I am going to a Coin Show this month. I have not been to one since December, and that one was primarily to pick up something for the Secret Santa exchange, and to look for something else that was likely to have been there in a flea market part. This one is only a Coin Show, and I am going to look for me. I will, because of circumstances, be limiting my budget there to maybe 200.00, maybe less. Have not decided for sure. And to meet that budget I may line up some of my coins to see if they will sell to a dealer. But my goals for this one are: Within the budget.... get a new ancient coin that is fascinating and different from what I've gotten before. So pretty much wide open. However, I've been to shows before where basically no-one has brought their ancients, so this might not be feasible. Find one or two slabbed coins that will fit in with my collection if I can. No hurry if I can't find one. Price is going to have to be a real factor in this, so some of my wants may not get filled here. Really start seeing if I can cherry pick something I would not ordinarily be looking for. Or, barring that, find a great coin or two that I pay less than 50 for that would fit in the Post your under $50.00 purchase... thread. Yeah, I think that is my plan. What are your plans for March or April at Coin Shows?
I am afraid I will be doing my taxes. US and 2 states Have a great time ) . When my list is bare, I tend to look for 1892-93 Columbus halfs in nice shape. They are usually inexpensive and can often have great toning, and I check it out, I glance over the rest of the offerings to see if there is something I really want , without appearing interested in it Jim
Sounds like a good plan! Let us know how it goes. Best of luck! When I go to shows, the goals tend to be: 1. Sell some items that are easier to move at a show vs online (for example, bullion coins where the fees/shipping make it more effective to sell in person as opposed to eBay, etc...) 2. Find items that dealers might overlook (in my case it's older/unusual holders...I strike out many times, but one show was very rewarding with several Hallmark holders found at great prices). 3. Get to see a wide variety of coins in hand (especially at bigger shows, some cases are like a mini coin museum).
@ddddd agree with #3 in particular. Coin shows are a great place to start seeing coins in hand. The dealer has no idea if you can or can't purchase and you get to see graded coins as well as test out your own ability to maybe cherry pick something or see a coin that still has a price tag on it that reflects it's value years ago and is much less than current value. Never know.
April will have a coin show at the The Palace Station casino in Las Vegas. I have my tax refund from both state and federal back. I paid off my credit card debt and still have a nice pile for coins. I will have $700 for the coin show. probably spend $500. I will have my want list for Toned Canadian caribou quarters and 50 cent pieces from 1937-1967 needed. If I do not find these coins I will look for 19th century coins. I might buy some silver bullion too. So looking forward to it.
I always go with an open mind, not knowing what catch my eye or what I will cherrypick. Since I will be looking at a bunch of the dealer’s coins, I try to get to know the dealer and just have a nice conversation with each of them. This is the part I remember most about each show I go to and where I often learn the most. This also helps you determine which dealers are experts, which are just salesmen, which are kind and honest, and which are just trying to take your buck. This allows you to know which dealers would have the best cherrypicks to be found,
Went to Baltimore Whitman Spring show yesterday. Got the PCGS MS65 1939S Washington I was targeting at better than eBay price. Picked up 1995 and 1997 silver proof sets as well.
Kasia You may want to try this trick....I always make my rounds at a show scouting out possible buys, except if I spot a have to have coin , then I do sometimes pull the trigger right away as in the past my second go round the floor the coin has already been sold. My tip is scout out dealers whom don't really sell ancients , as the dealer may just want to purge it from their inventory. As it isn't in their wheelhouse but it came in an estate sale and they purchased the lot. A couple years back I had a dealer offer me a small collection of them to again get something for them as he had no interest as he had no knowlege of what he had. I did pass his name onto a member here ,unfortunately the dealer had them priced to sell and they were sold soon after. But I do find my dealer friends finding all sorts of items...Ralph had this medal some German general done in bronze in a wood case....he didn't research it....and had it in the bargain bin for like $10. I knew it was worth more than ten bucks....so I should of purchased it ,but nice guy I am I jumped on Google and in less than 5 minuites found out it was in fact a rare piece worth hundreds of dollars. He had also had these small brass pieces with both black and white ,and color images of civil war generals! They too turned out to be rare and took a few minuites of research to discover just how rare! So walk the show scout out and never be afraid to inquire and make honest bids. You be surprised as to what some dealers truly don't want to deal with. I also find it funny that durring show set up I talk to my dealer friends and often tell them that they have a nice variety ,one that would add a lot more meat on the bone. Most tell me if you want it....make me an offer...Or they shoot me a price well below trending values. It always pays to be honest..and make friends by sharing your knowlege. I say 99% of the time, but not always all a dealer wants is to make 10 to 15 % over grey sheet. Show them that you just want an honest deal most will work with you. Good luck hunting..
