Going to my 1st Big Show! Training Wheels please.

mheffner2

I'm attending the Baltimore show tomorrow (i'm live in Balto) morning, never been to one before. The website is sorta lacking in what the forums will be, events, etc. Any suggestions on what to look for, what not to miss, etc? I realize the bulk of it will be table after table of dealers, but as a newer collector I want to soak it in some. And spend some cash to work on my type set as well.

Cheers!

mheffner2

ttt

MICHAELDIXON

Pick up a guide with the dealer's tables. Make sure to see Julian, Bob Bruce, Wayne Herndon and the other forum members.

mrearlygold

Be careful. Be aware of everything around you. If it's your first big show, better to not bring any money with you. There will be more than you can handle in seeing how a show operates and engage in some discussions with people who are willing to talk to you without you trying to figure out how to wheel and deal at your first show.

Have a good time

Tom

numonebuyer

Do a search on "First" AND "Coin Show" for the US Coin Forum. You do know how to use the Search feature?

You will get a wealth of knowledge.

Good luck and we expect a report.

mheffner2

Thanks Tom.. I was going with $500 to see how many holes I could fill in my TS with AU pieces. Super advice - could of came home with a box of wheaties!

numonebuyer

By the way, at my first show, I had one goal... I went to buy one PCGS certified Morgan in one date and one grade. It took me a couple hours to find the one I wanted and I bought it. I completed my mission and spent the rest of my time drooling over the other coins I had no chance of purchasing (at the time).

jhar

Try to have a clear idea of what you are looking for & a clear idea of how much you want to spend. While you are at the show look around first, with your hands in your pockets. See what's available. If you see a table with some interesting items make note of it. A small notepad and pencil can help you keep track of where that table with those coins you wanted was located. Once you have scoped out the show return to the tables you are most intested in and start looking. Be nice and polite to your fellow collectors and to the dealers behind the tables. It is quite easy to fall prey to coin fever and impulse buying. I have found that when I give in to an impulse buy I and almost allways disappointed in the purchase soon after.

Others will chime as well I'm sure.

PS
Two more things...

Wear comfortable shoes
Have Fun!!!

mrearlygold

<< <i>Thanks Tom.. I was going with $500 to see how many holes I could fill in my TS with AU pieces. Super advice - could of came home with a box of wheaties! >>




Ahhhh under the lights and with all the excitement, those wheaties just might look.........like MS-70's!

Rgrds
Tom

RYK

I agree with Tom P. It's probably best to bring no money and probably best not to purchase a coin. Look around, see how things work, hold some super-cool and ultra-expensive coins, meet some forum members, have fun. Try to sell a coin if you can. Make some dealer (and collector) contacts that will allow you to buy coins in the future. It's easier to enjoy yourself at a big show when there is no pressure to buy a coin.

kranky

Pick up a free sample slab from the NGC table and send it to my buddy wingsrule! Pick up a book (won't be free, though!) from another buddy John Burns if he has a table (actually, it's usually a "corner" and not a table). You can always use another coin book.

That first big show is a real treat! The very high-end dealers will have some killer coins that you don't see other than at the largest shows. They'll have a little handout/program that tells you all the dealer locations and the schedule of related activities. One thing I remember vividly from my first couple of big shows was just listening to dealers talk to each other and trying to figure out the vernacular they use.

Other suggestions I would have made have been mentioned already.

mheffner2

Kranky - what's with the free slab? Is it a cert for a free grading or...?

kranky

Typically, NGC will give out free sample slabs. It's usually a state quarter in an NGC slab where the label says "Sample". Just walk up to their table and ask if they have any sample slabs. But do it early because they don't have tons of them.

BASEagle

I can't believe all this advice "Go to the big show, but DON'T spend any money"!!!!

Have you people started drinking early this Friday?

Let me check the calender - is today April Fool's Day?

You can NOT be serious. "Don't spend any money." Sheesh.

Go nuts, squander a little on an impulse purchase. You'll probably see some things you've never seen before - maybe some foreign coins or some beautiful paper money or, or , who knows what. If the price doesn't make you gasp - then go for it. You only live once and if you do it right, once is enough.

Buy some books, too. A lot of this specialized numismatic stuff can't be found at Borders, and this might be your best chance for a long time to look some books over before you buy.

Mike

tmot99

Bring a towel. I tend to be the over-drooler at shows. You will most likely see a lot of Morgans as they are really hot. I am a type collector and can easily get frustrated not finding what I went looking for. Some dealers keep other coins behind the table, so if you find a dealer with type coins, take a few minutes to stop and ask questions.

I also notice dealers don't ask you questions or ask if they can help. You have to speak up, so be bold enough to do it.

I have only been to a couple of big shows myself, so I consider myself as green as you. I found it advantageous (sp?) to bring a coin or two to sell. I find that once a dealer knows two things; 1) you have good taste, 2) he can make a few bucks, they are more likely to help you.

Take the time to look at really cool coins whether you want them or not. This is the time to appreciate our hobby. Have fun. I wish I could be there.

291fifth

Spend most of your time looking around and getting the feel of a large show. Don't go wild buying things. Set as your goal the addition of one nice coin for your type set. There will be more shows in Baltimore so take your time.

RYK

You can NOT be serious. "Don't spend any money." Sheesh.

My worst purchases have been at coin shows. I walk in the room, and the money starts burning a hole in my pocket. Under poor lighting and with a salesperson (maybe, maybe not) breathing down my neck I buy the pretty Morgan dollar (and I don't even like them) or expensive Dahlonega half eagle (I do like them). I get home, and the coin looks totally different in sunlight or incandescent light, I notice the hairlines or the eye hit that I did not see in the bourse, and I ask myself why the heck I bought it.

I would not say, "Don't spend any money, " but I would not make this the focus of the visit. My view is that the show exists primarily for dealers to do business with each other, and many national dealers are not especially interested in selling retail at shows. For me, the coin show exists to meet other collectors and dealers, test the market for selling, see what coins are available, hold cool and expensive coins, and take it all in.

Woodwind

One of my pieces of advice for first-time show attendees is to go with a list of coins you are hunting for. Since you inidcate that you want to add to your AU type set, that makes it much more easier to keep focus, and to not be overwhelmed by all the other stuff out there.

As far as how much to bring, $500 may be a little much to bring and/or spend at a first show, I definitely think you should walk out of there with something. If you stick with the 20th Century type coins with reputable dealers, you should do okay. Save the more expensive stuff for later once you've educated yourself more.

I'm putting together a type set myself. It's a real challenge learning the different series and finding an accurately graded and reasonably priced specimin at a coin show.

Good luck!

numonebuyer

<< <i>Ahhhh under the lights >>



Don't forget that fluorescent lighting (the light you are most lightly to be under) is the WORST for looking at coins. Don't believe what you see. If you are looking at an expensive piece, the dealer should allow you to look at it under "better" lighting.

Oh, and one more thing, don't forget your loupe.

LanLord

I tend to agree with BaseEagle. Be cautious, but don't be afraid of spending some money, afterall, why else would you go to a coinshow? Unless of course it's for the awsome personalities you'll run across

mheffner2

You're all the best - Full report tomorrow with scans if I can!

Mike

LAWMAN

Bring your literature, magnifier, want list and enough money that you won't wake up the next morning and not respect yourself. Look at every dealer's coins before you buy one. Pay attention to the good, the bad and the ugly around you. Have fun.

Dave99B

Stay away from that trashy Barber material!

Dave

earlwbollinger

I suggest you go through and look at everything first.
Note where the tables are that have coins you are interested it.
Then go back to those tables and look closer at what they have.
Don't buy the first thing you see or at the first table you come across something you like.
Invariably you'll see another further down at a better price than what you paid.
Check everything out first.

charley

Good afternoon my name is John Curlis. I live in Frederick County, Md. I will be at the show, as will a number of Board members. If you need assistance while on the Bourse, my cell phone is 240-674-1006. If you have Nextel, all the better, because a number of the Board members trade private i.d.#,and use walkie-talkie feature,a big help while at the show. Also, a lot of the members are planning lunch-p.m. merz2 or tootawl on the board, and they can fill you in. Also, a little trick I use to curb my enthusiasm at shows-I bring minimal cash and the rest in M.O or travelers' checks. Just the act of having to fill them out is a big help in giving you the extra few moments before the purchase. Also, there is plenty of time ,so solicit Board members' opinions on the floor,re. grade, condition, price, etc. Regards, John

merz2

Look for me in the lobby.I'll be there before the doors open.I'll be in jeans and a jean jacket.

numonebuyer

Focus only on Morgans.