FUN Observations

breakdown

I wasn't at Winter FUN long enough to provide a full report but here a few FUN observations. As per the last few years, I fly in late Wednesday and fly back Friday mid-day, so I try to get a lot accomplished in a short period. (Sorry about formatting mess - I give up as I am only making it worse).

1. Weather. About a thirty degree difference from 2025. I always stay at a hotel on International and walk to the show in the morning. Last year, with no coat I was freezing by the time I got to the show. This year, it was far warmer and I was sweating by the time I got to the show Thursday morning. Lots of folks in shorts (attire is always interesting at FUN). All good as I need the exercise.

   2. Check-in. I arrived at about 930 am Thursday and the line was actually short. Just had to show driver license and they gave me a nametag that gets you in the door. Two hours later, the line was 100 yards long! The long line became a topic overheard everywhere on the bourse in the afternoon. Friday, they changed procedure and you had to fill out a form to get a badge. I am sure this all makes sense to someone.

   3. Loudspeaker announcements. Once I was in the arena, they were frequent. Couldn't hear any of them and doubt others could either.

   4. Silver. Many dealers I spoke with said that there was a "new" type of attendee at the show, meaning silver prices were bringing out the curious and the speculators. Not sure how many care about numismatics but hey, some silver bugs might actually become collectors, right? Also had dealers tell me they are "certain" silver will continue to rise. Asia weaning itself off the dollar, industrial demand, the end of paper manipulation, etc and silver is heading north! I have no idea but hope they are correct from a selfish standpoint. Okay, but how about collector grade silver coins -are premiums scaring people off? Well, low three figure silver coins were moving pretty well according to a number of dealers I spoke with. I remain confused.

2. Early gold. Spoke to the two dealers that I needed to about possible early gold purchases and took a look at a few of the candidates. Much depends on auctions over the next couple weeks so who knows. As I wrote about here a couple weeks ago, I still don't know how to navigate buying coins off the bourse v. saving for the auctions. Still a work in progress...

3. Lot viewing. One of the main reasons I go to FUN. Lot viewed all the coins I wanted - probably around 300 lots in all. I look at the coins I am interested in bidding on (usually just a handful) and then I look at all coins in the categories I am collecting to see how my grading is and then I look at Walkers and seated halves because I used to collect them and can't help but still look at them. Heritage lot viewing at FUN is professionally run and the lighting is actually decent (dim overhead lighting and decent lamps). The Jacobson early half eagle sale that happened Thursday night was mostly about variety collecting (remember the Bass sales?). I am not focused on varieties, but I found two stickered coins going off Thursday night that I liked a lot. Spoiler alert: got my doors blown off on both coins later that night.

   7. Purchase. I did buy the 1810 $5 PCGS MS63 CAC Rattler out of the Jacobson sale, which was a nice surprise. Did not intend to bid on it until the bidding stopped at what I thought was a reasonably low amount, so I put in a bid. Picked it up Friday morning. The coin also has a CMG sticker on it, which is already halfway peeled off. Won't mind if it just falls off entirely although I suppose it doesn't hurt anything.

4. Good folks. Spoke to Catbert who showed me a really nice toned CBH - not sure of the date but 1830s. Hope he shows a photo of it as I thought it was special. Hoped to see Dan but he was away from his table when I stopped by a few times. Spoke to two other folks I have before from the forum but for life of me don't remember their handles. Wish nametags had CU handles on them. Also never ran into Oreville who I was looking for. A couple others I was looking for but didn't see, which is not surprising given the size of the floor.

5. Lots of enthusiasm. FUN keeps me optimistic about the hobby as there are a lot of passionate people gathering and most of them are pretty upbeat. This was true again and the Thursday crowd seemed as big as I can recall. Friday I was only there a couple hours, but the crowd seemed quite a bit smaller. Confirm: I still love coin collecting. Now back to the cold weather up North...

coinhack

Thank you for your comments. I was there Thursday and Friday and it seemed packed, as you've indicated. Weather was wonderful. Thanks again

Catbert

Always a pleasure to see you and was glad once again to do so. Thanks for your report!

lermish

I would have liked to have met you but did the same whirlwind tour and there were only so many hours in the day.

It sounds like I left a few hours later than you on Friday; it really picked up to where at ~2p it started looking like Thursday midday. Nice report, hope to catch you next year!

Copperindian

Excellent report - thanks for posting!

BLUEJAYWAY

Always enjoy attendees viewpoints/observations.

Walkerfan

Thanks for sharing your experiences. The choice 1810 half eagle sounds amazing.

breakdown

Here are my iPhone pics of the 1810 half eagle. No I can’t take photos and these don’t quite capture the luster.

Nic

Great report! Great coin! Thanks BD.

oreville

I was also at the FUN show and missed bumping into you!

Dave99B

Fun read --- and man, your $5 1810 is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Dave

safari_dude

@breakdown said:
………………….

Spoke to two other folks I have before from the forum but for life of me don't remember their handles. Wish nametags had CU handles on them…….

………..

I think this is a great idea! Or just write your CU handle under your name in a different colored marker so it stands out and makes you more recognizable among other forum members….😉

Walkerguy21D

@safari_dude said:

@breakdown said:
………………….

Spoke to two other folks I have before from the forum but for life of me don't remember their handles. Wish nametags had CU handles on them…….

………..

I think this is a great idea! Or just write your CU handle under your name in a different colored marker so it stands out and makes you more recognizable among other forum members….😉

I like that idea, as I know many of us are there, but recognize only a few.
@2windy2fish had his CU handle posted at his table, which was helpful.