Baltimore Whitman Coin Expo November 2024 recap: Apparently I like Indo-Parthian and Indo-Scythian

Today (November 15, 2024) I attended the Baltimore Whitman Coin Expo, so here is my brief recap of my experiences together with some (very hasty and poorly-shot) photos of everything I bought. I arrived at the show a little before 11 AM (doors had opened at 10), and left around 3 PM, with just a short break in the middle for lunch. (Ridiculously overpriced, of course. $14 for a hot dog and a bottle of Coke Zero Sugar? Okay, it was a Nathan's hot dog so it was fairly tasty, but come on!) The bourse seemed to have a similar level of activity as in previous years, though of course it varied from table to table. At some tables I had to wait my turn to get a seat and review coins. As this is only a Thursday to Saturday show, some dealers had already packed up and left by the afternoon. Naturally, I spent my time in the Ancients and World section, though I did end up with one (junk box) US token as well. Short anecdote: While I was at Allen G. Berman's table, he was settling up with another customer. The customer handed him a bunch of $20 bills. Allen quickly counted them, said "I think I owe you change", carefully recounted them, and found that the customer had indeed accidentally given an extra $20, which was promptly returned. This is the sort of honesty which inspires confidence in customers. Anyway, on to the loot.

First up is the group I bought from Allen G. Berman. This was my biggest haul (in both number of coins and price paid). First we have an Indo-Scythian bronze with an old Seaby's ticket. Next is an Indo-Scythian tetradrachm, followed by three small-sized Kushan bronzes. Finally, there is a small Parthian bronze that I probably overpaid for, but the reverse (although it doesn't show up well in the photo) is as crisp and well-preserved as I've ever seen on Parthian bronze. Interestingly, this reverse type is described in catalogues as an amphora, but on this specimen it much more closely resembles a kantharos. Definitely worthy of some research.


Next up is my other Ancient purchases. At top left is a Sasanian drachm of Khusro II, purchased from Glenn Schinke. I already have may coins for this ruler (the most common Sasanian king), but Sasanian drachms are like potato chips (and not just because they're the same thickness), you can't stop with just one. Then there are two coins from Educational Coin Company, a Turkoman figural bronze featuring a double-headed eagle, and a tiny silver of the Gupta kingdom. The bottom row starts with two coins from Tamco Numismatics, an Indo-Parthian and a Kushan. Finally, there is a delicate tiny bronze of Axum purchased from Cody Boushay Coins; the obverse looks much nicer in hand than in this photo.



And at the end are a few moderns that somehow came home with me. The three large bronzes on the top were from a junk box for just $1 each: a French 10 centimes of Napoleon III, and two British pennies of Victoria. The bottom row starts with a US Hard Times token featuring the ever-popular "Millions for defense, not one cent for tribute" design. Finally, a Newfoundland 50 cents and a Canadian large cent round out the row.

I ended the day having spent the full amount I had set aside for the show. While I didn't get anything truly remarkable, I did end up with some nice coins, including some that will be fun to research. I look forward to hearing other people's impressions of the show and seeing their numismatic finds.

 

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I would like to have gone but I couldn’t. I also can’t get to rock, gem and fossil show which is also this weekend. Hope you had a good time.

 

I've known Allen and Glenn for 30+ years. They both have fed
my appetite for Early Dated coins. Allen will Email me 4 weeks
in advance of the show, Balt. Whit. or ANA, ask me what he can
bring for me. Overwhelming service.

 

Some cool additions and sounds like you had fun at the show!