Surprising That There Are No Baltimore Show Post's

lilolme

That is it. Just found it surprising that there are no Baltimore show post's (I checked and didn't see any so if I missed, then let me know). I checked before leaving for Baltimore and then upon returning but still none. I know, if I wanted a Baltimore thread, then why didn't I post one? Yes, could have but didn't. Now just wondering why? The Baltimore show, while it is not what it used to be, is still a good sized show and would have thought it would have had at least some attention on the forum. Since I saw The Penny Lady there, then I think it will only be a matter of time before a Baltimore show report.

jerseycat101

I went today. It was extremely underwhelming. I got there at 11am, and half the dealers were either packing up or had already left, including some prominent dealers i was hoping to catch up with. I did run into the Penny Lady, she said no report for this show as she is headed right to another show.

1madman

As I was waiting outside the comic-con side of the convention center for my Uber to the airport today, a guy in a wheelchair was throwing punches and police were escorting him off. Coin show hall was a snooze fest

lilolme

@jerseycat101 said:
I went today. It was extremely underwhelming. I got there at 11am, and half the dealers were either packing up or had already left, including some prominent dealers i was hoping to catch up with. I did run into the Penny Lady, she said no report for this show as she is headed right to another show.

Oh no!, no Penny Lady report either.
I do get it about the underwhelming and lack of dealers on Saturday. Unfortunately that is the way many (or most) larger shows go. A typical local one or two day show many (or most) dealers are there until the end or near it. But then the dealers are generally more local and travel time is shorter and in addition to the show being shorter.

Laura (Legend) wrote a couple weeks ago and included a paragraph on shows - partially below. Perhaps that is what is showing up here with the lack of Baltimore show interest on the forum.

"These days you can stay at home and view quality images of quality coins. You do not see great coins much anymore on the bourse floor. Most major coin shows are slowly on the demise because of this. In our opinion, eventually they will become dealer to dealer events. "
Link to:
https://www.legendnumismatics.com/market_reports/are-auctions-the-new-retail/

Also I will note that from what I heard the dealer days were not just busy but very busy. One said they set a new high for selling. This then created them to buy more. That is once selling went so well they bought more to start over with (a mainly wholesale dealer). It kind of snowballs within itself.

lilolme

@1madman said:
As I was waiting outside the comic-con side of the convention center for my Uber to the airport today, a guy in a wheelchair was throwing punches and police were escorting him off. Coin show hall was a snooze fest

Agree on the comparison of a coin show to comic-con. However, that I believe has been the case in the years past. A coin show is not an event similar to comic-con with the active dress, activity and environment. They are different and always have been. With that I went to the coin show but left as the comic-con was starting. Not my thing.

Also agree on the environment of the location. Eating out Tuesday night across from the convention center about 8PM, we saw almost no one walking by. Those that were around appeared to be looking for a handout. Next night down the street by the Power Plant it was similar. However, Thursday night there was a Halloween event going on there and many younger (college age?) people dressed up and much activity at the Power Plant.

I remember a thread about the Baltimore show possibly moving (didn't try to find it). However, someone at this Baltimore show said they talked to a show member and were told in short - that they felt comfortable at the current location. I also see that the Whitman website has listed the 2023 winter/spring and summer show dates at Baltimore. It would appear that the previous discussion on the show moving might not be in the plan at this time.

ScarsdaleCoin

I believe the new set up day for dealers on Wednesday afternoon instead of Thursday has shifted dealers to now really leaving Fri rather than staying til Sat IMHO I think it’s sad for collectors who are working during the week and can only attend on Sat. A few pics below the 3rd being dealer set up Wed. The second my table Thur and the 1st pic sat morning. This is nothing negative towards Whitman as I think they work extremely hard to do 110% it’s just challenging job running a show and regarding safety maybe it’s me but Baltimore felt a bit safer this time around and plenty of police presence around the harbor. Regarding the show we actually had one of our better shows and it was great seeing all those old friends. Happy Halloween everyone

lilolme

@ScarsdaleCoin said:
I believe the new set up day for dealers on Wednesday afternoon instead of Thursday has shifted dealers to now really leaving Fri rather than staying til Sat IMHO I think it’s sad for collectors who are working during the week and can only attend on Sat. A few pics below the 3rd being dealer set up Wed. The second my table Thur and the 1st pic sat morning. This is nothing negative towards Whitman as I think they work extremely hard to do 110% it’s just challenging job running a show and regarding safety maybe it’s me but Baltimore felt a bit safer this time around and plenty of police presence around the harbor. Regarding the show we actually had one of our better shows and it was great seeing all those old friends. Happy Halloween everyone

I was not there in June but I heard that there was a small tent city just outside of the Marriott across from the convention center. So I would guess that most thought it felt safer this time around. During the day the area around the convention center seemed fine to me. It was just the nights were kind of 'empty'.

Thanks for the Saturday picture and I am assuming that was after it had opened for the day.

Additional to the show's dealer day on Wednesday starting at 5PM, is that the dealers have a couple smaller rooms rented out all day Wednesday and Tuesday. So many coming in on Tuesday or early Wednesday and some on Monday night to be there Tuesday. As Laura wrote it is becoming more of a dealer event.

I agree that the show is very well prepared.

Also I just remember being told that this was the last Baltimore show that PCGS will be doing on-site grading. I do Not know if this it true. However, when looking at the PCGS page for show calendar it does have the next Baltimore listed and states Submissions Only.

https://www.pcgs.com/shows

logger7

Dealer to dealer activity of high end material shows the trend and how many in a recession with high interest rates and money drying up for many just makes a hobby like this a lot less attractive. So average collectors stay home instead of chasing phantoms of good deals that are fewer and fewer. What Einstein said about doing the same thing expecting different results.

TPRC

I reported here: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1083112/anyone-at-baltimore-today#latest,
but obviously, my reports are so scintillating that folks missed it. I did go back on Saturday to pick up my coins, and I agree, it was uninspiring.

lilolme

@TPRC said:
I reported here: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1083112/anyone-at-baltimore-today#latest,
but obviously, my reports are so scintillating that folks missed it. I did go back on Saturday to pick up my coins, and I agree, it was uninspiring.

And there is the Baltimore thread - Thanks. It even has Baltimore in the title. I checked back to page 3 twice and didn't see it. Hmmm... I might need a bit of 'focus' training. Well good to see that the show at least got one thread.

DelawareDoons

I got the 'rona so I couldn't go.

ricko

Thanks for the report @ScarsdaleCoin .... Sounds like the show was good, but not the same volume as three or four years ago. Still virus impacted perhaps. Cheers, RickO

WQuarterFreddie

My friend had a table and he said Thursday was extremely busy. I haven't talked to him since so I will get his feedback tomorrow and post it😎

lkenefic

@DelawareDoons said:
I got the 'rona so I couldn't go.

Get better soon! FWIW, I dont think you missed much... apparently, Thursday was the day to go and I'm at work all day.

LanceNewmanOCC

@DelawareDoons said:
I got the 'rona so I couldn't go.

thanks for not going. never know whom else may contract!

howz it goin' so far?

ThePennyLady

Yes, sorry I just don't have time to prepare a show report this time around, plus since it was my birthday and I just wanted to relax and enjoy myself without having to remember to photograph everything. But here is my very short synopsis:

It was a good show, super great weather, lots of public on Thursday so I was super busy, Friday was somewhat busy, enjoyed celebrating my birthday all week thanks to awesome friends! Had some super amazing wine at the Black Olive!

Picked up two cool things for my personal collection, an 1818 Large Cent Pie Cutter/Crimper with a wooden handle, and a neat 1890 Indian cent struck on a split planchet (from Jon Sullivan).

The negative was that a dealer's adult son was mugged and beat up by 4 people (including a woman) who stole his wallet and phone (though he got in a good punch to one of them and knocked him out), and I heard another dealer was on public transportation and got intentionally distracted by two people wanting to pick a fight with him, while a third on stole his bag of coins. It just shows that no matter how diligent we dealers try to be, we are still vulnerable to these despicable events by violent heartless miscreants.

lilolme

@ThePennyLady
Thanks for the report. Glad you had a fairly good show.
I had only heard about one of those 'muggings'. Also heard about a motorcycle gang. As I noted above it appears at this time that there is no plan to change location.

I saw a bottle of Caymus at your table - happy birthday - Caymus?. With that I got to try Caymus Suisun (Petite Syrah mostly) at the Capital Grille and I will say that it is a fairly big/bold wine with a little staying power. Worth a try.

lilolme

@DelawareDoons said:
I got the 'rona so I couldn't go.

Didn't recognize the 'rona until I read the others (guess I am a little slow). Sorry to hear, get better.

ThePennyLady

@lilolme said:
@ThePennyLady
Thanks for the report. Glad you had a fairly good show.
I had only heard about one of those 'muggings'. Also heard about a motorcycle gang. As I noted above it appears at this time that there is no plan to change location.

I saw a bottle of Caymus at your table - happy birthday - Caymus?. With that I got to try Caymus Suisun (Petite Syrah mostly) at the Capital Grille and I will say that it is a fairly big/bold wine with a little staying power. Worth a try.

Yes I brought a bottle of Caymus cab just for me (though I did share it with another friend)! Even though it was a 2020 (2018 is a much better year for Caymus), it was so smooth and flavorful! So far I haven't met a Caymus I didn't enjoy! By the way, I highly recommend that 1999 Napa Axios I showed above - it was so delicious, one of the better wines I've ever had!

Walkerguy21D

I clicked like, Charmy, because I liked most of the report.
I didn’t like hearing about the muggings, but still appreciate knowing that these risks are very real.

DelawareDoons

@LanceNewmanOCC said:

@DelawareDoons said:
I got the 'rona so I couldn't go.

thanks for not going. never know whom else may contract!

howz it goin' so far?

Fine. Like a bad cold, mild flu for me, this is my second dance with it. The worst part is just the general fatigue. I yakked out a negative test this AM so I'm in the home stretch. Thanks for asking!

P0CKETCHANGE

@ThePennyLady said:
The negative was that a dealer's adult son was mugged and beat up by 4 people (including a woman) who stole his wallet and phone (though he got in a good punch to one of them and knocked him out), and I heard another dealer was on public transportation and got intentionally distracted by two people wanting to pick a fight with him, while a third on stole his bag of coins. It just shows that no matter how diligent we dealers try to be, we are still vulnerable to these despicable events by violent heartless miscreants.

Oh my word! And yet some here get their undergarments in a twist when folks give the advice to “be careful” in Baltimore around the coin show.

LanceNewmanOCC

@ThePennyLady said:
It just shows that no matter how diligent we dealers try to be, we are still vulnerable to these despicable events by violent heartless miscreants.

.
well said.

Russell12

I go to a lot of smaller local shows and enjoy them. Decided to try my first LARGE show and attended Whitman Expo in Baltimore. It was like a smaller show times 100. I figured I would find the harder items I was looking for. I got so tired of walking the isles, it was just too big! I had no luck filling my hard to find items, I must have asked 30-40-50 dealers (which was still not even close to a quarter of the dealers there). I'm sure someone had what I was looking for! There has to be a better way at these large shows to see who has hard to find items. Maybe the show should set up a text number to send items to and dealers can respond with their table numbers? I hated leaving with my unspent money!

Catbert

@Russell12 said:
I go to a lot of smaller local shows and enjoy them. Decided to try my first LARGE show and attended Whitman Expo in Baltimore. It was like a smaller show times 100. I figured I would find the harder items I was looking for. I got so tired of walking the isles, it was just too big! I had no luck filling my hard to find items, I must have asked 30-40-50 dealers (which was still not even close to a quarter of the dealers there). I'm sure someone had what I was looking for! There has to be a better way at these large shows to see who has hard to find items. Maybe the show should set up a text number to send items to and dealers can respond with their table numbers? I hated leaving with my unspent money!

Use Collectors Corner website to search for what you want, see if they will be at show, contact them beforehand to ask that they bring the inventory you seek so you can view it at the show.

lkenefic

My show report got deleted. My sarcasm was not well received...

As others have said, it was well-attended on Thursday. I was there for a couple of hours on Friday and it seemed to be brisk, but apparently it wasn't so well-attended on Saturday.

I may or may not be in attendance for the Spring Show but it has more to do with personal economics rather than an unsafe environment. If I'm there, I'll post a report.