Houston Coin Show: Family experience and NEWPs

johnny010

Took the family to the Houston Coin Show today. The local coin show was a great family experience so I wanted to share not only the new purchases but our story. The wife and I went out for margaritas last night, so we were moving a little slower today than planned, but she hung in there and we were on the way to the show by 9:15am. After a quick stop for breakfast, we arrived around 10:15am.

Initial impression was the room felt small and there were approximately 40 dealers, but I could tell that didn't stop the kids one bit as they quickly took off. The three kids are 16 (Alyssa), 12 (Lucas) and 7 (Chloe). Alyssa brought $278, Chloe brought $24, and Lucas brought no money since he's saving for a better laptop.

My personal goal was to possibly trade some material I'm ready to move on from, even if at a loss, for items that interest me more. If I could find some rattlers, that would be even better, but I wasn't going to hold my breath.

Irene (my wife) took off with our seven year old, and headed straight, while I went right and quickly hit pay dirt. I settled in to a table owned by Roger of The Truman Company, who came all the way to Houston, Texas from Roseville, Minnesota (quite the trip). Roger had a 1955 Franklin PF67 rattler that I need for my set. We discussed a price, but I brought no cash (insert Homer Simpson DOH!). Roger was unable to take digital payment, and I asked if there was an ATM on premise. We laughed aloud after the question escaped me too quickly....the coin show was in a fellowship hall of the church. Too funny, there are no ATM's at church. Anyway, we looked through my coins that I was willing to sell/trade, and he landed on my 1852-O $20 Liberty AU53 that just came back a couple of months ago freshly graded from a raw purchase I made online one night around 3am. He offered a large amount, but I passed. He also offered me $350 for a 1909 VDB MS66 CAC that I had $550 in, and i also passed. I told Roger I'd walk the bourse, but would be back after checking to see if my wife brought her check book.

In the meantime, I checked my phone before moving on, and surprisingly had a text from my wife that she wanted a coin (she's never wanted a coin before). The coin she texted was in a PCI slab, and I immediately liked the idea. My oldest beat me to the table, and bought the coin for her mom for her birthday.

At some point, I look over and my son is wheeling and dealing. I asked Irene how he was buying coins since he had no money, and Chloe (7 year old) spoke up that she felt bad for him so she gave him a quarter. Apparently he took the quarter, and bought a penny he was told was worth .40 cents. He then took the .40 cent penny and went to another table where he traded it for a worn buffalo nickel, which parlayed into a trade with yet another dealer for a worn half dollar, that turned into three silver coins and something else, that eventually he turned into a coin I've actually never seen until today, a 1492-1992 proof 500th Anniversary of Columbus Discovery half dollar. Lucas said he had more fun doing this than any other time where he's paid cash for a coin. I do appreciate the dealers humoring his approach.

My youngest on the other hand was cash rich with her $24. Her first purchase was a Sprite from the concession stand accompanied by a chocolate donut. Then she went to work. I didn't see this coming at all, but she bought one of my favorite coins that I've never owned, a 1943 steel cent! How cool. She said she paid $1 for it. Her other purchases included another WWII era 1945 walking liberty silver piece, two clad Kennedy halves, a coin from the other side of the pond and a 1986 proof Liberty commemorative half dollar. I was impressed, but up until that point she was approximately $17 in....

Alyssa joined me at a table owned by Robert Schermerhorn and his wife. Let me tell you, these are great people. Alyssa decided she wanted a rainbow Morgan which he had several, and Robert happened to also have my weakness, another rattler that I've been trying to stay away from (I'll explain). As Alyssa perused his radiant coins, Robert and I struck up conversation about VAM Morgans, which I know nothing about even though I collect Morgan's myself. As we talked, it was clear Robert knew his stuff, and then he divulged he's got the #3 ranked Morgan set!!! This is a huge accomplishment, and I knew it even before he showed me his list. I asked if he was going to pedigree the set, and the story gets better. Even though he's ranked #3, he's one coin from being 100% complete, and apparently there are only a handful known in existence, the 1889 VAM 21. He does not have this coin, and PCGS will not let you pedigree unless the set is 100%. He handed over his list of coins in the set, and it was a really awesome experience to even see the list much less one of the coins he pulled out of hiding to show me.

At this point, Chloe walked up and Robert and his wife (very kind lady, but I missed her name) started up small talk with her. Robert was extremely gracious as he pulled out a 1923 Peace Dollar and asked Chloe if she would be willing to pay $5 for the coin. She said yes, and after some back and forth, she turned over the $5 for the MS63 Peace. Robert then handed the $5 back to her and encouraged her to enjoy the coin. WOW!

Robert took another customer who was selling some common Morgans in ANACS holders, so his wife helped pull out a few more rainbow Morgans as we talked and Alyssa made up her mind. I got to hear about their upcoming vacation, and their new place. Great times for sure. Alyssa finally settled on an 1878-S MS63 Morgan. The coin was more money than she had, but she was close. Alyssa offered Robert $275 for the coin, and he said, "$275 works, but how does $220 sound?" She smiled as she handed over the cash. Alyssa now has two rainbow Morgans, so I can see where this is headed.

Now, back to my decision point. I have completed, for lack of better words, a rattler short date set, which in my own made up world is 1878 to 1889 in MS65. I call 1878 to 1889 the short set because it's not possible to complete a full rattler date set in MS65 from my research. I think I want to complete a full MS65 date set, but when you get to the 90's, it falls apart for the rattler crowd. So I can either a) switch the 90s to a different style of holder 2) complete the 90s but go with less than MS65 for the grades or 3) just stop at 1889 and if something calls me to me so be it. As I looked through Robert's case, I noticed a nice 1890-O rattler with rainbow toning. CAC sticker included.....so even though I didn't make a definitive decision as lined out above, I did decide to go for the coin. I handed Robert my 1909 Lincoln VDB MS66 CAC and told him I was in it for $550 but would do a straight trade for his 1890-O Morgan MS63 CAC which he had priced for $450. He mulled it over for less than five seconds and handed me the rattler. I was appreciative, and admittedly a bit excided about this small transaction because I have no idea where it will lead me.

We gathered as a family and decided we had enjoyed all the action over the prior two hours, so it was time to head out. I stopped back at Roger's table on our way out to re-discuss the 1955 Franklin proof, and asked him if we mailed a check would he mind mailing the rattler if I added $10 dollars to the price. He said yes he would mind, and handed me the coin. He said "let me fill out this form, and you sign it, then mail me a check next week. You take the coin today." Another WOW. I replied that I'd rather he mail the coin after he receives funds, and then second thought my own idea since so many packages get lost in the mail. I agreed to his suggestion and we shook hands. He informed me his buyer for the 1852-O $20 said go higher and he asked if I decide to sell after-all to give him a call first. Here is the 1955 Franklin proof. I just need 1950, 51 and 52 to complete the set.

We left the show and shared all of our stories. What a great time. Thanks to all you dealers and readers for making this such an enjoyable hobby.

Smudge

Thanks for your report.

gumby1234

Sounds like you all had a great time.

DisneyFan

What a great family outing! Just reading your tale reminded me of an old James Garner Movie - The Wheeler Dealers!

justindan

Great show report!

PeakRarities

Awesome write up Johnny, I like how your son managed to "trade up" from a quarter to the commem half dollar. It sounds like he's got some hustle in him, and that will serve him well later in life. Kudos for getting the whole family involved, I can only hope that my future children take interest in the things that Interest me, and it sounds like you lucked out!

BLUEJAYWAY

Such a great gesture on the dealers part. That had to make everyones day. Nice to hear of such a positive show experience.

olah_in_MA

that is 1 great write-up, makes me want to bring the family to the next coin show.

erwindoc

Glad the family had fun! My kids and wife roll their eyes when I mention coin shows. End up going solo most of the time.

willy

Great show report and you picked up some nice coins for your collection.

pcgscacgold

Thanks for the report. Congrats on the newps.

jedm

Thanks for a super report! What a great way to spend time with your family. I wish for you many outings like this in your future.

johnny9434

Cool and something for every one

shortnock

Nice stories about a darnfine bunch of dealers at a mightyfine show.

Walkerguy21D

Great experience and write up!

cmerlo1

Great report! Here's me at the ANACS table, where I was rooted from the beginning of the show until I started packing up- it was a fantastic show for us. My buddy @shortnock who traveled to the show with me sold a number of the books he brought as well.

MedalCollector

@johnny010

This is one if the better show reports that I have read in a while. It was a very enjoyable read. Thanks for putting it together!

Glad the kids found some coins to get excited about! Those are wonderful and generous dealers that helped them out!

thebeav

Great report.
That sounded like so much fun !
Nice coins and good family time......

Catbert

Such a great report and am glad to see the family had such a good time!