Howdy, I was wondering how many people here go to coin shows. I'm lucky to be in an area where there are generally two or three shows a month within an hour or two drive. I haven't been to one for over six months (been broke, no money, no sense to torture myself with looking).
I've been to one, and I keep meaning to go to others here, but I keep forgetting to mark them down on my calendar. The one I went to had about 30 to 40 tables, and dealers were present at all of them and selling coins or coin collecting accessories and books. A nice contrast from gun shows, where half the tables are selling things unrelated like beef jerky, t-shirts, and even over-priced coins. While I was at the coin show, I only saw maybe six other visitors/buyers. I was expecting more of a crowd; I think I was there at 1pm on Saturday. I bought two coins for my Type collection (a Seated Liberty dime was one) and that's where I bought Photograde. There's another show coming up here two weeks from Saturday; I'll try and get down to see it. The nice thing about coin shows seems to be selection, even though the dealers are only bringing a small part of their inventory. Different dealers seem to have different areas of specialization, so you get to see some coins you don't see only going to a few dealers. I'm making a lot of generalizations here for only having seen one show.
By the way, anyone who's not sure if there's a coin show in your area, try looking at www.coinshows.com
I love coin shows. Unfortunately, my location doesn't have very many. Our local club puts on an annual event, and there's a smattering of shows in Kansas City on occassion, but they are usually very small and don't have much that I tend to look for. I'll be attending the ANA show in Kansas City this weekend. I was hoping to meet up with National Dealer - so if anyone knows how I might get a note to him, please let me know. He mentioned he was going to attend that show as well.
Peter; In this part of the world, if Doug came up from Utah and Dave drove down from Montana and we were to lay out some of our collection at the gymansium of the local High School, we would be haveing a "coin show". They just aren't held in this part of the country because of the lack of people. Sure wish there were some closer than a 6 hr drive and now with the price of gasoline, it even makes it more difficult to attend.
I usually make two of the three Long Beach shows each year - missed February so almost certain to make it in June. There are several other small shows within an hour's drive every month, but with virtually no interest in US Mint products, and a concentration on Japanese and other Asian numismatica, I seldom find enough to interest me at local shows to be worth the effort of going.
There will be a big coin show here in Oklahoma City on Apr 28-30. This is the first large-scale coin show I can remember being held in OKC in a loooooooooooooooooooong time! Most people around here are of the opinion, "Coins? Wuzzat? I ain't got no time for no coins! Did you hear him, Bubba? He said 'coins'.... dang fool"!
We have local shows with 40 - 50 tables here every 3 months, I usually make all of those. Every now and then I'll attend one in Vegas about twice that size. That's about it. The rest are all too far away.
I just went to my first coin show near here in austin tx ( round rock to be exact ) It was smaller then i expected ( about 30 or 40 dealers maybe? ) but very cool! It was really nice being able to look at such a wide selection of coins, I have some really nice coin shops in my area but they do not always carry some of the odd/strange things i enjoy so much. The coin show gave me the opportunity to pick up some stuff i have been looking for like... Foreign currency A panama "Pill" ( one of the smallest circulating coins ever made ) A choice BU 1924 double eagle ( my holy grail ) it was great! It had a really family friendly atmosphere as well!
Lucky location I guess. There is a nice show 20-30 tables every month about 20 miles from here. Another smaller one 10-15 tables, is about 15 miles away. Plus there are many "extra" ones that occur couple times a year, also within 20 miles. Is it possible to get "burned out" or should I say "broke" from going to so many shows.
Well, I'm looking forward to attending some shows (my first) in walking distance this year....which is good as I don't have a car. Why? Don't need one in NYC found this link too for NGC shows, offering same day grading at the show http://ngccoin.com/events.asp
I went to the Central States Show a couple years ago when it was in Columbus. There's a monthly show (3rd Sunday of the month; next one is April 17th)) I've been trying to get to since mid-2004. The Coin gods and my wife seem to have other ideas though. May 20-22 is the next big one here. I'm crossing my fingers for that one.
There are absouletely no coin shows within 100 mile radius of here.... Nearest being OKC .... Although we built a gingantic convention center in our town.... they use it to train employees to work at burger king and mcdonalds, what a crock of hockey.... Someday i'll plan to go to a coin show, but, i'll want more money to go on than what I take to the local shop, that way I can make it worth while.
When I lived in Maryland, we had huge shows in Baltimore on a regular basis (2 or 3 times a year). I thought that was normal for coin collectors. Then I moved to Louisville. Boy, were my eyes opened. Here, we have 3 shows a year, and all three of them together wouldn't even add up to one Baltimore show. I must say though, I have a great dealer here in town. If there's anything that I want and he doesn't have in stock, he'll find it for me. So shows for me in some ways are superfluous.
In Austin, TX we have a show every few months - last were in March and April, next in September. I'd go but I'm too busy recently...
I live in Florida and I plan my time around the FUN Show and other central Florida Shows (like this weekend in Orlando). The FUN is huge! 400 plus tables, seminars, clinics, and the best of the best coins all in one room. I am hoping to make this weekend...because it is there! Here are my rules for shows: 1. Don't buy the first coin you see/like. Walk the floor and make notes (booth #'s) as to who to see again. Sure, somebody might buy that very coin, but the odds are with you that the next person is not looking for the exact same coin you are. 2. Save your money for quality versus common dates. Commom coins will always be common, however semi and key dates will always appreciate (90% of the time). Sure you can fill 50 common slots with the cost of one key date, but trust me...buy the one coin instead of the 50 commons. It is not easy, but quality over quantity is the key. 3. Cash! Bring it and keep your brief case close. Dealers would rather deal in cash than checks and other payment means. Also, you can wheel and deal with cash more so than Checks/Visa/MC. But if you bring cash, NEVER lose sight (or feel) of where your money/coins are! 4. Prepare yourself. Have an idea of your high and low prices for a given coin. Bring your own loops and magnifiers. 5. Take advantage of the free services. Top grading companies like PCGS, NGC, ANACS, and ICG attend the major shows and offer on-site grading/authencity. Many times, you can take a potential coin to these services to ask what they think before you buy it. Also, take advantage of the free publications from Numismatic News or Coin World. They are looking for subscribers too. 6.) Have Fun!
There are at least 3 shows a month where I live but I too am A little tight on the Coin budget these days.
hello austinite! Is it worht driving to coin shows in other parts of texas ( san antone for example ) or just wait for them to show up in austin?
I've only been to about 5 shows--about 1 a year. I wish there were more but my money is glad there is only 1 !!!! Speedy
