Baltimore report

Barry

I know you guys have been waiting with baited breath.

First, for anyone comping home via I-95 North. Traffic was a nightmare! I left the show today at 2:30, called my wife and told her I should be home about 4:30. I just walked in the door about 15 minutes ago (6 PM.) At the MD/DE border, just north of the toll, I-95 is only one lane due to construction. It took me an hour to go about 5 miles. My advice - get off I-95 at Elkton, MD and take Rte 40 E (it parallels I-95) until you see signs for I-495/Delware Mem Bridge. Get back on there. It's about a 15-20 mile stretch on Rt. 40.

Next, the show...

I am only looking for a few very specific coins (early dimes) so my expectations aren't high in finding them. The last Balto show, I bought nothing. This show, I did find one coin from my list - an 1820 dime in AU, JR-13, which I bought from Larry Briggs. Nice looking coin, and it is an upgrade for another 1820 Large 0 dime in my Bust Dime set.

The number of dealers was HUGE, with about 50% more space in use than a year ago. The floor wasn't particularly crowded and lots of dealers standing around looking bored. However, every dealer I spoke with said business was good. I met quite a few forum member and dealers. Yes, Brandon is still alive, and he confessed that he ate dinner last night. Forum dealers I chatted with included CCU, Scarsdale Coin, Mr. Eureka, and Julian (hope I'm not forgetting anyone.)

A highlight for me was meeting fellow Seated Dime collector, Gerry Fortin, proudly standing over his complete Seated Dime collection next to Dick Osburn's table. Outstanding collection, Gerry!

I also got to see a 1913 Lib Nick displayed at the ANR/Stacks table, which is to be auctioned in the near future. Nice looking coin, but I don't think I'll be bidding...

A bunch of forum members gathered about 12:30 to meet for lunch. The bulk of the gang decided on a food court, but tmitssr and I decided we wanted to be served, so we headed to the usual spot, the Wharf Rat. It was very crowded with a 25+ minute wait, so we went next door to DSX (?) which was probably a mistake. The food was good, but it took an HOUR to get it. The manager apologized and gave us a 50% discount. It probably would have been quicker to wait for the table at the Wharf Rat. The weather was unusual for November - it was about 75 degress and sunny at lunchtime. Beautiful day.

I think that's all folks.

Leiana

Thanks for the report! Too bad about the traffic.

-Amanda

Hyperion

huge traffic report.

Longacre

Thanks for the report.

That's why Longacre flies to Baltimore.

Bochiman

Barry,

Your report is incomplete. Is the market bullish, bearish, or what?

NumisOxide

Nice report.

oreville

<< <i>At the MD/DE border, just north of the toll, I-95 is only one lane due to construction. It took me an hour to go about 5 miles. My advice - get off I-95 at Elkton, MD and take Rte 40 E (it parallels I-95) until you see signs for I-495/Delware Mem Bridge. Get back on there. It's about a 15-20 mile stretch on Rt. 40. >>



Will this still apply tomorrow/Saturday?

Barry

<< <i>Barry,

Your report is incomplete. Is the market bullish, bearish, or what?

>>


Yes, that is correct
All I can say is the one coin I bought was priced at Graysheet Bid.


<< At the MD/DE border, just north of the toll, I-95 is only one lane due to construction. It took me an hour to go about 5 miles. My advice - get off I-95 at Elkton, MD and take Rte 40 E (it parallels I-95) until you see signs for I-495/Delware Mem Bridge. Get back on there. It's about a 15-20 mile stretch on Rt. 40. >>

Will this still apply tomorrow/Saturday?

It didn't look like a short-term lane closure to me. You'll be able to see it on your way down and judge for yourself.

tcmitssr

Yeah Barry, we'd have done better with the 25 minute wait. Great to have lunch with you, again, my good friend.

As for a show report, if you are interested in PQ classic silver commems, this was a very weak show. Sure, there were lots of them and there was an equal amount of crap.

OTOH, I bought a PCGS 66 PanPac and Vancouver that are outstanding! Both are 50-50 for a 67. Both are attractively toned, sharply struck and mark free. The price was about 20 percent more than ask. Both came from, who else?, Warren Mills of RCNH. There's nothing else to say but that Warren is nicknamed "the Eye" for one reason...he is the best in the business and that's across the spectrum of coin type.

I then had two old ones to sell in order to pay the frieght of purchasing from Warren. They weren't good enough for Warren to buy (as he only puts out top shelf material and sells to dealers those that dont qualify). He told me what they should go for when I tried to sell them.

Off I went to sell my Vancouver and PanPac in PCGS 65. Both were immediately sold at a nice price with very little discussion. As I casually mentioned that "Warren said", you could see the other dealers ears pick up and the deals were, profitably, closed.

airplanenut

<< <i><< At the MD/DE border, just north of the toll, I-95 is only one lane due to construction. It took me an hour to go about 5 miles. My advice - get off I-95 at Elkton, MD and take Rte 40 E (it parallels I-95) until you see signs for I-495/Delware Mem Bridge. Get back on there. It's about a 15-20 mile stretch on Rt. 40. >>

Will this still apply tomorrow/Saturday?

It didn't look like a short-term lane closure to me. You'll be able to see it on your way down and judge for yourself. >>

This is a very long-term project. My brother's at Penn, and he said it's major construction that's been a problem for a while, and isn't expected to go away for a while, either.

MikeKing

thanks for the report, and that's a really nice 1820!

coinkat

I feel better... I missed the auction...