Im going to my first coin show next weekend (Nov 7-8) in Indianapolis! Anyone got any guidelines, expectations, tips, what to look for, etc.
You'll have a blast. I guess the tips would depend upon your goal ... are you buying, selling, looking to learn about something specific?
Looking for some old 19th century coins for a good deal. And of course look at some interesting things. I could spend days looking.
Look at a lot of certified coins ... pay attention to the grade that's been assigned, and what it looks like. Coin shows are amazing ways to jumpstart grading, with thousands of certified coins sitting there waiting for you to look at them.
Make a list of coins you want to buy, and try to stick to the list. My first coin show I went crazy and bought everything... not a good day in history. (and make sure to add prices with your list so you don't get ripped off )
Yes, when you make your list, try to put a range of price that you would want to buy in..a low and a high...and try to stick to that so you don't overspend and use your money too fast. Having prices of what you expect and want to pay for each coin can help you negotiate with the seller too.
... and be sure to check around. Don't buy the first coin you see that's on your list. Write down the dealer's table number & his asking price, then keep on lookin'. You never know what's one or two tables over.
bring your coin want list. know about how much you want to spend. ask a lot of questions. do not be afraid to ask for a discount. tell them your age and they might give you even a better deal than you are expecting. be courteous to your dealers...wait to talk to them after they are done with the customer they are helping. never grab a coin someone is looking at and say you will pay more...big no-no. I envy you. wish I was going to a coin show in Las Vegas maybe February or March.
I wish i could go. i was supposed to go to the Johnson County, KS coin show last month, but my english teacher decided to give me a 15 page essay that weekend. Indianapolis is just a little too far from KC though
I also kinda got lucky looking for coin show schedules haha. Wanted to see if I could find one to go to, because I hear they are fun. Ban next week
I live 45 minutes from where it is. Right by my dads work. Literally right next to Mr.Mallony's oxygen supplies and stuff.