My ANA trip report - Wow ! (with pictures)
dcarr
Posts: 8,447 ✭✭✭✭✭
I had quite a trip to the ANA Pittsburgh convention this year. I've been to many local coin shows in the last few years, but I hadn't been to a major show like this in about 8 years. My wife and daughter flew out to Maryland to vist relatives and then they drove to Ocean City for a vacation at the beach. I decided to drive the whole way so that I could make a few stops on the way back (like the ANA show).
I left Colorado on August 8 and started driving east. I had an appointment to be the guest speaker at the Montgomery Coin Club meeting near Washington DC on August 10. After driving all the way across the country, I made it to the meeting place with 90 minutes to spare. I enjoyed giving my talk on state quarter designs, and I think it was well received. After the meeting I drove to Ocean City for a week of family vacation. I managed to bruise my ribs while body surfing (the waves were a bit larger than normal). After a week at the beach we drove to my mother-in-law's house near Bel Air MD. I visited a couple local coin shops and got a few good deals on some modestly-valued coins. I went to a local bank and got some rolls of half dollars. I found 4 90% silver coins (1964) and 10 40% silver coins (1965-1969).
I drove my wife and daughter to the airport and then headed for Pittsurgh. I didn't have any particular plans or reservations. So I stayed at a small hotel outside of town a ways and drove to the convention center the first couple days. The Pittburgh convention center is a nice facility. As usual, parking was a bit of an issue, but not too bad.
I went into the show with the idea of looking at some early US Gold - even though I knew that I wouldn't be able to afford any - but I wanted to at least look at some. Other than that, I just wandered the aisles looking for items that caught my eye. It can be quite a challenge finding items that are interesting, unusual, visually appealing, historic, and affordable all at the same time. Lately, fo me, that means exonumia (especially medals). Here are a few items that caught my eye enough to bring home:
The first item is a 1907 Hudson-Fulton commemorative in silver. I'd seen the bronze version before, but never the silver one.
The next item is a French call to arms victory medal from the 1930s. Little did they know, at the tme, what was going to come their way in a few years. I always like WWII-related items, and this is probably my favorite thing I picked up at the show.
I also have an interest in classic cars and the next two medals are right up that alley. One is a General Motors 50-millionth-car-built medal shaped like a flying saucer, showing the 1954 Firebird concept car. The other is a 100th anniversary of the Studebaker Corporation medal - the first one of these I've ever seen.
Having not attended a large show like this for several years, one thing became readily apparent (unfortunately). That being "grade creep" (also known as "grade inflation"). The amount of change was quite shocking, actually. Especially when looking at early US gold. If you are a major dealer and you look at coins every day, you might not notice it much. Sort of like watching your kid grow up - you don't notice day-to-day changes. But if you go away, and then come back to look at the kid a year later, you notice the changes.
I studied all the 1807-1812 Bust $5 coins on the show floor. The vast majority of the ones I saw were overgraded (relative to the standards of 8 years ago) by 3 to 8 points. And I'm not talking about "raw" or "second-rate" slabs here. I'm talking PCGS and NGC. I've studied coins since 1973. I know what I am looking at. I can tell where there is original mint luster - and I can tell where mint luster has been obliterated by cleaning or circulation. I saw more than one coin that had a little bit of mint luster near the stars, but none in the vast majority of the fields. In my book, that means the coin has significant wear. I would grade such a coin AU-53, at best. But the ones I saw were graded MS61 by PCGS and NGC. I cannont accept that. If this grade creep keeps going (and judging by all the "cracking-out" that was being done a the show, it will) then some of the current "third-rate" slabs will start to look pretty good (I'm serious). There was one 1808 Bust $5 that looked "right" to me. It was the only early gold coin at the show that I asked to look at up-close. It was graded NGC MS62. I'd grade it MS61. Close enough ! I had to ask how much it was. Grey Sheet "bid" is around $7000 (*way* beyond my budget). The dealer obviously knew the coin was graded right. They wanted $11000 for it !
I did find a decent quantity of other modestly-priced coins to buy at the show, like XF-AU+ Walking Liberty halves for $2.50-$6.50 each (I'll probably sell most of them on eBay). One dealer who I see at my local coin shows had a few amazing toned 1962-D Franklins for a good price, so I bought all three:
I didn't have a lot of time for cherry-picking varietes, but I did make one score - an AU 1943/2 overdate Walking Liberty half. This variety is not well publicized (but it is listed in the Breen catalog). I think there is some controversy as to whether this is really an overdate or not. The example I found is a fairly early die state. After studying it, I have concluded that it is, indeed, an overdate.
On the 1942 coins, the "2" is a bit farther to the right than where the "3" appears on the 1943 coins. On the overdate, the top curve of the underlying "2" appears mostly to the right of the "3" - right where it should be. The coin I found also shows other die doubling on the obverse that doesn't appear on other 1943 halves I looked at. There are definitely some hubbing "issues" on this coin:
So it was definitely a fun show for looking at coins. What I absolutely didn't expect, however, was that the show turned out to be invaluable because of the people that I was able to meet there.
Walking the floor, I came to the Gallery Mint table. I was able to admire their work up close and I talked with Ron Landis about coinage issues, the US Mint, etc. He remembered our previous meeting at the "Dollar Coin Advisory Committee" meetings in Philadelphia in 1999.
I stopped and talked to James Taylor at the ICG table. He suggested that I go over to the ANA booth and talk to Adna Wilde. I recently submitted a design to Colorado for the state's quarter. That design features the 10th Mountain Division - the famous ski troops that trained in Colordao and fought in Italy in WWII. Adna is the long-time Treasurer of the ANA and he served in the 10th in Colorado and Italy. I talked to him at length about his experiences. I gave him a signed print of my design are he is going to show it around at their next reunion in a month or so.
I passed by the US Mint booth and saw that US Mint director Henrietta Holsman Fore was signing autographs. I coundn't pass up that opportunity so I got in line. When I got up to the table, I handed her a copy of my Nevada design (which I had previously sent to her in a preliminary application for the Mint's recent "Artistic Infusion Program"). She managed a manufacturing business in Las Vegas before becoming the Mint Director. I couldn't tell if she recognized it or not, but she said it was very nice and signed it for me. I really wanted to discuss some things with her, but this was not a good venue to do that (the line had to keep moving). I did see in the printed ANA schedule that there was going to be a US Mint "Collectors Forum" on Saturday, so I planned for that.
At one point during the show I was paged and asked to go to table #106. I found the table and it turned out to be ICG. James Taylor wanted to introduce me to one of the top officers of the Home Shopping Network. I then found out that they have recently been selling some of the "signature" state quarters - including my New York and Rhode Island coins.
Later, while walking around the show I heard an announcement on the PA system about a reception for the artists involved in the designs for the new nickels. It wasn't in my printed schedule, but it sounded interesting so I decided to go. I would have been one of those artists had I been accepted into the Artistic Infusion Program. As it turns out, this reception was THE place to be to meet all the "powerful" people. At the reception, I was able to talk to Henritetta Holsman Fore at length about various issues. I mentioned that I had written a "Viewpoint" column in Coin World concerning my experience with applying for the Artistic Infusion Program. Coin World focused on the part about the Mint not wanting me to submit the key item in my application as a computer-generated design - but rather has a hand (pencil) drawing. My intent with the Viewpoint piece was generally to be supportive of the Artistic Infusion Program and to offer some constructive criticism on coinage design issues. I was really surprised when Director Fore told me that she had read that column ! I happened to have some samples of my work with me (both printed and engraved) so I showed them to her and talked about the digital technology I use. She was extremely gracious and suppotive, taking it all in stride. She encouraged me to apply again for the Artistic Infusion Program when new applications are accepted (possibly next Spring). I also told her about my plan for a Denver Mint 100th anniversary commemorative coin program and she suggested that I come to the US Mint Collector's Forum on Saturday and present it.
At the same reception, I also met the Deputy Director of the US Mint, and US Mint Sculptor/Engraver Joe Fitzgerald (I admired his work which was on display at the reception along with drawings by other artists). And then to top it off, I met Former US Mint Director Jay Johnson. He was really fun to talk to, and we discussed state quarter designs - especially that of Mr. Johnson's home state - Michigan. I showed him a copy of the design I submitted for Michigan, and he signed it for me. As we left the reception, he suggested that I talk to Q. David Bowers who is planning to write a detailed book about the state quarter program.
That night I had dinner with J.P. Martin from ICG and Bob Campbell (former ANA President). Bob is from Utah and we came up with a plan whereby I design a Utah state quarter and he submits it.
The next mornng I attended the US Mint Collector's Forum. I presented my idea whereby the Mint produces Denver Mint 100th anniversary coins. These coins would be EXACTLY like the six coins Denver issued in 1906, but with 2006 dates. Proceeds from the program would be used to build a museum to house some of the Smithsonian's coins which currently do not have a display venue. I'm not sure how well that proposal was received, but the Mint seemed to like it, and one observer told me afterwards that they thought it was a good idea.
Later that morning I located Q. David Bowers at the ANR table. I introduced myself and he recognized me (by name) ! So we sat down and talked about state quarter issues and his book project. I'm sure we will be communicating further.
I also met a couple of folks from the PCGS board there. Sorry, with all the activity at the show, I forgot your IDs !
So that was it - quite an event !
I took the next few days to drive home, visiting a couple of my software customers in the Midwest. I stopped in Morton Illinois to get gas and a snack. At the Taco Bell they had a clear plastic charity donation container on the counter. Someone had deposited a couple of silver quarters in it, but there was no way to get them out (I would have donated $1 each). But I did get back a 1946-D wheat cent in change there.
During the entire trip, I saw only two accidents - both were bad motocycle wrecks. In western Iowa, for some reason, there was an unusually large number of "road kills". Many deer, dozens upon dozens of small critters, and what looked like a Pronghorn Antelope. Driving at night can be dangerous ! To avoid colliding with animals, I always tried to follow about 50 feet behind other vehicles. When I got near Omaha, I was surprised to see that they have casinos there - a mini Las Vegas "strip", in fact. One sign said "Live Poker". So I had to take a break and go check it out. I ended up playing poker half the night. But I walked out of there with $205 more than when I went in. Funny how that never seems to happen at a coin show.
I left Colorado on August 8 and started driving east. I had an appointment to be the guest speaker at the Montgomery Coin Club meeting near Washington DC on August 10. After driving all the way across the country, I made it to the meeting place with 90 minutes to spare. I enjoyed giving my talk on state quarter designs, and I think it was well received. After the meeting I drove to Ocean City for a week of family vacation. I managed to bruise my ribs while body surfing (the waves were a bit larger than normal). After a week at the beach we drove to my mother-in-law's house near Bel Air MD. I visited a couple local coin shops and got a few good deals on some modestly-valued coins. I went to a local bank and got some rolls of half dollars. I found 4 90% silver coins (1964) and 10 40% silver coins (1965-1969).
I drove my wife and daughter to the airport and then headed for Pittsurgh. I didn't have any particular plans or reservations. So I stayed at a small hotel outside of town a ways and drove to the convention center the first couple days. The Pittburgh convention center is a nice facility. As usual, parking was a bit of an issue, but not too bad.
I went into the show with the idea of looking at some early US Gold - even though I knew that I wouldn't be able to afford any - but I wanted to at least look at some. Other than that, I just wandered the aisles looking for items that caught my eye. It can be quite a challenge finding items that are interesting, unusual, visually appealing, historic, and affordable all at the same time. Lately, fo me, that means exonumia (especially medals). Here are a few items that caught my eye enough to bring home:
The first item is a 1907 Hudson-Fulton commemorative in silver. I'd seen the bronze version before, but never the silver one.
The next item is a French call to arms victory medal from the 1930s. Little did they know, at the tme, what was going to come their way in a few years. I always like WWII-related items, and this is probably my favorite thing I picked up at the show.
I also have an interest in classic cars and the next two medals are right up that alley. One is a General Motors 50-millionth-car-built medal shaped like a flying saucer, showing the 1954 Firebird concept car. The other is a 100th anniversary of the Studebaker Corporation medal - the first one of these I've ever seen.
Having not attended a large show like this for several years, one thing became readily apparent (unfortunately). That being "grade creep" (also known as "grade inflation"). The amount of change was quite shocking, actually. Especially when looking at early US gold. If you are a major dealer and you look at coins every day, you might not notice it much. Sort of like watching your kid grow up - you don't notice day-to-day changes. But if you go away, and then come back to look at the kid a year later, you notice the changes.
I studied all the 1807-1812 Bust $5 coins on the show floor. The vast majority of the ones I saw were overgraded (relative to the standards of 8 years ago) by 3 to 8 points. And I'm not talking about "raw" or "second-rate" slabs here. I'm talking PCGS and NGC. I've studied coins since 1973. I know what I am looking at. I can tell where there is original mint luster - and I can tell where mint luster has been obliterated by cleaning or circulation. I saw more than one coin that had a little bit of mint luster near the stars, but none in the vast majority of the fields. In my book, that means the coin has significant wear. I would grade such a coin AU-53, at best. But the ones I saw were graded MS61 by PCGS and NGC. I cannont accept that. If this grade creep keeps going (and judging by all the "cracking-out" that was being done a the show, it will) then some of the current "third-rate" slabs will start to look pretty good (I'm serious). There was one 1808 Bust $5 that looked "right" to me. It was the only early gold coin at the show that I asked to look at up-close. It was graded NGC MS62. I'd grade it MS61. Close enough ! I had to ask how much it was. Grey Sheet "bid" is around $7000 (*way* beyond my budget). The dealer obviously knew the coin was graded right. They wanted $11000 for it !
I did find a decent quantity of other modestly-priced coins to buy at the show, like XF-AU+ Walking Liberty halves for $2.50-$6.50 each (I'll probably sell most of them on eBay). One dealer who I see at my local coin shows had a few amazing toned 1962-D Franklins for a good price, so I bought all three:
I didn't have a lot of time for cherry-picking varietes, but I did make one score - an AU 1943/2 overdate Walking Liberty half. This variety is not well publicized (but it is listed in the Breen catalog). I think there is some controversy as to whether this is really an overdate or not. The example I found is a fairly early die state. After studying it, I have concluded that it is, indeed, an overdate.
On the 1942 coins, the "2" is a bit farther to the right than where the "3" appears on the 1943 coins. On the overdate, the top curve of the underlying "2" appears mostly to the right of the "3" - right where it should be. The coin I found also shows other die doubling on the obverse that doesn't appear on other 1943 halves I looked at. There are definitely some hubbing "issues" on this coin:
So it was definitely a fun show for looking at coins. What I absolutely didn't expect, however, was that the show turned out to be invaluable because of the people that I was able to meet there.
Walking the floor, I came to the Gallery Mint table. I was able to admire their work up close and I talked with Ron Landis about coinage issues, the US Mint, etc. He remembered our previous meeting at the "Dollar Coin Advisory Committee" meetings in Philadelphia in 1999.
I stopped and talked to James Taylor at the ICG table. He suggested that I go over to the ANA booth and talk to Adna Wilde. I recently submitted a design to Colorado for the state's quarter. That design features the 10th Mountain Division - the famous ski troops that trained in Colordao and fought in Italy in WWII. Adna is the long-time Treasurer of the ANA and he served in the 10th in Colorado and Italy. I talked to him at length about his experiences. I gave him a signed print of my design are he is going to show it around at their next reunion in a month or so.
I passed by the US Mint booth and saw that US Mint director Henrietta Holsman Fore was signing autographs. I coundn't pass up that opportunity so I got in line. When I got up to the table, I handed her a copy of my Nevada design (which I had previously sent to her in a preliminary application for the Mint's recent "Artistic Infusion Program"). She managed a manufacturing business in Las Vegas before becoming the Mint Director. I couldn't tell if she recognized it or not, but she said it was very nice and signed it for me. I really wanted to discuss some things with her, but this was not a good venue to do that (the line had to keep moving). I did see in the printed ANA schedule that there was going to be a US Mint "Collectors Forum" on Saturday, so I planned for that.
At one point during the show I was paged and asked to go to table #106. I found the table and it turned out to be ICG. James Taylor wanted to introduce me to one of the top officers of the Home Shopping Network. I then found out that they have recently been selling some of the "signature" state quarters - including my New York and Rhode Island coins.
Later, while walking around the show I heard an announcement on the PA system about a reception for the artists involved in the designs for the new nickels. It wasn't in my printed schedule, but it sounded interesting so I decided to go. I would have been one of those artists had I been accepted into the Artistic Infusion Program. As it turns out, this reception was THE place to be to meet all the "powerful" people. At the reception, I was able to talk to Henritetta Holsman Fore at length about various issues. I mentioned that I had written a "Viewpoint" column in Coin World concerning my experience with applying for the Artistic Infusion Program. Coin World focused on the part about the Mint not wanting me to submit the key item in my application as a computer-generated design - but rather has a hand (pencil) drawing. My intent with the Viewpoint piece was generally to be supportive of the Artistic Infusion Program and to offer some constructive criticism on coinage design issues. I was really surprised when Director Fore told me that she had read that column ! I happened to have some samples of my work with me (both printed and engraved) so I showed them to her and talked about the digital technology I use. She was extremely gracious and suppotive, taking it all in stride. She encouraged me to apply again for the Artistic Infusion Program when new applications are accepted (possibly next Spring). I also told her about my plan for a Denver Mint 100th anniversary commemorative coin program and she suggested that I come to the US Mint Collector's Forum on Saturday and present it.
At the same reception, I also met the Deputy Director of the US Mint, and US Mint Sculptor/Engraver Joe Fitzgerald (I admired his work which was on display at the reception along with drawings by other artists). And then to top it off, I met Former US Mint Director Jay Johnson. He was really fun to talk to, and we discussed state quarter designs - especially that of Mr. Johnson's home state - Michigan. I showed him a copy of the design I submitted for Michigan, and he signed it for me. As we left the reception, he suggested that I talk to Q. David Bowers who is planning to write a detailed book about the state quarter program.
That night I had dinner with J.P. Martin from ICG and Bob Campbell (former ANA President). Bob is from Utah and we came up with a plan whereby I design a Utah state quarter and he submits it.
The next mornng I attended the US Mint Collector's Forum. I presented my idea whereby the Mint produces Denver Mint 100th anniversary coins. These coins would be EXACTLY like the six coins Denver issued in 1906, but with 2006 dates. Proceeds from the program would be used to build a museum to house some of the Smithsonian's coins which currently do not have a display venue. I'm not sure how well that proposal was received, but the Mint seemed to like it, and one observer told me afterwards that they thought it was a good idea.
Later that morning I located Q. David Bowers at the ANR table. I introduced myself and he recognized me (by name) ! So we sat down and talked about state quarter issues and his book project. I'm sure we will be communicating further.
I also met a couple of folks from the PCGS board there. Sorry, with all the activity at the show, I forgot your IDs !
So that was it - quite an event !
I took the next few days to drive home, visiting a couple of my software customers in the Midwest. I stopped in Morton Illinois to get gas and a snack. At the Taco Bell they had a clear plastic charity donation container on the counter. Someone had deposited a couple of silver quarters in it, but there was no way to get them out (I would have donated $1 each). But I did get back a 1946-D wheat cent in change there.
During the entire trip, I saw only two accidents - both were bad motocycle wrecks. In western Iowa, for some reason, there was an unusually large number of "road kills". Many deer, dozens upon dozens of small critters, and what looked like a Pronghorn Antelope. Driving at night can be dangerous ! To avoid colliding with animals, I always tried to follow about 50 feet behind other vehicles. When I got near Omaha, I was surprised to see that they have casinos there - a mini Las Vegas "strip", in fact. One sign said "Live Poker". So I had to take a break and go check it out. I ended up playing poker half the night. But I walked out of there with $205 more than when I went in. Funny how that never seems to happen at a coin show.
0
Comments
PS: I think the Franklins look cool, but I don't know...good luck with those if you're having them slabbed
TD
Rainbow Stars
Thanks for the great report. I really enjoyed the read and the pics are great. Good luck with your future designs.
<< <i>Wow...nice report...nice stuff!!!
PS: I think the Franklins look cool, but I don't know...good luck with those if you're having them slabbed
Thanks,
I can't see spending $10-$30 to slab a coin that costs $20 in the first place. So no, I wasn't planning to try slabing them. From my observations, the two leading grading companies are almost as likely to slab an AT coin as they are to bag an NT one. These Franklins tend to look NT to me. But how did they get that way ? Was it intentional ? No way to know. Anyhow, I would guess that they are "market acceptable" to the tune of $20 for the one on the right and $40-$50 for the other two.
That post of yours made the list of my ten favorite posts of the year!
But tell me this. WHY? WHY? did you win $205 AFTER going to the coin show instead of BEFORE! You had it backwards!
How in the world they didn't pick your design for the Wisconsin quarter is beyond me. It was great.
I think the Bruce Fox book on WLHs said the 1943 wasn't an overdate, but yours (especially the 3rd closeup photo of the date, showing the straight line in the lower loop of the 3) looks pretty convincing.
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
<< <i>dcarr:
That post of yours made the list of my ten favorite posts of the year!
But tell me this. WHY? WHY? did you win $205 AFTER going to the coin show instead of BEFORE! You had it backwards!
Thanks,
indeed backwards yes. As to why, I can only answer "don't know".
Thanks for stopping to chat at the show - I always enjoy meeting folks from this board or elsewhere. I wish I'd been able to meet a few more - maybe next time.
On that 1943/2 (?) half, maybe I should write to Bruce Fox. I'd image that the shallow line in the lower part of the "3" would be the first thing to disappear as the die wears - so only the very early die states would show it. I have the same coin in a much later die state and hardly any of the detail (even at the top of the "3") shows.
09/07/2006
You've made a convincing photographic case for the overdate.
Thanks for the post.
Ken
Camelot
<< <i>I have quite a few different of that GM design but somehow that particular one has eluded me.
>>
I've seen a number of different GM "Motorama" pieces from the mid-1950s, and other related items.
But I've only see three examples of the this large medal ever ( I own two of them
In case you're curious, I paid $75 for the first one and $45 for this latest one.
FYI, here is the other side:
Great report and nice medals. Show us some more of your SQ designs.
every treasure on Earth
to be young at heart?
And as rich as you are,
it's much better by far,
to be young at heart!