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Question about the upcoming F.U.N. Show

I've never attended a major coin show. I might try to make it the the Florida fun show. Thursday- Friday would work best for me. My question is are all the dealers set up and in full swing on Thursday or is it best to wait for the weekend? Any tips for a grumpy old first timer?

Comments

  • RichieURichRichieURich Posts: 8,470 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I agree with Barndog. Great show, probably bigger than Summer ANA. If you know what dealers you want to see, check out funtopics.com for a dealer list which should be posted a couple weeks before the show.

    An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.

  • I heard that in some years the FUN show was the biggest in the USA. Is this true? Any FUN dealers/board members here?

  • CopperindianCopperindian Posts: 1,594 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Farmer_Bill said:
    I've never attended a major coin show. I might try to make it the the Florida fun show. Thursday- Friday would work best for me. My question is are all the dealers set up and in full swing on Thursday or is it best to wait for the weekend? Any tips for a grumpy old first timer?

    Definitely be there early Thursday. FUN is an awesome show; hope you enjoy it!

    “The thrill of the hunt never gets old”

    PCGS Registry: Screaming Eagles
    Copperindian

    Retired sets: Soaring Eagles
    Copperindian

  • CopperindianCopperindian Posts: 1,594 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Married2Coins said:
    I heard that in some years the FUN show was the biggest in the USA. Is this true? Any FUN dealers/board members here?

    JMO, it rivals, even exceeds summer ANA. For me, it’s my fave show!

    “The thrill of the hunt never gets old”

    PCGS Registry: Screaming Eagles
    Copperindian

    Retired sets: Soaring Eagles
    Copperindian

  • CatbertCatbert Posts: 7,235 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It is THE show to attend. Definitely attend Thursday if at all possible. This will maximize your opportunity to find that special coin before it’s sold to others! Some dealers will be leaving Saturday so again, best to anticipate this.

    Seated Half Society member #38
    "Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
  • CatbertCatbert Posts: 7,235 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Here's some good advice:

    https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/755060/preparing-yourself-for-the-fun-coin-show-in-orlando-doug-winter

    Here's my report from last year's show to give you an idea of the experience opportunity you can have:

    https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1099355/my-2024-fun-show-experience

    Seated Half Society member #38
    "Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
  • RichieURichRichieURich Posts: 8,470 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Married2Coins said:
    I heard that in some years the FUN show was the biggest in the USA. Is this true? Any FUN dealers/board members here?

    Absolutely. I set up at the FUN show from 2007 - 2018, it was always a barnburner show!

    An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.

  • CRHer700CRHer700 Posts: 2,008 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I will almost certainly be there. Thursday is the best day to be there in my limited experience.

    God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.

  • CatbertCatbert Posts: 7,235 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:
    I’d definitely recommend Thursday and or earlier in the day on Friday as the best days to attend.
    Prepare for the possibility of being overwhelmed by the size of the show.

    When will Heritage release you to attend a show Mark? If that ever happens, I'd sure like to see you again. :)

    Seated Half Society member #38
    "Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
  • ConnecticoinConnecticoin Posts: 12,906 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Catbert said:
    Here's some good advice:

    https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/755060/preparing-yourself-for-the-fun-coin-show-in-orlando-doug-winter

    Here's my report from last year's show to give you an idea of the experience opportunity you can have:

    https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1099355/my-2024-fun-show-experience

    What kind of lamp should you bring? Does anyone on these boards do this? I agree that a good lamp is needed to properly evaluate coin surfaces (especially hairlines), but bringing a lamp would seem awkward.

  • CatbertCatbert Posts: 7,235 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Connecticoin said:

    @Catbert said:
    Here's some good advice:

    https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/755060/preparing-yourself-for-the-fun-coin-show-in-orlando-doug-winter

    Here's my report from last year's show to give you an idea of the experience opportunity you can have:

    https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1099355/my-2024-fun-show-experience

    What kind of lamp should you bring? Does anyone on these boards do this? I agree that a good lamp is needed to properly evaluate coin surfaces (especially hairlines), but bringing a lamp would seem awkward.

    There will be lamps at the tables. A good loupe would be advisable.

    Seated Half Society member #38
    "Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
  • goldengolden Posts: 9,672 ✭✭✭✭✭

    You should attend on Thursday when the doors open. If you wait until Saturday some of the dealers will be packing up to leave. It is one of the 3 must attend shows for me. I have missed very few FUN shows since 1973.

  • ldhairldhair Posts: 7,247 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Only 46 days away.
    I go to this show every year and pay for the early bird pass. I make a list of dealers and their table numbers before going. This information can be found on the FUN website.

    The first thing I do is to go to the dealers I feel may have what I'm looking for. After that I just walk around and take notes of tables that have something I may wish to come back to. With the size of the show, it's easy to forget where I saw something.

    It takes me three days to walk every isle but I go back to my hotel room once or twice each day to rest and research coins I took note of. I'm not very good at doing research on my phone.

    The FUN site also has the FUN 2025 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS. It helps me plan each day.
    This is a link to the site.

    http://www.funtopics.com/fun-convention.html

    Larry

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 13,637 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Catbert said:

    @MFeld said:
    I’d definitely recommend Thursday and or earlier in the day on Friday as the best days to attend.
    Prepare for the possibility of being overwhelmed by the size of the show.

    When will Heritage release you to attend a show Mark? If that ever happens, I'd sure like to see you again. :)

    Thank you.
    Sorry, I don't know when or if that will happen. But if it ever does, you'll be on my to-see list.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • lermishlermish Posts: 3,050 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:

    @Catbert said:

    @MFeld said:
    I’d definitely recommend Thursday and or earlier in the day on Friday as the best days to attend.
    Prepare for the possibility of being overwhelmed by the size of the show.

    When will Heritage release you to attend a show Mark? If that ever happens, I'd sure like to see you again. :)

    Thank you.
    Sorry, I don't know when or if that will happen. But if it ever does, you'll be on my to-see list.

    Where are the sign-ups? Is there a clipboard being passed around?

  • ldhairldhair Posts: 7,247 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 24, 2024 11:31AM

    @MFeld
    Hope to see you at FUN again. Folks miss seeing you there. Maybe someday.

    Larry

  • Thanks for the replies folks. I'm going. Had to find a computer literate kid to help me with flights and hotel. This hick is headed to the Hilton!

  • 2ndCharter2ndCharter Posts: 1,663 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I prefer the Rosen Centre Hotel which is right nearby. Now, with the FUN show folks providing a free shuttle bus every 30 minutes between the hotel and the Convention Center, it's a piece of cake. For cheap food and/or snacks, you have a McDonalds, Denny's, and a Walgreens Drugstore right next door. For more upscale fare, there are a couple of great steakhouses not far away. As a regular exhibitor and staffing a Club table, I always get in during dealers' hours so no problem for me.

    Member ANA, SPMC, SCNA, FUN, CONECA

  • ScarsdaleCoinScarsdaleCoin Posts: 5,229 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I’m a life FUN member. Both FUN and WFOM are great shows. FUN being IMHO a better commercial show while the Summer ANA leaning more to collectors a bit more social. You need all the time to work through the bourse and events so come early and stay late. We are 2nd table in on the left. The table with the big candy bowl so stop bye and say hi

    Jon Lerner - Scarsdale Coin - www.CoinHelp.com
  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 8,279 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 25, 2024 10:08AM

    Would suggest you Get there as soon as open to public -deals are quickly picked off (many sharp, rich collectors).

    Many shows have a dealer to dealer session b4 public can come in which dealers pick up matl at wholesale / for retail to the public. I gravitate to those work my angle, pick up stuff whsl (for retail stock) puts a dent in the show exp.

    Coins & Currency
  • goldengolden Posts: 9,672 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ScarsdaleCoin said:
    We are 2nd table in on the left. The table with the big candy bowl so stop bye and say hi

    Did you say candy?

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