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Baltimore: Attendance up, experts report "many opportunities"
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Attendance Up at Baltimore Summer Show
Experts Report a “Buyer’s Market,” Many Opportunities
BALTIMORE, June 17, 2009 — Attendance at the June 11–14, 2009, Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo was up 10% over 2008, said general manager David Crenshaw. The Maryland State Numismatic Association awarded its first exhibit prizes at the show and inaugurated a new speaker series. In nearby Washington, DC, the Smithsonian Institution debuted its new numismatic display.
An Overview of the Market
Hobby experts at the show report that the overall slow market has created opportunities for collectors. “The recent pause in rare-coin prices has slowed the flow of new material entering the market,” said Jeff Garrett of Mid-American Rare Coin Galleries. “Buyers are more fussy, but there is plenty of money out there. At the same time, if a dealer has something buyers want, they can still get their asking price.”
“Even with the slower market, there have been bright spots,” said Q. David Bowers of Stack’s Rare Coins. “Choice, interesting, and rare pieces are seeing auction activity. Interest in gold bullion has been more in focus in the past six months than in any other recent time.” Bowers sees a silver lining for today’s collectors. “A coin that was a hot ticket at $5,000 last year would be advantageous to own today at $4,000,” he said. “When market prices are down, as they are now in many series, it would seem to be a good time to buy just about any coin, token, medal, or bank note of interest. After all, they are just as desirable as they were a year ago, but now at a cheaper price.” Bowers offered this advice to collectors: “If your objective is to possess and enjoy an item for your collection, view the current market as a positive.”
The Expo began with a major auction of rare coins and paper money by Bowers and Merena Auctions. Nearly 2,500 lots were sold, including an 1876-CC twenty-cent piece in PCGS AU-58. The Presidential Coin & Antique Company’s 79th Exonumia Sale featured more than 1,600 lots. The sale included a collection of American art medals as well as important offerings of so-called dollars and political campaign and inaugural memorabilia.
New Exhibit by the Smithsonian Institution
On Wednesday night the Museum of American History at the Smithsonian had a special ceremony to open a new coin exhibit on the ground floor, not far from the museum’s main entrance. Jeff Garrett was recognized for his help in working with National Numismatic Collection curator Dr. Richard Doty, Jim Hughes, and Karen Lee in organizing the display—the museum’s first in five years.
Numismatic Exhibit Awards and Presentations
For the first time ever at the Baltimore Expo, the Maryland State Numismatic Association sponsored a competitive and non-competitive exhibit area. The association announced the following exhibit awards:
- First place (MSNA Best In Show): Gerald Kochel, “The Half Cent Clip Clock”
- Second place (MSNA Master Award): William Stratemeyer, “The Panic and Depression 1837–1841 Patapsco Savings Fund”
- Third place (MSNA Superior Award): Simcha Kuritzky, “Davidian Depression Scrip” (also won Best Exonumia Exhibit from the Maryland Token and Medal Society)
Appreciation awards were presented to Scott Barman for “A Look Back at America’s Bicentennial in Numismatics” and to Daniel Mraz for “Just Starting Out: 100 Years With Lincoln.”
Non-competing exhibits were “Civil War Store Cards,” featuring material from the John B. Henry exonumia collection, and “Honoring Francis Asbury—Father of American Methodism,” by Bryce Doxzon.
The MSNA inaugurated its annual Distinguished Lecturer Series with a presentation by Q. David Bowers, “The Challenge of Colonial Coin Collecting.” Bowers’s talk was attended by 45 visitors. Later, Lawrence Schuffman spoke about the history of the World War I Liberty Loan bonds, in “Capitalizing on American Pride and Patriotism: The Liberty Loan Bond Story, 1917–1923.”
Club Meetings and Kids’ Activities
Several hobby groups met at the Expo on Friday, including the Fellowship of Christian Coin Dealers, the Liberty Seated Collector’s Club, the Maryland Token and Medal Society, and the Early American Coppers Club.
For young collectors, “Kid’s Korner” activities started at 10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, with every youngster aged 6 to 14 receiving free coins and other prizes.
Publicity for the National Federation of the Blind
The National Federation of the Blind continued its partnership with the Expo to promote its “Braille Readers are Leaders” campaign, which will raise $8 million for Braille literacy programs. The initiative is based on sales of the Louis Braille commemorative silver dollar issued by the U.S. Mint, plus matching fundraising. Expo visitors who supported this campaign by purchasing the new coin have helped change the lives of the blind across the country. Everyone who donated $10 or more received a special Limited Edition souvenir card.
The next Baltimore Expo will be held November 12–15, 2009. For the latest Expo information, readers can visit www.WhitmanExpo.com, email info@whitmanexpo.com, or call 404-214-4373.
Experts Report a “Buyer’s Market,” Many Opportunities
BALTIMORE, June 17, 2009 — Attendance at the June 11–14, 2009, Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo was up 10% over 2008, said general manager David Crenshaw. The Maryland State Numismatic Association awarded its first exhibit prizes at the show and inaugurated a new speaker series. In nearby Washington, DC, the Smithsonian Institution debuted its new numismatic display.
An Overview of the Market
Hobby experts at the show report that the overall slow market has created opportunities for collectors. “The recent pause in rare-coin prices has slowed the flow of new material entering the market,” said Jeff Garrett of Mid-American Rare Coin Galleries. “Buyers are more fussy, but there is plenty of money out there. At the same time, if a dealer has something buyers want, they can still get their asking price.”
“Even with the slower market, there have been bright spots,” said Q. David Bowers of Stack’s Rare Coins. “Choice, interesting, and rare pieces are seeing auction activity. Interest in gold bullion has been more in focus in the past six months than in any other recent time.” Bowers sees a silver lining for today’s collectors. “A coin that was a hot ticket at $5,000 last year would be advantageous to own today at $4,000,” he said. “When market prices are down, as they are now in many series, it would seem to be a good time to buy just about any coin, token, medal, or bank note of interest. After all, they are just as desirable as they were a year ago, but now at a cheaper price.” Bowers offered this advice to collectors: “If your objective is to possess and enjoy an item for your collection, view the current market as a positive.”
The Expo began with a major auction of rare coins and paper money by Bowers and Merena Auctions. Nearly 2,500 lots were sold, including an 1876-CC twenty-cent piece in PCGS AU-58. The Presidential Coin & Antique Company’s 79th Exonumia Sale featured more than 1,600 lots. The sale included a collection of American art medals as well as important offerings of so-called dollars and political campaign and inaugural memorabilia.
New Exhibit by the Smithsonian Institution
On Wednesday night the Museum of American History at the Smithsonian had a special ceremony to open a new coin exhibit on the ground floor, not far from the museum’s main entrance. Jeff Garrett was recognized for his help in working with National Numismatic Collection curator Dr. Richard Doty, Jim Hughes, and Karen Lee in organizing the display—the museum’s first in five years.
Numismatic Exhibit Awards and Presentations
For the first time ever at the Baltimore Expo, the Maryland State Numismatic Association sponsored a competitive and non-competitive exhibit area. The association announced the following exhibit awards:
- First place (MSNA Best In Show): Gerald Kochel, “The Half Cent Clip Clock”
- Second place (MSNA Master Award): William Stratemeyer, “The Panic and Depression 1837–1841 Patapsco Savings Fund”
- Third place (MSNA Superior Award): Simcha Kuritzky, “Davidian Depression Scrip” (also won Best Exonumia Exhibit from the Maryland Token and Medal Society)
Appreciation awards were presented to Scott Barman for “A Look Back at America’s Bicentennial in Numismatics” and to Daniel Mraz for “Just Starting Out: 100 Years With Lincoln.”
Non-competing exhibits were “Civil War Store Cards,” featuring material from the John B. Henry exonumia collection, and “Honoring Francis Asbury—Father of American Methodism,” by Bryce Doxzon.
The MSNA inaugurated its annual Distinguished Lecturer Series with a presentation by Q. David Bowers, “The Challenge of Colonial Coin Collecting.” Bowers’s talk was attended by 45 visitors. Later, Lawrence Schuffman spoke about the history of the World War I Liberty Loan bonds, in “Capitalizing on American Pride and Patriotism: The Liberty Loan Bond Story, 1917–1923.”
Club Meetings and Kids’ Activities
Several hobby groups met at the Expo on Friday, including the Fellowship of Christian Coin Dealers, the Liberty Seated Collector’s Club, the Maryland Token and Medal Society, and the Early American Coppers Club.
For young collectors, “Kid’s Korner” activities started at 10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, with every youngster aged 6 to 14 receiving free coins and other prizes.
Publicity for the National Federation of the Blind
The National Federation of the Blind continued its partnership with the Expo to promote its “Braille Readers are Leaders” campaign, which will raise $8 million for Braille literacy programs. The initiative is based on sales of the Louis Braille commemorative silver dollar issued by the U.S. Mint, plus matching fundraising. Expo visitors who supported this campaign by purchasing the new coin have helped change the lives of the blind across the country. Everyone who donated $10 or more received a special Limited Edition souvenir card.
The next Baltimore Expo will be held November 12–15, 2009. For the latest Expo information, readers can visit www.WhitmanExpo.com, email info@whitmanexpo.com, or call 404-214-4373.
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