Winter FUN 2025 - a Show report - long read - images added
pursuitofliberty
Posts: 7,039 ✭✭✭✭✭
Well, that was FUN!
I have never been to the FUN show. Being a West Coast guy, and always working after the Holidays (until this year), it just never made any sense, or just couldn't happen with other family commitments. It's a long haul, but I made a go of it, and glad I did.
At 3am Wednesday, I rolled out of bed, showered and finished packing, brewed some strong coffee and headed out for the two and a half hour drive to SeaTac airport. It was an uneventful flight straight-shot flight, although I had a little bit of a hard time getting my bearings once I landed.
Made it in time to grab dinner and a beer at a place called Saltgrass with @Pnies20 and @Davidk7 prior to calling it a night so we could make the show on Thursday morning.
The FUN show starts at 10am for general admission, so we hit the floor right at 10 and moved around saying Hi to friends, looking in cases and scanning the aisles. I brought some things for sale and consignment, and sold a couple at decent prices to dealers I am friends with, where I think they can make a few bucks.
I happened to go to Dave Kahn's table early and was really glad I did because they had a fantastic collection out that was recently purchased, After reviewing about 12 or 13 coins closely (and accidentally not putting one Paul snagged into my pile), I decided on three I really liked. It's hard to drop a big chunk of change for me right at the start of a show, but those three coins really felt right and I'm glad I had the intestinal fortitude to just say yes and not wait, as I am sure they would have been gone by that afternoon.
Dave wasn't there but talking to Melissa and Josh, and my friend Dick Graham at their table was nice, and I'm glad to hear Dave is on the mend and the cancer is gone.
By the afternoon I was sitting with a currency guy I know, Andy Timmerman. I really like Andy, and he's a wealth of information as well as just a good ol' boy. He ended up buying a few notes I brought for sale and we chatted for a good hour before I went back to my hotel to freshen up for dinner. I need to drop him a line and thank him again for some of the insight he had for me.
Paul and David and I had dinner again, this time at Maggiano's, a wonderful Italian place that seems a hit with everyone. Being half-Italian myself, I am always down for good Italian place and it did not disappoint. After dinner we went up the street to the Yard House and had an after dinner beer (well, David had premium water as he had driven his car up, and I don't think he wanted to partake and drive - smart kid).
Friday morning started at the JRCS meeting, and what a great meeting it was. Dr. Charles Link put on a fantastic presentation outlining his pursuit of Proof Capped Bust Quarters, for which he has researched and completed the entire set ... the first person known to even come close to such a feat. It was a great presentation with interesting facts and images, and he even brought a couple of examples to share with us after the meeting ended. I am so glad I was there for that. Really, really! Thank you for sharing Chuck!
Immediately afterwards, the BHNC meeting featured my good friend Paul Nies discussing Provenance, and some of the cultural and historical significances for many of our Capped Bust Half treasures. I thought he did an excellent job with his presentation, and the discussion that followed regarding the possibility of getting some more of the founding BHNC Nuts and other early titans of collecting available as a listed provenances at PCGS, similar to what he was able to do this last year with a Henry Hilgard coin. The meeting ran past 10am, but I think most people stayed, which is a testament the good presentation and excellent subject matter. Thanks again Paul!
Phil with Eye Appealing Coins and I sat next to each other during Chuck's presentation, and since I had missed finding his table on Thursday, immediately after the BHNC I went down and visited with him and his brother Tom for a good bit. They had some nice stuff (as always), but they didn't get any of my money this time around. Well, he might, because we may talk further about some things I did look at.
After that I went to the PCGS table (super busy) and filled out my form for a submission, but I waited an hour until the line dissipated before I snuck back and dropped that off. Then I stopped by Great Collections and dropped of a consignment for them.
By that time I was a little spent, but I had about 120 lots (between coins and currency) that I wanted to view and so up to Heritage's Lot viewing I went. I looked at all but the Platinum lots I had to view, and by the time I was done my eyes and brain felt fuzzy, so I hoofed it back to the hotel and by 4pm I was back at my room with enough time to catch a few winks before I had to get on-line to enter my bids at Sheridan Downey's MB#59 Sale, which closed at 6pm.
To say MB#59 was strong would be an an understatement. Almost every coin I watched and had considered bidding on went well above where I thought, and in some cases a pretty good ways past my comfort level. High quality CBH's are still bringing very strong prices, that's for sure. I was very fortunate to have carefully viewed most of the sale, and there was one coin on my list that I decided to make a last minute bid on, which I ended up winning (although if you know Sheridan's MB Sales, you know I didn't know this until half-way through dinner).
A month or so before the show, I was invited to a dinner with some heavy-weights on the forum and in our world of numismatics, and I politely accepted the offer. Where did we go? Maggiano's! Good thing I like Italian!!
Anyway I arrived early and texted one of the dinner party that I was at the bar, and he also arrived early, a few minutes later. I can say this was a highlight of the trip, as it was great to meet @Inspired70 in person before we all got together. Darrell and I have went back and forth on the forum in PM's and via text and email over the last year, and having a cocktail at the bar and chatting about life and coins and things with him was a great pleasure. He's a humble and personable guy, and I'd have a beer or a bourbon with him anytime.
And then ... oh, what a fantastic dinner we had! It was @winesteven @Floridafacelifter @Catbert @PeakRarities @Inspired70 and myself.
Steve @winesteven arranged everything and even brought a fantastic Magnum bottle of wine to share with us. The 2015 Saxum James Berry Vineyard "Rocket Block" was rated as 100 out of 100 by Jeb Dunnuck, and it is a Paso Robles very limited edition wine with a massive taste, that is as good as can ever be expected from a deep red. I can say for sure Steve has unparalleled taste and class. Thank you again Steve.
It was so good to meet everyone face-to-face, and although I left wanting more in terms of our individual conversations and getting to know one another better, I'll hope that this is just a continuation for our furthered friendships.
Additionally, Darrell @Inspired70 and Don @Floridafacelifter brought along a little eye candy for show and tell. Darrell has a fantastic eye for high quality early-silver, there is no doubt. The CBH he brought (MS66+) was sublime, and the Seated Liberty Dollar (also MS66+) was to die for. Don's Proof collection is legendary. He shared a Proof Morgan Dollar (a 69 star no less! with what sure looked to be a perfect reverse!!), and also a Branch Mint New Orleans Proof (!!!), both of which were sights to behold. Seeing them in hand (even with phone lights in a restaurant) is so much better than just seeing the images. Thank you guys for the extra treat, in addition to your wonderful company.
As everyone dispersed, I walked a mile or so up to the Yard House to meet up with Paul and David again, to have another nightcap before returning to my hotel. We watched the last of the Ohio State vs. Texas game, walked down to another bar to see what we could see, and then called it a night about midnight.
Saturday morning I arose early and after a quick breakfast walked back over to get my badge and review a few more lots and revisit a couple from the day before at Heritage. This was a planned bonus as their coffee was good too! Anyway down on the floor it was pretty quiet, and I stopped and chatted with Sheridan for a while. Tim Osborne joined us and soon Greg Lathan (and his lovely wife Anja) came by. I picked up my lot from Sheridan, got to see Greg's fantastic wins, and walked the floor saying goodbye to friends before I walked back to the hotel and toof an Uber to the airport.
I caught Brad @BustDMs at his table on my way out, which was nice, and we chatted for a bit and he got to see my newps in hand.
Unlike many folks, my flight was mostly uneventful (about a half hour delay), and although my drive home was long, it was also without any issue. I arrived a few minutes before midnight, and other than a 6-mile bike ride tonight and a lot of emails and texts earlier today, I just kindof recuperated from all the FUN!
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Anyway ... hope you enjoyed the ramble ...
Here's the four girls that came home with me. As I finish the imaging and descriptions, I'll come back and share.
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1811 O-103 in P58cac
1812 O-108 in P55cac
1818 O-106a in P55cac
1810 O-108a in P58cac
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Comments
Good times and great show reports seem to follow the BHNs around. Great read, thank you!
@pursuitofliberty: FUN is such a great show! It has a way of lingering after it’s over through show reports like yours (& others). Thanks for taking the time to write it; definitely an enjoyable read!
“The thrill of the hunt never gets old”
PCGS Registry: Screaming Eagles
Copperindian
Retired sets: Soaring Eagles
Copperindian
Nickelodeon
Great report! It was great getting to meet you at dinner Friday night!
Attendees at Long Beach will be in for a real treat with your special educational presentation!
Looking forward to seeing you again!
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
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Since you mentioned this Steve, that will be at the ANA World's Fair of Money this year in Oklahoma City (not Long Beach). I will be speaking at the BHNC Open Meeting, and my presentation will be on Die Cracks and Die Crack progression. Everyone is invited to attend. The subject matter seems appropriate for me, as I am, after all, a "crack addict"
And thank you again for arranging such a wonderful dinner my friend!
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Thanks for the correction. I knew it was a show out west that I would not be attending, lol.
So apparently the attendees at Long Beach had better fly to Oklahoma City to hear that session!!!!!
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
Glad you made it as well. Agree it’s a tough time of year to attend but it was on fire.
Even better, really like your newps. Well done.
Great report. Beautiful additions. Good call to go there first. They would not have lasted.
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
Sounds busy, just reading all the stuff you did in the report started to make me tired.
Sounds like you took advantage and made use of the event and time there.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=wwmUMvhy-lY - Pink Me And Bobby McGee
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https://youtube.com/watch?v=D0FPxuQv2ns - Ruby Starr (from 'Go Jim Dandy') Maybe I'm Amazed
RLJ 1958 - 2023
At long last I got to meet Todd in person and what an honor this was. I feel if we didn’t live 3000 miles apart, he’d be one of my best buddies (although I suspect I couldn’t keep up with him in the alcohol department).
Thanks for an excellent show report!
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
I've never met him in person, but Todd is a GREAT guy.
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Mike, you know one of these days we need to change that!
Paul keeps telling me about this show in Nashville and I know how you like music. October I think. Hint, hint!
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It was great to meet you too Dan ... so cool to meet friends we have here after so long ... but geez on that last comment ... seems to me it was YOU that drained off the last of Steve's bottle of wine!!
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Hey, you know ... as long as I'm vertical I try to keep moving! I heard you were there? Next time I'd love to say Hi and put a face with a name.
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Great report, thank you for posting it! I also enjoyed Dr. Link's presentation on Proof Capped Bust quarters at the JRCS meeting!
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
Nice show report. Thanks for sharing 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)
Awesome report Todd, thanks for sharing! Congrats on the newps!
Great report, and great pick-ups. Looking forward to seeing you in August.
Great report, Todd, and beautiful newps! Always great to see you and catch up in person. Looking forward to seeing you again in Oklahoma for the ANA!
Dave
Just finished taking some shots for cropping and selecting later, but I wanted to show the prize from DKRC's table. These are full size out of the camera.
1811 O-103 (103.1) ... PCGS AU58cac
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Those are incredible coins!!!!! I especially like the 1811 O-103, as uncovering coins of that quality for that marriage is extremely difficult. The 1818 O-106 is a beauty as well. Thanks for sharing!!
To complete your show report, an embarrassing photo of David or Paul needs to be shared...
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" Matthew 6:33. Young fellow suffering from Bust Half fever.
BHNC #AN-10
JRCS #1606
I'm sure we can dig one up of Paul
Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram
Here's my shots of the 1818 Chase ... images of Paul and David in compromising positions
sent to your text
1818 O-106a (106.3) ... PCGS AU55cac
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Thanks Todd! Had a blast at fun with you and @Pnies20, wouldn't have it any other way and I'm already looking forward to the next one!
Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram
@lkeigwin images of the 1810 ... she's a crack monster!
1810 O-108a (108.3) ... PCGS AU58cac (ogh)
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
and last but not least
1812 O-108 (108.2) ... PCGS AU55cac
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
@pursuitofliberty You have a way with words Buddy. Those newps are seriously gorgeous! Great report, and thanks again for checking that note for me! You are the best Man.
Thanks for your great report.
@pursuitofliberty @drddm I will be attending the ANA show in Oklahoma City, since it's just an hour drive north of where I live! I hope to meet you both there! (And anyone else here from the forums who will be in attendance as well!)
August is dreadfully hot here in Oklahoma. It's usually 100+ degrees in the day time. So, I apologize in advance for that! It's not pleasant.
Dwayne F. Sessom
Ebay ID: V-Nickel-Coins
@pursuitofliberty, there is clearly nothing I can say here that hasn't already been said, and that isn't covered by the NDA you made me sign.
heh
New website: Groovycoins.com Capped Bust Half Dime registry set: Bikergeek CBHD LM Set
Great report Todd! Congrats on the new pickups too!
Collector
75 Positive BST transactions buying and selling with 45 members and counting!
instagram.com/klnumismatics
Wonderful report, and stunning Bust halves. I live near Seattle, but I want to attend a FUN show in the worst way.
Dave
Dave, We'll have to meet up at one of the Spring PNNA shows! It was a long haul, but I'm glad I did it, at least once!!
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Absolutely! We'll do it.
Dave
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We need to drag John @CircCam with us too!
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Thanks for the report Todd. Sounds like you had a great show. Was nice to see your smiling face.