My FUN Exhibiting Experience (and results)

winesteven

As many of you know from a prior post, I did an Educational Exhibit at the FUN show in Orlando. The title was “A Unique Indian Cent Registry Set”, that provided several interesting facts about Indian Head cents, spread throughout five cases showing my Registry set. My goal was to hopefully provide something new for people to learn about Indian Head cents, regardless of their experience with this coin. I believe I accomplished that.

I also explained right at the beginning of the exhibit what makes my set “Unique”. The fact that the set is currently ranked #8 in the PCGS Registry is NOT what makes it unique. A few collectors have put sets together where every coin has a CAC sticker. A few other collectors have put sets together where every coin has Rick Snow’s Eagle Eye Photo Seal (my Exhibit explained what is a CAC sticker and a Photo Seal). But my set is unique in that it’s the only set ever put together where EVERY coin has both a CAC sticker AND an Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

Redundant? Absolutely! But I explained that while CAC and Rick Snow look at the same various factors to determine if a coin merits their sticker, they place different weights from each other on those various factors. I explain that in my opinion Rick places a greater weight on Strike and Die State than CAC, and also seems a bit stricter with carbon, particularly with coins in high grades like 66. On the other hand, CAC seems a bit stricter on color originality, and possibly luster. My conclusion is that a coin that merits BOTH stickers has the best of both worlds!

My exhibit did NOT win any judged prize, but I did win “The People's Choice" Award. So while the judges did "technical grading" (lol), apparently some of the regular people walking through the Educational Exhibit area liked my exhibit. If you attended FUN, went through all of the exhibits, and voted for my exhibit, thanks. But more thanks for looking at my exhibit, and most importantly, for taking the time to introduce yourselves, and allowing us the opportunity to get to know a little bit more about each other.

Congratulations to our @BillJones, who won 2nd Place for his phenomenal exhibit “1795, A PIVOTAL YEAR AT THE FIRST U.S. MINT”. Well deserved!!!

I have heard that a video was made of my exhibit, and when that person gets home and has time, they’ll post it on YouTube. Once it’s on YouTube, I’ll update this post with that hotlink. My guess is it’ll be easier to read the text in my exhibit in that video, compared to the photos I took.

Steve

Mr_Spud

Sounds like it was a great exhibit, cool!

Boosibri

Congrats! If I recall, for a while CAC and Rick had a reciprocal agreement where if one stickered the coin, the other would as well. That ended when Rick pulled out due to CAC not meeting his standards.

2windy2fish

Congrats! I really enjoyed and appreciated your exhibit!
Nice to meet you and i truly appreciate your advice as well.

gumby1234

Peoples choice is probably the best you can get. After all its the people who matter the most. Your coin brothers and sisters.

pcgscacgold

Congratulations. That’s a great award to win.

winesteven

@Boosibri said:
Congrats! If I recall, for a while CAC and Rick had a reciprocal agreement where if one stickered the coin, the other would as well. That ended when Rick pulled out due to CAC not meeting his standards.

That could possibly indeed be true. If so, my guess is it happened “before my time.”

Steve

Boosibri

@winesteven said:

@Boosibri said:
Congrats! If I recall, for a while CAC and Rick had a reciprocal agreement where if one stickered the coin, the other would as well. That ended when Rick pulled out due to CAC not meeting his standards.

That could possibly indeed be true. If so, my guess is it happened “before my time.”

Steve

This thread might be interesting to you and sheds some light on what I recalled which wasn’t exactly accurate.

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/comment/10727831#Comment_10727831

winesteven

@Boosibri said:

@winesteven said:

@Boosibri said:
Congrats! If I recall, for a while CAC and Rick had a reciprocal agreement where if one stickered the coin, the other would as well. That ended when Rick pulled out due to CAC not meeting his standards.

That could possibly indeed be true. If so, my guess is it happened “before my time.”

Steve

This thread might be interesting to you and sheds some light on what I recalled which wasn’t exactly accurate.

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/comment/10727831#Comment_10727831

Great hotlink for that thread, and while you said your recollection wasn’t exact, I find that info very interesting. Thanks.

Steve

keyman64

I was at FUN. It’s definitely a special set. Congrats!

hfjacinto

Congrats Steve! I’m pretty certain your presentation was excellent!

I wish I could have gone! Can’t wait to see the video!

MidLifeCrisis

Congratulations to you and @BillJones ! Wish I could have been there to see your exhibit in person.

Walkerlover

@winesteven said:
As many of you know from a prior post, I did an Educational Exhibit at the FUN show in Orlando. The title was “A Unique Indian Cent Registry Set”, that provided several interesting facts about Indian Head cents, spread throughout five cases showing my Registry set. My goal was to hopefully provide something new for people to learn about Indian Head cents, regardless of their experience with this coin. I believe I accomplished that.

I also explained right at the beginning of the exhibit what makes my set “Unique”. The fact that the set is currently ranked #8 in the PCGS Registry is NOT what makes it unique. A few collectors have put sets together where every coin has a CAC sticker. A few other collectors have put sets together where every coin has Rick Snow’s Eagle Eye Photo Seal (my Exhibit explained what is a CAC sticker and a Photo Seal). But my set is unique in that it’s the only set ever put together where EVERY coin has both a CAC sticker AND an Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

Redundant? Absolutely! But I explained that while CAC and Rick Snow look at the same various factors to determine if a coin merits their sticker, they place different weights from each other on those various factors. I explain that in my opinion Rick places a greater weight on Strike and Die State than CAC, and also seems a bit stricter with carbon, particularly with coins in high grades like 66. On the other hand, CAC seems a bit stricter on color originality, and possibly luster. My conclusion is that a coin that merits BOTH stickers has the best of both worlds!

My exhibit did NOT win any judged prize, but I did win “The People's Choice" Award. So while the judges did "technical grading" (lol), apparently the regular people walking through the Educational Exhibit area liked my exhibit. If you attended FUN, went through all of the exhibits, and voted for my exhibit, thanks. But more thanks for looking at my exhibit, and most importantly, for taking the time to introduce yourselves, and allowing us the opportunity to get to know a little bit more about each other.

Congratulations to our @BillJones, who won 2nd Place for his phenomenal exhibit “1795, A PIVOTAL YEAR AT THE FIRST U.S. MINT”. Well deserved!!!

I have heard that a video was made of my exhibit, and when that person gets home and has time, they’ll post it on YouTube. Once it’s on YouTube, I’ll update this post with that hotlink. My guess is it’ll be easier to read the text in my exhibit in that video, compared to the photos I took.

Steve

Steve I was just wondering does a coin that have CAC and Photo Seal bring substantially more in the market than a coin with just CAC.? I bought that 1939 MS 67 RD gem from Rick. Is it worth getting a photo seal financially or just for prestige to add to my coin?

vulcanize

@winesteven said:

I did win “The People's Choice" Award.
Steve

Awesome. Congratulations.

winesteven

@Walkerlover asked: “Steve I was just wondering does a coin that has CAC and Photo Seal bring substantially more in the market than a coin with just CAC? I bought that 1939 MS 67 RD gem from Rick. Is it worth getting a photo seal financially, or just for prestige to add to my coin?”

Excellent question!

“The Market” clearly values a CAC sticker higher than an Eagle Eye Photo Seal. Additionally, the number of collectors who recognize a CAC sticker is FAR higher than those who recognize what an Eagle Eye Photo Seal is. However, for many collectors of Flying Eagle and Indian Head cents, especially the serious collectors, to many of them it’s more important that the coin they buy has the Photo Seal.

Only Flying Eagle and Indian Head cents are eligible for a Photo Seal, NOT Lincoln cents, so it’s not applicable to your 1939 Lincoln. But for owners of cents where it does apply, getting the additional sticker can’t hurt, but it can potentially help a bit.

Rick charges just $15 to evaluate a coin and apply his sticker. If the coin fails, there’s no charge (other than round-trip shipping). For coins that Pass, in addition to the sticker, you get a plasticized card with a photo of the slab obverse with the sticker applied on the front of the card, with Rick’s signature on the reverse. Additionally, Rick provides three high quality photos of each coin on his website, which is searchable by you and the public, and downloadable as well. That’s quite a value for just $15. As an example, here are the three photos he provided for my 1877, which @Tomthemailcarrier was kind enough to sell to me, and for which I will always be appreciative:

Jzyskowski1

Congratulations @ winesteven
Everyday I learn something new. I had never heard of photo seal. Ofcourse, I’ve never attended a coin show. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and knowledge.
I don’t have any CAC coins or even foresee that influencing my collecting style. Just a little guy , seeking silver and in awe of most collectors here. 😉

winesteven

@Jzyskowski1 said:
Congratulations @ winesteven
Everyday I learn something new. I had never heard of photo seal. Ofcourse, I’ve never attended a coin show. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and knowledge.
I don’t have any CAC coins or even foresee that influencing my collecting style. Just a little guy , seeking silver and in awe of most collectors here. 😉

Take a look at my reply just above yours, where I address a question posed by @Walkerlover . I believe that has new (and hopefully) interesting information for you as well.

Steve

BillJones

I have never seen an Eagle Eye approved coin that I didn’t like. I don’t feel the same way about CAC.

ricko

@winesteven ... Congratulations on your award and thank you for an interesting show report. Cheers, RickO

gonzer

Well done Steve. Would you happen to have photos of your exhibit?

winesteven

@gonzer said:
Well done Steve. Would you happen to have photos of your exhibit?

I do, but I believe as I mentioned at the bottom of my post, the upcoming video that will be posted on YouTube (when the person who shot it gets home and has time to post it) will be able to show the text in my exhibit much clearer than my photos. I’ll post the hotlink once it’s on YouTube.

Thanks for asking, and for your interest!

Steve

MFeld

Congratulations, Steve!

AntebellumGold

I spent 20 or 30 minutes looking at your exhibit. The quality of the your coins is astonishing. I've never seen any run of an entire 19th century series in such high condition.

P0CKETCHANGE

I spoke with Rick Snow at FUN and dropped off an 1864 CN IHC as my first submission to the Photo Seal service. He told me to have the coin regraded as he thinks it’s a point higher (and said he’d sticker it at the higher grade too), but I tried in my last PCGS submission and it didn’t upgrade. I will send it to CAC after it’s back from Rick and then decide what to do.

jesbroken

So sad I was unable to attend, again, and missed your display greatly. Look forward to the video.
I have had many eeps's in my 2nd IHC set, and bought several from Rick. I was always looking for the woodgrain cents and back then Rick and HJB tended to have them.
Glad to hear that the viewers gave you the peoples choice award. That is the award that shows true appreciation of your collection and your display and I congratulate you for it. Again, I would have loved to have been there.
Jim

DisneyFan

@BillJones said:
I have never seen an Eagle Eye approved coin that I didn’t like. I don’t feel the same way about CAC.

winesteven said:

"CAC seems a bit stricter on color originality, and possibly luster."

I once showed Laura Sperber a dark CAC coin which some could say was unatractive and her comment was "But, that's the way they come."

There is a misconception that CAC grades coins based on eye appeal as well as other factors. That doesn't appear to be the case - it appears it's more about originality. It's up to the the collector to determine whether a coin has eye appeal. Thus, there will be CAC coins that one doesn't like.

winesteven

@P0CKETCHANGE said:
I spoke with Rick Snow at FUN and dropped off an 1864 CN IHC as my first submission to the Photo Seal service. He told me to have the coin regraded as he thinks it’s a point higher (and said he’d sticker it at the higher grade too), but I tried in my last PCGS submission and it didn’t upgrade. I will send it to CAC after it’s back from Rick and then decide what to do.

I had dinner Wednesday night with a former PCGS grader. When I asked, he confirmed that with Reconsideration, the graders do indeed see the current grade, as well as any CAC or Photo Seals on the label.

Whether that has an impact on their decision or not, I can’t say, but I think we can all agree that at a minimum, it has a subliminal effect that might help.

Steve

P0CKETCHANGE

@winesteven said:

@P0CKETCHANGE said:
I spoke with Rick Snow at FUN and dropped off an 1864 CN IHC as my first submission to the Photo Seal service. He told me to have the coin regraded as he thinks it’s a point higher (and said he’d sticker it at the higher grade too), but I tried in my last PCGS submission and it didn’t upgrade. I will send it to CAC after it’s back from Rick and then decide what to do.

I had dinner Wednesday night with a former PCGS grader. When I asked, he confirmed that with Reconsideration, the graders do indeed see the current grade, as well as any CAC or Photo Seals on the label.

Whether that has an impact on their decision or not, I can’t say, but I think we can all agree that at a minimum, it has a subliminal effect that might help.

Steve, this is something I’ve wondered for a long time and I am so glad you were able to confirm it! Sounds like it’d be well advised to acquire any stickers before a Reconsideration submission. Thanks for asking the question, and for sharing here.

pruebas

@gumby1234 said:
Peoples choice is probably the best you can get. After all its the people who matter the most. Your coin brothers and sisters.

Totally agree. I’ve always found technical exhibit judging to be rather regimented, which is why I’ve never exhibited.

But if your exhibit is a crowd-pleaser, that’s what matters most. Congrats!

asheland

I wish I could’ve been there to see this exhibit. Sounds awesome!

I eagerly await the YouTube video. 👍

savitale

Congratulations! Wish I could have seen it.

Pnies20

Thanks for your contribution to the hobby!

Coin Finder

Yes @asheland, I would love to see the 1795 exhibit also. I wish PGCS or NGC or the ANA would document , interview and video these exhibits every year ( maybe they do ), but create easy links on their respective home pages to further educate collectors and dealers.. ( oh wait they do that already?)

I cut my teeth on studying early dollars and checking out Bolender from the library.

Congrats to the award winners!!

CircCam

@thebigeng said:
Yes @asheland, I would love to see the 1795 exhibit also. I wish PGCS or NGC or the ANA would document , interview and video these exhibits every year ( maybe they do ), but create easy links on their respective home pages to further educate collectors and dealers.. ( oh wait they do that already?)

I cut my teeth on studying early dollars and checking out Bolender from the library.

Congrats to the award winners!!

Agreed, I would love to see the YouTube of this one Steve and @BillJones ’s 1795 exhibit as well. If anyone locates a link, please share!

winesteven

@GoldIndian said:
I spent 20 or 30 minutes looking at your exhibit. The quality of the your coins is astonishing. I've never seen any run of an entire 19th century series in such high condition.

That's so VERY kind of you to say! Thank you.

Steve

abdelmeg1

@winesteven said:

@P0CKETCHANGE said:
I spoke with Rick Snow at FUN and dropped off an 1864 CN IHC as my first submission to the Photo Seal service. He told me to have the coin regraded as he thinks it’s a point higher (and said he’d sticker it at the higher grade too), but I tried in my last PCGS submission and it didn’t upgrade. I will send it to CAC after it’s back from Rick and then decide what to do.

I had dinner Wednesday night with a former PCGS grader. When I asked, he confirmed that with Reconsideration, the graders do indeed see the current grade, as well as any CAC or Photo Seals on the label.

Whether that has an impact on their decision or not, I can’t say, but I think we can all agree that at a minimum, it has a subliminal effect that might help.

Steve

That was kinda expected with reconsideration. The question, Steve, is: do the graders see/ know the current grade in cases of RE-GRADE ? I was never able to get a straight answer. Any idea ??

winesteven

@abdelmeg1 said:

@winesteven said:

@P0CKETCHANGE said:
I spoke with Rick Snow at FUN and dropped off an 1864 CN IHC as my first submission to the Photo Seal service. He told me to have the coin regraded as he thinks it’s a point higher (and said he’d sticker it at the higher grade too), but I tried in my last PCGS submission and it didn’t upgrade. I will send it to CAC after it’s back from Rick and then decide what to do.

I had dinner Wednesday night with a former PCGS grader. When I asked, he confirmed that with Reconsideration, the graders do indeed see the current grade, as well as any CAC or Photo Seals on the label.

Whether that has an impact on their decision or not, I can’t say, but I think we can all agree that at a minimum, it has a subliminal effect that might help.

Steve

That was kinda expected with reconsideration. The question, Steve, is: do the graders see/ know the current grade in cases of RE-GRADE ? I was never able to get a straight answer. Any idea ??

Yes, I confirmed the graders do NOT see the current grade with regrade. The graders are provided the raw coin, and provide a grade. The coin and new grade is then presumably given to a clerk. If the “new” grade is at or lower than the old grade, the coin is graded at the old grade. If the new grade is higher than the old grade, that newer grade is used. In all cases, a NEW cert number is provided.

EDIT - It's been brought to my attention via pm that the "Finalizer" sees the original grade along with the raw regrades before the process is completed.

Steve

divecchia

Steve,

Congratulations on your “People's Choice" Award and thanks for sharing your experience with showcasing your impressive set.

Donato

golden

I did not get to FUN this year. Sorry that I did not get to see your exhibit.

winesteven

@golden said:
I did not get to FUN this year. Sorry that I did not get to see your exhibit.

No problem. Hopefully we can meet up at a future FUN show!

Steve

BLUEJAYWAY

I join with the other posters in looking forward to the Youtube link of your exhibit.

winesteven

@BLUEJAYWAY said:
I join with the other posters in looking forward to the Youtube link of your exhibit.

Me too, lol!

Steve

psuman08

Congrats Steve! Looking forward to the video.

ThePennyLady

Steve's exhibit was beautifully put together. Although I may be a bit bias (being a big fan of Indian cents), I thought the entire display had the most eye appeal of all the exhibits. The coins were amazing and the write up was very interesting and informative. It well deserved the People's Choice award. Here are photos of Steve's exhibit that will appear in my show report within the next day or two.

winesteven

@ThePennyLady - Charmy - Thanks so much for your very kind words, and for posting your photos.

For those on this forum, be aware the while circles you see are the overhead lights. My photos have the same issue. Secondly, there is distortion in my photos as well as Charmy's. As such, it looks like certain things are crooked, but in reality they are not. Everything is lined up perfectly.

To read the text, you will have to enlarge the photos. I'm hoping the YouTube video that will be posted on this forum will hopefully show the text clearer than photos. I'll provide a link to that separate thread once it's posted.

Thanks.

Steve

asheland

That exhibit looks AWESOME!

dbldie55

@asheland said:
That exhibit looks AWESOME!

I concur.

SanctionII

Glad to hear that your Exhibit at the 2023 Winter FUN show turned out to be a great experience.

Floridafacelifter

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the exhibit- great job!

ParadimeCoins

Steve - I enjoyed looking at the set. All were extremely choice and superb! Thank you and a pleasure meeting you

winesteven

@ParadimeCoins said:
Steve - I enjoyed looking at the set. All were extremely choice and superb! Thank you and a pleasure meeting you

Shannon - Thanks for taking the time to see it, as I know how your booth had non-stop buyers!!!!!!