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San Antonio Coin Show Report 17 November

BarndogBarndog Posts: 20,510 ✭✭✭✭✭
when I woke up this morning, one of the first things I did was read the Friday report on the coinraritiesonline web page. Reading that report got me excited for the possibilities at the 50-dealer (?) show near my home. The Alamo Coin Club held a show at the Live Oak Civic Center today and I was there for the 9:30 opening. I visited every table more than once in the 90 minutes I was at the show. Primarily, I was looking for capped bust half dimes, raw or slabbed, to add to my collection. A secondary goal was to see if I might find some AU-MS certified coins for my type set. There was one quality half dime on the floor -- an 1834 LM-3 (common die marriage) that has been dipped, but is still lustrous, and graded AU-58 (raw). The coin has been in the same dealer's case for about three years, touted as the "3 over inverted 3" Redbook variety (which it is). My set piece is a much more original PCGS AU-58 that cost me lots less than the price of this coin (asking $380). The rest of the very few bust half dimes on the floor were unimpressive. I found none that were certified. I found zippo insofar as certified type coins are concerned either. I looked at a PCGS AU-55 Trade Dollar, but passed due to negative eye appeal. I passed on an inexpensive PCGS MS-62 Texas Commem (it was a very blah-looking white coin). I left the show empty handed, which is no fun. I did see richardshipp and got to meet his parents, so that was the highlight of the show for me. I sure do look forward to FUN 2008!

Comments

  • DUIGUYDUIGUY Posts: 7,252 ✭✭✭
    Thanks for the report.

    Empty handed, BUMMER ! image
    “A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly."



    - Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
  • STONESTONE Posts: 15,275
    Good report, but that's too bad you left empty handed.

    Have fun at FUN image
  • SDSportsFanSDSportsFan Posts: 5,168 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I was at the show too, and also left empty-handed image

    First show I've ever been to where I couldn't find anything to buy image


    Steve
  • More money to spend at FUN!
  • thanks for the report; sure glad I didn't drive up there today; that's 6 hours of gas saved!
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks for the report... too bad the show was such a disappointment... Cheers, RickO
  • fcfc Posts: 12,793 ✭✭✭
    nice report. i am worried we will be disappointed on future outings
    more and more.
  • SDSportsFanSDSportsFan Posts: 5,168 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>More money to spend at FUN! >>




    Or in my case, the Money Show of the Southwest in two weeks


    Steve
  • cmerlo1cmerlo1 Posts: 7,943 ✭✭✭✭✭
    There seem to be more than a couple of Forum members in the SA area- maybe we should have a Forum meet-and-greet at the next one...
    You Suck! Awarded 6/2008- 1901-O Micro O Morgan, 8/2008- 1878 VAM-123 Morgan, 9/2022 1888-O VAM-1B3 H8 Morgan | Senior Regional Representative- ANACS Coin Grading. Posted opinions on coins are my own, and are not an official ANACS opinion.
  • FullStepJeffsFullStepJeffs Posts: 1,874 ✭✭✭
    I'm in for the meet and greet.

    I loved the show... I found 6 RPMs and a DDO.

    Steve
    U.S. Air Force Security Forces Retired

    In memory of the USAF Security Forces lost: A1C Elizabeth N. Jacobson, 9/28/05; SSgt Brian McElroy, 1/22/06; TSgt Jason Norton, 1/22/06; A1C Lee Chavis, 10/14/06; SSgt John Self, 5/14/07; A1C Jason Nathan, 6/23/07; SSgt Travis Griffin, 4/3/08; 1Lt Joseph Helton, 9/8/09; SrA Nicholas J. Alden, 3/3/2011. God Bless them and all those who have lost loved ones in this war. I will never forget their loss.
  • SeattleSlammerSeattleSlammer Posts: 10,047 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yeah, it can be a bummer to leave a show empty handed.....but at least you didn't grab something and regret it later....you know, the old "man, I swear this thing looked better on the bourse!?"

  • KaelasdadKaelasdad Posts: 1,232 ✭✭✭
    I was also very disappointed, very few graded coins, most everything was raw, one guy tried to trade me one of his raw peace dollars that was so obviously hairlined I looked at him like he was nuts when he said he busted it out of an ANACS AU-55 because he thought it was MS.

    One dealer had the latest Rare Coin magazine on his table with the 4 proof presidentials on the cover, but no presidentials, except for raw madisons he was selling for $1.25 each. A little old lady asked to buy some for her grandkids and he said sure, $1.25 each maam. I asked her if she had the Jefferson dollar, and when she said no, I pulled out what I had and sold her $6 for $6. I told her very nicely, infront of the guy, that I was glad to see her taking an interest in the new coins, and that she should be able to buy these directly from the bank for face value. The dealer had told me earlier, before she had shown up that people were fools to get coins graded, and no way he was looking at presidential dollars as they were just junk. I found that attitude quite frequently at the show.

    I also overheard one very loud show person that they were considering raising the admission fee to $2, because at $1, all the non serious riffraff lookyloos were clogging up the place, and dealers need serious buyers. He was positive that a $2 admission would accomplish that goal, and keep the trash out. I felt sorry for the people walking around, knowing that we were all riffraff for looking at the coins and not buying at each table.

    One dealer told me that a guy came in with a PCGS First Strike Pr70DCAM Washington dollar, the dealer told him it was worth $4, and all this grading was for the birds. He said the guy left all pissed off--no wonder.

    I was not impressed by the quality of dealers at the show-there were a few nice guys, there were a few nice coins, but man, you really had to look for them.
  • richardshipprichardshipp Posts: 5,647 ✭✭✭
    It was nice to see Barndog at the show as well. As my parents are in town visiting I asked them if they wanted to go to the show with me and they were curious so they went. When I walked in it looked as if time had stood still since the last show..... same faces in the same places and for the most part the same coins... at least that was the impression I had.

    We cruised around and as my parents aren't "into coins"; I'd suggested that they leave their money in their pockets. I wasn't really in a position to add anything of note but thought I'd see what I could find and I also wanted to pick up a little silver. Lots and lots of raw coins to be found; most of the slabbed stuff looked familiar. One guy still has the same 1853 half (Anacs) that I've eyed for quite a while but I just can't pull the trigger on.

    I didn't see anything of note in the early commems.

    I finally decided to just get some silver and go; so I started seeking the best price on a roll of silver eagles... wow... pricing was all over the place 15.75 ea to 17.00 ea by the roll. Anyway I ended up not buying any ASE's and instead just bought one Sunshine mint 10 oz bar from a guy I know because I like him.

    I did have one moment of adrenaline rush... I looked up ahead of me and to my fright saw my Dad; he had pulled cash out of his wallet and was handing it to a dealer, so I rush over and ask him what he's doing. He said here and hands me a coin. He says this is for you and that way you will never forget what year I was born... He hands me a pretty nice 1936 Washington Quarter in a small flip. The coin is marked XF and looks to be an easy XF with that nice original look to it. He wouldn't tell me what he paid for it but the flip was marked $8.

    Anyway it was a good time but nothing to add to the sets I am building. I'll always keep my Dads quarter though.

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