GSNA Show Report- Day 2 (Friday, May 20)
airplanenut
Posts: 22,301 ✭✭✭✭✭
Day 1
With a note to get out of school, I got to sleep in late today to get to the show by 10:00am. While the weather was miserable, with heavy rain, traffic wasn't too bad, though a bit slower. Since I had done some looking yesterday, and had a general idea of what was available, I went to look more closely today.
First, I noticed a lot of gold. Unfortunately, not a whole lot looked really nice and original... one quarter eagle I picked up was a blazing AU... and way too yellow to be natural. The coins that looked most consistently original were circulated gold pieces, which weren't too hard to find. Indeed, I saw a huge number of mintmarked gold (namely D and C)... many more than I usually see at a show, albeit I've never paid close attention at one of the major shows I've been to. For the mintmarked gold, there were coins ranging from AG to MS, and most looked quite nice. Two high reliefs were also at the show, and both were beauties to behold.
There was also an abundance of more modern type coins--babers and later. Many circulated pieces, though, just didn't look dark enough to me--whether it's because my taste is such that I like a really dark one, or perhaps because they really weren't all that nice. Some, though, had incredible looks, and were pleasures to see. Nothing, though, was captivating enough for me to buy in this department.
As much as I noticed the above, I also noticed the lack of some coins. Toned pieces were almost impossible to find--even morgans with nice color were extremely few and far between. In addition, proof Indians seemed to be very scarce at the show--maybe I saw five or six total, and none with any interesting color to them--at least not flamboyant. Bill Nagle, whom I met yesterday, had a few nice ones with some light, but very attractive color. His table was by far the most colorful, and it was a pleasure to meet him and talk with him.
As far as traffic went, it wasn't as busy as I had expected. Perhaps the weather kept some off the highways, but it really didn't seem as busy as last year. That said, there was some more noise filling the bourse, compared to yesterday, when I just stopped to listen. I overheard one dealer say, though, that business was much slower today than yesterday.
Over the course of the day, I found it nice to sit down and talk with a few people. I spent a lot of time with Bill Shamhart, and saw some incredible and unique items--and learned a bit about them, as well. As with yesterday, his advice was very valuable, and taken right to heart. I believe, with what he said today, I nearly instantly became a pickier buyer. Of course, the only coin I did get today was from him
. I'll post pictures later, but it's an MS63 baber quarter with extremely original color. Like the two pieces I got yesterday, it's no monster, but just couldn't be more original. Bill also covered for lunch, which included some great cheesecake from the food stand... really, really good cheesecake! I must have spent a few hours sitting and talking with him. I also spent some time talking about copper with Doug Bird right before I left.
All-in-all, it wasn't a bad show, as the knowledge I acquired was probably far more valuable than the three coins I picked up. I think it's important to always remember that you can always learn more.
Jeremy
With a note to get out of school, I got to sleep in late today to get to the show by 10:00am. While the weather was miserable, with heavy rain, traffic wasn't too bad, though a bit slower. Since I had done some looking yesterday, and had a general idea of what was available, I went to look more closely today.
First, I noticed a lot of gold. Unfortunately, not a whole lot looked really nice and original... one quarter eagle I picked up was a blazing AU... and way too yellow to be natural. The coins that looked most consistently original were circulated gold pieces, which weren't too hard to find. Indeed, I saw a huge number of mintmarked gold (namely D and C)... many more than I usually see at a show, albeit I've never paid close attention at one of the major shows I've been to. For the mintmarked gold, there were coins ranging from AG to MS, and most looked quite nice. Two high reliefs were also at the show, and both were beauties to behold.
There was also an abundance of more modern type coins--babers and later. Many circulated pieces, though, just didn't look dark enough to me--whether it's because my taste is such that I like a really dark one, or perhaps because they really weren't all that nice. Some, though, had incredible looks, and were pleasures to see. Nothing, though, was captivating enough for me to buy in this department.
As much as I noticed the above, I also noticed the lack of some coins. Toned pieces were almost impossible to find--even morgans with nice color were extremely few and far between. In addition, proof Indians seemed to be very scarce at the show--maybe I saw five or six total, and none with any interesting color to them--at least not flamboyant. Bill Nagle, whom I met yesterday, had a few nice ones with some light, but very attractive color. His table was by far the most colorful, and it was a pleasure to meet him and talk with him.
As far as traffic went, it wasn't as busy as I had expected. Perhaps the weather kept some off the highways, but it really didn't seem as busy as last year. That said, there was some more noise filling the bourse, compared to yesterday, when I just stopped to listen. I overheard one dealer say, though, that business was much slower today than yesterday.
Over the course of the day, I found it nice to sit down and talk with a few people. I spent a lot of time with Bill Shamhart, and saw some incredible and unique items--and learned a bit about them, as well. As with yesterday, his advice was very valuable, and taken right to heart. I believe, with what he said today, I nearly instantly became a pickier buyer. Of course, the only coin I did get today was from him
. I'll post pictures later, but it's an MS63 baber quarter with extremely original color. Like the two pieces I got yesterday, it's no monster, but just couldn't be more original. Bill also covered for lunch, which included some great cheesecake from the food stand... really, really good cheesecake! I must have spent a few hours sitting and talking with him. I also spent some time talking about copper with Doug Bird right before I left.All-in-all, it wasn't a bad show, as the knowledge I acquired was probably far more valuable than the three coins I picked up. I think it's important to always remember that you can always learn more.
Jeremy
JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
0
Comments
<< <i>I saw a huge number of mintmarked gold (namely D and C)... >>
Please define "huge number". And dealer names please.
I hear he also knows a bit about basketball.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Probably at least 20 different C and D coins... since I rarely see them at all, that was a huge number for me. Don't have dealer names, thoughh... sorry... there were a few at New World Rarities, though--that I remember.
<< <i>I also spent some time talking about copper with Larry Bird right before I left.
I hear he also knows a bit about basketball. >>
My bad
Any wisdom from "Obi Wan" coincrank that you'd care to pass on to us mere mortals?
What, no stop at John Burns?
Check out the Southern Gold Society
<< <i>Any wisdom from "Obi Wan" coincrank that you'd care to pass on to us mere mortals? >>
Here's one... if it takes you a while to decide whether or not to purchase something, don't buy it. There's a reason it took you a while.
Also, some good jokes... what did Dela ware? A new jersey
Jeremy, if you wouldn't mind could you elaborate on the comments he made and the stuff you talked about?
<< <i>I believe, with what he said today, I nearly instantly became a pickier buyer.
Jeremy, if you wouldn't mind could you elaborate on the comments he made and the stuff you talked about? >>
One coin in particular, which sparked some discussion, was a type 1 buffalo in a green-label NGC holder, MS66. The coin was nice, and had the typical rough surfaces. What attracted me to the coin was some vibrant green toning in front of the Indian's face. I took the coin over to get his opinion (partly because I was really unsure of what the grade sells for), and he was quick to point out that the only spot where the lustre really was nice was the toned spot. While attractive, I would be buying the coin for 5% of it, while the rest of the coin was rather drab and lacklustre. So as I looked at more coins today, I found myself looking at the more closely, and questioning what about them I really did like. I subsequently passed on quite a few coins, and thinking back, am still glad I did so.
Jeremy
Better yet, if it takes you a while to decide if YOU LIKE SOMETHING, don't buy it.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.