My Baltimore Coin Show report

TPRC

Everything worked out perfectly for me to attend the Baltimore Coin Show on Thursday afternoon, as I was able to arrange a meeting in Baltimore on Wednesday afternoon, stay overnight in Owings Mills, MD, attend another meeting on Thursday morning, and stop in Baltimore in time for the noon opening on Thursday. Foot traffic was quite heavy and steady and there was a long line to enter at noon. I really didn't have much of an agenda, other than to see some dealer-friends, search for Irish coins and a specific medieval coin, make some submissions to NGC, and do some show grading at PCGS. I will return on Saturday morning for my show grades. Overall, I had a great time.

I was able to see some old friends and acquaintances at the show, including Mr. Eureka, Dave Kahn, local dealers Andy Singer, Terry Hess, Jimmy Long, and others, and I walked the entire floor. Prices looked robust, but in the end, I did not buy a single item.

There was almost no Irish coinage of note at the show, other than, of course, at Del Parker's table, and he always has some high end stuff. So, I struck out there. Last month's Numismatist had an interesting article on the early medieval follis, particularly those of Anastasias, Justin and Justinian I, so I thought I would look for one with nice surfaces (which are incredibly hard to find), but again, I did not see any. I was told that Harlan Berk had some nice ones, so maybe I'll head back on Saturday.

I walked the entire bourse over several hours. On the U.S. front, as stated, prices ranged from robust to downright crazy. There was a fair amount of dreck, but also a lot of nice U.S. coinage, though, to my eye, again, prices were high. Most dealers I spoke with reported very good shows.

I mainly wanted to do some submissions at both NGC and PCGS. As an aside, let me add that the folks at both PCGS and NGC could not have been nicer and more accommodating, even though their traffic was steady and at times had substantial lines. I'm guessing they are getting a lot of flack these days for turnaround times, and I even managed a few gentle jibes on the topic, but both services' reps took it in stride. It is a reminder that at the end of the day these folks are just good people doing their jobs.

In any event, I submitted some GSA CCs to NGC and some better CWTs as well. I was torn on the tokens because I generally prefer PCGS, but the price differential led me to try out NGC. At PCGS, I submitted a tough foreign piece and paid the $150 fee but was told that they might not be able to grade it here because of the lack of World graders at the show. However, if they could not do it here, they advised that they would return it to me in short order, which was fine.

I also submitted some U.S. coins. Bolstered by some former-grader buddies (as opposed to former-buddy graders) who opined that this coin would grade, I submitted it. It is an 1889 $1 and it is shown below. I admit that the toning, particularly the reverse toning, gave me pause. We all pretty much agreed on the details grade. Let me know your opinions on the toning, whether it will grade, and the grade, and I will update you later when I get it. I also submitted a high end 1950 S/D quarter for grading, but I do not have a photo. Here is the dollar:

EDITED TO ADD:
I should also add that I brought a PC 63 1925 $20 in an early rattler with me thinking I might sell it there. I like the coin, but I don't think it is under-graded in its 63 holder, as some/more than some, gold rattlers are. I offered it to one person, who politely declined. On reflection, I may just hold on to it, since it is a rattler, after all. I would also be interested in your opinions on this coin and grade. Here are a few inferior pics of that as well.

Overall, I had a great show and look forward to returning on Saturday morning.

coastaljerseyguy

I like it, looks NT. From photo looks MS65.

Nice report on show.

No Headlights

QC is my guess. Good luck though. Thanks for the great show report.

hchcoin

Sounds like a fun day to me. Thanks for the show report.

RichieURich

I heard from one of my friends who attended the show that it was very busy. You have confirmed that with your report, thanks for posting it!

Walkerguy21D

Great report and I really enjoyed the thoughtful commentary.
Really like the $20 in the rattler holder.
And I’m still waiting on the rest of my FUN show submission grades to pop, so yeah it might be a while for you !

FlyingAl

The Morgan looks good to me, I've seen a few graded that have that look. I like it at 65.

I do like that St. Gaudens, that's a nice one!

Smudge

Thanks for your report.

golden

Thanks for your report.

vplite99

Thanks for confirming the strong prices.

lkenefic

Excellent report... we were there at the same time. I got to the show well after the doors opened, around 12:30.

Love the Saint in the rattler!

vulcanize

@RichieURich said:
I heard from one of my friends who attended the show that it was very busy. You have confirmed that with your report, thanks for posting it!

Yes, it was quite busy on Friday too. I did not buy anything.
Will be back again tomorrow (Saturday morning) though, to pick up a few on site grading submissions to our hosts.

NumisOxide

Thanks for the report!

Pickwickjr

Nice coins congratulation

Has anyone lot viewed the seated quarters at Gerry Fortin’s table? Looks like there a lot of high end quarters an a lot of varieties. Looking forward to seeing the pictures.
I know the seated dollar collection did very well that Gerry auctioned off.

ricko

@TPRC.... Thanks for your report. Glad to see the shows continue to be busy. Strong prices continue to be reported. You mentioned Irish coins... While I never collected them, I did get a set for my Mom - she was of Irish heritage and collected Irish 'things'. After she passed, I put the coins away in one of my boxes - I know they are not of numismatic value. Nice old Saint. Cheers, RickO

1Bufffan

Your ms63 20-dollar gold looks "Better" than the 1933 graded at ms65 the 33 has so many hits on her knee I don't know how it got such a grade only because of rarity??? Thanks for the report.

Connecticoin

I think the 89 Morgan will holder. My WAG is 64, unless the possible hairlines I see are a mirage.

TPRC

UPDATE:
I returned to the show today to pick up my coins from PCGS. I and others I showed the dollar to had previously graded the pictured 1889 Morgan as a 65 and that is what it graded. It is beautiful. importantly, my 1950-S/D graded 66+ which was what I thought it would grade while others were less optimistic. What a coin!

As busy as the show was Thursday, it was just as dead on Saturday, with only around 1/3 to 1/2 of the dealers still there when I arrived at around 11:00 a.m. I revisited with Dave Kahn, saw Andy Lustig again, and stopped by to see John Agre at CRO and peruse his great coins. All of these guys are die hard full term show dealers, and that was nice, but many others were gone or on their way out. I even tried to submit some economy submissions to NGC but they shut down early, as did Stack's lot browsing. So, other than picking up some great coins, I'd say the show was a bit of a disappointment. Still, I always like Saturdays because often, dealers who stay are ready to do business, eager to sell, and you never know what you will find. Overall, a terrific show!