Spacehayduke FUN Show Report.1

Desert Moon

Hi Folks,
I was hoping to write a report each day, but it has been non-stop until this morning. So here are my first 2 days, I will write another report as soon as I have coin images.

So my flight into Orlando on Thursday was routine, but the plane took an inland route the whole way instead of going across the Gulf as it normally does. I assume that even around US borders, there is concern right now because of the crisis. Hopped a taxi, very inquisitive driver, when told him I where I was going, I got the 'we have been pulling anything unusual out of change, what are they worth'? Over and over the whole way....... Not only that, rather than taking the direct way up the tollway to International Drive with a very short drive up ID to the Orlando CC, he cut off 2 exits early and went to main roads with lights....... Darn lights of course were taking their time changing to green for us and I was in a tissie to get on the bourse.

I finally got to the bourse about 11:15 am, at least 5 minutes later than expected given the darn lights, and was off and running to my 3 favorites first thing to assess their offerings - CRO, Eye Appealing, and Perkins. JA had nothing for me, we had a nice chat, he asked me if I had coins for him, I did not think I did and told him maybe later. Eye Appealing had 2 eye appealing bust quarters that I recorded in my mind to come back and examine later. Perkins had quite a few bust quarters and dollars from his website and newps. I spent a good hour examining them, thinking 'dang my budget won't cover all of these' . So I recorded them in my mind for later consideration. This year I just don't have the budget I used to have so I don't buy right away when I see something I like.

By then it was 2 pm, I ran into ldhair, and don't you know it, suddenly it was 3 pm and time to go check in at the hotel. Got arranged there, and then back to the bourse to start checking out everything else. I wanted to get my coins for crossing into PCGS, but the line was long so decided to wait. So spent about 2 hours trying to find every single bust quarter and dollar in the room at all price points. There were some way over my head - pieces that the TDN's, Hansens, etc. would have their people looking at if they were collecting in those areas - great to look at but I am not selling my house......... Did not find anything else, so unless JA has something walk up, looks like tomorrow was going to be back to Eye Appealing and Perkins.

Then it was 6:15 and time for Big Event 1. Dinner at the Capital Grille with some of the 'greatest collectors' of our time. We have a group that has been doing this for a decade, and BE1 is always a blast. CG gave us a round table in a small room - we joked as they seated us 'aha you saw us coming and put us in the back', all good fun and the waiters played along. As soon as were were sat, ordered the first round of drinks, the coins began pouring out. I showed everything, everyone else showed everything, it made me realize just how good these guys were at collecting. Spectacular, but not overly expensive, well-chosen selections from everyone that were a joy to view as we dug into those medium rare steaks while drinking Chatueaunuef de Pape which was expertly chosen by one of our collectors.

With BE1 finished, day 1 was done as well.

Friday, day 2 began by waking up at 5 am, off to Dunkin for coffee then back to the room. I spent most until 8:15 am researching out prices, conceiving trades and deciding what I wanted to do at Perkins and EAC tables if nothing else appeared. At 8:30 went to the JRCS meeting, it has bigger attendance every year and it seems there are more passionate bust coinage collectors which is a great sign. David Finkelstein and Chris Pilliod told us about their decade long research on understanding the composition of earliest silver coins. Great presentation and the audience was engaged.

Then off to the bourse at 10 am. Sat down with Phil Hinkleman at EAC and attributed the 2 eye appealing bust quarters - the 1818 P58, turned out to be a die marriage I have, dang, have a gorgeous P55 already. Then the 1806, double dang, dagnabit! Have one of these die marriages too. Both stunners, but not significant upgrades, alas. While talking to Phil, another coin walked up, a 1825 B2 in P55. Gorgeous, die state P. The seller got the okay from Phil to offer it to me right there at his table (Phil is a dude, thanks), and it was super nice, priced okay, and I told him let me think about it. I then looked at my inventory and realized I had the same die state in P50 that is just as gorgeous so another that was just not a good enough upgrade.

Then I went to Perkins table. I made my trade offers to Dave and we then sat down and did valuations on the trade coins - bust quarter dupes in CAC, we arrived at prices acceptable to both of us - he gave in a little I gave in a little, then I chose my top 2 targets - an 1833 CBQ in P58 with thick skin since it sat in a manilla envelope for decades in Europe B4 coming across the pond and being graded this year, and a VG10 1806 DBQ, with great color. A little bit worn, but the color makes it a nice coin.

Then it was 11 am and met up with UltraHighRelief. We looked through all of his great coins including a 1834 CBQ in a fatty. I liked it but already have 3 of this die marriage and all gorgeous. Someone needs to scoop up that stunner David has..... I sold him 2 of my CBQ dupes, and then he was off to the PCGS luncheon. I was on the wait list but decided to not try to get it but instead see what I could find on the bourse and get offers on some of my other coins I had for sale. Went to CRO - nothing had walked up in my area yet, sold John a bust dime dupe. Back to EAC, Phil showed me his personal bust half collection which was the most eye appealing set I had ever seen in 30-35 grades. Kicked around the bourse some more, went and looked at Bill Jones early half dime display which was amazing, saw Dimeman a couple times, etc. etc.

Finally found a break in the line at PCGS and got my 2 bust quarters for crossing - the 1818 B9 Browning Plate coin in N55, and the 1815 L counterstamp in N53. If they cross, my whole bust quarter set will be in P holders. I decided to keep my Hard Times tokens in N holders - well PCGS decided that for me. I had a voucher for 4, and at the table they told me I could not use the voucher for these tokens. Not only that, they charge $65 to grade a token if the value is over $300. That is simply nuts and now I know why so few HTT's are in PCGS holders. Unlike US coins where standard submission for $35 is for coins valued up to $2500....... So looks like my HTT collection, with some amazing high-end beauties, is staying in N holders except the few purchased in P holders, as I am not paying $65 to cross each of them (plus 1%...) and can't use my vouchers each year as I thought I could. Same goes for my high end, 100 Conder tokens. C'est la vie.

Then it was 5:30 pm and ready for the NGC reception. A bunch of us who have interest in both TPG's were there and NGC were great hosts - open bar and Hors d'oeuvres. Mark Salzburg talked for about 20 minutes and provided great insights on his thoughts about where numismatics was headed, the international footprint, things like that. All in all a good reception with great NGC folks there mingling with us collectors. Thanks NGC!

Then it was time for Big Event 2 - meeting PCGS board members at the bar. We showed up at 7, and suddenly coinees emerged from everywhere. We had a rolling group of 10 to 20 for a good 3 hours. Lots of great talk, lots of great coins, it was numismatic heaven. A few folks from a major auction house also attended, and at the end of the night, picked up the tab for all of us. Yowza! And thanks to the generous auction house! BE2, the second year we have had it, was a great success. Met some new folks on the boards I had not yet met, met some I had, but all in all a great time. Next year, please try to attend folks.

So that is it until this morning. I will get some images up in Fun Report 2. More anon and Best, SH

Hemispherical

Great report @spacehayduke.

Liked the reading of NGC and PCGS, commonality, drinks! 🍻☕️

MFeld

SH,

You, sir, know how to write a great show report and more importantly, how to enjoy the hobby! 👍

keets

I had a voucher for 4, and at the table they told me I could not use the voucher for these tokens. Not only that, they charge $65 to grade a token if the value is over $300. That is simply nuts and now I know why so few HTT's are in PCGS holders. Unlike US coins where standard submission for $35 is for coins valued up to $2500.........

really nice, concise show report, I think your focus is why your collection is shaping up so nicely. please keep us informed as to your progress.

the paste above is why I "slowed to a stop" my crossing and straight grading of SC$'s with PCGS. that fee structure change really makes it hard to justify encapsulation with them and the PCGS capsule is a more attractive option to me then NGC. also, previous grading results tell me that the two are on par with each other in grading/attributing SC$'s with PCGS getting a slight edge in the Photography realm.

I hope the PCGS team reviews their decision to change the fee and does one of two things: lowers the $65 fee or raises the $300 limit on the lower fee.

Boosibri

Very well done report! Wish I was there

ricko

@spacehayduke....Really great report.... Sounds like the 'after parties' were awesome as well.... Did you see any movement in bullion at all? I realize it is not a focus area of yours, but often this can be peripherally observed. Cheers, RickO

Walkerguy21D

Great report, SH, and really enjoyed meeting you and the rest of the group at “BE2” last night - thanks for setting that up!

jom

Great report again!

jom

Desert Moon

@ricko said:
@spacehayduke....Really great report.... Sounds like the 'after parties' were awesome as well.... Did you see any movement in bullion at all? I realize it is not a focus area of yours, but often this can be peripherally observed. Cheers, RickO

Geez Ricko, you need to remind me about that in advance as I always forget until after the show when you ask. FWIW, I did not see alot of folks at the modern bullion coin only sellers tables. In past years, these seemed to be more active. However, every dealer I talked to said they were having a great show for numismatic coins, and said this followed up on recent shows that seemed to be better than earlier in the year. There seemed to be a vibe where things may be picking up.......

Best, SH

coinkat

Great report... But above that, it is terrific to see the intense interest in Bust Quarters which is overdue in terms of being in the spot light. Thanks for taking the time to share the experience

rln_14

Thanks for the report, with this report and others about FUN, it almost sounds like the show is too big to have fun, seems like a lot of effort and time to see everything and worrying you might have missed something, imho

Desert Moon

@rln_14 said:
Thanks for the report, with this report and others about FUN, it almost sounds like the show is too big to have fun, seems like a lot of effort and time to see everything and worrying you might have missed something, imho

Thanks for the response, er ah, no, I think FUN is really fun, big is better, why worry if you missed something when you see so much more than sitting at home? It is no effort to immerse oneself in the ambiance of numismatics everywhere, it is really quite fun and invigorating. You should try it........

Desert Moon

@Walkerguy21D said:
Great report, SH, and really enjoyed meeting you and the rest of the group at “BE2” last night - thanks for setting that up!

Thanks W21D, yes I also enjoyed meeting you and others at BE2. Something to look forward to next year.

Best, SH