My first major Coin Show, Baltimore Coin and Currency

Goldbully

I've only been to a few local coins shows in my life, so today's trip to the Baltimore Convention Center was most exciting.

First, let me say, I live in Baltimore County so I decided to take the Light Rail into the city.

I got off 2 stops early and had lunch at the Lexington Market......Since 1782.

I highly recommend that experience to any out of state forum members.

I then walked the 5 or so city blocks to the Convention Center.

As I entered tha Hall, I marvelled at the HUGE amount of Gold and Silver coins at most every table.

I then started looking at the exhibitors signs and began to recognize many of the names discussed here on the forum.

I just walked around and did not say much to any of the dealers until I met Dick Osburn.

I spent at least 15 minutes talking and mostly listening to his great stories.

I told him he has a great reputation at the CU Foum, and he said he most appreciates it.

He truly loves the big coin shows, as it fuels his stellar Liberty Seated and Bust coin collection.

At around 2:00pm I decided to check out the PCGS booth.

I conveniently had a 1916-S Mercury dime that came back in a very recent PCGS BB.

There he was, Ron Guth, President of PCGS.....should I???

I introduced myself, and mentioned that I had sent in around 12 submissions to his company in the past year.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, I pulled out the dime and asked him to explain why my coin was BB'd because of Altered Surface.

He examined it with his loupe and did a double take, but said the coin had been lightly cleaned, even though he saw no hairlines.

I must assume Altered Surface is a tough call on their part.

He told me, he used to buy a lot of those dimes back in the day, and they fooled him too.

I really enjoyed his candor and availability to the public.

My favorite part of our conversation was when I mentioned this great forum to him.

He asked me what my handle was, and when I said Goldbully, he and one of his employees had a nice chuckle.

I told Ron that one of the forum favorites is Russ, and asked if he knew him.

Mr. Guth's response, "Who, the Coin Ferengi?"

That made my day.

I'm coming back on Saturday for more education, and perhaps buy a nice addition.


Thanks for reading this.


GB

ScarsdaleCoin

Glad you had a great day.... stop bye and say hello .... we are at table #305

Great Coins

Free Candy

Pentimento

That is a very funny/quirky story.

fc

excellent report. thanks for sharing.

LeeBone

Great post

jmski52

That would be a very cool day, in my book. Thanks for sharing.

Garneteye

Great report, thanks!

Dan

TwoSides2aCoin

You are a gifted storyteller. I enjoyed the read, immensely.

Goldbully

Wow, thanks for your great replies!!!!!!!!!

I'll let you know about my Saturday exploits!!

au58

Dick Osburn has a lot of very nice inventory. If you like coins with "original skin" ask to see the 1846 Seated Dollar. It was in a holder, AU55 I think, but I don't remember which grading service.

MidLifeCrisis

Good story...thanks for posting. Since you're going back on Saturday, I recommend you stop by and see Colonial Coin Union at the Coin Rarities Online table and Regulated at the Kagin's table. They both love to talk coins. There are several others as well. Have fun and make sure to give us an update Saturday night.

yellowjacket

I spoke to Dick Osbourne today as well. I mentioned to him his good reputation on these boards. He was appreciative; however, after hearing it from the rest of you, he may be getting a swelled head. But I seriously doubt it.

The show was enjoyable for the opportunity to sell and buy, look and talk, meet and greet. I sold four coins while acquiring an excellent Buffalo for my registry set. Julian Leidman, Rich Uhrich, Mercury Coins, Harry Laibstain and many others were good stopping points for me.

All in all, a great day in Baltimore!

Garrow

Goldbully

Well, I came back to the show Saturday looking to buy my first trade dollar.

The selection in my price range and grade was slim IMHO.

I finally zeroed in on J.J. Teaparty's booth.... J.J. Teaparty

They had several offerings, as well as many other nice oldies.

I met a young man named Brian Cushing who was most helpful and full of personality.

He told me how he is the official coin pic photographer for the Teaparty Website.

After viewing the site, I am most impressed with his coin pics, as he does not have any high end equipment.

He mentioned that he is in awe of Brandon's(Anaconda) photo work.

I told him about Russ's coin photos, so I sent him a link.....Bet he'll be impressed with him too!!

He introduced me to Liz Coggin, JJ's buyer/seller.....I hear she has a great reputation for finding those hard to get coins..

Oh yea, I ended up buying my first trade dollar....a nicely toned 1877 PCGS MS62, I love it!!!!

As you guys would say, you must have the coin in hand to really appreciate it.

Great pic from Brian, but it's even nicer in hand.



I spent the rest of the day looking, listening, and learning.....now that's alliteration!!

One point of interest, I was at the far end of the hall, when a very pretty lady called me over to her booth.

On her table were several Dremel-looking tools with an unusual cutting tool attached.

She and her husband(?) were showing a video of a product they call The Original CoinCracker™.

Here's the Link.

I report, you decide.


Finally, I decide I'm coming back on Sunday...I just can't get enough.

Now, I wanted my first Liberty Seated Half.

When I got to the show at 2:00PM, 80% of the dealers had vanished......where's Dick Osburn, darn??????

Well, I had been lurking at the Yellow River booth both Friday and Saturday, and saw that Dick Quitmeyer was one of the few remaining dealers.

All of his beautiful cases were still on display.

He had quite a nice Friday and Saturday by my estimation....I couldn't even get a question in edgewise.

Today was different.

We had a nice meeting of the minds, with no interuptions.

I ended up buying another toned coin....an 1861 Liberty Seated Half PCGS MS63.

Dick was most helpful, and made my decision quite easy.

Here is a pic from his Website.....again, much nicer in my hand.



In summary, I really enjoyed my weekend experience.

I spent more money than I promised myself, but I am quite happy with my 2 new babies.

I spent nothing on the education, and that's the best thing.

bidask

Ahhh, nothing like memories of going to the first big coin show........you stoked mine from the 1970 ANA.