Minnesota M.O.O.N. Show report

rmorgan

The M.O.O.N. Show is the big Fall event in Minnesota, with over a hundred tables. The perhaps 80 dealers came from throughout the upper Midwest: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska and the Dakotas. I also saw dealers from Washington and Maryland. This was the first ‘big’ show here since the Fall show in 2019, and the return of MOON saw about 1000 attendees the first two days.

Shortly after the doors opened Friday, it seemed every table was busy. Over the first two hours I walked the aisles stopping where I saw an opening to check out a dealer. I think I retraced the isles three or four times before I finally had an opportunity to visit each table to review its wares. Later I heard dealers commenting about how they were having a good day. Attendance was a bit lower on Saturday, and with unseasonably pleasant weather outside on a weekend and a long indoor season ahead for Minnesota, the crowd did thin noticeably by Saturday afternoon.

While the main focus was US coins, I did see multiple dealers selling currency as well as world coins/currency. At least one displayed ancient coins. One could find bullion, but I didn’t pay enough attention to say how much. Two venders each had several tables lined with all sorts of products and books. One smaller coin dealer had a box of good-as-new opened Danscos selling for $10 each and the 7070s for $30.

The facilities required the show to request attendees to wear masks. No one enforced mask wearing, but all staff and a good portion of attendees did accommodate.

Now for my pursuit…

I came to the show with a fairly narrow focus: early Mercuries and early Lincoln wheats, targeting UA condition (with a willingness to compromise a little on the more expensive dates). My progress in both of these collections have been slowed down due to a lack of these early dates being available in high-but-circulated condition (particularly Mercuries from the 20s).

At this show I found one dealer who had a fairly good display of these dates and grades that I have been searching for. Notably, I saw him visiting other dealers, examining their coins with a loop, and I assume he was being assertive and pro-active in building his inventory through deal-to-dealer acquisitions. After two days of walking the floor, I ended up acquiring a dozen coins, and two-thirds came from this dealer. That follows what happened to me at Winter FUN 2020 – once I found a dealer with the coins I wanted and who earned my trust and offered prices I trusted, I focused more attention there than elsewhere.

I came to the show needing 17 early Lincolns, and I came home with 9 of those. (Just eight more to go!) I came to the show needing 12 early Mercuries, and I came home with 2 – one being the key date 1921(p) in VF35. I could have picked up more Mercuries, but as I said, I’m looking for upper-end circulated pieces and I just didn’t see those dates with the eye-appeal I would accept.

During my last hour on the floor I discovered an unexpected uncirculated 1864 IHC buried within a flip binder of mostly low-end specimens. Turns out this coin had a couple of rim nicks on the reverse and was marked down. I didn’t think the nicks were that bad, so at $60 this red 1864 now has a place in my IHC Dansco.

As a member of the Northwest Coin Club (Minneapolis), on Saturday afternoon I worked a volunteer role of registering people as they came in. It was satisfying work as I got to share information and friendly greetings to local collectors as they walked in. Glad I volunteered for the two shifts. For what it’s worth, the Northwest Coin Club will be running the March Money show (details here). I’ve already signed up to help with that one.

The room Saturday late morning. (On Friday I was too busy working the floor to take a photo.)

The IHC I discovered in a binder of lower grade flips.

Visitors reviewing the displays in the lobby.

RichieURich

I've never been to that show, but have heard good things about it. Thanks for posting a nice report on it!

golden

Thanks for a great report.

Dr_Bones

Attended Saturday am and was pleasantly surprised that it was as busy as it was. Saw a number of YN which was encouraging

koynekwest

Very nice report! Thanks!

ChangeInHistory

Good Report, its nice you were able to find some coins on the want list.

basalstate

Visited this show a few years ago, completely missed my radar this time around. Glad it went well!

ricko

Thanks for an interesting report and the pictures - I like that IHC.....Cheers, RickO

Walkerguy21D

Nice report, sounds like a good show.
Also glad to hear about the YN’s in attendance. That seems to be a recurring theme at shows now.

Ahrensdad

Great report. I was set up and was very happy with the show results. I was busy all three days of the show.

1Bufffan

That 64 IHC is a blazer Great Pick-up! and at a Great price too! Looked like a Great show with plenty of activity.