Collectors, what do you carry on the bourse?

AdamL

You're spending half a day or more at a coin show. What specifically do you take with you? Wallet and a loupe obviously, but what else? Notes? A binder with information in it? Laptop?
Does what you carry all go in your pockets or do you have a bag.

I've always just allowed my pockets to get way too full. Last show I went to in July I wore cargo shorts, which helped out a lot. But I don't have any cold weather pants with that many pockets
I never thought I'd be a fanny pack guy, but I've actually considered one just for shows. Then again, I see a lot of people with bags or briefcases, so maybe I could go that route.

I'm just curious how other collectors view this, and if there is any specific strategy or routines you have.

lermish

Printed out spreadsheet/notes detailing target coins and prices and a cell phone. That is plenty for me....maybe a small satchel or backpack if I'm bringing coins there with me.

Floridafacelifter

Holds everything I might need!
I carry at least one slab box- I usually have some coins to drop off and may make some purchases. Checkbook, wallet, a little cash. I use my phone for everything else- inventory, pics, pop reports, etc.

Dave99B

A huge wad of $100s, a loupe, and my cell phone.

All of my of notes and Excel docs are on my phone. Notes include coins I'd like to buy, and coins I'd like to upgrade.

I used to carry a handful of Greysheets (major hassle), but now I just use the PCGS Price Guide for approx values.

Dave

jesbroken

There is not a lot of room for briefcases or large backpacks to be handled, even though many use them. I would utilize a cell phone for info and photos. Any small attached container for coins or other such purchases. Make a list of specialty items you are hunting and if just brousing, no list needed. If you intend to sell, find out who is interested in your particular coin or coins and be aware of what they sell for wholesale and at recent auctions. Be aware before going. JMO.
Jim

messydesk

@AdamL said:
...

I've always just allowed my pockets to get way too full. Last show I went to in July I wore cargo shorts, which helped out a lot. But I don't have any cold weather pants with that many pockets

Mr_Spud

I carry a bag that is sort of halfway between a briefcase and a backpack, sort of what looks like a laptop carrier case but made of lightweight canvas. I keep some snacks and an energy drink in the bag and it has secure compartments for any coins I purchase. And I also have my cellphone to look up cert numbers for slabbed coins and also to look up price guides.

Proofmorgan

A small backpack with a notepad, checkbook, cash, loupe, snacks, a drink, and PCGS box. My phone takes care of the rest.

BryceM

A loupe, a checkbook, a phone, a slab box (often with coins to sell), and a handful of written notes usually. Funny, I don’t consult my notes as often as you’d think. The right coins are either there or they aren’t.

messydesk

@BryceM said:
A loupe, a checkbook, a phone, a slab box (often with coins to sell), and a handful of written notes usually. Funny, I don’t consult my notes as often as you’d think. The right coins are either there or they aren’t.

And they're usually not the ones you wrote down ahead of time, anyway.

ChrisH821

I carry cash, loupe, and phone.
I wear these multi-pocket pants:
https://www.duluthtrading.com/s/DTC/mens-duluthflex-fire-hose-relaxed-fit-cargo-work-pants-45507.html?color=DEK

What they don't mention on the site for some reason is that each side pocket is three pockets; a main large pocket and two small outer pockets, one of which is not closed by the velcro cover. They are nice and comfy and I also use them for traveling. I've had my pair for many years so IMO it's well worth the $80 price tag.

Jzyskowski1

Having never attended a coin show this is a great thread.
I’m planning on going someday. It seems a grip of cash, CC , loop, scale and snacks. A backpack type case would seem to be in order. And my checkbook and iPhone.
I shall keep reading up. Thanks for sharing. 😁

WilliamF

Wallet, loupe, phone, small-ish backpack (sometimes theres not much room at coin shows...) Shirt with pockets, pants with plenty of pockets, and a 6" knife in my boot sheath
The boot knife is probably not necessary but it makes me feel better

Oh, and it's a good idea to only take as much cash as you're willing to spend, don't take a checkbook...

Cladiator

Cell phone for all note taking and document reference.
Eschenbach 3x6x9 loupe around the neck (only while inside the show).
Various payment forms in just a bit more than thought necessary.
Small backpack for coins, bullion, bottle of water, possibly an LOC album or two.
Some type of pocket knife, usually pretty small and light weight.
Springfield EMP in a Crossbreed IWB.

AdamL

This gives me a lot of options to consider.
I think the venue I go to most has just enough elbow room that I can bring my laptop case. Some others I've been to are too small and cramped.

Sapyx

For me, it's just:
- Clothes with lots of pockets. Hooray for unfashionable clothing!
- Phone with my up-to-date coin database downloaded onto it.
- Shoulderbag with wallet, usually pre-loaded with cash for the occasion.
- Namebadge from my coin club (only worn inside the show, and only at shows my coin club is participating in as an exhibitor).

Up until very recently, my eyes were good enough to not need a loupe. May have to invest in one soon.

bob48

Back pack For a lot of notes for what I collect, and some coins for show and tell.
I might spend a hour or more talking to one dealer and talking about all the different ways I collect. This is to educate him on all the other ways to collect coins, and that they usually did not realize, As long as they are interested in what I have to offer, I will talk until he has to get back to work. But I will always step aside for a paying customer.

1st generation slabs, ANACS photo certs and the different type of photo certs, out of business companies (OOB), Sample slabs any company. Clash marks on the Standing Liberty Quarters (Favorite series). or just rare slabs. (PCGS Dollies or Compugrade slabs)

I like to say I collect what nobody else wants.
But times are changing and there are a lot of collectors looking for the same items that I look for. A lot has changed in the last 10 or 15 years. Glad I found most of the items long ago.

BryceM

Oh, I forgot to add......

Depending on the state, I may or may not be carrying something else too.

remumc

My Sig P226 something else in .40.

ShaunBC5

The more prepared I am, the more I bring. Hardly took anything to the last show because I didn’t know going was an option. I got a few days notice but not long enough to really get resources together.
The thing I used to take a lot that hasn’t been mentioned (I don’t think) is a grading reference book. Sometimes it’s quicker than coinfacts depending on service and if I’ve already got a bag it’s not an extra hassle. This was very useful when I bought more raw coins.

gumby1234

I bring one of these coin boxes with coins to sell and a loupe.

jacrispies

I don't have much large show experience, but adding on to the usual loupe, PCGS box, and backpack, I also keep cut up 2x2 pages and Dave's Bust Half Dollar site pulled up on my phone.

Regarding the 2x2 pages, I cut old pages in columns to get an accordion of 5 2x2 inserts that can collapse in a zig zag and easily fit in my pocket. Perfect for raw coins, as they never scratch whether they are in mylar flips or cardboard 2x2's with raised staples.

A lot of significant Overton varities I have memorized without reference. If there is a significant coin purchase, I'll probably pull up Ebay and Heritage to get an idea of previous sales and/or rarity if I need it.

Reading other comments and looking forward to my future show experience, I'll find a sturdy knife to carry as I am not of age to conceal carry a firearm.

Lazybones

Ruger SR1911 Commander...

winesteven

I start out with a large canvas bag with a zipper, to hold everything. Inside that bag I keep my iPad, which is so much easier to use than my phone. Inside the canvas bag I also keep a leather bank pouch with a zipper for cash and a few checks, since many dealers know me. I also include a PCGS 20 coin slab plastic box. I wear my loupe around my neck.

About a week before the show I print out a floor map of the numbered tables on the bourse. I get this from the “Shows” tab on collectorscorner.com. I then use my copier to enlarge it. Using that same source, I then look at the list of dealers, which is in alphabetical order and shows the table number of each dealer. I then circle on my enlarged map (still on an 8.5x11 inch sheet) each table I want to make sure I see, and write the dealers name by that circle. I use the back of that sheet to write notes, including which table numbers to go back to, and for what.

So as I walk the bourse, in one hand I have my zippered canvas bag, and in my other hand my marked bourse map!

Steve

1630Boston

yspsales

Got a cool leather bag that is a catchall.

ernie11

Some sort of magnification that will keep me from seeing every coin as a doubled die.

ricko

When I went to shows, I took money and my firearms (always two). Plenty of pockets for purchases. Cheers, RickO

291fifth

A Hawken of at least .50 caliber similar to the one Hatchet Jack willed to the finder in "Jerimiah Johnson".

NeophyteNumismatist

Before the show:

I do homework before a major show by getting the dealer list and combing their inventories online to better understand who has the material I want. I make a list of all of the coins I want from their inventories. Then, I look-up comp prices in Greysheet, HA and GC and eBay and make notes on each coin.

At the show I bring:

• Money
• Computer bag
• 4x6 Loupe
• My homework page(s)
• Dealer List and Bourse Map
• Greysheet
  *Cell phone

crazyhounddog

Lots of cash.

oih82w8

I dont bother with a carry around loupe anymore...I have my tri-power (3, 5 and 10x) foldaway magnifier attached to my glasses.

(visual aide example)

NeophyteNumismatist

@oih82w8 said:
I dont bother with a carry around loupe anymore...I have my tri-power (3, 5 and 10x) foldaway magnifier attached to my glasses.

That's very Jullian Liedman of you . Every time I see him at a show, he has those on.

oih82w8

@NeophyteNumismatist said:

@oih82w8 said:
I dont bother with a carry around loupe anymore...I have my tri-power (3, 5 and 10x) foldaway magnifier attached to my glasses.

That's very Jullian Liedman of you . Every time I see him at a show, he has those on.

I just happened to have been working on an antique pocket watch when attention turned to a coin and magnifier was already inplace on my glasses.

Kliao

To a local show, I bring wallet with extra cash on me as well as my loupe and phone.
To a large national show, I bring above in addition, a backpack with more cash, if I have any coins to sell and possibly a laptop.

No Headlights

Enough stuff to totally cover a dealers table so nobody can look at their merchandise. I then sit there and discuss everything but coins for hours. Well not really....... but a serious pet peeve.

AUandAG

My loupe and usually one of these:

DisneyFan

God, I hope there is never a fire fight at a coin show I go to.

pointfivezero

I prefer something small and concealable for my carry:

Or like @ricko, some double trouble:

Barberian

@Lazybones said:
Ruger SR1911 Commander...

Is that for negotiating your best deal?

krueger

Flat belly bag. Inside cash separated and paperclip by amount also a couple of checks as some dealers will take cash and a check split. A loupe rig on a lanyard that will go around my neck. So I don't lose my loupes as some do.
A 3x6x9 loupe , or a larger lens 4x and eschenback 6x, an always in the bag a Bolomo 10x and a variety use Anco loupe 16x .
Regular pen and a red pen to mark my purchases. A few stickers to mark slabs I buy. Small bottle of hand sanitizer
A few collector business cards to give to dealers to contact me and a few 3x5 cards to write on.
Also a small coin wallet for raw coin purchase.
I use to carry a back pack but that wears you out and hurts your shoulder after a while and is a nuisance to keep an eye on when you sit down at a dealers table. I also wear a sweatshirt with kangaroo pockets that go all the way thru hand to hand. I can stuff any info pickups in there. Good walking shoes as you walk a concrete bourse probably several miles plus each day. My feet hurt at night till I found the right shoes. Maybe take a small bottle of water to drink throughout your Bourse day as it will help with you energy level.
Walking coin Bourses since 1975
Find your own comfort zone. Poor planning and fatigue are you enemies.

horseyride

Just to check here .. the shows are almost all cash ? I can't hand someone a check and say "ship it when the check clears"?

golden

At a big show I carry a briefcase. At a small show I put a pen, note pad and a loupe in my pockets.

MasonG

@horseyride said:
Just to check here .. the shows are almost all cash ? I can't hand someone a check and say "ship it when the check clears"?

Not all dealers are excited to be carrying around a big wad of cash. If a dealer knows (and trusts) you, he'll likely accept a check and many will give a "thumbs up" to a dealer you don't know if you want to use a check with them. As well, it wouldn't be unusual for one to accept a check from an unknown buyer and ship when it clears.

Che_Grapes

@horseyride said:
Just to check here .. the shows are almost all cash ? I can't hand someone a check and say "ship it when the check clears"?

I’ve been to shows where some dealers had square and could take a visa or debit card… most do seem to prefer cash though. They may charge a fee for using a card.

CoinHoarder

With the exception of the 7 X magnifier, which I take to both coin shows and my LCS, i carry the other two items with me anytime I leave the house.

BLUEJAYWAY

In addition to many of the above listed "equipment","carrying" discipline,patience and common courtesy helps to compliment your show experience .