Thursday at Long Beach

Elcontador

If you're thinking of going, go tomorrow. AM was very busy. Lots of people and deals being made.
Line to submit coins to PCGS was 15 deep. Ditto re the sports cards.

Spoke with my favorite dealers there (one of the main reasons I go). Also was fortunate to see some truly stunning coins.

George from Legend, whom I haven't seen in ages, was there. So was Ron Guth and John Danreuther.

Seth Chandler had a 1852 Braided Hair Large Cent in PC 6 RD with a sticker. The coin was all there for the grade. As long as I have been collecting coins, I have not seen a Large Cent measure up to this one. The denticles were mushy, which is not uncommon in some 1850s Braided Hair Large Cents, and if you looked very closely, you would find a very small toning spot in the rt. obverse field. Not a mark on the coin, and even color on obverse and reverse. And it was really RD, not almost RD, like I've seen on so many 5 RDs.

Eye Appealing Coins had two 1802 Heraldic Eagle Bust Dollars. A properly graded AU 55 with original surfaces, and an AU 58 that I think should be in an Unc. holder. There is a flat spot on the hair, but that's how the coin was struck; I did not see a luster break. They always have a nice run of Capped Bust Halves at their table.

I saw more Bust $s this time around than the last Long Beach Show. Also a handful of Draped Bust Halves, and a beautiful 1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar.

Some people in their 20s started an "everyman's e-bay," where people send in whatever coins they like. They take photos and live stream the auction. The guy said to the effect that you get it to them and they'll sell it. I've saw / interacted with a number of people in their 20s that are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the hobby. So rumors about the death of numismatics is premature.

There was really a bit of something for everyone there. In all price ranges. Coins, sports cards, currency, stamps, and jewelry. Didn't see the guy who sold swords, though. Saw the Tyrant Collection Exhibit. Did not know that 18th Century Mexican coins were called 'escudos.' The escudo was the coin of Portugal before it converted to the Euro.

Much of the usual stuff: lots of Morgans, mid 19th Century and later gold. A number of Trade $s in all grades, and the usual assortment of 20th century coinage.

More Mexican coins than I've seen before. I think the 8 reales coins are more attractive than the Morgans. Just my opinion.

I sold a mistake, and surprisingly, actually bought a coin. Didn't plan on it. The mistake was an 1883 Shield Nickel that I bought years ago, that on a scale of 1 - 10, was a 4.5 to 5. I had an 1882 that looked a little nicer. I always wanted an 1883 With Cents Nickel in PC 6, but what I saw was either too ugly or too expensive.

This coin was priced on the high side. I'd say it was a 6.5 to 7 on a scale of 10. Nice eye appeal, even color on both sides, average strike and a neat die crack on the upper obverse. Small tick in the back of the eye and a miniscule one that you had to look for on the upper cheek. Slight hit that you'd see if you looked for it above the V on the reverse. Said they didn't try to CAC it; coin may or may not CAC.

I asked what they needed for the coin, and mentioned the current auction pricing, and asked what they could do. I was expecting something a bit above the auction pricing, but they hit the auction number, so we had a deal. Think they had it for a few months and wanted to sell it. Liberty Nickels aren't a popular series.

Note to fellow collectors. If you buy a coin where CA sales tax is applicable and buy it at Long Beach, you're going to pay the 10.25% sales tax that Long Beach charges on sales of tangible personal property.
But if the coin is shipped to you from out of state, the seller will only charge the CA tax (no local taxes), which is 7.25%.

If you can get free shipping, on a $1,000 coin, you're ahead $30, and even if you're charged for shipping, you're still ahead of the game.

They had a number of low cost venues. Various foreign currency, some in very good shape. A large spread of IHCs at $1.50 each. Saw an 1892 that would grade fine. East West Coin has an enormous number of flips for $3 each. Saw some beat up Barber Dimes and mid 20s Philadelphia Mint Buffalo Nickels, among other things.

Spent more time than I had anticipated, but it was time well spent.

golden

Thanks for your report.

bidask

I have a ton of cap& rays 8 reales !
Did you see any teally nice ones like 64 or better ?

2windy2fish

Excellent report! Thank you

braddick

Well-written report.
You make me feel like I was there.

BLUEJAYWAY

Covered many bases.

alohagary

Great report

jmlanzaf

Interesting read.

I've always preferred the 19th century 8 Reales design to the Morgan design. The Morgan design is flat and static. The 8 Reales hints at action and almost springs from the surface of the coin.

ricko

@Elcontador... Thank you for a comprehensive and enjoyable show report. Cheers, RickO

PeakRarities

Really great report, thanks for sharing with us! It's funny, I also made mention of that 1852 Braided Cent in 66 in my fun report. That coin is something else, isn't it? I mean, there's
"red" and then theres "RED". Seths most recent video actually shows the coin in the beginning.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CoK3ne-gcZ1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Elcontador

Two things:
Have to correct my comment re the Tyrant Collection. Only the Mexican gold coins of that era were called 'escudos,' the silver coins were 'reales.' I believe the 8 real coin was used as a stand in for the silver dollar until 1857.

Dan, when I was looking for an MS 65 Braided Hair Large Cent for my collection, I looked at probably over 100 of them, and saw the occasional MS 66. Grading was fairly consistent.
Most 5 RDs were 85-90% RD. Perhaps they were really RD when initially slabbed, I don't know. And the 5 RDs I saw that were really RD had surface issues, spots, etc. Seth's coin is the real deal. I'd like to know the provenance of that coin. The only RD copper I have is an 09 P IHC in 5 RD that's in an OGH, so I know the color is stable.

Walkerfan

Thanks for the great report!

Glad that you enjoyed yourself and were able to visit old friends.

Congrats on your sale and on your new purchase, too.

bidask

@Elcontador said:
Two things:
Have to correct my comment re the Tyrant Collection. Only the Mexican gold coins of that era were called 'escudos,' the silver coins were 'reales.' I believe the 8 real coin was used as a stand in for the silver dollar until 1857.

Dan, when I was looking for an MS 65 Braided Hair Large Cent for my collection, I looked at probably over 100 of them, and saw the occasional MS 66. Grading was fairly consistent.
Most 5 RDs were 85-90% RD. Perhaps they were really RD when initially slabbed, I don't know. And the 5 RDs I saw that were really RD had surface issues, spots, etc. Seth's coin is the real deal. I'd like to know the provenance of that coin. The only RD copper I have is an 09 P IHC in 5 RD that's in an OGH, so I know the color is stable.

Thank you

Do you recall the dates, mints , and /or any varieties

Walkerguy21D

Great report, thanks for sharing.

divecchia

Great show report for sure. I felt like I was there.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Donato

daltex

@Elcontador said:

Note to fellow collectors. If you buy a coin where CA sales tax is applicable and buy it at Long Beach, you're going to pay the 10.25% sales tax that Long Beach charges on sales of tangible personal property.
But if the coin is shipped to you from out of state, the seller will only charge the CA tax (no local taxes), which is 7.25%.

If you can get free shipping, on a $1,000 coin, you're ahead $30, and even if you're charged for shipping, you're still ahead of the game.

Does California )or Long Beach) require taxpayers to submit the extra amount of tax, possibly as use tax?

Cameonut

Enjoyed your report. Thanks!