Kentucky State Show Report

Gazes

I went to the Kentucky State Numismatic Show today in Louisville and thought I would offer up a report since I know many people on the forum enjoy it (as do I).

The show started yesterday at 1:00 pm and I heard it was slow. Most people were like me and didn't realize that the show opened on Thursday afternoon as opposed to Friday morning. When I got there it seemed busy with the aisles crowded and most dealers talking to at least one customer. I am guessing there were about 40 to 50 tables. I went really for three reasons : 1) look at (but not buy) coins since the type of coins I am looking for usually are not at smaller shows 2) talk coins and 3) sell some bullion to pay for a recent purchase.

My first stop was with a dealer regarding the bullion since I saw he sold some. I showed him what I had and he stated a number. I thought he might have meant for one piece of the bullion but he meant for the whole group ! I will give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he added wrong because it wasn't even close. The next stop was another bullion guy and he had some reasonable numbers. We agreed and he paid in an easy transaction.

I next stopped at a dealer who handled some high end coins. Very much enjoyed our conversation about coin gossip, etc. It is the type of thing I would not learn unless talking to someone in person at a show. Since he sells coins that I don't collect, our paths would not have crossed except at a show. The dealer who I sold the bullion to then came up to me and stated that he didn't realize there was an extra coin and he owed me money. Quite frankly, I was a little embarrassed I didn't realize it during the initial transaction but was very impressed with his honesty.

I continued around to the tables and looked at coins. Going to show gives me an opportunity to see lots of coins in slabs. I like to see as many coins as possible since seeing them first hand is a great way to learn as opposed to seeing images on the computer. Was disappointed that there was not anyone selling books---usually like to pick up a book at a show.

It was an enjoyable hour or so this morning. I accomplished all three goals---saw a bunch of coins, talked coins and sold some bullion.

kaz

Thanks for the report, glad you were able to accomplish the things you set out to do... I rarely complete my mental checklist.

thisistheshow

Thank you. This is a tremendous show report!

golden

Thanks for a very nice report. I always went to that show back in the 1980's and early 1990's. I have not been in probably 20 years. I was thinking about going this year but a few things came up. Maybe next year.

Tibor

Thanks for the report.

Smudge

Thank you.

jwitten

I actually just got back from the show as well. I am pretty much an online only dealer/collector, since there aren't many good shows around here. So this was my first experience really at a show like this. I only do gold, so really only looked at that. Several people had St Gaudens at decent prices, but you can get them cheaper on ebay when they do ebay bucks promos. I didn't find any deals that I had to have unfortunately with the gold guys. There were a few nice coins that were out of my price range, but most of the stuff that was in my range was overpriced. I DID find a really nice high relief St Gaudens to compare my omega to, and they were nice enough to let me get some pictures of them together.

Swampboy

Thanks for the report and good on the honest dealer's actions.
What percentage of spot pricing would you say the first bullion offer was?
Curious.

ElKevvo

Good report, I enjoyed reading it.

K

alohagary

Great report

ricko

Very nice report... I like reports that focus on an individuals perspective... The general reports are great for an overall view of the show, but the individual reports zero in on special segments... some of direct interest, some general. The bullion section was of interest to me, since most show reports do not mention this area. Cheers, RickO

GRANDAM

@jwitten said:
I actually just got back from the show as well. I am pretty much an online only dealer/collector, since there aren't many good shows around here. So this was my first experience really at a show like this. I only do gold, so really only looked at that. Several people had St Gaudens at decent prices, but you can get them cheaper on ebay when they do ebay bucks promos. I didn't find any deals that I had to have unfortunately with the gold guys. There were a few nice coins that were out of my price range, but most of the stuff that was in my range was overpriced. I DID find a really nice high relief St Gaudens to compare my omega to, and they were nice enough to let me get some pictures of them together.

Do you know what the asking price was on the 1907 High Relief?

jwitten

@GRANDAM said:

@jwitten said:
I actually just got back from the show as well. I am pretty much an online only dealer/collector, since there aren't many good shows around here. So this was my first experience really at a show like this. I only do gold, so really only looked at that. Several people had St Gaudens at decent prices, but you can get them cheaper on ebay when they do ebay bucks promos. I didn't find any deals that I had to have unfortunately with the gold guys. There were a few nice coins that were out of my price range, but most of the stuff that was in my range was overpriced. I DID find a really nice high relief St Gaudens to compare my omega to, and they were nice enough to let me get some pictures of them together.

Do you know what the asking price was on the 1907 High Relief?

I think it was $25,000. Don't quote me on that though.

skier07

I saw a nice nice HR Saint at Long Beach in September, PCGS/CAC 63. They were asking $26,000.

GRANDAM

WOW!!!!! They aren't cheap.