FUN Show (Florida United Numismatics)

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by Duke Kavanaugh, Dec 7, 2009.

  1. GoldFinger1969

    GoldFinger1969 Well-Known Member

    Anybody going to this year's show January 9th-12th, 2020?

    I've never gone but am strongly considering it. I only work PT so it's just a question of getting down to Florida from NY...and hoping I can scrape together a few $$$ to buy some stuff.

    Just curious...how is the pricing there relative to a LCS, Ebay, Heritage, or smaller monthly local coin shows ?
     
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  3. Duke Kavanaugh

    Duke Kavanaugh The Big Coin Hunter

    I'll be there.
    You'll find all kind of stuff at all kinds of prices.
    Sometimes there a dealer or 2 that have a big area of 20 tables in a circle that has all kinds of cheap stuff.

    Parking and food are not cheap though.

    Hope you make it.
     
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  4. physics-fan3.14

    physics-fan3.14 You got any more of them.... prooflikes?

    There are costs to go - plane, hotel, etc.

    The biggest advantage is meeting dealers and collectors face-to-face, making friends and making connections. Several members here I have met over a fine steak dinner, and we've talked coins and wine and steak and such. They've shown me rarities, I've shown them things I've brought and bought, and we've marvelled at each other's treasures. I've held million dollar coins that the owner was eager to show me because he knew I'd be interested. The connections you make with dealers will reward you in ways you didn't even expect. I've met and conversed with many names you'd recognized, and I've enjoyed almost every interaction.

    The other advantage is, especially for the FUN show, is seeing the Heritage auction lot preview. Heritage has the lots online for viewing beforehand, of course, but you can literally walk into their lot viewing room and look at any coin you want to, in hand, before the auction. You want to see that 27D St Gaudens? All you have to do is ask. This is a huge advantage that show attendees have.
     
  5. GoldFinger1969

    GoldFinger1969 Well-Known Member

    Got a friend who lives in Orlando, so if I stay with him, that'll save a few $$$.

    FUN sounds like fun !! Leaning strongly to going.....just hope I can bring some $$$ to spend !:D
     
  6. physics-fan3.14

    physics-fan3.14 You got any more of them.... prooflikes?

    Biggest advice I can give: If you do go, plan on 3 days at the show. Look at the show schedule, and look for lectures and presentations. Look for club meetings. There is probably a specialist club for what you collect. I know there are several people here heavily involved in the specialist clubs, and that's one of the absolute best resources you can tap into at a show like this. The presentations are often world-class - even if it isn't something you would normally be interested in, I guarantee you will learn something cool.

    Plan on half a day looking at Heritage auction lots. You can look at literally anything in their auction in hand. Look at whatever you can, even if it isn't something you would normally be interested in. The education of viewing it in hand, evaluating the grade for yourself, and comparing it to the TPG grade will improve your skills more than just about any other activity I can think of.

    And, if @Insider is giving a presentation at FUN 2020, you absolutely must re-arrange your schedule to attend his lecture. You will not regret it. I've been to 2 of them, and they were 2 of the single most interesting numismatic hours of my life.
     
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  7. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    I will be there for the duration of the show with an exhibit. It's one of the best numismatic events of the year. The New York International show is not supposed to be at the same time this year. That will be good because I am spending more and more time in the foreign and ancient coin section.

    I am on the outs with NGC, so they won't invite me to their lunchean unless I try to invite myself. PCGS might invite me. I have actually learned more at the PCGS affairs that have help my coin searches and made me more aware of the counterfeit problem.
     
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  8. ldhair

    ldhair Clean Supporter

    This show is my once a year chance to get away from everything and just have fun. Booked my hotel and flights last week. I'll be there W-Sat.

    It's also my only chance each year to meet with old forum and dealer friends. I walk every table each year and learn a great deal.

    I have to ask a friend to get me into the PCGS lunch. I don't know what NGC is doing this year. Last year they just had a small party in the evening. It was fun.

    One of my favorite things is the fly-inclub meeting. You don't need to be a member to join the meeting. Those that enjoy Flying Eagles and Indian Cents will enjoy it.
    Chris Pilliod, Rick Snow and Charmy, are always there.
     
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  9. GoldFinger1969

    GoldFinger1969 Well-Known Member

    Great Duke...maybe we can meet up (if you don't mind spending time with a relative novice :D).

    Any suggestions on which hotel to stay at...closest and/or cheapest ?

    If I'm going to go, I guess I have to at least book a hotel NOW since it is Orlando and I figure Disney and Universal also grab rooms at that time of the year.
     
  10. GoldFinger1969

    GoldFinger1969 Well-Known Member

    Awesome advice, thanks PF !!

    I'm going to work on a schedule and plan out my days. Good thing about the vendors is you can visit them anytime. My astronomy club puts on a big annual show and I see how visitors split their time between lectures, workshops, and the vendor floor show -- so now it's MY turn to do that. :D

    Will do....and is this the stuff that is going to be auctioned off on their Weekly Auctions that I have been bidding on for the last few months on Heritage Live ? My understanding is that once the internet bidding is over, the Live Auction starts and folks like me at home can then bid in that rapid-fire process where most stuff comes and goes within 30 seconds or less.

    Awesome, thanks !! :D

    I will revisit this thread in late-December, you've given me some great advice and I do appreciate it. Outside of local shows with 20 dealers and maybe 40 tables, I've never gone to any big national (or even regional) coin shows.
     
  11. GoldFinger1969

    GoldFinger1969 Well-Known Member

    Great, if I can't find you by your name, please post your Exhibit # or Title so I can find you and say Hello.

    Unreal, I've never gone to the NY show (even though I live in the area). I hear it's much more foreign-dominated, I am sure there's still some U.S. stuff, right ? If not, I'd still probably find it interesting (and less expensive, since I probably wouldn't buy as much stuff !!! :D ).

    Anybody can go to these or you need an invite ?

    Seems like ALOT of stuff going on, I'm gonna definitely look for a schedule a few days/weeks before the show.

    I will probably stay 2-3 days. Maybe even all 4....gotta work on the travel schedule first.
     
  12. GoldFinger1969

    GoldFinger1969 Well-Known Member

    Any thoughts on CLOSE or CHEAP hotels to utilize ? Not familiar with the Orlando layout at all. :wideyed:
     
  13. ldhair

    ldhair Clean Supporter

    This link is to a few of the hotels. They are really close but not cheap. There is also a fee on top of the prices shown. http://www.funshowhotels.com/january-fun-show-2020
     
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  14. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    The exhibit will cover the Early U.S. Half Dimes.
     
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  15. GoldFinger1969

    GoldFinger1969 Well-Known Member

    Thanks John, I will definitely stop over and see you. And if the rest of you want to get together for lunch or dinner or even coffee, you can reach me at
    edited
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 19, 2019
  16. Coin buyer

    Coin buyer Member

    As usual, looking forward to the event.
     
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  17. almostgem

    almostgem Junior Member

    I'd really like to go this year ... will depend on the wife. She just started a new job, so may not have any PTO in order to go. Last one I went to was in Fort Lauderdale, the day the guy went berserk at the airport and killed people back in 2017.
     
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  18. okbustchaser

    okbustchaser I may be old but I still appreciate a pretty bust Supporter

    GoldFinger, just as a general heads-up...you might want to edit out your email address (unless you actually LIKE spam) and just ask people to PM you.

    As for FUN, I haven't made it for the past 4 years. I miss going, but probably won't go this next year either
     
    GoldFinger1969 likes this.
  19. Santinidollar

    Santinidollar Supporter! Supporter

    I am mulling it over.
     
  20. GoldFinger1969

    GoldFinger1969 Well-Known Member

    Oops, too late....:mad:....can't edit the comment.

    If the Mods want to delete my email above and just put in "coffee, please PM me or post here in this thread" -- great.

    Otherwise, I'm not gonna worry. How many spamsters are lurking here anyways ? :woot:

    Now watch...dumb question !! :D
     
  21. TONYBRONX

    TONYBRONX Well-Known Member

    What are the dates for the fun show, I always try to go but my health keeps down, I am going try to to this show, I am two hours away in St Petersburg.FL. So it's a matter of being able to drive there or find another way! Thanks for any info.
     
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