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FUN Show Report (With Pics)

ProofmorganProofmorgan Posts: 936 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited January 11, 2026 10:11AM in U.S. Coin Forum

My Dad and I hadn't been to a show together in a few years so we were long overdue. We took a direct flight in without any major issues. I will attempt to keep this brief, but no guarantees.

Objectives:

-dump excess silver of all types (see my report in precious metals forum)
-meet up with coin friends and dealers
-view auction lots and maybe bid
-Find some wild Morgan toners in NGC Fattys (real ones aka CAC approved) for my Dad's collection
-Drop some coins off at grading
-Really take the time to comb the bourse for anything neat

Day 1:

-Flew in and made it to the convention center around 1130am. This was the longest line I have ever seen to get into the FUN show. It's been a few years, but I was used to them looking up my paid membership and getting a hard plastic ID badge. This year I was instructed to register with the public and do so each day. Is this correct? Has this changed?

-Without getting too deep into it, it was a precious metals/silver frenzy. I sold everything I came with, but did have to do quite a bit of running around.

-I met with @earlyAurum and we had a great time over the weekend pursuing and discussing early gold. We bumped into @winesteven. It was great to meet him as we both follow his thoughtful posts.

-I lot viewed some early gold for the auction that evening.

-I dropped some lesser coins at PCGS to chew up my free subs. The line was lengthy all day (1 hour wait). There were plenty of first time submitters in line (good for the hobby?). I overheard comments of "They charge $100 to look at a coin for 20s, what the heck!". NGC volume was about 1/4 PCGS and CACG was slow.

-I attended the live Harvey Jacobson auction. There were a couple pieces I had light interest in. It seemed the prices were soft, but that is to be expected when variety over quality is the objective. I don't advise this from an investment standpoint as I believe the collection realized a significant loss over purchase price (on recent purchases anyway). I never got a bid in, but it seemed like NYGM, Charleston Coins, and Doug Winter were there to scoop up anything that went at a bargain. I can't say it enough how much I love the live auction experience, I wish they would do this more, but I understand the cons that keep them limited.

-We all then went to dinner at Del Friscos that night for a great dinner.

Day 2:

-After all the running around yesterday between the auction, selling silver, and waiting in line at PCGS....we were looking forward to a more laid back day. No entry line today.

-We focused on some wild toners to meet the box of 20 collection requirements for my Dad (wild color, NGC Fatty, CAC approved). We located a few and took them under consideration.

-Met with Doug Winter, John at CRO, Laura/George at Legend, David at Kagins, and several others. All very insightful and enjoyable experiences.

-Viewed a few of the James Stack coins and observed many prominent dealers drooling over them as they weighed personal interest vs. liquidity. I don't believe many of these will have any type of quick retail opportunity (they will go for all the money).

-Was able to buy some silver from some dealers and make money selling to others with the wide spread in metal prices between dealers (a fun little experiment). See my Precious Metals post for more details.

-Helped by Dad buy some mint products that he enjoys (I'm not a fan, but I respect his interest).

-Had some Mexican at the Hilton and retired early.

Day 3:

-The line was long, but quick moving today.

-We had narrowed the weekend search for the wild Morgan toners to two coins. Ultimately, we couldn't decide which was the better buy.....so bought both.

-I drooled over an 1814/3 $5 that had wild color, but I think too wild for CAC or anyone else to believe. I had seen it about 5 years ago and never forgot it. Early gold is tough where if it's not CAC, the liquidity and long term investment potential is not there. This can be seen in significant gaps in price between stickered and non-stickered coins. This is a hobby to me, but also part of my long-term investment strategy.

-I viewed an interesting 1853-C $5 in a dealer case. It had a note on it (I guessed JA at CAC, but later disproved that after checking against handwriting of notes I have from him at home). It was a nice example. When asking for the net price there was a bit of a panic where the dealer stated the note should not have been on it and that coin was supposed to be sent for regrade and was missed. After passing through several hands and discussion, ultimately the coin wasn't for sale. Regrade or not, it was priced two grades higher, so I didn't understand....oh well.

-We picked up a neat photo-grade-type Morgan at a reasonable price.

-I picked up a "guilty pleasure" Lewis and Clark Commem with the Native American pouch. I always thought these were neat and they go for little premium at the shows. This one had a pouch design I've never seen so I had to have it. I have another at home made by a woman with my wife's maiden name, which was neat. I appreciate the craftsmanship more than the coin.

-We packed up and headed back home with an uneventful, delayed flight.

Observations:

-Very busy show, spurred by precious metals in my opinion. The bourse was packed most days.
-A pretty good selection of nice coins throughout the bourse. Often from unsuspecting dealers.
-Silver was king. I believe many were moving silver into gold or numismatic items. Very wide spread of pricing and quite hectic with spot moving 5-10% per day.
-One of the walkways was under construction, leading to a more lengthy outdoor walk to the show each day....in which we got lost 2 of 3 days.
-CAC coins continue to be strong. About as strong as the grumblings about CAC heard from dealers on the bourse.
-I heard dealers stating "The price guides are way behind and I can't price anything referencing the guides"....only to reference guides and 10 year old auction prices when trying to buy.
-I did anecdotally remember seeing the CC Morgan Roll posted about here. I remember seeing it and instantly dismissing it as another gimmicky common date "fake" roll. Apparently I was wrong, but I think the market (with good reason) is skeptical about these "original" rolls.
-Overall a great experience and a strong showing for the hobby.






















Collector of Original Early Gold with beginnings in Proof Morgan collecting.

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