I went last year and it was pretty neat. This year, however, there's a $5 entry charge per day, or $10 for all four days. I don't know why they're charging this year, given that they still have sponsors. But, the entry fee is not that bad at all. And, if I'm not mistaken, Heritage Auctions will also be there to auction off some coins. So that'll be neat to take part in, if you still have money left over from the 300+ booths worth of coins - it's like a mini-FUN show in April! Anyway, the biggest challenge I have is to figure out how to best navigate the different booths. I usually go shopping with particular coins in mind, but I get easily distracted. I'll probably just end up winging it. More info: http://www.centralstates.info/conv.html
I always end up winging it at the CSNS show. I'm going this year again. I thought I paid $5 two years ago? Is this new? I signed up for membership with CSNS, so perhaps I can get in without paying the fee? Bad news is that PCGS will NOT be doing on-site grading(!!!) after having graded coins at CSNS for the past (at least?) five years. This year they decided against it, I guess. After asking Patricia Foley, the convention organizer, about this, she said that both PCGS and NGC have booths for this year's show but neither has asked to rent out space in the convention center for on-site grading. The two grading companies will be accepting submissions at the show, though. Yes, there will be auctions, and if we're lucky, maybe another meeting space rented out by the Wooden Nickel Society (or whatever their title is). When I saw that a couple of years ago, it made me smile. The educational exhibits are worth visiting, and I'm not usually easily impressed by stuff like that.
I didn't pay last year to enter. They just handed me a name tag and I walked in - they even paid me upon entry lol (they gave me one of those flattened cents with their logo on it...). And, if I'm understanding you correctly, I can submit my economy tier coins directly to a TPG at the show and save on shipping! If that's the case, then I hope that they'll mark the submissions online as received on the day of receipt, instead of when they get back.
I went last year. I don't remember paying anything. But like @iPen , I got a souvenir flattened cent. I spent some time in the Heritage pre-Auction room looking at some coins. I was at the show on Thursday and spent all day there walking around. I was a little disappointed with the Numismatic display area. I was hoping for more interesting stuff. I actually bought NOTHING. I haggled with one of the dealers over a Peace Dollar, but he simply wanted too much for the coin. Way over market because it had a "+" on it. Personally, I didn't think it deserved the "+" and am glad I didn't buy it. I had fun, but am not attending again this year. I want to attend the spring Baltimore show.
I'm looking for some advice. I want to get a 1914-D Lincoln Cent in XF-40 at the CSNS show. My question is, would most dealers take in trade for this coin: 1) a 1909-S Lincoln in Fine-12 2) a 1914-D Lincoln in Fine-12 3) a 1924-D Lincoln in XF-40 4) the balance in cash. ? You can probably guess that I don't have the cash to buy an XF-40 14-D outright. I've always acquired coins with cash, so trying trade and cash is new to me. All of these coins are decent-looking for their grades. Your thoughts?
I really, really hate when shows charge an entry fee. Show sponsors should cover some of the cost. Table fees should cover the rest. If those don't cover it, you need to question your venue, or the existence of your show.
Just wondering... are there specific dealers that I should go to for selling coins? I also want to trade coins that I have to subsidize purchases, and that'll also help me to not have to carry around so much cash.
If CSNS is only a fiver, feel fortunate. ANA shows are $8 without a coupon, $6 with it, or FREE if you are an ANA member, which I STILL cannot imagine NOT being.
Interesting to see the apparent trend voiced by many sellers at CSNS that classic commemoratives are weak in price. Now's the time to buy!
