Home U.S. Coin Forum

Long Beach Show Report.

BearBear Posts: 18,954 ✭✭
Since there has been a dirth of reporting, I will have to get the ball rolling again.

Comments by dealers indicated that sales were good, but quality merchandise was

tough for them to buy. No secret that PCGS was again considered very strict in grading.

While washed out dull commemoratives and silver type seemed plentiful, toned commemoratives

in high grades and PQ silver type were few and far between.

I was lucky to hit Larry Whitlow just a short time after they purchased some lovely MS-66 Monroe

Commem Halves. I scarfed up a lightly toned peach/gold specimin with the even toning on both sides.

They could not even tell me the selling price but I told them I would buy the coin. Told them to notify me after

they get back home and have time to figuer out their costs. Also purchased a lustrous Standing Liberty PCGS

Quarter 1917 Type l in MS-66 FH. Now full heads come in three different stages of sharpness. The just made it,

the average mushy struck head and the full, sharp all the detail FH. this piece, is of the later type.Interesting thing

happened with the Heritage Auction. I wished to bid on an exquisite Arkansas Commem, but I missed the auction

and Commem specialist Larry Shephard missed the Auction. Walking by Mike DeFalcos' Numismatic Enterprise table

to say high and he told me he just bought a coin at the auction. I said to him please tell me that it was the PCGS-MS-66

1937-D Arkansas Commem and he said bingo. This coin has a smooth absolutely clean face on both Ms Liberty

and the indian chief with a lovely satiny surface with an even light gold color and reddish and blue colors all around

the outer most edges. The sale took 15 seconds, I didnt quible about the price either. Mike will post picture for

me next week. I then showed Mike a 1958-D Franklin half that I believe to be the finest toned Franklin on the market.

the coin is F.B.L NGC MS-67 toned on both sides. As many of you know, Mike deals primarily in toned high quality

dollars, type and commems and he was absolutely flabergasted. Since his wife takes fantastic color pictures, I asked

Mike to take the pictures and show them on the Forum next week. This coin is unique, not to be duplicated and

cost in the mid four digits. When Lucy sees the picture, its gonna jump start her engine and keep it running for

the rest of the year. By the way ,Larry Shephard just bought the coin a few minutes before I went over to his

table and I snapped it up. Again no questions asked about the price. In the opinion of several dealers I respect,

the coin appears a lock MS-68 by any service I care to send it to. While at Larrys Table (Simco Enterprises), I bought

A Walking Liberty Half with the entire obverse covered by an even Medium color reddish/maroon. the reverse is

untoned. It is in PCGS MS-66 condition. Got a few spectacular toned, on the obverse, deep luster, Morgan dollars

in PCGS MS-66. A red/gold toned Pan Pacific commem half, both sides, in PCGS MS-66 and a Columbia and a Roanoke

toned Obv and rev in reddish gold which darken slightly around the entire outside rim. These coins are PQ PCGS MS-67

and seem to have a chance to go to MS-68. Finally ,an Oregon in PCGS-MS-68 gold toned around the rim.

On Saterday, many of the big coin dealers were gone or left early. Those left, seemed to be doing , for the most part,

a brisk bussiness. Those Forum members with Commem sets from 1892 on, better move over, the bear is coming thru.
There once was a place called
Camelotimage

Comments

  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,772 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It's about time someone gives us a show report, and I'm glad it was you, Bear. (I was about to create a parody report just for kicks.)

    Sounds like you had a roaring good time. Same some fish for the rest of us.

    Robert

    Edited to add: I cannot wait to see the pics of those coins.
  • ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,759 ✭✭✭✭
    Thanks for the report Bear.
    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!


  • << <i>the coin appears a lock MS-68 by any service >>


    hmmmmm......yeah, right.


    image
  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,282 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wow....a very busy bear indeed. Nothing left in the honey pot after this show, eh?? imageimage
    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko.
  • coinkatcoinkat Posts: 22,721 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It sounds as if you did better than the average bear...image

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • Picked up some goodies for the pic-a-nic basket eh ?

    image

    image

    image
  • BearBear Posts: 18,954 ✭✭
    ttt
    There once was a place called
    Camelotimage
  • RGLRGL Posts: 3,784
    Thanks for the report, Bear. Can't wait to see the pix of your haul! image
  • StuartStuart Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Bear: I enjoyed reading your Long Beach Show Report. Thanks for taking the time to write it and share it with us. image

    Stuart

    Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal

    "Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
  • orevilleoreville Posts: 11,772 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Bear, nice report. One comment you made confused me.

    You said:

    << <i>While at Larrys Table (Simco Enterprises), I bought A Standing Liberty Half with the entire obverse covered by an even Medium color reddish/maroon. the reverse is.......................................... >>



    Could you clarify that one? Also what date and mm (aside from the denomination)? Thanks
    A Collectors Universe poster since 1997!
  • BearBear Posts: 18,954 ✭✭
    I should have correctly said, a walking Liberty Half, 1943 .

    The reverse is untoned.
    There once was a place called
    Camelotimage
  • When the Bear goes on a spending spree I just sit back in aw and wait for coin pics.

    Les

    The President claims he didn't lie about taxes for those earning less then $250,000 a year with public mandated health insurance yet his own justice department has said they will use the right of the government to tax when the states appeals go to court.
  • dpooledpoole Posts: 5,940 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Terrific report, Bear. It sounds like you were at the right place at the right time. Dealers sound as though they've had a hard time building quality inventory at the last several shows, without turning everything right away.
  • go Bear, made my mouth water, keep up the good work.
    Allen
    Love those TONED Coins, a true Addict!!!

    Proud member of TCCS!
  • stmanstman Posts: 11,352 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Bear, I've been looking for a nicely toned 1943 Walker in 65 or above for some time now. It's a very common coin but I rarely see any nice toned ones. Now that I said this watch the PM's come flowing in.image
    Please... Save The Stories, Just Answer My Questions, And Tell Me How Much!!!!!
  • orevilleoreville Posts: 11,772 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Bear, I forgot that coins don't walk away from bears. They freeze (stand) or they run (hide). You are lucky to find a walker!image
    A Collectors Universe poster since 1997!
  • Thanks for the report, Bear.
    Sounds like you had a terrific time, scarfin' up cherry commems like they were cherry jelly doughnuts! image

    Don
    FULL Heads RULE!
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,312 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks for the report bear. How was attendence?
    Tempus fugit.
  • BearBear Posts: 18,954 ✭✭
    Im really sorry I could not get into other areas of interest to you folks.

    But I was so busy dealing with my area of interest, there was no time for me to

    look around. If a nice coin showed up, you had to be right on top of it,or it would be gone.

    Many quality coins didnt last an hour in dealers hands before they were gone. Their seemed no real

    price resistance for really top of the line coins. The trouble was finding them. So many of the slabbed coins

    by the big two companies really did not seem to warrent the lofty grade on the plastic. I have had to become

    extremely pickey as to what I will accept. When the market turns south, all of your coins had better be strictly

    graded regardless what the plastic says ,or you will have to seriously discount them in order to sell them. This will

    apply to all coins in all series. Be strict now, or be sorry later.

    Rumour on the floor was that the Gray sheet would soon start raising prices for Barber material. Its about time.

    Hard to find really nice strictly graded material on the floor. I saw a lot of PCGS and NGC Barber Half Dollars

    graded MS-65 and Pr-65 that I thought would be lucky to make a 64 grade. Be very careful out there on Barber

    Quarters and Half Dollars

    There once was a place called
    Camelotimage
  • BearBear Posts: 18,954 ✭✭
    Attendence today was lighter then yesterday. There was an announcement that attendence

    had broken all previous records and I believe it. It is my opinion that properly graded and nicely

    toned commem Half dollars are decreasing rapidly in numbers and quality. It is only a matter of time before

    prices start to reflect this. Currantly we have a two tier market. The gray sheet seems to reflect the average

    kinda hohum type of material and that is not moving up in price. Then we have the top of the line, correctly graded

    material that is selling above ask and in many cases by perhaps 10 -20% above ask . In the case of nicely toned type

    material, its throw away the sheets and bar the door Nellie. Do not grab just anything you see to beat the rush,

    learn to grade by your own strict standards. When you see the right coin, graded


    correctly and origonal color,

    then move in quick , swallow hard and do the deal.

    If your instincts tell you the coin has rub, too many marks, loss of luster then pass. Dont be forced to do something

    because you are told that someone asked about the coin and will be back shortly. Remember, its your hard earned money

    You should like the coin as much 6 months later as you like it the day you purchase it.
    There once was a place called
    Camelotimage
  • BigMooseBigMoose Posts: 1,466 ✭✭✭
    Bear, wiser words than yours above have not yet been written on this forum. Sounds like many, many nice purchases and, more importantly, sounds like you had a blast!
    TomT-1794

    Check out some of my 1794 Large Cents on www.coingallery.org


  • << <i>

    Rumour on the floor was that the Gray sheet would soon start raising prices for Barber material. Its about time.

    Hard to find really nice strictly graded material on the floor. I saw a lot of PCGS and NGC Barber Half Dollars

    graded MS-65 and Pr-65 that I thought would be lucky to make a 64 grade. Be very careful out there on Barber

    Quarters and Half Dollars >>



    Bear !!! image

    All I can say if this is true it's about time !!!
    The reason their aren't alot of nice barber coins in mint state on the bourse floors of any shows is because anytime a really good coin comes along its snapped up in a hurry [contrary to the myth that no one wants them] They are not out their because they are in strong hands and the noumerous 64 & 65 "slabs" that you see are the junk that no one wants.

    Stronger prices might bring some pieces back onto the market that havn't seen the light of day for years but if they come on the market and you bid against me your in for an expensive fight !!!!

    Les
    The President claims he didn't lie about taxes for those earning less then $250,000 a year with public mandated health insurance yet his own justice department has said they will use the right of the government to tax when the states appeals go to court.
  • BigEBigE Posts: 6,949 ✭✭✭
    Congrats on your purchases Bearimage Its OK for you to put it on the registry as I am currently number nine, and as long as I stay in the top ten I will be happyimage----------------------BigE
    I'm glad I am a Tree
  • lavalava Posts: 3,286 ✭✭✭
    I very much enjoyed the reports Bear. The record attendance may be disputed by Legends, however, as they are reporting rather slow attendance compared to other winter LB shows, but Legends was careful to point out that this was not a signal of any downturn in the market.

    The one thing I don't understand Bear is your buying mentality. I know from reading many of your posts over the past several years that you are a very sound thinker, and your opinion is well respected, and very well conveyed. I would not have guessed you'd be buying coins with the price to come later, or were you just pulling our leg? As much as I desire some coins out there, I can't say I'd be willing to hand over a blank check once I found them. I'd have to know the price. I'm sure my wife feels the same way. image
    I brake for ear bars.
  • jomjom Posts: 3,385 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yeah, it was dead on Friday but Saturday there seemed to be a lot of people. Whether they were buying...I have no clue.

    jom
  • BearBear Posts: 18,954 ✭✭
    When you have a relationship with a reputable dealer

    there is a certain element of good faith. The Whitlow Company

    has always been an honorable entity and has always treated me with

    respect and given me fair prices. Sure, if the price were to go beyond

    what reason and prudence dictate, then my money is still in my pocket

    isnt it. I dont sign blank checks even for Mrs Bear. I also dont see MS-66

    origonally lightly toned Monroes Commems either.image
    There once was a place called
    Camelotimage
  • PushkinPushkin Posts: 2,029 ✭✭✭

    Bear, excellent report. Thank you.
  • Hey Bear, I stopped in on Saturday for a few moments and was impressed with the amount of activity. I saw you there and wanted to say hello, but by the time I got a chance you were gone. Next time... Congrats on your finds!
    image
  • BearBear Posts: 18,954 ✭✭
    How did you find me. Did my bear hat give me away?
    There once was a place called
    Camelotimage
  • It was the hat... image
    image
  • BigEBigE Posts: 6,949 ✭✭✭
    If I may ask, how many jelley donuts does a MS-66 Monroe cost and do you make them yourself and do you use any artificial coloring?---------------BigE
    I'm glad I am a Tree
  • BearBear Posts: 18,954 ✭✭
    Yes the jelly does have artificial coloring. As for the coin I offered double face.

    A buck for a fifty cent piece is a 100% markup.
    There once was a place called
    Camelotimage
  • Hi Bear,
    Thanks for the report. Sounds like you acquired some really neat coins. I agree with your statement that you should like your coins 6 months from now just as much as you like them today. Congrats on your purchases!
    I'm trying to become the person my dog thinks I am
  • BearBear Posts: 18,954 ✭✭
    Its rather funny that a smart bear like me, has managed to make every mistake

    a collector can make over the years. I guess that is the hard way to learn. Sure

    wish this Forum was around when I started. I could have save myself a lot of

    aggrivation and money by listening to the learned ones. All in all though, my collecting

    has been a great source of fun and excitement and adventure.
    There once was a place called
    Camelotimage
  • i dream of going to long beach someday.
  • BearBear Posts: 18,954 ✭✭
    Dreams are the stuff that help to create our actual reality.

    If you wish it so, you can make it so.
    There once was a place called
    Camelotimage

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Emoji
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file