Baltimore Coin Show

Matt04

Going to be headed to my first regional show in Baltimore this upcoming week!
For those of you who've done it before, looking for recommendations on Parking & Food!!

Also in regards to the show or shows in general any advice as a first timer?

Thank you!

MsMorrisine

what's your food budget?

what day are you going?

Matt04

@MsMorrisine said:
what's your food budget?

what day are you going?

Thursday, I've been told by dealers first day is the best day. No budget in particular, would love to try something good in the area! Headed from NJ so would like to head down and stop by some spots.

TomB

Stay hydrated, bring comfortable shoes, bring your own snacks and get there plenty early. I always stay at the Hilton, but if you are driving in for the day you can park there, as well. It offers an elevated, covered walkway from the hotel to the convention center so you can avoid bad weather and anything else you might not want to encounter on street level.

There are plenty of food options nearby for lunch or dinner and they are often populated by the coin folks you see on the bourse. I would not walk around alone through the city, but that is not a specific dig at Baltimore, rather it is just a good security precaution.

If PCGS is there then you can expect them to be hopping and have to wait on a long line unless you submit coins right away. If doing so, try to have all the paperwork done prior to submitting as it keeps the line moving faster for everyone else. On the bourse, bring multiple inexpensive loupes in case you lose one, don't just take a chair from one dealer table and drag it to another and never, ever attempt to do business as a walk-in with another walk-in while blocking any dealer access. If you need to do business in such a situation then there are plenty of outer walkways in the convention center where you can sit down and get things done.

WQuarterFreddie

@TomB said:
Stay hydrated, bring comfortable shoes, bring your own snacks and get there plenty early. I always stay at the Hilton, but if you are driving in for the day you can park there, as well. It offers an elevated, covered walkway from the hotel to the convention center so you can avoid bad weather and anything else you might not want to encounter on street level.

There are plenty of food options nearby for lunch or dinner and they are often populated by the coin folks you see on the bourse. I would not walk around alone through the city, but that is not a specific dig at Baltimore, rather it is just a good security precaution.

If PCGS is there then you can expect them to be hopping and have to wait on a long line unless you submit coins right away. If doing so, try to have all the paperwork done prior to submitting as it keeps the line moving faster for everyone else. On the bourse, bring multiple inexpensive loupes in case you lose one, don't just take a chair from one dealer table and drag it to another and never, ever attempt to do business as a walk-in with another walk-in while blocking any dealer access. If you need to do business in such a situation then there are plenty of outer walkways in the convention center where you can sit down and get things done.

Excellent advice! 😎

Matt04

Yes agreed, wonderful advice. I'm really excited to get to be able to see and have in hand so many coins! Do dealers usually accept cash only? Or do they also accept Zelle?

lkenefic

This is my "go to" show, but work commitments are going to take precedence for Thursday and Friday... I should be able to make Saturday morning but I'm sure most of the dealers I frequent will likely be gone by then. ...but that's ok. My main goal is going to be to sell some 90% silver... hopefully, those vendors will still be buying!

Catbert

Be sure to take advantage of auction lot viewing whether you are interested in a lot or not. Excellent way to see a lot of coins and test your grading acumen. There are several collector's club meetings throughout the show, although on Thursday, the Early Amercian Coppers and Colonial C4 club meetings will be having their meetings where visitors are welcome. Check the show schedule. Most of all, have fun!

ad4400

It’s a really big show. If you are looking for particular material or particular sellers, game plan and figure out where they are on map in advance. If you see something but aren’t ready to commit at that moment be sure to note table number.

If you show up as doors open figure giving yourself at least until a late lunch to do first pass of floor.

Enjoy , I’ve had many great days at the Baltimore show over the years!

MsMorrisine

distances to places are longer than they appear on a map. though, personally, if it's a day trip, i'd just walk for food. it's been a while since i've been to whitman. i can't say where to eat in the area that's special. the thing from md is maryland blue crab cakes. i wouldn't walk more than a couple blocks north, btw.

if you have time, there is a rather large aquarium in the area. a long walk right next to the water.

WQuarterFreddie

@Matt04 said:
Yes agreed, wonderful advice. I'm really excited to get to be able to see and have in hand so many coins! Do dealers usually accept cash only? Or do they also accept Zelle?

YMMV but most dealers accept electronic payments.

JohnF

@TomB said:

If PCGS is there then you can expect them to be hopping and have to wait on a long line unless you submit coins right away. I

PCGS will be there!

Coins3675

@Matt04 said:
Yes agreed, wonderful advice. I'm really excited to get to be able to see and have in hand so many coins! Do dealers usually accept cash only? Or do they also accept Zelle?

Some will accept Paypal or Zelle but I would just bring cash.

epc

I have always paid by cash or check. Some (few) dealers also have signage indicating they accept credit cards.
I've been going to Baltimore shows since 2004 (when I re-started collecting). My wife works for Univ of Maryland Baltimore, so I've been able to park in their garages and then walk to the convention center. Recently, I've been street parking closer. I've never had any issue walking in the city (beyond being approached by beggars many years ago), including more than two blocks north of the venue. That said, there is street crime in downtown Baltimore, sometimes violent. Be alert and confident; don't attract attention to yourself. And as others have written, enjoy the show!

lkenefic

I typically don't carry lots of cash. It's been my experience... maybe it's just me... that the dealers accept a personal check as payment when you show a driver's license too.

epc

@lkenefic said:
I typically don't carry lots of cash. It's been my experience... maybe it's just me... that the dealers accept a personal check as payment when you show a driver's license too.

And some dealers will ask for a numismatic reference if you are new to them.

logger7

How is this show now? Last I went was probably 15 years ago. Even did a round-trip in one day once from the NY area.

PhillyJoe

Pretty extensive dealer list.

https://expo.whitman.com/dealer-list/

MEJ7070

Some great advice here……most importantly……Have Fun!

Baltimore is a hour away from me and is the easiest national show for me to attend by far. This time around I’ll be going Thursday by myself to be “serious”, and again Saturday with my daughter to hunt for Roosevelt dimes and silver bullion rounds with animals on them

lkenefic

@PhillyJoe said:
Pretty extensive dealer list.

https://expo.whitman.com/dealer-list/

When I was working downtown, I could walk down Pratt St. from UMB over lunch on Thursdays... all of the major copper dealers typically show up, at least to the Fall and Spring shows. Summers are a little more hit-or-miss...

7Jaguars

Isn't it called "Mike's"? They have the best crab cakes, really big and just perfect IMHO. I have never found any issues with safety but admit to not going out of my way to find the worst areas and I have been coming since they were in Landover Maryland about 30 years ago I think.

lkenefic

I haven't been in a couple of years but Pratt St Ale House used to serve a decent burger and they're right across the street from the Convention Center. If you don't want to walk, a quick Uber gets you to Phillip's Seafood and some good crab cakes. If you go a block or two further (across President's St.) you end up in Little Italy and there are several restaurants to choose from.

ambro51

Currently awaiting herniated disc surgery and cannot really walk so…. No show

Sweetpie

FYI Maryland just this year imposed a 6% sales tax on bullion and coins...but:

Sole Exemption: The only exception that remains is for qualifying purchases made at events held at the Baltimore Convention Center.

JohnF

@Sweetpie said:
FYI Maryland just this year imposed a 6% sales tax on bullion and coins...but:

Sole Exemption: The only exception that remains is for qualifying purchases made at events held at the Baltimore Convention Center.

This is correct. We got a miraculous carve-out exemption for the show or it would have killed the event here in Baltimore.

coastaljerseyguy

Next the government will be charging tax on breaking large bills into smaller denominations. Cash for 'cash' should not be taxed.

MsMorrisine

@Sweetpie said:
FYI Maryland just this year imposed a 6% sales tax on bullion and coins...but:

Sole Exemption: The only exception that remains is for qualifying purchases made at events held at the Baltimore Convention Center.

does that include the sidewalk?

Aegis3

@Sweetpie said:
FYI Maryland just this year imposed a 6% sales tax on bullion and coins...but:

Sole Exemption: The only exception that remains is for qualifying purchases made at events held at the Baltimore Convention Center.

More accurately, the exemption to the general sales tax was repealed, and that's just WRT totals over $1,000. Below that amount they were already taxed (or, if we want to be fully honest, taxed at stores. We all know how sales taxes at shows really work.)

And actually, an interesting question arises. Is the Baltimore show exemption for all numismatic items, or still just for those who can go in the deeper end of the convention center?

coinandcurrency242

@Sweetpie said:
FYI Maryland just this year imposed a 6% sales tax on bullion and coins...but:

Sole Exemption: The only exception that remains is for qualifying purchases made at events held at the Baltimore Convention Center.

Another reason to bring cash.

For parking, I always use spot hero to save on parking and have a spot

Sweetpie

@MsMorrisine said:

@Sweetpie said:
FYI Maryland just this year imposed a 6% sales tax on bullion and coins...but:

Sole Exemption: The only exception that remains is for qualifying purchases made at events held at the Baltimore Convention Center.

does that include the sidewalk?

Only if there are no CCTVs around...I was told of course

JohnF

Today was one of the best opening days I can remember at Baltimore. The line was out the front door for the public this morning!

coinkat

Good crowd
Nice coins, tokens, medals and currency
Well run

Attend if you can

Matt04

For my first big show, it was a great Show!!

I got to see one of these up close! So awesome! Didn't pick anything up but glad I got to learn more & see so many coins in hand I'd only ever seen in photos!

MEJ7070

Had a great day yesterday…..picked up 3 great coins and met some really nice people I didn’t know.

Excited to head back tomorrow with my daughter.

Heubschgold

"Pictures or it didn't happen"... LOL !!

OnlyGoldIsMoney

I attended today. I did not find anything to add to my main set but fortunately found one book I needed.

An extruded Engelhard 100 oz silver bar I lugged into the show proved easy to sell. The dealer who purchased my Engelhard bar had just told a prospective seller that he was not purchasing any 90% silver and doubted if any else at the show was buying 90%.

Raufus

Raufus

@epc said:
I have always paid by cash or check. Some (few) dealers also have signage indicating they accept credit cards.
I've been going to Baltimore shows since 2004 (when I re-started collecting). My wife works for Univ of Maryland Baltimore, so I've been able to park in their garages and then walk to the convention center. Recently, I've been street parking closer. I've never had any issue walking in the city (beyond being approached by beggars many years ago), including more than two blocks north of the venue. That said, there is street crime in downtown Baltimore, sometimes violent. Be alert and confident; don't attract attention to yourself. And as others have written, enjoy the show!

Closest, cheapest parking I've found is opposite the federal courthouse across from the convention center. It fills fast.

The garage just past it, which faces the convention center doesnt fill. Just a bit more expensive.

Be alert walking of course. Its Baltimore.

Sweetpie

@Raufus said:

Nice pickup!
😉

Raufus

@Sweetpie said:

@Raufus said:

Nice pickup!
😉

Thanks!

Definitely a bit more than I was looking to spend. However, when the right coins become available sometimes you have to did a little deeper and buy.