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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;900fine, post: 453857, member: 6036&quot;]Well, something amazing and unprecedented has come to pass !</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I went to a coin show and didn&#039;t spend a dime. <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie5" alt=":confused:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /> <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie9" alt=":eek:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /> <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie5" alt=":confused:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It wasn&#039;t because there weren&#039;t good buys. There were plenty.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>For some reason, for me, this particular coin show was all about learning. That wasn&#039;t my original intent, but that&#039;s the way it worked out... and I couldn&#039;t be happier about the whole thing.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Here&#039;s some things I learned (some I already &quot;knew&quot;, but became a little more aware...)</p><p><br /></p><ul> <li><b>Talk to several different dealers.</b> I sweep the room once, find the ones whose taste matches mine, and visit with them.</li> </ul> <blockquote><p>Most dealers like to talk about just about anything, not just coins.</p><p><br /></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><ul> <li><b>Form relationships with these folks.</b> I got good time with several, learned about them, and I&#039;m sure we&#039;ll visit in the future and will know each other.</li> </ul><p> <ul> <li>When the conversation turns to coins, <b>ask plenty of questions.</b> For instance, I&#039;m still a little unsure about this &quot;proofs have square rims&quot; thing. I saw an 1874 25c Arrows slabbed as a proof. It was heavily toned, and I would not have guessed it was a proof as there was no discernible reflectivity. So I chatted up the dealer and we talked about it.</li> </ul> <blockquote><p>I still haven&#039;t mastered the &quot;square rims&quot; thing - I still would not have picked that 25c as a proof, nor could I discern it from a strong business strike - but hey... ya gotta start somewhere.</p><p><br /></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><ul> <li><b>Don&#039;t be afraid to ask to look at coins you know you can&#039;t afford.</b> Just because you have no intention to buy today doesn&#039;t you&#039;ll <i>never </i>buy it. And you want to be in the know long before buying, so learn now for tomorrow&#039;s buy (or sell).</li> </ul> <blockquote><p>I looked over a 1795 H10c AU50. Well beyond my price range. I noticed a small dot on the right wing, adjacent to the eagle&#039;s breast. I asked &quot;Is that post-mint damage ? ... or is it a centering dot, part of the die ?&quot;</p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Well, that kicked off an interesting conversation involving several folks. No one was certain, not even dealers.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I checked Heritage pics later... it clearly is mint-made. Every one I looked at had the exact same dot. And one on the obverse, near the ear lobe.</p><p><br /></p></blockquote><p> <ul> <li>I learned a lot about <b>planchet quality on Early American Copper</b> from a true authority. Priceless ! Thanks much... you know who you are ! :smile</li> <li>I cast my eye upon thousands of coins and <b>practiced my grading vs. the TPG</b>. I think I&#039;m improving.</li> </ul> <blockquote><p>And hey.... on MS $2.5 Indian gold.... those TPG numbers are all over the place !</p><p><br /></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p>=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Howza &#039;bout you ? What stories do you have about Coin Shows as Education ? What other hints and pointers can you share ?[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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