie was great, very accommodating and a really nice guy. I got the other one from Pralico Coins out of Ft. Collins Colorado, and John worked with me a little on the price of a beautiful 1913-S T-2 Buffalo. I definitely wish I could have spent more time, gone through some raw collections to find more commons but it just didn't work out this time. But now I know better what to expect and can be better prepared. Photos to follow.
From West Coast Coins - first, a 1918/7 buffalo. I had planned on a better grade, but this was clean and the date was actually more readable than a higher graded one they had. Also, a very nice 1921-S. Only planned on either XF45 or maybe AU50 but couldn't pass this up.
Finally, after looking at about a dozen other ones in the room, I came back and got this 1955 doubled die. Always wanted one, and this one will definitely work. I'm not very good at photos of slabbed coins, will get better ones later once I crack them out, but this one still has some color around the rim and the devices.
It’s been a few years since I went to the Denver coin expo. The free Anacs submissions was always a bonus and the chance to win a gold coin as well.
