To start, I had a question about this very topic. Just what are the best practices? I like talking about coins, and I mention that I have a collection sometimes with people I know. Does this put me at risk? I don't brag about it, or talk about what I have. But it often leads to the person I'm talking to to open up about what they have, and we have a good conversation. I recently came across a woman in the library with several books about coins in front of her. I went up to her and she was very forthcoming about coins she had. Did I violate her privacy? I'm going to my first coin club meeting next month and I worry a bit about taking any of my coins to show to people I have just met. And going to a three day coin show, buying coins one day, then going back the next, I'd rather leave any coins I had bought in the hotel room instead of lugging them around the floor. What security and privacy behaviors do you practice?
What you do when it comes to interacting with those in the general public outside of coin club meetings and coin shows is learn to read them. Read them that, for example, they're not meth junkies or coke heads (even reformed) and that they're not just interested in talking with you to get something out of you. If they pass the cue tests then I'd keep the discussion general and not get too specific. That is to say, don't go into detail about how many gold sovereigns you have but just keep it simple to something like, "I enjoy coins from Great Britain and the United States." Regarding taking coins to your first coin club meeting, I'd simply leave them behind and get a feel for what the meeting is like. Also, if you have coins that are perhaps not worth much but that you'd like to get rid of, I'd consider bringing those along to potentially donate to the youth bin if the club has one.
Why???? I only had my girlfriends held at gunpoint for the coin 3 times. Well I had 3 girlfriends, at least I still have the coin.
The security measures you should take depend on how much you have to lose. If it's a few hundred $, you don't need the same security as if you've got 4 or 5 figures worth. Biggest risk at club meetings and shows isn't in the meeting or show, but just outside it. That's where the bad guys spot and engage or follow likely victims or their autos. Safest place for coins in a hotel is in a safe, either in your room or at the front desk. If you don't need them in the show room, leave them in a safe in the hotel. Generally, it's better to take the coins with you to and from the show than leaving them in your hotel room unless they're in a safe. If the neighborhood of the show seems risky, don't go to the show. Cal
I am an old guy with old guy Mayberry established values. You will seldom find my truck locked. Not uncommon to find my house unlocked. I rather believe all folks are basically good until they show me otherwise. That basic tenant has served me well in life. In saying that I will also say that without question, one component of the internet age is that people do communicate differently now than only a decade ago. And the discomfort that comes with personal communication also comes with a level of mistrust. Your body language shows that and as a result those around you become uncomfortable and the cycle perpetuates. I travel a great deal with my business. I travel with large amounts of cash as I don’t like to use cards in unfamiliar settings. I utilize a motel room safe if available. But mostly my cash stays in my luggage. Never once has it been pilfered. And yes. Absolutely have conversation with those around you about your hobby if the opportunity presents itself. Generalized conversation is healthy and serves to build trust between two people. I wouldn’t strike up a conversation with a stranger about the double eagle in my pocket. However saying, “I saw you looking at that double eagle and I am interested in that series” is a wonderful ice breaker. I don’t know your history. Maybe your trust has been violated in your past in which case I would certainly understand your concerns. But I feel comfortable saying that people in general are good. They too are seeking a level of comfort among those around them. Give them that comfort by smiling and talking with them.
I don't worry at all about talking with folks at coin shows. No reason to give your full name or address. It is wise to watch your back as you leave the show and drive home or head to the hotel. Don't leave anything in your car. Remove your name badge before you walk out of the show. It could make you a target. The hotel room safes are ok for low value stuff but not for really expensive coins. I feel better having those in my pocket. Few hotels are going to take care of you if someone breaks into your room. Some hotels will have a vault but that just lets more people know more about you.
Actually, I haven't had any such problems. I just wanted to know what practices would be advisable in certain situations. And yet I don't want to be so paranoid that I don't have a good time.
I'm not paranoid to tell people I know that I collect coins, but I definitely avoid social media other than CT.
At one of the first coin shows I ever went to when I was n school in Georgia, during a lull in the action at the show, I was talking with a dealer and innocently asked him what he did about security...first I got that fishy/hard look and then because I guess I looked naive, he answered that they left the coins on the trading floor during the show since the security was good and that he did carry a handgun and knew how to use it. He then advised me not to ask any more questions like that since the dealers could have me followed with just an innocuous motion to one of the guards patrolling the floor.
I know a number of dealers who have handguns in their shop. It's an interesting question how many carry a firearm into a major show. I've looked through the dealer info for a couple and saw no prohibition. However, many major shows are held in government-owned facilities, and it's a safe bet the facilities have some prohibitions. Dealers or collectors who carry into to shows had best observe all the legalities or they could wind-up with criminal charges like the dealer in the link below. Cal Link: https://www.dailyrecord.com/story/n...rged-parsippany-show-loses-pti-bid/361873001/
Most of them that legally can. Our club ran into that problem a couple years ago the location where we had our show. It was government owned and they went to a no guns allowed restriction and told us that if they saw so much as one handgun on a dealer or behind a table or in a case they would shut down the entire show. The next year we went someplace else and let them try to get their $5000 a day rent from someone else. Our new location doesn't mind firearms at all, and is about $3000 a day cheaper. Has better lighting to.