IMEX Report and a few newps

PeakRarities

I had decided a few weeks ago that I had to try Imex, as the next big one for me isn't until winter FUN and I didn't want to wait that long for another show. I had some nice coins and some shrapnel I wanted to try to move. I found a round-trip package through Expedia for about $1000, which included the flight and 2 nights at the Conrad which was a very nice hotel, so I don't really know how much of that was allocated to the hotel fee. I was registered at @numismattack table where I had a few coins out and would hang with @treybenedict in between my rounds on the floor. Noah grabbed my badge for me so I can't comment on the registration process. I came in Thursday evening so I missed the dealer-to-dealer trading day that was in a separate room.

The initial setup of the show could have used improvement, I was hearing complaints of things not being where they were supposed to be, and missing equipment. We had difficulty hooking up to the power because the poles were placed on top of the electrical floor boxes, but I was able to get ours open and had to help a couple of other booths hook up to ours with extension cords. They were still rolling out the carpet shortly before the show was about to open and a couple of other small missteps that could be easily resolved. I hated the green-colored partitions, something about that color is hard on the eyes.

On the first day, it appeared like there were quite a few empty booths, and the layout was a bit strange. I would use the word "sparse" to describe material on the floor. A lot of bigger dealers did attend, but it seemed like public attendance wasn't great. While dealers are very important, I'd hope that they have a more aggressive campaign to bring in the public if they have another next year. 95% of the business I observed was dealer to dealer. Some dealers were willing to make deals on stale inventory they've had but marked prices haven't changed that much from last year. I consigned a few coins to GC, and one to Legend, and walked the floor with a couple of others. Sold a couple out of the case, both to dealers. I submitted my 1878 $3 to CACG as an upgrade crossover only, I know that coin deserves a + but PCGS didn't give it to me at the last show. Submitted a couple at PCGS for reholders. Both CACG and PCGS tables looked pretty slow, CACG obviously isn't open to the public so there's that. There were a good amount of CACG coins on the floor and a lot of them are being bought up to be cracked out and regraded at the other services. Hopefully, the agreement between CACG and PCGS with the pop report data is reciprocal so that the CACG pops don't get all messed up.

There was one local outfit in particular that probably had about 50m in inventory, it was the most incredible table ive ever seen at any coin show. Classic rarities, proof gold, top pop foreign type, all types of fun stuff.

The show turned into a complete success once I bought a coin. I found a Clark Gruber 2.50 in perfect 58cac and the coin is just all there. Submitted it for reholdering to pcgs but I'm thrilled with it. I later found an 1836 2.50 in 61 that looks super solid for the grade with the perfect color, so I scooped that one up as well.

And then, I actually found a big coin that's been at the top of my list for about as long as I can remember. I made a verbal agreement to buy the coin but I don't have it in hand yet, have to get everything worked out in the coming days. That one will probably get its own post once I get it in hand and post a video, more to be revealed in time.

My FAVORITE aspect of this show was the surroundings. It's a beautiful city where I didn't feel the need to take off my watch when I walked from the hotel to the convention center. We went out to dinner Thursday night and then had a beer at Kid Rock's bar, but Friday night we partied at Dierks Bentley's Bar, and oh boy, what a treasure that place is. Needless to say, I was moving very slowly on Saturday lol. I will definitely come back to Nashville in the future, coins or no coins. Broadway is a great time, the food is delicious, and there's an ample amount of "talent" if you catch my drift. Very easy on the eyes .

The show was actually my biggest success this year because of acquisitions, but others weren't so optimistic. I'd say the overall dealer's sentiment was negative, with some even reporting that they outright lost money. There was not nearly enough foot traffic from retail customers considering the elevated expenses in Nashville, which will make it very difficult for a show in its infancy to succeed. They did a great job getting prominent and high-end dealers there, all 3 grading services were in attendance, but at the end of the day, people are unlikely to return if they don't intend to make money. For some odd reason they decided to have another Dealer Day on Sunday, but here's a picture from Noah who reported that maybe 10-15 dealers were still there.

TL:DR - I had a great time, but the show faced quite a bit of challenges that might be difficult to overcome.

bidask

"Dealer day on Sunday......" ....you mean after the show itself concluded? Wow.

"There was one local outfit in particular that probably had about 50m in inventory....., "

Local ??

Great you bought some nice coins ! Congratulations...

PeakRarities

@bidask said:
"Dealer day on Sunday......" ....you mean after the show itself concluded? Wow.

"There was one local outfit in particular that probably had about 50m in inventory....., "

Local ??

Great you bought some nice coins ! Congratulations...

I say "local" as they were out of Tennessee and I've never seen them at other shows, but definitely not some rinky dink outfit. Their name escapes me at the moment.

Walkerguy21D

Excellent and informative report, and really like your NEWPS, DD….. and looking forward to your super secret stealth coin!

pcgscacgold

Great report. I will try to remember the dealer. I held several of the coins. He offered them up without me asking.

The complete 1885 gold denomination proof set was cool. Five of the 6 coins in CAC. All high grade. The date set of several 1900’s proof sets were nice too.

Congratulations on the newps. Enjoy them.

Broadway was interesting. At 3pm on a Friday it was already packed. We ate dinner and had wine at the tasting room inside the Conrad.

bidask

Music everywhere I imagine.

lermish

Great report as always, and no surprise that your newps are beautiful!

DRUNNER

Thanks for the report!!! Superb newps . . . classy!!!!

Drunner

Coinscratch

Sounds like a blast (at least the nightlife) and some very nice pick ups. Hopefully it'll catch on over there better next year.

Boosibri

Nice Clark Gruber!

HillbillyCollector

Great report!
Nice pickups, congrats!

P0CKETCHANGE

Great report, Dan. Good seeing you there. Congrats on those new pickups! I just picked up an 1836 Block 8 myself. See you at FUN.

Edit to add: the dealer you’re trying to remember is Hard Asset Management

calgolddiver

Congratulations on the great NEWPS. Broadway is always a blast.

skier07

Excellent report and great looking coin.

Nashville is a great town with lots to do. It’s the number one destination for bachelorette parties. Nashville in the 80’s when I went to school was a much smaller pretty boring place without any professional sports franchises. Lower Broadway back then was a dump.

UpGrayedd

Nice newps, thanks for the report.

littlebear

Thanks for the show report!

divecchia

Nice show report, I really enjoyed it.

Thanks for taking the time to share your experience, thoughts and new purchases.

Donato

kaz

Thanks for the report, great pickups too!

WAYNEAS

@DeplorableDan
Thanks for the show report.
Great pictures too boot.
Thanks for sharing.
Wayne

johnny9434

Love the 1885 $20 proof

johnny010

Thanks for sharing Dan. That CG is a great coin. Looking forward to what’s next for your collection.

FlyingAl

Wow, that gold sure is incredible!

Dave99B

Great report ... just wish the show had been a little better. Dang.

Nashville is a fantastic city. I was only there once, but I had a great time on Broadway. What a party scene seven days a week!

Dave

dhikewhitney

Excellent report !
$50,000,000 in inventory, just wow …

OldIndianNutKase

Your report was very insightful. Sometimes shows are a lot of work and little effort gained, But your opinions are very much appreciated. Nice to know the market, even in Nashville,

coinbuf

Nice newps you got DD, too bad the show was not a hit for many of the dealers.

BLUEJAYWAY

Appreciated the photos/comments.