Assuming my wife starts feeling better I will be going to my first coin show this Sunday. I want to try to pick up a nicely toned dollar, half dollar, or ASE. I know not to pay much more than a few dollars over melt for the ASE as bullion is bullion. For the coins I will try to study ebay prices before I go. I don't plan to spend more than $100 on anything that they are charging more than spot for b/c I don't know what I am doing yet!! Is this a place to go for deals compaired to LCS and ebay? how much price negotiating can you expect to be able to do? Any tips and trick are appreciated!
If its yoru first show just go a look around. No need to buy anything if you are uncomfortable. To me, getting to know the dealers at the show, seeing how business is done, etc is the most important things to accomplish at your first show. ASE's will be priced so you can easily compare between dealers. Toned dollars and halves will be all over the board, and I think you better really know what you are doing with those. If not, try to find generically priced examples, close to spot, that you find attractive instead.
I find good deals at coin shows. How many dealers will be there? I usually go to shows with 100-200 dealers. I go in with an idea of exactly what I want, and what I want to pay. And usually out of that many dealers, I will find at least one with the right price on the right coin. If you're new though, I wouldn't spend much money this time.
Probably a little overwhelming for a "first time" experience. I'd recommend a small local show, but of course that depends on your location. Luckily, in my area there are two shows with 40-60 dealers. I would be lost in a show like this:
Have fun! I haven't been to one yet, but want to go to one in the near future. Are coin shows more about displaying coins or about trading/selling coins?
Only been to a few shows myself and only bought 2 or 3 coins. I have chatted with quiet a few dealers and most were friendly. I enjoyed each show - just to get to see others inventory.
Model, I would just say have fun and stick to your budget plan. Only go there with a set amount of cash, and do not make swoops on the ATM. I attended my first coin show in October, bumped into a guy selling Ancients, and ended up speaking with him for over an hour. Remember you are not obligated to buy anything. Do not feel bad when you walk away without buying anything. Just remember the buyer is king/queen. Feel free to make offers just as you would on ebay. Also recommend you bring a pen and paper, write down table #1s with info on coins that jumped out at you. Then step away and check your price guide. HAVE FUN =0
Have fun and talk to lots of dealers, try to get a feel for how they are. You may also want to take a business card of a dealer you like and even ones you dislike. Make a note on the back of the card so you know who you want or don't want to deal with in the future. As far as buying goes, make a small list of what you want and how much you want to spend on that coin just in case you forget. Like others have said you're not obligated to buy anything and browsing is always free. And when it comes to toned coins, since you don't know any dealers I would stay away from heavily and wildly colored toned coins, just in case.
I picked up a couple rolls of wheaties, 2 nickels out of the 1/2 off bin and the 1882 morgan (no mint mark) shown above. I was hoping to get a decent pic so you guys could help me grade it but I about lost it just getting this one up. cant seem to get the details to show. $45 for the Morgan.
For better pics use a higher megapixel camera set to macro while using natural daylight from your window. Morgan looks ok, but hard to tell for sure from those pics.
