Insanity, Clique or Something that a novice can attend - the Coin Show! FUN

I'm seeing all these posts about the FUN show (what is that? Fantastic Underwear Numismatists? or just FUN, like "this is fun! Weeeeeee!!!") I've never been to a coin "show" also, what is the "show" part of it, what it sounds like, from what I've read here, is a bunch of guys who know each other talking and trading with each other and sticking up their noses at newbies. I just don't see what's in it for me, and I'm not going to travel to be ignored and laughed at - I've got kids, I can get that at home, but I kind of want to go. Ugh! Anyone out there gone as a first timer in the last three / four years? (pre-Covid). I am curious. Color me dubious.

 

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FUN stands for Florida United Numismatists. The "shows" are the organization's semi-annual conventions, open to the public. The highlight is the bourse floor with hundreds of dealers, large and small, all under one roof. There are also exhibits and educational forums.

The winter convention is typically larger than the summer. As you might imagine, folks are more enthusiastic about visiting Florida in January than in July.

If you are making the show part of a family vacation, the Orange County Convention Center is located on International Drive in Orlando, midway between Universal Studios and Sea World. Disney is less than 10 miles away.

My one caveat is that if you are attending any large coin show for one day only, don't pick the last day as you may find that some dealers have already packed up.

As a long-time FUN member, I can assure you that newbies are always welcome!

http://funtopics.com/

 

FUN stands for "Florida United Numismatists" and it is an organization that puts on two major coins shows in Florida (normally in Orlando at the Orange County Convention Center. FUN also serves somewhat as an umbrella organization for the Florida local coin clubs that choose to associate themselves with FUN.

The Winter FUN show is one of the largest in the country and is in January. Summer FUN is in July and is a smaller but still substantial show. This year the show, which ended a three-day run today, had about 240 dealers and was the first FUN show since the last one in January, 2020. In addition to the dealer bourse, there are coin club meetings, educational presentations by speakers, YN activities, and exhibitions put on by clubs and individual presenters. Also, the TPG services are present to accept submissions and oftentimes at Winter FUN, the US Mint has a large presence. As with most coins shows even when the focus is on US coins, there are dealers in jewelry, fossils, ancient coins, world coins, watches, bullion, currency, etc.

There are numerous high-end dealers and collectors there but also numerous mid-grade and entry level dealers and collectors. If you want to play with the big boys, you can do that. If your bag is esoteric, academic numismatics, you will find folks into that. If you want to pore through a dealer's raw coin boxes, there is that also in abundance. In other words, something for everyone. Plus it's a great place to see and even handle rare and beautiful coins, meet people who share your interests and even some who don't.

As far as I have been able to discern, nobody "sticks up their noses at newbies"

I don't know what would be "in it for you" since I don't know you. But I am a relatively new collector, having been collecting for only 3-1/2 years and attended my first big coin show 3 years ago. I never felt disrespected or looked down upon even when I didn't know doodly-squat and made that apparent by my questions. I found almost everyone happy to help me to learn and I am no spring-chicken at 69. It's all about attitude. But when there are thousands of people attending an event, you will always find some sour apples - that can't be helped - but that's also true of professional sports games, rock concerts, etc.

If you are interested in attending a show, the next really big one is in August in Chicago, not too far from you in Michigan. It is the ANA World of Money Show and it will be really big. Details can be found at

www.money.org

If you're into coins and currency and I know you are, you can't help but have a great time at one of these shows. Keep an open mind, be willing to learn, be friendly and you will get a lot out of it.

Have a great day.

 

Fun stands for Florida United Numismatists. They put on some of the best coin shows you could ever go to. Give it a try before you trash them and the folks that go there.