First Coin Show Experience

I had my first experience working a coin show from the dealer's side of the table this weekend at the Frederick, MD coin show. I must say that it was an interesting experience.

The other dealers welcomed me openly and were very friendly to me. I received some tips and pointers throughout the weekend and really learned a great deal.

As for the show, it was a bit slow. There was very little traffic on Friday. Saturday brought a good many people, but more "window shoppers" than buyers. But, I did sell some coins and made a few nice purchases during the weekend. I cherried an XF 1819/8 Large 9 Bust Half, as well as an AU-53 1828 O-105 Large 8, Square 2 Half that was labeled as an XF and priced cheap! I also bought an XF 1813 O-107, which is a fairly scarce variety compared to the common O-107a.

My first show as a dealer was certainly a fun and educational experience.

 

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Sounds really cool! I can only hope to be able to do that someday =)

 

Thats great to hear, glad you had such a great time !!! Nice grabs too !!

 

Bob:
Nice Busties!

 

Sounded like a great experience, sorry I missed it, I live down the road from Frederick. I don't know if it is too late to buy any tables but the 35th Annual Coin Expo is taking place at the Convention Center in Baltimore (I think it's November 16-18) I went last year and it was huge! Even better is that the Ravens are playing at home that weekend so there will most likely be a lot more collectors stopping in. Check it out, even if you can't get a table you can find a lot of great coins at decent prices. I think Littleton is either hosting it or will be the main vendor there.

 

All numismatists (collectors/dealers/investors) should experience a large coin show/expo early in their collecting/selliing/buying/swapping hobby/job years. It will make your hobby more meaningful.

Clinker

 

Maybe now you'll start traveling around doing all the shows all over the place. In Illinois we have at least 3/month and many of the dealers have given up jobs, coin stores, etc due to all the buisness they now have as a coin dealer at coin shows. Many in this area just do Illinois and Wisconsin shows and are really, really busy. Throw in a few Indiana shows and no time for nothing. Between web sites and coins shows, they are on the go all week long.

 

Im going to my second coin show any tips on what to bring? im already bringing a coins of the world album which i want to find out if its PVC. Im bringing $150 3 pens and some albums.

 

Nice! Nice pickups too! Sounds like you had fun! :thumb:

Phoenix

 

i need to start going to those shows! sounds like you had some nice coins to buy and a nice time! :hail:

 

I am now going to my third coin show, and I will bring at least $110.

 

congrats on setting up a table. there are many lessons to learn and so many deals to do - just have fun and don't try to be a salesman. if you don't have a coin or your coin is not in the condition a buyer is looking for, make it a point to know which dealer would have it and send them that way. if the dealer knows you are sending business his way they will most likely send it your way - even on stuff they have in a box behind the table. it's good for you and for them.

-Steve

 

the Baltimore show was purchased by Whitman. i called them up and as of right now they have 2 corner booths available. corners for this show are $1,000.00 - you get 5 badges, 4 cases, 6 chairs, and two 8' tables. perfect for sharing with another dealer or 2. the number is 404-214-4373 if your interested.

we have a corner (table 1000) and have 3 dealers setup - we bring 2 cases and let the other guys use the show provided ones. it works really well and with 4 of us, it lets someone get a chance to walk the floor, eat something, or take off early. i know plenty of dealers who will just walk the floor and not bother to buy a table. you can get a Super Bourse badge - it runs $75.00 plus a donation to Children's Hospital. it allows you to walk the floor on Thursday - dealer only day.

-Steve

 

lol, you are quite polite! Most of us call them "tire-kickers". lol

 

i have a different name for them - droolers - they drool on your case and mumble to you about the various coins and then tell you the price is too high and they have one already.

-steve

 

I'm sorry, but that's too funny.

 

Steve:
You forgot the:

1) Mine is in better condition;
2) I only paid $X (about 10% of your price) for it;
3) Do you want to buy mine?
4) They show you their 1909 Lincoln cent and expect the price of a '09 S-VDB.
5) When they find out that it is only worth 1% of the price, then: "All dealers are crooks."

 

of course they do it in a nasal whine while spitting part of their lunch on you.

*looks around forum doesn't see anyone like that, wipes brow*

-steve

 

at my second coin show i bought:
gold plated american 50 cents
25 cents canadian 1900 bill
1885 5 cents Canada
a bundle of chinese notes
a 2001 sacagewea dollar
1976 american bicentennial set
1994 american proof set
a lot of 5 coins
a $1 canadaian note from 1973

 

in winnipeg we have a coin show a month