PCGS Las Vegas show (Dec 2023) observations and stuff

lilolme

First nothing 'official' here. Didn't see anything about the pcgs LV show (Dec 5 - 9), so thought I would throw out some observations about it and other stuff. I had not made it to one of the pcgs LV shows since covid. I used to do them somewhat regularly (a few a year, in LV). The pcgs show schedule indicates that the first two next year will be on the east side and then probably NewO next but not posted yet. Thought the next LV show might be summer of 24 or not, so decided late to work out a trip.

To get started, there was a line to get into the show on Wed, the first public day. What was unusual was that the line continued for a few hours. It was mentioned that there is normally some initial burst then just some coming in more slowly. Many were coming in and then going to the pcgs submission line. Similarly this line lasted for a few hours and naturally a little longer than the entry line. Initially this line was going back into the bourse aisle and started blocking the dealer tables. It was then turned to go back out the entry door. Many appeared to be making drop off type submission and not show submissions.

As a general observation it appeared that most all of the dealers were in attendance through Wednesday and Thursday (maybe not late Thur) but Friday was very limited (packing and going home) and even in the AM. I noticed some new, from pre-covid, people so I made a brief note of those there if of any interest. Below is a list but I didn't write out all the names, just abbreviations (hope I got the spellings correct). I will add that there were and typically are several other dealers in attendance that were not set up but rather doing the table to table thing.

List in no order: JMS, Tangible, NFC, JDRC, Wetzler, Sarasota, Sable, Northern Nevada, Gulde, Schinke, Old Pueblo, Vegas Coin, Greg Allen, Witter, Numismattack (I believe DeploarableDans man), Marks Coin, Angle Dees, Don Bonsor, Original US, Lacariere
Auction companies: Legend Auction has a 'contract' with pcgs and does lot viewing and an onsite live (and online) auction on Thursday starting late afternoon. Others there doing more information, consignment and buying-selling were HA, Stacks, GC.

On Wednesday it appeared that many tables were busy with either collectors (the entry line) or dealers. Also I think there were more tables with cases full of coins on display than years ago. Yes some still with limited or none or in boxes, which is not unusual for this show, but appeared to be more (hopefully appearances were not deceptive). For those thinking of the younger collector, well I don't know because while I saw a few there I don't know if it was them or just with a parent who was there. However, one of the younger maybe to become a dealer was there and was actively moving around doing some business. Bruce made a brief stop in and there were several taller people and one really big. Later I found out two NBA teams were in LV for a game. Now it made sense. On Thursday had less of attendance and seemed more normal for the show but still some activity at the tables. Looked in on the Legend live auction across the hall a couple times and there were several in attendance.

Larry Shepherd had a table and was working the new Tampa show for Sept 2024. He said he had all the dealers there signed up except for a couple. Also had some fliers at the table stating looking for ideas to improve show and asking for input on stuff like - What do you want to see in a show, What do you think would increase attendance.... He had a bourse map and said it was currently laid out for about 600 table but thought it might be changed to maybe 450 with wider aisles depending on how it all goes. Also said it would be similar to CSNS where he had a separate area with lower fees and for less expensive material. If I understand correctly this area will be the dealer day area for pre-show. Had some photos of the area (inside bourse and outside, food and stuff). Said still working hard to get everything worked out. I think this will be a good show but I really 'know nothing'.
Show thread with show links if interested.
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1097467/new-coin-show-tampa-sept-2024-updated-show-information-in-comment-below#latest

For me I submitted some for the in holder True View and then a few I decide to gamble on with reconsideration. I say gamble because they were all bigger upgrades even though I was just looking for a plus and figured would not get it. Good thing, pcgs got both orders shipped out, processed and shipped back by Friday AM so I could take them home that Friday noon'ish. The 'end of show' submission is by Sat AM. I checked and the in holder TV have not been posted yet. I am kind of wondering how they will turn out but at $5 a pop was worth it to find out. On the gamble - Boom I got one. This one has a long story that I will skip. A quick snap-o'matic. It was/is cac but obviously has not been back for a sticker.

Otherwise I looked at the Legend auction lot viewing. Did a lot of 'table talking' and some looking. The coolest coin I think was the 1792 half disme pcgs xf45 cac that had a nice look to it and decent strike. So many of these just look......off ,might be a nice way to say it. If looking around for bust halves, while there were a few it was fairly limited and particularly if with some color. However, a younger gentleman was walking some coins around and asking for opinions on them and maybe what to do. He had and 50c 1819 Large 9 (I think this is correct as I didn't write it down) in a 'no line fatty' ngc MS65 with nice color of blues to gold-tan. The coin looked nice (surfaces, strike....). I did see him talking to some of what I would call the right people.

Now some non-coin side notes. I didn't even turn on the room tv but at the show on Wed heard there was an active shooting at/near the university. I guess the helicopter searches in the area temporarily put a ground stop at the airport. Some roads closed for a day and canceled one event at the stadium for the NFR. Then I guess the Prez visited LV on Friday and about the time I was going to the airport. They temporarily closed terminal 3. Tried for terminal 1 as I had a phone boarding pass and no bags. It was backed up also and so I suggested going to the parking garage where a taxi had dropped me off years ago when traffic was bad. This worked and walked in from garage with little TSA line after getting inside. All this still took about 40 minutes from casino to TSA.

I don't recall taking pictures in the past but thought I should use the fancy phone a little more. So took a few picture while walking around (day and night). I did a lot of walking on this trip but did not make it down to the north end. Just a few of them here as I don't want to overkill and some don't look so good.

On this first picture I thought about feeding a Roosevelt dime into the penny press and then claiming a Big Error - Roosevelt dime 'squeezed' on penny press, just $199. But not to be as the dang machine supplies the penny.

.
Excalibur, a lower end casino on the strip but still looks nice lit up at night.

MGM and NYNY from across the street


Mandalay with the early morning sun.

New Sphere and the older Wheel (day and night). The crane? See below.


Bellagio fountain and Planet Hollywood. They are still taking down the F1 stuff in front of the Bellagio and the walkway out front is currently closed. That is what the cranes are there for.


.
The End.

ProofCollection

PCGS took TV pictures on site? I guess I didn't realize they could/would do that but it makes sense for on-site grading.

1madman

@ProofCollection said:
PCGS took TV pictures on site? I guess I didn't realize they could/would do that but it makes sense for on-site grading.

Everything goes back to Long Beach daily. Almost any service (US & world) is possible for completion at the LV member show, except restoration.

lilolme

@1madman said:

@ProofCollection said:
PCGS took TV pictures on site? I guess I didn't realize they could/would do that but it makes sense for on-site grading.

Everything goes back to Long Beach daily. Almost any service (US & world) is possible for completion at the LV member show, except restoration.

As madman noted, at these Las Vegas shows pcgs boxes up the submissions and transports them back to the office (Newport Beach). This started post covid and I suspect it was to protect an entire grading and processing team from exposure and possibly out for weeks. I am guessing it worked well enough and saved cost of getting an additional convention room, transferring and setting up (two ways) all equipment (slabbing, photos....), travel expenses for additional team (travel, room, food, extras) that they are still doing it. I don't know how or if once or twice a day or if the home team is doing a night shift. But as noted I submitted noon Wed and received back Friday AM.

Swampboy

Really excellent report.
Thanks.

alaura22

WOW, Now that I might consider doing
When's the next Vegas show........

EastonCollection

I was there for 1/2 day on Wednesday. Had lunch, went through all the dealers show cases, talked with several collectors, bought a coin, viewed Legend auction lots and made a few new friends along the way. Oh yeah, went to dinner with several wonderful dealers and YN adn talked coins. Really can't better than that! I had a great time and if you haven't been to one of these shows, then you should attend.

Lakesammman

Nice report - sounds like you had a good time.

We had a great time in Vegas, but should have allowed more time for the show - our realtor really tied us up!

lilolme

@alaura22 said:

>

When's the next Vegas show........

.
As I noted the next two pcgs shows (Feb and April 2024) are on the east side. They often have a New Orleans show in the May time frame but it is not posted yet (see link). So I was guessing maybe summer 2024 for next LV. I have heard (not officially) that it is becoming more difficult for them to find a place in LV that can provide the room(s) and amenities for the potential dates which are generally placed between other pcgs show attendance dates and particularly the ones where pcgs is doing on-site grading.

Here is the link to check back on to see if the new show dates have been posted.

https://www.pcgs.com/shows

Byers

The PCGS Las Vegas shows are amazing.
Quality buffet provided, wonderful dealers and rocket fast turnaround on grading!

Catbert

Nice report! Maybe one day I'll go to one of these.

HiBucky

I was able to attend and mashed my Poker Vacation with the Palace Station Coin show and the PCGS Members only show.. First of all I want to apologize for the line.. I was one of the early people in line to sign in and ran into a bunch of issues. They could not fined my membership and spent a good time trying to locate it... As luck would have it my membership expired on December 4th so as we were trying to find my membership the line grew and grew so I was the cause for the backup. I was very pleased with the PCGs gal who was able to assist me, she was great. I wanted to drop off some large size notes for grading and stood in line waiting for the opportunity to sit when I noticed just like the last show a guy had his coins laid out all over the submitting table table trying to decide what coins to submit. ( It Was Painfull ) He spent a great deal of time while this line grew and grew. You would think that he would have his coins ready when he got to the table. The last year show I had a guy next to me bring in an unopened box of commemoratives and one at a time took them out of the box and completed each line item for grading... Well over 50 coins. I enjoyed the show and the dealers and the great lunch. I always enjoy looking at some great coins provided by the dealers. I don't send coins through the mail for grading and enjoy dropping them off in person. I enjoy my time at the PCGS show Great Job Guys !!!

bigjpst

Nice report. I planned to go because I’m local but decided against it at the last minute. I know several people who I spoke with at the Palace station show the week prior planned on staying though a few days to attend this show as well. When these PCGS shows are the same week or back up against the local show they seem to be busier.

alaura22

lilolme
Would love to see the results of the true views when you get them