FUN preview and some past FUN pick-ups
spacehayduke
Posts: 5,756 ✭✭✭✭✭
Hi Folks,
Well, here I am in Houston, at Bush my connecting airport now (used to be my departing airport) on the way to FUN. I like to do a preview report of the FUN show. I am sitting in a restaurant just down from the Orlando gate, I expect to start seeing all of the coinees start to arrive that come from Houston – US Coin, some collectors I know, and some dealers. This seems to be the flight they take as many want to arrive today for tomorrow’s dealer activities. The gate to Orlando is in one of the newer wings of Terminal C and everything is teched out – order on the phone or an I pad for food and drink, etc. In the days of yore, we would land here on the way back from FUN, and it was always NFL playoff weekend. This year it won’t be with the season now extended, but I remember on the flight from Orlando to H-town, the Tejanos always seemed to be playing in Round 1, JJ Watt making miracles, and lots of cheering on the jet as we flew back from the Disney vacation land. I also remember the year the flight was delayed coming back to H-town, one famous coinee dealer/photographer and his dad had to race to their connecting flight to Sacramento just down a few gates from our Orlando arrival, and just when they got there the doors closed, alas. Try as they might, they could not get on their plane even tho’ it was sitting right there. There are some strict laws about the procedures to board and they were unfortunately on the wrong side of it bc of the delayed flight. Today I am having a burger and a very large glass of coffee stout while I wait for the Orlando flight…….
I have an Early Bird, will hit the HA lot viewing tomorrow morning, touch base with some other coinees, and about 2:30 pm hit the bourse. On Dealer Set-up day, it is mostly what is says, dealers setting up and a lot of dealer to dealer transactions, some collectors like me wandering and looking for a newp. Many of the tables set up slowly as a lot of the dealers are racing around doing their thing with other dealers. As an EB you interweave yourself and watch the process unfold and maybe get first shot at seeing some great coins during Dealer Setup. I am hoping to drop off some coins to CACG at their table tomorrow, we will see how it goes or if I have to wait until later in the week.
If you have never been to winter FUN, I can tell you it is like no other. At a local show, I can be in and out in an hour visiting the 20-30 tables, maybe I can find something like a nice MS64 Franklin in an OGH, maybe not. Then there are the intermediate shows like the Houston Money Show. These can make up a good afternoon of activity, and you can find some great coins, like my 1834 bust quarter that is depicted in my signature image for my PCGS handle above. But FUN is like no other, bigger, and even bigger than that. You can roam for 3 days and not see everything. Mega bourse, lots of lectures, club meetings, and coins beyond your imagination. Educational exhibits that knock your socks off – our own Bill Jones always exhibits and they are simply spectacular – last year Winesteven presented his perfectly matched PCGS/CAC/Eagle Eye Indian cent collection. All of them, all dates and all mints. Most of who is who can be there, you can chat with the legends like Q David Bowers, talk to Ian Russell from GC, or a number of high profile Dealers. A couple times I saw Rick Harrison of Pawn Stars fame at the show, not only does he buy for his Pawn Shop in Vegas, but he collects. I am wondering whether John Albanese will be there this time to help promote the new CACG, if he is I will report it here. Nothing like FUN.
So folks I highly recommend that you attend FUN at some time. You will think you have gone to coin heaven. I will do some more reports as the meeting unfolds – to honor Ricko, I will pay attention to the bullion activities, and if I see any copper tokens, I will be thinking of Broadstruck. But I will report here what I see happening.
Best, SH
To end the preview, here are a couple examples of coins I picked up at past FUNs.
2018 FUN pick-up:
2023 FUN pick-up:
Comments
Nice Pre-report. I can't be there this year, so I'm looking forward to the rest of your observations from the show.
Enjoy early bird! I thought about early bird for the heck of it but decided not to. Will hit the floor Thursday at open.
BHNC #248 … 130 and counting.
Nice pre-show report. Looking forward to reading what the show was like.
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience.
Donato
Donato's Complete US Type Set ---- Donato's Dansco 7070 Modified Type Set ---- Donato's Basic U.S. Coin Design Set
Successful transactions: Shrub68 (Jim), MWallace (Mike)
Love your pre show report. Looking forward to the finished report with mega pics.
- Bob -
MPL's - Lincolns of Color
Central Valley Roosevelts
I agree with your assessment on winter FUN, every serious collector needs to attend at least once. Started going in 2015, my last one was in 2020. I should be able to make the the 2025 one, since I'll be retired!
Look forward to your report.
10-4,
My Instagram picturesErik
My registry sets
Ill have to retire in order to be able to go. Its a busy time of year for me with work!
Always enjoy SHD’s ruminations and show reports here. We’ll finally run into each other this year for which I am excited to see his new pieces and to compare notes!
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
As always looking forward to your recaps. Good warmup rundown to spark the interest.
Because of family difficulties, I will not be able to attend. My 1st and only FUN Show was 2020 and I had a blast.
Met many posters here and on other forums.
Will start trying to get back to FUN 2025.
Look forward to seeing you in 2025 GF.
Best, SH