Early Half Dollars highlight the Coshocton, Ohio show.
keets
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I finally had a chance to get to a show with the local dealer and help out on his side of the table. Just so there's no misunderstanding, I have absolutely no aspiration about becoming a dealer. Working on the other side was fun and a good experience, though. We'd been trying to hook up like this for quite awhile but our schedules never jived. This show was a good fit for the first time, small and not as hectic as many that I've been to.
I always get designated as the navigator and started off the day by missing our exit, so we were setting up as collectors came in the door. Things went smoothly, though, and after the rush from 10-11:30 there was some time for me to get on the side of the table where I belong!!
My mission today was raw Ike's and of course, Jefferson's. I ended up with a 1972 Ike and half dozen toned nickels for a raw set I'm putting together with the emphasis being clean surfaces with lots of color and not so much emphasis on the steps. There was one dealer that had 2 Whitman nickel collections and one Dansco folder. There were a few nicely frosted early 70's that I convinced him to sell and another guy had a nice 1971 with full steps and 66 surfaces.
Back at the table when things were winding down around 2 o'clock we had a guy show up that had already been by once. His interests were 1986 and 1987 gold eagle sets in Capitol plastic. Believe it or not he wanted to pay with a money order and had no ID!! See ya.
There happened to be a dealer set up next to us who would probably change the opinions of many concerning the approach some dealers take. He was one of the most helpful guys I ever encountered. I heard him talking to several collectors and giving them slabbed coins of different grades. He'd quote grey sheet prices, more or less telling them that it doesn't make sense to spend the extra money for the one point grade increase. His talk wasn't a sales pitch, he seemed sincere and I got the impression some of the collectors were guys he knew already. Imagine a dealer encouraging you to spend less money to get a comparable coin.
One of the collectors he worked with stopped at our table shortly before we packed up. He shared his draped and capped bust half collection with us. WOWZER!!!! Not quite a complete set and not collected by die variety, the coins were all in 2 Dansco folders with extra pages for the 2x2 or grading service insert that he purchased them in. He also had a box full of as yet "foldered" coins in manila envelopes and flips. This cat knew his stuff. While all the half's weren't necessarily highest grade coins, all were beautiful eye appealing gems, not a dog that I saw in the bunch. The standout for me was a 1929 with bulls-eye tone. He had several which were most likely cleaned at some point, dipped perhaps though he said not by him, which exhibited pristine fields, almost proof-like. When he noticed my fascination with the 1929 toning, he went into his box and pulled out an envelope that had the most gorgeous Isabella you can imagine. What a way to end the show!!!
In the "I can't believe I passed it up" category, there are two coins that I already regret. One was a Stone Mtn. and the other was a 1939 proof Jefferson that had light frost on the obverse. The only thing that stopped me short on those two is that there is another show about half an hour from home on Sunday. I did get the one dealers card so maybe I'll call about the Jeff later.
All-in-all it was a pleasant little show. I got my feet wet on the other side of the table and my respect and appreciation for all you dealers is somewhat enhanced as a result. Hey, humble pie can be good!!
Al H.
I always get designated as the navigator and started off the day by missing our exit, so we were setting up as collectors came in the door. Things went smoothly, though, and after the rush from 10-11:30 there was some time for me to get on the side of the table where I belong!!
My mission today was raw Ike's and of course, Jefferson's. I ended up with a 1972 Ike and half dozen toned nickels for a raw set I'm putting together with the emphasis being clean surfaces with lots of color and not so much emphasis on the steps. There was one dealer that had 2 Whitman nickel collections and one Dansco folder. There were a few nicely frosted early 70's that I convinced him to sell and another guy had a nice 1971 with full steps and 66 surfaces. Back at the table when things were winding down around 2 o'clock we had a guy show up that had already been by once. His interests were 1986 and 1987 gold eagle sets in Capitol plastic. Believe it or not he wanted to pay with a money order and had no ID!! See ya.
There happened to be a dealer set up next to us who would probably change the opinions of many concerning the approach some dealers take. He was one of the most helpful guys I ever encountered. I heard him talking to several collectors and giving them slabbed coins of different grades. He'd quote grey sheet prices, more or less telling them that it doesn't make sense to spend the extra money for the one point grade increase. His talk wasn't a sales pitch, he seemed sincere and I got the impression some of the collectors were guys he knew already. Imagine a dealer encouraging you to spend less money to get a comparable coin.
One of the collectors he worked with stopped at our table shortly before we packed up. He shared his draped and capped bust half collection with us. WOWZER!!!! Not quite a complete set and not collected by die variety, the coins were all in 2 Dansco folders with extra pages for the 2x2 or grading service insert that he purchased them in. He also had a box full of as yet "foldered" coins in manila envelopes and flips. This cat knew his stuff. While all the half's weren't necessarily highest grade coins, all were beautiful eye appealing gems, not a dog that I saw in the bunch. The standout for me was a 1929 with bulls-eye tone. He had several which were most likely cleaned at some point, dipped perhaps though he said not by him, which exhibited pristine fields, almost proof-like. When he noticed my fascination with the 1929 toning, he went into his box and pulled out an envelope that had the most gorgeous Isabella you can imagine. What a way to end the show!!!
In the "I can't believe I passed it up" category, there are two coins that I already regret. One was a Stone Mtn. and the other was a 1939 proof Jefferson that had light frost on the obverse. The only thing that stopped me short on those two is that there is another show about half an hour from home on Sunday. I did get the one dealers card so maybe I'll call about the Jeff later.
All-in-all it was a pleasant little show. I got my feet wet on the other side of the table and my respect and appreciation for all you dealers is somewhat enhanced as a result. Hey, humble pie can be good!!
Al H.
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Comments
Oh well - sounds like you had a great time! I enjoyed my first try at being on the other side of the table as well - got to chat with some great folks and actually met some board members too - I particularly enjoyed answering questions about coins and giving opinions. As for the buying and selling of stuff - I left that to my more learned partner. It was a great day to listen and learn for me - hope you found it equally as rewarding!
Frank
<< <i>I didn't know you were from Ohoho >>
Now I know you don`t live in Ohio Frank. In my nick of the woods here in Ohio, It`s pronounce A-Hi-Uh. The O`s are pronounced as A`s.
Sounds like pleasent, easy going time.
we call Lake Erie the north coast but i'm still out there!!
i also had a chance to chat with some collectors who were new to the hobby. one woman had a T2 SLQ with the date worn off but the "S" mintmark clear as a bell. it kinda looked like 1917 outline. she said half kiddingly that she had seen something about the naked breast and wondered if this was one of them coins!! as she was leaving, she remarked that she may as well just spend it and everybody chuckled when i told her it was at least worth about a buck for the silver. she smiled and put it back in her little coin purse.
there were also several children with parents in tow. one mother leaned over a dealers table and asked what the coins were with the pretty lady on them?? Morgans!!!!
ya gotta love seeing youngsters at shows.
al h.
AL - one of the things I did was to take all my "mistake" slabs and put them on the table with a big "bucket o'slabs" sign on them - the kids loved them. I saw another dealer that had good traffic at his table put out a bunch of cut up mint sets and people just poured through them. You always get the people that come in with the worn buffalos or slq's and I tried to let them down gently - better for business than telling them that it's worthless and moving on!
Frank
You mean you should be asking for a beer or something. If I'm thirsty, I ask for a pop.
Ray (Michigan)