Funniest things at coin shows
Dentuck
Posts: 3,820 ✭✭✭
What's the funniest thing that's ever happened to you, or that you've witnessed, at a coin show?
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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)
Current PCGS price guide value lists it around $260...which is for PCGS holdered coins, which generally carry a larger premium than NGC. I still reference these values for all 3 TPGs however, as they are generally close in most cases unless buying from eBay. I quoted the price guide and again, he said the colors alone were worth more than that or any number close to it. I passed on the coin as it wasn't worth that much to me at his price and he rejected what I thought was a very strong offer.
Less than a week later, a different dealer's inventory I check on a weekly basis had the exact same coin, matching serial number, etc. listed as a NEWP. It was priced at $325 with room to negotiate.
I offered the original seller of the coin $500.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
I immediately went up to the room where the MSNS President was holding court and informed him of the security guard's actions. The President brushed me off and went back to what he had been doing.
Pretty funny, isn't it?
So there I was waiting for the FUN show to open to the public when I ran into dpoole aka David Poole doing the same. He told me he wanted to go look at some Heritage lots in the viewing room and since he had a bidders ID I decided to tag along with him. This was not my first time attending a viewing but I must admit that there certainly was an air of complete distrust in the room when David and I sat down and while I understand the sheer magnitude of the $$$$ sitting in the room......I felt like all eye were on us and it was an awkward feeling to say the least.....now on to the story...
David had asked to see a box that contained a pretty amazing assortment of Flowing Hair half dollars and also some really nice seated material including proofs. Heritage made it clear that we could not both view coins out of the same box and since we hadn't selected another one at that point I decided to bide my time while he went through it. I am more of a 1 coin out of the box and then back in before I go onto the next coin......David is a grab as many coins as he can fit in his had at one time kinda guy....
So at this point we had already drawn the eyes of several employees along with the women assigned to assist us so I would guess we had 3 people standing their watching us and I guess it made David a little nervous so as he went to put the coins back in the case he squeezed the slabs together so tightly that they squirted out of his hand, over and to the right of his shoulder and onto the floor and in his lap
Now remember we are talking about like 5 or more 1795 Flowing Hair Half dollars probably worth at least $5,000 to $10,000 each, probably more and here they are flying everywhere..........I think we both just about died and all I could do was lean to the left away from David and keep my hands firmly planted on the table as we were swarmed by security and additional Heritage employees. David handle everything in stride as he picked them up off the floor like an old pro and there was a nervous tention around us as I waited for ther Tasers and batons to start appearing
I must admit that I almost shat myself when it happened but it sure makes for one heck of a story looking back.........needless to say that was the last box we looked through and we quickly mad an exit from the room
<< <i>At the Fall, 1990 Michigan State Numismatic Society show in Dearborn one of the uniformed security guards was carrying a loaded shotgun, which he proceeded to unload while it was pointed directly at several of the attendees, myself included. (My club was a co-host that year and we were helping take down the show on Sunday.)
I immediately went up to the room where the MSNS President was holding court and informed him of the security guard's actions. The President brushed me off and went back to what he had been doing.
Pretty funny, isn't it? >>
Not at all funny. Who was the president of MSNS when this happened?
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
LOL!!!! Daniel, I love the image of all those Flowing Hair half dollars flying in the air.
<< <i>wearing a suit on a bourse, when all others were in mustard-stained shirts >>
Why do you think I wear a jacket? To cover the mustard stains.
<< <i>I was about 14 and was at a coin show. An adult had asked a dealer about a 20th century type set that was for sale. It was a nice set in a plastic holder, with the Barber coins being XF, and most of the others being uncirculated. Both the Morgan and Peace dollars were uncirculated. The dealer showed him the set, he asked how much, the dealer said "five and a quarter", whereupon the customer pulled out a $5 and a $1 bill and confidently said "wrap it up"! The dealer eventually explained that the set was priced at $525.00 and not $5.25. (In fact, the face value of the set was over $5.25). The customer argued, but somehow the dealer wasn't going to sell the set for $5.25. >>
The buyer was obviously a new collector and had no idea what coins are worth. I've heard many similar stories. Are dealers so lazy that they can't just say "five hundred twenty five dollars"?
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>
<< <i>I was about 14 and was at a coin show. An adult had asked a dealer about a 20th century type set that was for sale. It was a nice set in a plastic holder, with the Barber coins being XF, and most of the others being uncirculated. Both the Morgan and Peace dollars were uncirculated. The dealer showed him the set, he asked how much, the dealer said "five and a quarter", whereupon the customer pulled out a $5 and a $1 bill and confidently said "wrap it up"! The dealer eventually explained that the set was priced at $525.00 and not $5.25. (In fact, the face value of the set was over $5.25). The customer argued, but somehow the dealer wasn't going to sell the set for $5.25. >>
The buyer was obviously a new collector and had no idea what coins are worth. I've heard many similar stories. Are dealers so lazy that they can't just say "five hundred twenty five dollars"? >>
yep...that was definately the dealer's fault...
Brings to mind one day, I was set up at a local Sunday show. I had a 2001 Bank wrapped roll of Sacs I had gotten back when they first were released. Had a couple with some kids stop at my table as the father got excited when he saw the roll. He immediately said "I'll take it" as he pulled out a $20 and a $5 ... I looked at him and explained that it would cost him more than $25... he got upset and said "But it says $25 right on the side of the roll"...
It actually took a few minutes to explain to him that all the Sac rolls say $25 on the side as that is how much there is in each roll... and no, I am not a branch of the local bank (said in a friendly joking way...and not to worry folks, I had put my hot dog down for this conversation
People are a trip, that's all I gotta say...
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Back in the '70s I was at a major New York City coin show at the Park Sheraton hotel. The bourse was held in the basement which had limited access and exit. I was looking coins at table when all at once there was commotion on the other side of the room. A guy grabbed something from a table and tried to run up the stairs with it. The dealer who had the table and couple of other guys ran after him and tackled him on the stairs before he could get out of the hall. The guy, who looked like a real knit wit, was caught and taken into custody.
As it turned out he was trying to snatch and run with a 40% silver Proof Ike dollar that was worth less than $10.
But each coin was sold as a separate lot.
Well, after the third coin it was obvious one buyer was buying every coin.
He did quite well until the final item of the lot - the CASE!
A few other bidders that evening had 'fun' with him by bidding up this case to an extremely high value.
Everyone was laughing because we all knew what was going on.
The lone buyer of all the 1908 coins eventually won the case (at a very high price).
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
they were cardboard cutouts
rented for the show
Camelot
Steve
My currency "Box of Ten" Thread: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1045579/my-likely-slow-to-develop-box-of-ten#latest
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
<< <i>"Funniest things at coin shows" --- Walter Breen >>
Yeah, if you think personal hygiene deprived individuals are funny. I used to see him at the CSNS shows on the West Coast and he smelled horrible.
<< <i>
<< <i>"Funniest things at coin shows" --- Walter Breen >>
Yeah, if you think personal hygiene deprived individuals are funny. I used to see him at the CSNS shows on the West Coast and he smelled horrible. >>
Why is this 'personal hygiene deprived individuals' theme an all too common occurrence at coin shows??
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
Why deplete one's coin funds to buy soap?
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
<< <i>About twenty years ago, a Canadian 1908 specimen set was being auctioned off.
But each coin was sold as a separate lot.
Well, after the third coin it was obvious one buyer was buying every coin.
He did quite well until the final item of the lot - the CASE!
A few other bidders that evening had 'fun' with him by bidding up this case to an extremely high value.
Everyone was laughing because we all knew what was going on.
The lone buyer of all the 1908 coins eventually won the case (at a very high price). >>
He should have let one of the clowns bidding him up buy the empty case. Then the clown would eventually have to offer it to the owner of the coins who would then offer him one ten what he paid for it. Now that would have been funny.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>At a major show, a dealer had another dealers check prominently displayed in one of his cases with "BAD CHECK" written on the check with a magic marker. Of course, everyone who stopped by this dealer's table had look into his case to see who wrote this bad check. It didn't take long for the dealer who wrote the bad check to run up to buy his check back. >>
That's funny!
<< <i>At the Fall, 1990 Michigan State Numismatic Society show in Dearborn one of the uniformed security guards was carrying a loaded shotgun, which he proceeded to unload while it was pointed directly at several of the attendees, myself included. >>
That would have pissed me off. Not funny in the least!
Obscurum per obscurius
Jim likes to drink beer.
A lot of beer.
All the time.
Jim is a coin collector. He came to a coin show where I had a table. He and his like-minded friend Doug walked the show floor.
They were looking for a few types of coins. Their budget was maybe $50 per coin, and maybe $200 tops for the whole show.
At every table they would carry on in a very boisterous (semi-drunk) fashion. I know Jim is not one to ever steal any coins
from a dealer. And he can come across as somewhat antagonistic, even though I know he is a "good-natured" drunk.
Some dealers were suspicious and they reported Jim's and Doug's behavior to the show promoter, who then put the security
guards on their tail (from a distance). Pretty soon Jim and Doug went to the snack bar where they consumed a few (more)
beers, while being watched secretly from a distance by security guards.
At some point, a dare was laid down and duly accepted. Doug was going to see how many "free" snack bar condiments he
could fit in his pants. So he began stuffing in his trousers ketchup bottles, mustard packages, salt shakers, and anything else
within reach and small enough to fit in pants. The security guards noted this behavior and made the association that, if they
were stealing condiments, they must surely also be stealing coins. The guards followed Jim and Doug when they went out to
their car to unload the condiment booty.
When the guards confronted Jim and Doug in the parking lot, the pair practically froze in their tracks. But while standing there
motionless, a ketchup bottle slid down the inside of Doug's pant leg and fell out onto the ground in full view of the guards.
Jim and Doug were taken into "custody" and searched. Among the condiments were several coins. Jim and Doug were taken
back into the show and paraded around to various dealers. At each table the dealer was asked if the coin(s) in Jim's and Doug's
possession were stolen. In every case, the answer was "no". The guards were getting more frustrated, certain that they had
felony perpetrators in their custody, but lacking actual proof.
Eventually, the entourage reached my table. The guard showed me a handful of loose coins and the conversation went something like this:
Security Guard: "This person said they got these coins from you. Did you sell these gold coins to this person ?" (showing handful of coins).
Me: "Those coins aren't gold."
Security Guard: "Whatever. Did you sell these gold coins ?"
Me: "I haven't sold any gold coins."
Security Guard: "So these coins are stolen, then ?"
Me: "No, not stolen, not gold."
Security Guard: "What ? So these are not gold, but did you sell them ?"
Me: "No."
Security Guard: "So they ARE stolen !?"
Me: "No. I gave them out as change for a purchase. They're Sacagawea dollars."
Security Guard [rolling eyes]: "Saca-what dollars ? Are those like tokens or something ?"
Me: "Yes."
Doug was kicked out of the show and banned from all future shows conducted by this promoter.
Jim was also banned by association.
<< <i>
Why is this 'personal hygiene deprived individuals' theme an all too common occurrence at coin shows?? >>
Trying to repel thieves kind of like skunks do apparently.
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.american-legacy-coins.com
<< <i>Maybe four years ago at a FUN show, while working for Smythe, I found and bought for a solid four figure price the "lump-o-crap" pictured below. When I brought it back to the table, I showed it off to my boss, Steve Goldsmith. Steve had never attended a show with me before. He's more of a behind-the-scenes type of guy. Anyway, his reaction was less than favorable, and he begged me to tell him I was joking about the cost. Meanwhile, unbeknown to me, Boiler78 had watched me buy the thing and followed me back to the table. As soon as Steve finished with me, Mark asked for a price and cut me a check for something like a $500 profit. Steve rolled his eyes and walked away. I think that was the last time he worked a show with me.
So, all that orange stuff in the wad of crap--Is that what was worth so much?
A couple of lesbians standing and making out in the very center of the aisles at the long beach coin show about 20 years ago.
They wanted everyone to see them, and we did!
Krueger
One of the funniest things I've heard at a coin show happened 5-6 years ago I believe at the ANA show when someone paged Walter Breen to the young numismatists table!!
<< <i>"Funniest things at coin shows" --- Walter Breen >>
I remember seeing him at shows with his ledenhosen pants, tie-died shirt, hippy sandals, long dirty hair and long full beard. What a freak.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
I remember seeing him at shows with his ledenhosen pants, tie-died shirt, hippy sandals, long dirty hair and long full beard. What a freak.>>
Very, very interesting fellow. I was sort of enviousw initially. I wish I had the nerve to show up at an ANA convention in shorts and a full beard. He did not suffer fools gladly, but was very willing to converse with you if you knew what you were talking about. I was very impressed by how receptive he was to talking to YN (of either sex). It was years before I found out that was a very bad sign, indeed.