Just two more days and I will be working a table at my local coin show! I can't wait. A gentleman who I have befriended over the past year in my local coin club has asked me to sit with him at his table this weekend. I doubt he will have me do anything other than watch over his stuff while he sells, but at least it will give me a chance to see what it looks and feels like on the other side of the table. I hope to learn a thing or two and maybe make some more contacts. I will let everyone know on Sunday how things went. I will also try to take some pics as well.
Charleston, WV. Its the state's largest coin show. They hold it twice a year... once in the fall and once in early spring.
Joe, Your going to have a blast. As soon as I pack up from a show, I start thinking about how I can improve for the next one.
Take advantage of any lull in activity and (politely) pick the brain of dealer. To me that would be where I would benefit mostly in a situation like yours. Too far for me also (about 6-8 hour drive.) Enjoy the experience.
Thanks guys for the comments. The guy I am working with specializes in higher end Morgan dollars. (if you ask which ones, I don't know yet, but can tell you more after Saturday) He doesn't prefer slabbed coins, so all or most of his coins are raw. Therefore, you would really need to know what you are looking at and doing or you could get in trouble. There are no slabs to guide you. I am excited to see his collection and what he has to offer. He even offered to let me sell my stuff since it is modern and it wouldn't compete with his material. I told him next time, because I want to get a feel of whats its like on the other side of the table first. Since this is in my home town, I know many of the dealers setting up booths. The nice thing is that many of these guys travel the same coin show circuit, so even if they are not from here, I know them from previous shows. I have already spoken with many people I work with who collect coins and was reminding them about the show. Many have said that they doubted they would come because money was tight. I told them they could at least come and look, but if they are anything like me....kinda hard to just look!
I'd be scared to death since I would not be that aware of the true value of a coin. Everytime I look at a coin, I have to do research to know its value. Some of these coin people know value off the top of their heads. They know just what they paid for it, how long they've had it and how much profit they want to realize. Their memories are juss too good. :kewl:
Working a show is a lot of fun...and work. It's great when you have a friend there. That way you can take turns working the table and shopping. Thats why I'm always recruited to help with a friend of mine's shows. Have fun! Guy~
First day down. Not as big a turn out as expected. I thought the guy I was working with did well, but obviously I won't know until he counts his loot from today. The economy was definitely blamed for the slow turnout, but those who were buying seemed to be buying big. I didn't buy anything today, but I traded a few coins for some that I needed. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a big day.
Well gang, had another exciting day. Not as busy as yesterday, but still a steady flow of people. I am breaking my cardinal rule of not posting any pics of myself online, but this is one that the guy I worked with took of me... so now you all know what I look like..... also, Speedy, notice the sign next to our booth... John says hi! The guy I worked with was very pleased with his sales. I ended up trading, selling and buying some coins today. Nothing big, mostly all for my albums... a few Lincolns, Roseys, Washingtons, Franklins and Walkers. Also, added 5 new coins to my slabbed ASE collection. The big news of the day was that I won the grand prize of the coin show!!! They raffled off a Peace dollar every hour of the day both days, then they raffled off the 3 top prizes which were two 1/10oz gold coins and one 1/4oz gold coin.... I won the 1/4oz coin!!! The next coin show is in two weekends, but I will be out of town. Then the last one of the fall season is in December which I look forward to.
Joe , you better send that to me right away , lot of fake 1/4 oz. gold pcs. coming out of China , can't have that can we rzage:hatch::hammer:
