Going to my first coin show...any advice on what I should look for as far as...

any particular coins that seem to be more prominate at these shows??? Is the average price better than coins shops/e-bay etc.....

I know there are always exceptions, I am talking on average.

 

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check out the grey sheet, and then feel free to negotiate.

Haggling is half of the fun.

 

If it's a large show bring a list of coins you want , be courteous and look at all the coins you can , also don't buy just to buy , at a large show the number of coins can be mind boggling , have fun .
rzage

 

I can tell you from the coin shows that I've been to that there is always a variety of everything, U.S. and World coins but there seems to be a large amount of Morgan and Peace Dollars at almost every table unless a dealer specializes in a particular coin like Buffalo Nickels or Standing Liberty Quarters. As far as the prices go, they'll be pretty much the same as your local coin dealer. Some dealers may give you a break on larger purchases. The best part of a coin show that I like is that you can negotiate with a dealer face to face, something you cant do with online auctions and stores. You'll love the atmosphere of a coin show and you'll always want to go back. LOL...I always have a hard time leaving one.

 

Feel free to ask a lot of questions. Truly, there's no such thing as a "dumb" question. Most dealers are very open. And ask folks other than dealers, for that matter.

Folks like to talk about their hobbies. That's why this website exists !

 

If the show is not a very large one, I always walk around at least once or even twice for small shows and have a soft drink before deciding on my priorities to buy, and what I want to offer. I often use this time to take out my reference material to double check. If you don't have greysheets than print out the numismedia values or even a coinvalues magazine and reduce the prices. If you are after varieties such as VAMS, DD, RPD or RPM, hopefully have a Cherrypicker's and a good loupe. I carry a LED flashlight also. All of this goes into a zipped carrybag so it doesn't look like you are shoplifting. If the dealer thinks you know what you are talking about, it is often easier to make a respectful deal. I ask for their card and if I have been searching for specific coins ask if I can email him a list, and I do later. Often though the dealer has a bottom line for a coin and if it is out of your reach, thank them and move on.
Most low-range or common coins are available many online places and forums with easier return then from a show, so I use the show for bipolar shopping I look for the rarer lincoln and indian varieties, and then at the last I shop the "blue books" , the generally whitman sets of collections of cents, or whatever. Generally, these are almost always at "bulk" price, and are better than just taking out of a sack if the original collector was dedicated. Silver collections are often at almost melt. I bought a complete washington silver quarter collection ( minus the keys) for melt at my last show. Ike dollar collections, even ones mainly unc & proofs, are very neglected.
Near the end of the show is probably the best time to hit with a low-ball price, if it isn't accepted, you have had a great time and go home.

Jim

 

...And if I might add, if you need more experience in grading ( and I always do), A show is probably one of the few times those of us who do not live near a large coin store can see a large assortment of slabbed coins. Take a little time and see if you can tell the difference between a MS64 1881-S and a MS?? 1881-S. Also it is probably the best time to actually hold in hand and view multiple 3-leg Buffs, 1909SVDB, 1914D Lincolns,1955/55, etc. I can justify going to a coin show 100 miles away with no spending cash just for the education. I envy you Have fun and learn a lot.

Jim

p.s. Build rapport, dealers are human..an offer of a soft drink might pay off in the future.

 

Great advice from Desert Gem :thumb:

 

Price shop, particularly if it's a big show.
Don't do what I did.
I got so excited about finding a coin I wanted I snapped it right up ... for $400.
Went to another table and saw a PQ one in the same grade for $300.

D'oh!

 

Do not fall in to the bait and switch. Here is the short story: One woman told us about a YN discount, but at the counter, the man didn't accept it. We ended up paying full price.

 

Plan to go to enjoy the show and the variety of coins. If you come back with something purchased, that's a bonus.

I don't think there is an "average" show-- some emphasize US coins, others have lots of World Coins, some carry more less expensive coins, others might as well require a credit report (I almost showed my age and wrote "D&B") before entry since everything is high end.

I rarely walk out of a show without buying something, but then, I can't recall a show that didn't have at least one coin with Queen Elizabeth on it, or the year 2000, for my YN...

 

when i was active i prefreed shows where bigwigs were there no need to go to a show and come back without a rarity that truly is an awesome waste of time but its a good learning experience the first few times

 

Go with an idea of the coins your looking for, and a set amount of money that your willing to spend. A good coin show might have several nice coins that your looking for, and you might end up emptying your bank account if your not careful, lol!

 

The most important thing is to HAVE FUN!!

I have picked up reference materials at really insane prices at coin shows. Also look for supplys like loops, 2 X 2, and 2x2 boxes. If your going to buy a coin from that dealers ask if he can throw in a loop. I have a 2 sided 10X 20X loop I got for free and I bought the ANA grading book for $3 at a show.

Talk to all the dealers. Tell them what you are interested in. I have only been collecting for 2 years and I have dealers come up to me when I go to a show and whisper in my ear "come see what I saved for you." I'm not a big spender, I have never spent more than $50.00 for a coin so I'm not a big spender.

Set a spending level and stick to it. Don't buy the 1st coin. Look at every booth. Try to get a greysheet, you wont pay those prices but you shouldn't pay much more than those prices. Do negotiate with the dealers but also leave some room above the greysheet.

 

I just went to my first show yesterday- Richmond, Va.- had a great time. Had a chance to look at several 1921 Peace dollars at one time, compare strike, luster, etc, no comparison to looking at online photos. Met some really nice folks who sell, one said "Oh, look what I just got in a trade" and proceeds to place in my hand an immaculate proof SL dollar, half, quarter, and dime, all separated from my sweaty palm by a mylar flip. Lord knows what they were traded for, I was too stunned to ask. Then he pulled out two 1795 cents, both vf, graded by different companies, and proceeded to show me which was the better coin and why. Very instructive, and fun! I wound up buying a Conn. comm. half from him, and a nice Weimar coin from someone else.

 

Glad you had a good experience. Until I gained more experience, I felt like I was walking into a den of thieves. Then I figured out the nicest people are not always the best to deal with. I make a couple of laps to check out the material and then stop and chat with friends and have my mind made up before I go in what I want and try to stay away from impulse purchases. Now it's a very pleasurable experience and if I find a good deal on something I wasn't specifically looking for, I'll buy it.
I'm always looking for new material to sell and occasionally add to my own collection. Some of the dealers contact me beforehand to find out what I need for inventory. I've met some great people, however also a few scoundrels. Experience is the key word.
Good Job,
Vegas Vic

 

I limited myself by deciding how much cash I was willing to carry around- to me $500 seems like a lot to have sitting in my pocket, LOL! Next time I go, I'll have more clearcut objectives, but will still enjoy being surprised.

 

nice i would be over the moon too if i could get a coin for 50 bucks very nice

 

agood way to ward of impule purchase is to imagine that you will go hungry if you buy the coin and is it worth being hungry for

 

Find a dealer that specializes in your series and ask as many questions as he will answer. Picking the brain of an expert is pricless !!!