Smithville Auction and Marietta Coin Show report
keets
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We had planned to attend the Marietta Show on both Saturday and Sunday until we learned of an auction and managed to obtain a listing of the lots. We've attended auctions called by the auctioneer before and this one seemed to have much better offerings. Evidentally it was a single collection and there was plenty of ANACS, NGC and PCGS holdered coins as well as the usual smatterings of Morgans and mint/proof sets. I enjoy these things as much for the entertainment value as the oppurtunity to snag some nice coins. With this auctioneer, things are always fun. He has incredible stamina and called 370++ lots in a little over 4 hours with no breaks!!
I ended up winning only three lots. 1.--a 1936 Buffalo/NGC MS64 with wonderful tone and undergraded by one and perhaps two points. Soft pastel colors of blue, red and green over both sides with great luster, a strong strike and no marks. 2.--one each 1968 and 1969 proof sets in a lot that I bid on for the Jefferson in the 1968 set. It's frosted heavier than any I've found, including my Registry Set coin and appears hairline free. 3.--a raw AU 1953-D Washington Quarter that's probably been dipped yet shows a very clear triple "D" which seems to fit the diagnostics of a D/S. Other than that the ol' boys wouldn't let me win anything for a reasoanable price. My buddy who was "restocking" did quite a bit better, but I have a limited interest. We departed for the show after a hearty lunch.
The show was fairly well attended on Sunday but from what everyone told us it was jam-packed on Saturday. Oh, well. Everthing I saw tells me things are still going strong. There were new collectors looking for the recent U.S. Mint products and State Quarters as well as several curiosity seekers. We seemed to sell a lot of raw Washingtons, Roosevelts and Jeffersons from the binders and tubs. That tells me collectors are putting together BU sets in folders. The usual wholesaling went on, but I don't get involved in that. We also sold quite a bit of bullion and VG-VF early Lincolns and Barber dimes.
My buddy happened to pick up two really sweet coins last week that "walked in the door" as he likes to put it. The first is an ANACS AU50 1866 Seated dollar, the second a really nice PCGS PR67 1879 Type 2 Seated Quarter. There were a lot of lookers, especially at the quarter, but I don't think I saw a single slabbed coin sold from his case which was weird. The show horror story took place two tables down at a big wholesalers booth. He must have bought a bunch of stuff early on and as his helper was cutting up flat pack proof sets and letting the coins drop loose into a box, he was smacking half-dollar rolls on the side of a metal ammo box and dumping them in, about 20-30 rolls worth!!!
There wasn't the usual free time to walk around but I did manage some and looked as well as talked to some of the other dealers. All I bought were two Buffalos which had exceptional tone, both ANACS MS64, a 1937-D and a 1937-S. The one I bit my lip on and passed was an 1891 Seated Dime that the guy had priced two grades higher than sheet. If you saw my "Dilemma Thread" you'll know that I draw the line somewhere, and that was it!!!
I had a pleasant time talking with member beartracks42 and his wife. I'd met Gary and Bev before and it was nice to see them both again. It was their local club which sponsored the show and they did a good job with what seemed to be good member involvement. We're already planning on the spring show, gonna try to get some table space for supplies cause there was nothing along those lines and collectors asking for stuff.
All in all it was an enjoyable weekend. It's good to get away from home where you can mess up the room and not have to make the bed or wash the dishes, important things to a single guy like me!! I'm keeping tally, and after this weekend I can say that I've officially seen 36,487,264 Morgan Dollars. Gary brought along some really sweet ones and some of the dealers seem to have an endless supply. Way, way too many for my liking, but I'd have to say they are probably the staple of the hobby and sometimes it seems like close to 25% or more of the total holdered coins on the floor. Just amazing to me.
Al H.
I ended up winning only three lots. 1.--a 1936 Buffalo/NGC MS64 with wonderful tone and undergraded by one and perhaps two points. Soft pastel colors of blue, red and green over both sides with great luster, a strong strike and no marks. 2.--one each 1968 and 1969 proof sets in a lot that I bid on for the Jefferson in the 1968 set. It's frosted heavier than any I've found, including my Registry Set coin and appears hairline free. 3.--a raw AU 1953-D Washington Quarter that's probably been dipped yet shows a very clear triple "D" which seems to fit the diagnostics of a D/S. Other than that the ol' boys wouldn't let me win anything for a reasoanable price. My buddy who was "restocking" did quite a bit better, but I have a limited interest. We departed for the show after a hearty lunch.
The show was fairly well attended on Sunday but from what everyone told us it was jam-packed on Saturday. Oh, well. Everthing I saw tells me things are still going strong. There were new collectors looking for the recent U.S. Mint products and State Quarters as well as several curiosity seekers. We seemed to sell a lot of raw Washingtons, Roosevelts and Jeffersons from the binders and tubs. That tells me collectors are putting together BU sets in folders. The usual wholesaling went on, but I don't get involved in that. We also sold quite a bit of bullion and VG-VF early Lincolns and Barber dimes.
My buddy happened to pick up two really sweet coins last week that "walked in the door" as he likes to put it. The first is an ANACS AU50 1866 Seated dollar, the second a really nice PCGS PR67 1879 Type 2 Seated Quarter. There were a lot of lookers, especially at the quarter, but I don't think I saw a single slabbed coin sold from his case which was weird. The show horror story took place two tables down at a big wholesalers booth. He must have bought a bunch of stuff early on and as his helper was cutting up flat pack proof sets and letting the coins drop loose into a box, he was smacking half-dollar rolls on the side of a metal ammo box and dumping them in, about 20-30 rolls worth!!!
There wasn't the usual free time to walk around but I did manage some and looked as well as talked to some of the other dealers. All I bought were two Buffalos which had exceptional tone, both ANACS MS64, a 1937-D and a 1937-S. The one I bit my lip on and passed was an 1891 Seated Dime that the guy had priced two grades higher than sheet. If you saw my "Dilemma Thread" you'll know that I draw the line somewhere, and that was it!!!
I had a pleasant time talking with member beartracks42 and his wife. I'd met Gary and Bev before and it was nice to see them both again. It was their local club which sponsored the show and they did a good job with what seemed to be good member involvement. We're already planning on the spring show, gonna try to get some table space for supplies cause there was nothing along those lines and collectors asking for stuff.
All in all it was an enjoyable weekend. It's good to get away from home where you can mess up the room and not have to make the bed or wash the dishes, important things to a single guy like me!! I'm keeping tally, and after this weekend I can say that I've officially seen 36,487,264 Morgan Dollars. Gary brought along some really sweet ones and some of the dealers seem to have an endless supply. Way, way too many for my liking, but I'd have to say they are probably the staple of the hobby and sometimes it seems like close to 25% or more of the total holdered coins on the floor. Just amazing to me.
Al H.
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Comments
ttt
It was really great to see you and to have you visit our little show. We try to put on a good show and have fun at the same time. You did a fine job of reporting. See you at our spring show if not before.