Brief Baltimore report
Barry
Posts: 10,100 ✭✭✭
Just got home...
For me, the show was disappointing. I am looking for just a handful of specific dates and varieties of early dimes, which are not easy to find. Even so, this is the first Balto show that I've ever come home empty-handed.
Floor traffic seemed about the usual for a Friday. Ran into several regulars I meet every show. I saw Mark Feld and paid him what I owed him (it was my check he tore up by accident, and no, I didn't ask him for the pieces.) I met Wei Chang for the first time, or some 12 year old kid claiming to be him - I asked to speak to his father, but he wouldn't let me
) Chatted with CCU a bit about the fact NGC slabs holed medals. I guess that makes sense as these medals were made to be worn on a chain. I met Poorguy for the first time. Chatted with Ira Stein for a bit and he was saying he couldn't find any type coins to buy, only some Lincolns.
There seemed to be tons of Jules Revier slabs in dealer cases. My impression of the Reiver auction is there were a lot of mediocre coins that went for way too high prices. Maybe I was right.
And the highlight of the show... After walking by the table at umpteen past shows and never saying anything, I finally decided to introduce myself to Laura Legend . She called me a few names (something about being that mean guy), we chatted briefly about her favorite subject (wannabees) and then it was time for lunch. Met up with Tootawl and another Laura who Tootawl knows from the Currency Forum and off to the Wharf Rat we went. Most of the usual suspects were not in attendance.
That's all folks.
For me, the show was disappointing. I am looking for just a handful of specific dates and varieties of early dimes, which are not easy to find. Even so, this is the first Balto show that I've ever come home empty-handed.
Floor traffic seemed about the usual for a Friday. Ran into several regulars I meet every show. I saw Mark Feld and paid him what I owed him (it was my check he tore up by accident, and no, I didn't ask him for the pieces.) I met Wei Chang for the first time, or some 12 year old kid claiming to be him - I asked to speak to his father, but he wouldn't let me
) Chatted with CCU a bit about the fact NGC slabs holed medals. I guess that makes sense as these medals were made to be worn on a chain. I met Poorguy for the first time. Chatted with Ira Stein for a bit and he was saying he couldn't find any type coins to buy, only some Lincolns.There seemed to be tons of Jules Revier slabs in dealer cases. My impression of the Reiver auction is there were a lot of mediocre coins that went for way too high prices. Maybe I was right.
And the highlight of the show... After walking by the table at umpteen past shows and never saying anything, I finally decided to introduce myself to Laura Legend . She called me a few names (something about being that mean guy), we chatted briefly about her favorite subject (wannabees) and then it was time for lunch. Met up with Tootawl and another Laura who Tootawl knows from the Currency Forum and off to the Wharf Rat we went. Most of the usual suspects were not in attendance.
That's all folks.
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Comments
<< <i>I met Wei Chang for the first time, or some 12 year old kid claiming to be him >>
Russ, NCNE
Remember, if you say "Slab-Caddy" at the door, you get in free.
Joe
<< <i>I met Wei Chang for the first time, or some 12 year old kid claiming to be him - I asked to speak to his father, but he wouldn't let me
I met him at the Santa Clara show. Great guy ... looks about 12. I wish I aged that well
No muggings?
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
collections: Maryland related coins & exonumia, 7070 Type set, and Video Arcade Tokens.
The Low Budget Y2K Registry Set
<< <i>You people in and around the big shows.............suck!...............just in case you forgot. >>
You might have a point; the last ANA big show in your area was Boston, 1982.
Joe
<< <i>
<< <i>I met Wei Chang for the first time, or some 12 year old kid claiming to be him >>
Russ, NCNE >>
It'll be a pleasure for me to meet you as well, so don't be jealous. It's safe to say it'll be the highlight of your life.
On the other hand, the sight of Russ in my presence would probably cause my eyes to liquify into blood.
Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
I am so sorry that I missed the noon meeting today but even though I left at 6 am from upstate New York, we did not arrive until 1:30pm!!! We were stuck on the NJ Turnpike for 2 1/2 hours in which we crawled 4 miles in 2 1/2 hours!!!! By then we threw in the towel and decided to have lunch before arriving.
Whenever you go to a show looking for only a few specific items that are rare you will probably go home disappointed.
I went to the show also on Friday and got quite a few good buys but only came home with one coin that i was really looking for. And 9 other coins. I have never been dissapointed by any Baltimore show that i ever went to.
(my want list is bigger than yours) . Bob
Bob, you're right, but I still enjoy going to the show. It makes finding times on my want list more of a thrill.
One more thing I wanted to mention, but forgot in my original post. The dumbest dealer award goes to the guy who had a sign on his case saying "Marked prices are for dealers. Collectors add 10%." How's that for a clever marketing tactic?
Are there any reports on just how many downgrades were given out ?
There is a major heat wave on the East coast and even into Boston.Isn't it vacation time ?
I heard the graders were on vacation and laughing while sipping their mojitos
Stewart
I noticed that the PCGS employees were much more hardworking, friendly and actually helpful than in the past. It appears Ron Guth has been a positive influence on the floor in the area of customer service. The PCGS tables seemed reasonably busy during the day. NGC seemed slighly less busy and NGC was also not slow either.
Ron Guth gave me one of his "business cards." It was an intriging one. Thanks, Ron.
I finally met Kieferscoins at the ICG tables after all these years and it was a pleasant meet. He is a pleasant young man who gets along with the customers. It would not surprise me to see him higher up in a few years.
Also met IdahoGirl at ANACS. Another pleasant gal as well. I still do not like those new ANACS holders too much.
The heat wave was only beginning in Baltimore and it did not seem too bad. Indeed, the show traffic was a bit slow but rest assured I sat at the Legend tables near the very end of the day reviewing their coins with George H. The entire Legend crew including Laura stayed right in their booth throughout the entire day.
Julian of Leidman was incredibly busy with many customers but he always has time for the handshake and the hellos. A most pleasant fellow! I couldn't get close enough to see his goodies!
I also met with "poorguy" and he had some interesting medals for me to mull over. I was surprised I had not really known about them. Anaconda always has some pretty coins but did not study them in great depth.
This is not considered a bellweather show as it is indeed vacation time. Personally, i wouild love to see just two Baltimore shows a year instead of the three.
Regardless, it was a very PQ coin. He was thrilled. Nice to see collectors still getting thrilled once in a while. It helps them to keep going!
He admitted to me that he discovered the coin only after he stopped looking for it since it was so difficult to find in the high end circulated grades. He indeed has a nice Dansco set of type coins!
Congratulations Tootawl!
<< <i>Met up with Tootawl and another Laura who Tootawl knows from the Currency Forum >>
Better not let Tootawl's wife find out...
or else he may not be Tootawl riding in the saddle!!
If I only had a dollar for every VAM I have...err...nevermind...I do!!
My "Fun With 21D" Die State Collection - QX5 Pics Attached
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<< <i>Whenever you go to a show looking for only a few specific items that are rare you will probably go home disappointed.
Bob, you're right, but I still enjoy going to the show. It makes finding times on my want list more of a thrill.
One more thing I wanted to mention, but forgot in my original post. The dumbest dealer award goes to the guy who had a sign on his case saying "Marked prices are for dealers. Collectors add 10%." How's that for a clever marketing tactic? >>
First, sorry about not making lunch, Barry. As you know, I have a lot of my non-food plate at the moment and reduced time at this show. Next time, as always in the past, for sure!!!!!!
I laughed when I saw that sign. Talk about not wanting to be bothered by anyone.
As for Laura, well....I looked at one coin and asked a price. She told her associate (who told me) that they was taking a loss on the coin. I didn't buy the coin but I couldn't feel sorry for any major dealer who takes a loss. If they make a bad decision in buying....same as if we do.
I agree with you, I couldn't find much. I came with a specific list. Since I wasn't sure I could make it until late the night before, I asked Jon Rosenthal to look for my list on dealer day if he could. When I arrived, he said he didn't find anything. Like you, I'm really only looking for one thing (very nicely toned classic commems above MS 65) so that's part of the game. I was looking for a PQ toned Vermont in 66 but I couldn't find a thing that my current 65 didn't beat by a mile. Two very honest dealers (I won't mention because neither are the owners, rather employees), looked at mine and told me what I knew, that their respective 66's were not as good as my 65.
I did get lucky though with one nice PCGS 66 Cinncinati from Adrian, after a little confusion on the initial trade-in offer. Nice rim toning on about half of each side.
I just wanted one of the new gold uncirculated Indians and got a pretty fair price on one. Since all my other gold (lower end type set) is NGC slabbed, I bought (ashamed to say) a "first strike) for $25 above the day's spot. Kept me from having to send it in myself. As always, no MS anythings are created equal. I looked at a dozen of the MS69 "First Strikes" before grabbing the best one (and the only one I couldn't find a flaw under 10x) for my own.
Definitely lunch next time, maybe even on me.
Now there's a good deal!
Good to see you again, Bob.
<< <i> You people in and around the big shows.............suck!...............just in case you forgot. >>
I second that.
<< <i>My impression of the Reiver auction is there were a lot of mediocre coins that went for way too high prices. >>
Finally, someone says it.
or else he may not be Tootawl riding in the saddle!!
...............................
I can't swear to it, but if I was a betting man I'd bet that Tootawl is not married!
The selection or circ walkers was better than usual. Plenty of Morgans... There were decent later bust halfs from the 1830's. It seems that better material that is original is bringing strong money... or at least most dealers are asking strong money.
I bought a Trade Dollar and that was it for US... I had better luck selling than buying.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
“There seemed to be tons of Jules Revier slabs in dealer cases. My impression of the Reiver auction is there were a lot of mediocre coins that went for way too high prices. Maybe I was right.”
Barry,
Jules Reiver did in fact have many rare varieties, but you are very correct in that many mediocre coins went at high prices. Looking back on that sale I think collectors, and even dealers, got tied up in the Reiver mystique. Many of these more common coins are now showing up on websites, on Ebay, and in shows at reduced prices. I have bought a few coins over the last several weeks at 15% to 20% back of the original selling prices in that auction.
Oh man...she'll be psssttt!