How do you get ready for a coin show?

The local coin club has their show next Friday/Saturday, then a commercial coin place has a show the first weekend of November.

Normally I take my coin inventory book, a list of some things I'm looking for, never find anything on my list and come home happy, but with a mishmash of items that add more to my "accumulation" than my collection.

How do you get ready? Just look for what's on your list? Buy whatever looks good?

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

What I do before going to a show is yes first make a list. However know the grade your looking for, and the price you want to spend. Most dealers will barter some so make sure you do that. I have bought coins that simply looked good. I am sure every collector has. That happens but make sure if you have a list you hit as many tables as possible, if not all of them, to make sure your coins you are looking for are not there. Also if you see junk bids ($.50 ea, $1.00 ea) go through as much of it as you can. I have found many great buys from those.

Most importantly enjoy it, I know I always have!

 

I apply the same rules to coin shows that I do to my lcs purchases. I create a list of all the coins I need to complete my collections, come up with a cash budget in mind that I want to spend, and then I wander around the show. If I find what I like and its also part of my list, fantastic. If I find what I like and its not on my list, but I'm happy and within budget, fantastic too.

 

I just take my loop and have fun.

 

Same as Larry, loupe and $

 

Same as the last two.

 

Same, Same.

 

same, but make sure you have your list, amount you want to spend on each coin. if it's dark at night have someone escort you to your car after the show. I do NOT know how much you spend on coins ? most import is having fun and ask a lot of questions and do NOT be shy about it. coin shows rule. do not be affraid to buy a coin not on your list. have fun.

 

Have money in both pockets, so this way, know one knows exactly how much cash you have on you, and you can get a better deal, because you say this is all I have, knowing the other pocket is full of cash

 

I always know about how much I want to spend but have a little flexibility built in. I just make sure I don't go crazy (easy to do) and spend the mortgage money. As for want lists; I have a few things in mind I'm looking for, especially for my NJ obsoletes, but other than that, I pretty much buy what appeals to me. I always have fun though.

Bruce

 

I try and keep my list down to a manageable level, just two or three pieces. I'll always have one high end item that I'm on the look-out for. That one piece may take a year or two to acquire. I'm more apt to be at the major shows. I'll attend a few locals once or twice a year. I go for the camaraderie, exhibits and conversation; just as much as the coins and currency.

 

Meet as many people as possible track if they have something of interest or stock what I look for.
Cash and Loop! Oh and I get in as early as possible…have fun!

 

I've only ever been to one show. I didn't really know what to expect when I got there and was a little intimidated when I first walked in. So many tables, so many coins.
But when I do go again I plan on bringing plenty of cash, a list of some things I'm looking for, and probably a few coins I would be willing to use in a trade.

 

I take a list of coins I need to help finish a current collecting interest.
I look for those coins and ONLY those coins.
And I'm talking about big shows (the 3 Baltimore Whitman shows each year).
My budget doesn't allow me to have flights of fancy, i.e., if it's not on my list I'm not interested.

I have gone home without buying anything.

 

I take my loupe, as much cash as I can, then bow my head and pray, "God, even though you are busy with more important matters in this world, please help me use my brain and skills to the fullest in finding some awesome deals."

 

I will buy a grey sheet online for $3.99 print it, have a Coin World prices with me, red book and the list of coins I would like to find.
At the show I will look over every dealer's table for my list of coins (buy if needed right away), take notes for anything else I like.
Talk to all the dealers, if it is a small show, 30 or so.
I also bring some coins to show since some of the items I collect are out of business TPG slabs. And this will take most of the day. If its a two days show I will go there and do it all again, there is always more to talk about.

 

...and then two tables later the dealer sees you buy a coin three times the price!

No thanks, I'd rather keep my reputation.

 

I used to take a list, but it seems I'd rarely stick to it. These days I just show up and go for it.

 

I do things a little different:

Because I have an aversion to all germs, especially at coin shows, I wear a protective splash that covers my entire body and the area directly around me. It's similar to a tent, but I can see through it. I use calf lining for my feet when I walk across the bourse floor. I cover my hands in knuckle gum.

Coins are germy, you know.

Just in case I need to use the restroom when I'm there, I bring some cellophane that I put down around the toilet, and then put down my own toilet seat that I bring from home.

I do all of the above to make sure that when I handle coins the diseases of others will not get me.

Oh yeah, and I take my money, a list (if I need help remembering), and a loupe.

If there's a coin show going on where any of you guys live, LET ME KNOW!

I'll be wearing a Purple Cowboy Hat so that you will know who I am.

Happy weekend, people.

 

LOL