I have been too busy with my work to notice. I have been rather active in bidding on sixbid (proxy bids) Seems records are being broken/ coin collecting is extremely hot/ with no end in sight to frenzied bidding.
I've noticed that prices are going higher than I've seen in the last few years. Granted, I'm not bidding on the types of coins that you are. But even the low-grade stuff is going for a lot more than they were a year ago.
You are right on, seems that the secret is out....more and more people are getting into our hobby. Plus the supply is very limited, compared to all the millions of collectors worldwide.
Numismatists and their collecting habits tend to evolve over time with a large number finally becoming ancient collectors.
I'd like to visit NYC. I haven't been in a couple of years since my last business trip. (Fund raising primarily). Too bad the show will not be held.
Important Information We regret to announce that, following new Government regulations, we have had to cancel the October 11th Midland Coin Fair. The National Motorcycle Museum will remain closed and its reopening will be reviewed month by month. We are still planning to hold the London Coin Fair on the 7th November however it will be much smaller than usual. More information will be published as we have it. ALL VISITORS WISHING TO ATTEND ANY SHOW MUST REGISTER FOR EACH EVENT BEFOREHAND Please go to the show you wish to attend and click the register button
How do coin shows usually work? I didn’t start seriously collecting until COVID hit, and the thought of going to a coin show whenever they begin again is daunting. Do you bring some of your own coins if you aren’t a seller? Do people care about seeing coins not for sale? I don’t know any coin collectors outside of this virtual forum so it’s definitely the thought of going alone without knowing what to expect!
Coin shows are a place to buy/sell coins and meet other collectors and dealers. The only reason to bring your coins that are not for sale to a show is to get opinions on what you have been buying as a new collector. As a new collector for several months, YOU SHOULD NOT BE BUYING much of anything except bullion to scratch your itch. Buy a bunch of "junk silver" to start learning to grade. When a dealer is not busy, introduce yourself. Tell them you are interested in becoming a collector and ask them how they got started. JOIN A COIN CLUB in your area.
You'll encounter a large room or rooms with tables manned by dealers selling their wares. At the likes of NYINC, you'll see and handle more and better coins than in a year of eBay. Many wonderful coins in trays under glass, but if you ask you can pick them up and inspect them and some dealers have boxes of cheap things to rummage through. You may be able to inspect auction lots in upcoming auctions if the auctioneers are there. There's not much point in bringing your own coins unless you want to sell them or maybe get an opinion on authenticity as coin shows aren't a forum for just showing things, really for buying and selling. On the other hand, if you're meeting your friends, then bring along your treasures and show them over food and drink ATB, Aidan.
CT's own @dougsmit describes the coin show experience quite well here: The Coin Show and The Coin Show 2011 Sequel
Thanks everyone for the great replies! Regarding buying coins - is it common to buy coins for the list price, or is negotiating not an unexpected thing?
One of the best things about coin shows is getting to see many coins which have not ever been listed on the internet, whether from low end sellers buying from detectorists, or high end who have bought or had consigned a complete collection. Dealers often are interested in shifting large volumes of material in a short time so its possible to get relative bargains. Also, for coins listed a long time on VCoins, they may accept a better offer than they would online. Cash is king, and I mean banknotes, possibly never to be accounted for to the IRS or HMRC. Astute buyers with a pocket of cash can come away with a lot. Also there are so-called vest pocket dealers who wander the floor, supposedly only buying and with no stall, but that might have a brown envelope of coins to interest you. The downside because its time limited is much the reverse of the upside - you've no chance to check provenances and often make mistakes when you don't have large VCoins photos to consider or AC or CA to check prices. You can over pay for coins with problems, and for oer the counter cash buys without receipts, there's no returns. Sadly more and more coins go straight to auction or VCoins at standard pricing without going thru a coin show. But they are still opportunities to buy, and for dealers to close many cash sales in a single day. Lets hope they continue in some form. Not online
Negotiating is almost the rule at coin shows. I don't remember a single coin purchase at a show that I didn't offer less than the quoted price. I also have a rule of thumb that if the marked or quoted price is near or more than double what I would pay for it, I never make an intermediate offer, I just say thanks and move on.
This... is hilarious. I’m just imagining envelopes of coins handed over discreetly in exchange for wads of cash in darkly lit rooms. On a more serious note, appreciate the detailed information. Can’t wait to go to a coin show for the first time once this pandemic is over!
Coin shows can include lots of things. Some dealers sell a few coins at discounts to YNs (young numismatists) Other shows have youth auctions where bidders 16 and younger are given $20 in script to bid on some good stuff - some shows have competitive displays, note that this pic was taken before the show started Plus there are normally lots of cases and boxes of coins displayed for sale.
I have only attended one coin show/ CNA when it was in Ottawa/Ont. Never been to a actual auction....yet. However, 99% of my coins are from sixbid auctions. John
2021 would have been my 13th consecutive year of traveling to NY for NYINC. It is a highlight of my year as either a capstone to the holidays recently passed or the first adventure welcoming the new year. I am going to miss it deeply and look forward to attending on 2022!