South Carolina SCNA Show report – a collector’s story & quest
calgolddiver
Posts: 1,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
The show was almost in my backyard, and I have some very specific needs for my type set (Basic U.S. Coin Design Set (1792-present)) that I have been working on for almost 10 years. I focused on three upgrades and a hole for the early $2.5 hoping to get one (.20 greater than 45, early quarter greater than 40, seated half greater than 55, and any grade for the $2.5.)
I took several Morgan duplicates to sell on Friday and returned on Saturday with several more Morgans and $50 face 90%.
I arrived midday Friday to free parking and admission (can’t beat the price). The show was well laid out with about 100 dealers present. The floor was reasonably brisk with lots of activity in the aisles and transactions taking place at many tables. Lots of modern silver, Morgans, 20th century types, gold, ancients, genuine slabs, plastic that did not interest me, large shark teeth, some jewelry, and many raw offerings. With my limited list I was able to scan and breeze through many tables and focus on early gold & my silver targets. While I was speed browsing I met several dealers who had some spectacular coins.
Steve Weber of Island Point Collectibles had a beautiful Humbert 50 and two Bechtlers that really got my attention yet I had to focus on the goal!
David Johnson had some amazing type coins including an 1883 3CN PR67+ green CAC. It fit my type set as a minor upgrade so it was tempting … but I had to keep to the quest.
Mark Richter had a case to truly behold. Tasty offerings included :
1937 buff PR65 OGH gold CAC – absolutely hammered! I almost failed my quest twice (I returned and looked again).
1831 quarter 64 – gorgeous example and fit my want list … just more than I was planning to spend.
I kept looking and early $2.5s were slim pickings. As I was browsing a table, I overheard another customer talk about an early $2.5 and a price offer. The dealer was not interested and upon completion of their conversation we both moved along. I asked him about the $2.5 and he pulled it out to show me. It is an 1836 Block 8 VF35, fairly priced, fit my budget and was a primary target of my want list. We struck a deal in the middle of the aisle.
Relishing my luck and coincidence I offered my duplicate Morgans to another dealer, we agreed to fair prices for both of us, and sealed the deal. I browsed a few more tables and called it a successful day.
Saturday I arrive as the doors open to the public. I have been a collector since Boy Scouts so I was interested in the scout presentation. They were separated off to the side and there were about 15-20 scouts listening to the presentation of the requirements for the merit badge. I overheard they would each get a $10 voucher to use to purchase coins or supplies! What a great way to get them started and interested in our passion.
I then went to see JP Ford Coin and Currency (Walter Ford) who I met the day before to sell the $50 face. We agreed on a fair price and sealed the deal. I then also sold them the Morgans I brought. Easy deal and beneficial to both of us.
Flush with more cash I made another trip around the floor in search of my remaining list. Nothing really caught my attention as I reviewed missed tables from Friday. My focus and goal was the elusive .20 piece. Yet many dealers I asked said they had not seen too many this weekend. I was about to end my day and went to look at one last table I had missed - A&C Gold and Diamonds. Penny was in the booth while her husband Craig was on the floor. I spotted my quest!!! 1875-S .20 PCGS63! We came to an agreement on a fair price and the coin was mine! The overall quest was 50% complete and I was satisfied with the results.
I thank our hosts for the technology they provide. Throughout the weekend I used the PCGS apps to look up certs, values, prior auctions and how it could affect my registry set. Invaluable tools of the trade!
I began this set 10 years ago shortly after my father passed. He was my Dad, my mentor, my thorn, my scout master, devoted husband to Mom, and got me interested in coins over 50 years ago. When he passed away, he gave me his coin collection which included his wall display of an uncirculated 20th century type set that he was very proud of. I selected the best examples and submitted them to PCGS. They were the starter coins for this registry set (and remain in the set today in his honor).
I am now at #22 of current finest with one coin remaining (early $10). I hope you have enjoyed the report, the story, and take a few moments to look at my set in the link below. Leave a comment of “what you think”. I can’t compete with @winesteven or Hansen or anyone in the Top 10 but I am very proud of the accomplishment. My Mom & Dad look upon us daily with a smile on their faces.
Top 10 Cal Fractional Type Set
successful BST with Ankurj, BigAl, Bullsitter, CommemKing, DCW(7), Downtown1974, Elmerfusterpuck, Joelewis, Mach1ne, Minuteman810430, Modcrewman, Nankraut, Nederveit2, Philographer(5), Realgator, Silverpop, SurfinxHI, TomB and Yorkshireman(3)
Comments
Great report! Thanks for sharing.
For me (and I always recommend this to others) the Registry should be used mainly for inventory management and records, etc. I never buy a coin for the purpose of moving up in rank! I buy coins to fill slots at the financial level I'm comfortable paying for that slot. Wherever I land in the rankings is fine. Separately, any time I'm considering buying an upgrade, I will ONLY proceed if that upgrade has nicer eye appeal than the coin it's replacing! I have passed by many HUNDREDS of upgrades for coins at prices I would be comfortable paying, but passed, since I liked the eye appeal of my current coin (in a lower grade) better!
Yes, you should absolutely be VERY proud of your set!
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
Thanks for your report.
Excellent report. Thanks and congrats on the pickups.
Successful BST with drddm, BustDMs, Pnies20, lkeigwin, pursuitofliberty, Bullsitter, felinfoel, SPalladino
$5 Type Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/type-sets/half-eagle-type-set-circulation-strikes-1795-1929/album/344192
CBH Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-half-dollars/everyman-capped-bust-half-dollars-1807-1839/album/345572
It sounds like you have a very nice type set. Don't worry about the "rankings". Just enjoy the set.
Excellent story.
A very balanced report. Sold what you wanted to sell and bought what you wanted.
Thanks for the report. Congrats on your set and the newps.
Philippians 4:4-7
Nice report. Let’s see a photo of that double dime!
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Wow
Tug at the heart strings. Love your story on so many different levels. Thank you for sharing.
Steve -
Thanks for the feedback and I agree completely with your perspectives and approach. I do the same and have also passed on many coins primarily because of lack of eye appeal. Thanks again !!
Top 10 Cal Fractional Type Set
successful BST with Ankurj, BigAl, Bullsitter, CommemKing, DCW(7), Downtown1974, Elmerfusterpuck, Joelewis, Mach1ne, Minuteman810430, Modcrewman, Nankraut, Nederveit2, Philographer(5), Realgator, Silverpop, SurfinxHI, TomB and Yorkshireman(3)
Thanks for sharing the personal side of your collection.
WS
Wonderful report. Great that the show was a success for you (as it was for me too)!
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Great report and story, sounds like you had a good time.
it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide