Atlanta ANA Show report

WaterSport

Well I just got back from the Atlanta ANA show. I went to the same show in February of 2020 just weeks before Covid hit. Ever since I always wanted to return as the ANA does a really good show and the size is worth me driving 300 miles to attend. Now my mode of transportation is a 2013 Ford Transit Connect camper van. So I headed out Wednesday for Hard Labor Creek state park about an hour east of the Cobb County Convention Center. I arrived at my campsite around 2 pm and set up and decided to take a 4-mile hike since it was 80 degrees. Back at the camp it was time to break out a book and enjoy some reading before cocktail time. Once the sun set I got a simple dinner of cheese quesadillas grilled up and then sat back to enjoy a lovely campfire on a very mild night. Then one more chore before crawling inside the van to sleep. I am one of 4 rotating surf reporters for our club’s website. It was my week to post the morning surf report so I had to uploaded the report for Thursday morning.

Thursday, I hit the showers and was on the road around 8:45 am heading towards Atlanta fully knowing that the traffic in Atlanta sucks 99% of the time. I was not disappointed as it took me about 30 minutes longer or 1.5 hours to drive 65 miles. This put me at the convention center at 10:30 am and as soon as I pulled in there was a sign saying parking lot full!? As I continued on around I then discovered what every van person fears to see but parking garages with a 6’8” height limit. My Van is 7” tall. Fortunately, I continued to circle the center realizing I just may have to pay a fee to park at one of the hotel lots but then I found an open lot not only behind the center, but with plenty of space only steps away of the entrance doors. I had no problem paying the $10 fee since it was so close. Once inside I paid another $10 to enter the show since I am not a member. I started to walk the bourse going from right to left. It is important to note not only was security very much present, but they had signs posted absolutely no photography. For that reason, I have no pics of the inside (and I forgot about the outside) to share.

Once inside all the grading companies had lines with PCGS being the longest. Around my first bend I found Angel Dees Coins with Andy and his wife attending shop so we chatted awhile. The floor was comfortable and not overwhelming and several dealers were still setting up. My mission was to locate uncirculated plain (non VDB) 1909 Lincoln cents with one of the 73 DDR’s. I did well at FUN finding 3. But I only found 3 1909 cents the entire show in dealers’ cases and none with the DDR. I was not surprised as this is not as popular a cent and this show usually has a bit more higher end dealers attending and many bring only their better coins. Next year this show will be closer for me as it will be in Savanah.

So by 1 pm I was done and drove back home with a plan of doing it all over again at Baltimore.

WS

Catbert

Nice report. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Copperindian

Enjoyed your report & you didn’t even need pics - thanks for posting!

oldabeintx

Now that’s the way to attend a show. Great post.

neildrobertson

The Ford Transit connect is on my short list of cars I wish I had. Thanks for the report.

Walkerfan

Now, that’s living!

Thanks for the report.

breakdown

Thanks for report. Just watched Youtube video on Transit Connect camper van. Very cool!

renomedphys

Next year in Savannah? Great! My daughter attends SCAD. I will definitely attend 😁

Pnies20

Definitely going to Savannah next time. It’s beautiful! Glad you had fun.

golden

Thanks for your report.

winesteven

Thanks for the enjoyable read.

So it took only 2-1/2 hours to go through their bourse? About how many dealers were there?

Steve

UpGrayedd

Thanks for your report.

WaterSport

habaraca

I would prefer pictures from your hike, than of old crusty coin collectors

winesteven

You're a fast runner, lol.

Steve

BStrauss3

@winesteven said:
So it took only 2-1/2 hours to go through their bourse? About how many dealers were there?

"My mission was to locate uncirculated plain (non VDB) 1909 Lincoln cents with one of the 73 DDR’s." - if you are looking for something that specific, that's going to be slabbed - most dealers have their coins in some rough order.

Look for the brown blobs. Scan for the year. If there's something in your range, ask to see it. If the dealer asks if they can help you find something, ask. "Sorry, I don't have any". And move on.

You can scan an amazing # of dealers in a couple of hours with that kind of laser focus.

Now, if you are like me... "Oooooooh shiny" it can take days. Especially if you forget where you ended up on day one.

BLUEJAYWAY

Sounds like a balanced trip.