Long Beach Show Report.
Bear
Posts: 18,953 ✭✭✭
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.
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
Camelot
Camelot
0
Comments
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.
<< <i>the coin appears a lock MS-68 by any service >>
hmmmmm......yeah, right.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Camelot
The Ludlow Brilliant Collection (1938-64)
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"
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
The reverse is untoned.
Camelot
Les
Here's a warning parable for coin collectors...
Allen
Proud member of TCCS!
Sounds like you had a terrific time, scarfin' up cherry commems like they were cherry jelly doughnuts!
Don
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
Camelot
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.
Camelot
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 !!!
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 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.
jom
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.
Camelot
Bear, excellent report. Thank you.
Camelot
A buck for a fifty cent piece is a 100% markup.
Camelot
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!
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.
Camelot
If you wish it so, you can make it so.
Camelot