Your Best Bourse Experience
keyman64
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Mine was Cherrypicking a dealer at FUN that did not want to give me the time of day for the first ever discovered Mint State example of the 1941 DDO Merc. The coin was toned and raw. I paid $50 for it because of the toning, the coin graded PCGS MS65 (7 points higher than the next highest example) and I later sold it for close to $2,000 at auction.
"If it's not fun, it's not worth it." - KeyMan64
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
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In 1997, dealer Mark Emtman was one of first early US type specialists that I purchased from. I had my Overton 3rd edition, he said some of the rarity ratings had changed and proceeded to write down all of the changes for me during the coin show. He got about halfway through and things got busy, so he took my address and mailed the rest of the list. He was a good early mentor and taught me what to look for, and what coins to avoid.
The year at the IPMS in Memphis where I bought 11 different National Bank Notes from my home state.
My best experiences are chatting with friends and buying coins that look great in hand.
I would have to say the most recent winter FUN show was my best experience in that I sold several coins and bought several new coins that I'm happy to own. The big shows are collecting nirvana to me because there is so much to experience (not just buying).
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Summer of 1990, Seattle ANA. It was my first major show, so the whole experience was new on me. I had been to small shows and a couple Pacific NW shows, but nothing like the size and breadth of an Annual ANA.
I actually have several good memories from that show, including a great "flip" on a 95-S Barber Dime ... and a few ... ahhh ... enlightening moments. It was the first I really saw the new world of plastic, and even the cracking coins out of these new tombs ... and I also got to see some dealers of mention at the time, who really didn't care about the hobby much, just the money they could skim. These were all fairly new to me.
Anyway, I had decided I wanted to collect Standing Liberty Quarters and had hoped to find four or five Choice AU examples. Somehow I ended up sitting at JJ Teaparty's table for about an hour being shown everything from EF to Gem examples of SLQ's, Walkers and Mercuries (all of which I was interested in), and having a couple young sharps (who's names I have since forgotten, and who I lost contact with over the years) show and discuss some things with me.
They even showed me some problem coins from a box they kept behind the table. One was a very well "fixed" coin that had been partially whizzed, but that was difficult to see unless you knew where and how to look. The next day I saw another coin at a major specialist's table that I almost bought, but noticed the same anomaly prior to starting any negotiations. When I really studied it, it was the same type of doctoring, something I have seen it a half a dozen times (at least) since.
I should say I was still pretty young too, just shy of my 26th birthday, and was just getting really serious about learning more about coins, surface quality, natural toning, how to grade, etc. ... so, to have a couple of guys with notable experience take the time to show me some of the nuances of the hobby, and maybe a glimpse ay the underbelly, in the days when raw coins still ruled the majority of all coins for sale, was helpful in many, many ways.
Anyway, at the end of my visit to their table, I picked out two common dates ('27 and '30) they had marked as Unc, and said I felt they were more Very Choice AU, but that I liked them and was interested if we could work something out. They studied them a moment and agreed they were probably borderline Unc, but still attractive, and commended my eye for quality at that level. They sold them to me at 55+ type prices at the time (my records show $130. for the pair). Years later, after a decade or so in an album which did little to change their appearance, I had them graded at PCGS, where they garnered AU58 and MS62, respectively. FWIW, they are still part of my SLQ set.
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Great formative recollection Todd!
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
I can agree with this. Some of us don't get out as much as we should so going to a big show and having the opportunity to spend time with friends in a hobby that we really enjoy makes it pretty great, The coins we buy could just be nice souvenirs from the experience. I'll post a another really great experience later.
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
The ‘94 ANA show, I got to meet and chat with Q. David Bowers and he autographed the book I brought with me.
Then at the same show I got to meet Jay Parrino and admire some of the most amazing early large cents on the planet.
I have had many great experiences learning from John Agre at Coin Rarities Online, John Kraljevich, and others who all took the time to not only show me coins they had, at all price points, but to also explain what to look for (and what to look out for) when buying various types of coins.
Probably my best experience was in Baltimore when CRO worked with me on a big trade deal (big for me anyway) so that I could get a copper Myddelton Token. We made the deal and I went home happy. About a week later I received a check in the mail from CRO and a note telling me that they had not given me enough money on one of my trade coins and the check was to make up the difference. I've been a loyal customer ever since and I consider John a good friend.
That's impressive!
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
I liked all coin shows when I lived in areas that had them. Particularly the PNW... They had great shows and I met a few forum members there. Chatting with collectors and dealers is - for me- an important part of the hobby. I find it enjoyable, informative and often some good laughs. Cheers, RickO
I have particularly appreciated how nice dealers at the local coin shows around Houston have been to my son. At the Houston Money Show right before the pandemic he was able to get his Coin Collecting merit badge and all the kids were given coins/sets to help spur their interest in the hobby. Various dealers also sponsored an auction for the kids and a couple of other fun activities.
One that comes to mind is going to a Santa Clara show. I found a dealer who had acquired from a collector a number of raw proof Franklin half dollars he had cherrypicked over many years. A set of 1950 to 1963 proofs were in a Capital holder. I bought the set for about $1,400.00. Every coin in the holder had mirrored fields and frosted devices. Most of them received a Cameo designation when graded.
I have two kids, 17 (daughter) & 18 (son with Down Syndrome), and over the years have taken them to a number of shows with me. Everyone has ALWAYS been nice to them. That’s always been appreciated. My kids didn’t end up with much interest in coins so I don’t drag them along with me too much anymore but I try to return the favors others shared with my kids. I carry some free giveaway stuff with me to bigger shows with the hopes of passing some stuff along.
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
Yes! The first FUN show I attended, I was lucky to meet several members here and had a great time discussing coins with them over a few beers. It was also the first time I'd really talked coins with someone in 30 years (the local dealer offers good prices for bullion and junk silver but he isn't talkative except over politics), and I'd forgotten how many great people enjoy this hobby.
A few ago I was walking the bourse floor at Long Beach and saw Mike Buyers walking towards me. I said, "Hi, your Mike Buyers" and introduced myself. He said he was and knew who I was and asked me to write an article for Mint Error News, which I did.
I have been writing for Mint Error News ever since and have become good friends with Mike
I always had good interactions with the HA professionals at major shows as well as the Hendricksons who ran Silvertowne.
Brian Greer, Dave Kahn, Liz Coggan. Always a good experience. My three favorites.
I much prefer this question over the worst experience, as my great experiences outnumber them by a large margin.
I recall being at a small local show and stopping to examine a really nice Oregon Trail commemorative and I told the dealer it was a great coin but I wasn't ready to buy and needed to cover the floor. I came back about an hour or two later to see that it was gone, with regret in my heart I mentioned to the dealer that I noticed his nice Oregon Trail commemorative had sold. With a big smile on his face he pulled it our from behind the table and he said "naw I just put it away because I knew you would be back" and I purchased it on the spot. I never forgot how awesome that made me feel and I could tell that the dealer got a kick out of the situation as well. Such a nice guy and he always treated me with great respect and kindness, it is nice to reflect on these special transactions.
Seated Dollar Collection
When I was senior in High School in the early 80s, my buddy and I skipped school on a Friday and drove 75 miles to a larger regional show in my 1969 Triumph Spitfire with the top down on a Nice late spring day.
Had a great conversation with Art Kagin about full bell line Fraklins, bought a copy of one of the first large Krause World coin volumes, and picked a 1745 Geo II LIMA 3 pence and rare Canadian Blacksmith token in a 50 cent junk box. (Years later I traded the Blacksmith token for a very nice Mass copper!)
Drove back over the mountain ridge with the car overheating but made it home. A good time was had by all.
BTW: I attended a lot of local shows in HS and college and can't recall any horror stories worthy of the other thread. Nothing more than being ignored if the dealer was busy with others. Generally, many dealers were very willing to help a young guy if they weren't busy. Maybe I just got lucky.
I enjoy talking with David Kahn, I saw him last week.
My YouTube Channel
I did something similar, we have a dad and son that come into our shop regularly. One day we had the gold Mercury dime in the case and the son was going crazy for it. I heard the dad say, we'll have to check back in a few days... The moment they left, I pulled the coin and put in the safe. A few days later they came back and I heard them talking about how it must have sold, and I did the exact same thing!
I could tell they were very excited to see it was still available, I told them there was no way I was letting someone else buy it when I saw how badly he wanted it! It felt really good doing that! 
My YouTube Channel
Really, there are too many to mention. The vast majority of my time on the bourse has been fun, educational, and enjoyable.
Here's a couple.
I struck up a conversation with Glenn Holsonbake once. It came up that I was having difficulty finding a nice 20c piece. He asked what grade range I was interested in and told me one of the vest pocket guys had one in his cart. Glenn left his table (at a very large and busy show), tracked the guy down, drug him back, and I bought the coin then and there. I have no idea how Glenn remembered the coin. The guy had hundreds (thousands?) of coins in tightly-packed boxes. Glenn refused anything for having made the assist.
I've had dealers call me to come look at something they just acquired. I've had dealers agree to hold coins behind the table until I get to a show. I've had dealers send me to another dealer who had something I was looking for. I've had dealers invite me behind the table to go through their boxes. I've had dealers refuse to buy a coin and instead send me to someone they knew would pay more....... The stories pile up.
In reality, the majority of dealers are great and truly enjoy helping out a collector.
@MFeld, back when he used to attend shows, dropped everything on more than one occasion to look at coins with me, check out a potential purchase, or otherwise just be a standup guy.
Agreed... the good experiences vastly outweigh the bad ones.
I was working on the second iteration of my 7070 Type Set and looking for 3CN's. I was all over the map grade wise on that set but wanted to get as nice of a piece as I could get. I happened upon Lynn Ourso at Baltimore and we talked for a bit... he sold me a super clean 3 center for AU money... turned out to be MS63.
JJ Teaparty... too many positive experiences to narrow it down to just one... especially when Liz was there.
When I got back into Large Cents I had the fortune of meeting Tom Reynolds... again in Baltimore. I think it was a Saturday, but the show was pretty slow. Tom gave me a 15 minute tutorial... complete with stunning examples... on what to look for on early copper. I ended up buying the 1837 I have in my Type Set... and many more pieces over the years... great guy... incredible stock!
I could go on... but those are the top 3 that spring to mind...
Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
Tom Reynolds is a great guy. I always stop and say hi and chat a little bit when he’s got nothing going on.
BHNC #248 … 130 and counting.
I almost never buy anything at shows but I look forward to a few Dealers inventory just to look. Dennis King has the most impressive toners I've ever seen. Angel Dee has the most impressive cents and Dealers like Legend just bring the power coins that would all be mine if the damn lottery would just cooperate for once.
As a kid in the early to mid 1980's going to the local show at the Haverhill Ma Howard Johnson's with my grandfather. Still have the coins and notes from those monthly shows almost 40 years later. He wasn't a collector himself, but always encouraged my collection. I still see one of the dealers from back then setting up at the local shows today.
I attended my first major coin show in January 2017 (Winter FUN in Ft. Lauderdale). At that time I was working on my U.S. Type Set. I searched that giant bourse for a coin on my Want List, and finally found one - an 1883 Seated Quarter, graded PR65CAM by PCGS w/CAC. It was a beauty. Gary Adkins and I gently negotiated price, and we agreed on a very fair price of $1,475. I then pulled out my credit card, not knowing plastic is rarely accepted at shows. Not only did I not have the cash, I had no checks either, and this was my one and only day at the show! He told me to take the coin home and mail him a check the next day. I was shocked, as he didn’t know me from a hole in the wall.
Naturally, when Gary ran for President of ANA a short time later (and won), he had my vote!
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996