Thoughts "off the cuff" from this past weekend's show.
keets
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Days Two and Three-----The Saturday/Sunday part of the weekend proved to be just as slow as day one was with a noticably smaller crowd than I recall at past shows. Both days had a larger percentage of tire-kickers then Friday as well as a couple of wierd happenings.
Several regular customers visited our table with most of them either buying or selling bullion items and coin silver. We had a large sale around noon which solved our table space problem; almost all our coin silver and about 200 ounces of bullion emptied a case and we had room to put out some currency and other items. We had lookers at collector coins but noone really seems willing to buy expensive coins, at least not from us or the other guys we talked to. Some 1950's Proof Sets sold along with a few slabbed Franklins, some raw gold, a few Lincolns got looked at and some of the stuff in the 50/50 bins got picked over, but nothing really high end was of interest to anyone. Very strange for us.
Larry Briggs next to us had an awesome coin in his case, an 1870-CC Seated Half-Dollar in a PCGS XF40 holder. Man, I see those every day!!! We had surprise visits from a couple of "prodigy" forum members who help me understand that there are still YN's pumping life into the hobby. The first was top50setbuilder(Ben) who is a regular at the shop, all of 18 and a senior in high school having done an internship at NGC this past summer and getting set to release a book!!! The second was IRCWcoins(Isaac) who was back home visiting from his job with APMEX where he's settled into searching what he says is about half-a-million Morgan Dollars a year!!! I hadn't seen Isaac in quite a while, I'd forgotten his name and forum ID but not his face even though he's a little taller. Both these fine young men are blessed to have such an early start in their chosen careers and they each display a passion for what they're doing. I feel privelaged to know them and wish them success.
The two weird events both happened on Saturday. We had a guy stop at our table early in the day and then return about an hour later. He had apparently lost $2,000 from his pants pocket and was back-tracking to find it. One of the dealers down the bourse found the money at his table but I never heard whetehr or not the Chairman had found the guy. As embarrassing as it may be, I'd encourage anyone who loses something at a show to tell someone and leave contact information. The second event took place Friday but wasn't discovered until Saturday-----a well known dealer had two expensive coins lifted from his case. He was quite upset and it's bad news realizing that theft is a very real thing at shows. All dealers tend to watch out for each other but some thieves are really good.
On Saturday we bought what I thought was the nicest thing for us at the show, a nice original 1947 Mint Set. A guy had come by and offered the 1947 along with original 1951 and 1952 sets. We offered 10% back of bid and he said he'd check around and come back. He sold the 1951 and 1952 and returned to sell the 1947 at the agreed price. He said he got bid for the other two but to be honest, the 1947 seemed like a much nicer looking set with soft, pearlesque tone on the silver coins and very clean. We had another dealer ask about it on Sunday but it was already back at the shop.
The show host puts on a really fine dinner every Saturday and this year was no exception. The standouts were the Chicken Marsala and the chocolate cheesecake whatever that they served. I slept like a baby with a full belly!!!
We closed things down early on Sunday at about one o'clock after doing quite a few deals with the other dealers and a few with collectors. For myself, I picked up a couple nice 1968 Proof Sets(one with a nice Quarter, the other with a nice Kennedy), a raw 1956 Franklin with Mint Set tone and vibrant luster and another Morgan Dollar, the 1904-O that I mentioned in the Day One report. Pictures are below. Thanks for your indulgence and have a great week.
Day One-----We attended the first day of a three-day show today and I thought I'd share a few thought's, in no random order....................
First off, the attendance seemed lower than usual although those who showed up seemed to have a purpose, there weren't very many of the "tire kicker" variety that dallied at our table. Most of the action was in selling bullion related items and buying collector coins. Saturday is generally better and I expect that will be the case tomorrow. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the show was the gentleman who showed up to offer a set of Matte Proof Lincoln Cents 1909-1916 sans VDB in PF64RB graded NGC holders. These coins looked spectacular with the standout being the 1916, they were just a bit past what my boss was willing to spend and wait to recoup. The guy also had another group of NGC Proofs, a complete 1909 set with both Cents in NGC 64/65 holders. The tone on the coins from both groups was what I'd call wonderful!!! We chatted for several minutes as we looked at the coins and talked about a price, but in the end my boss just thanked him showing us and away he went.
Late in the day an older guy that we see at area shows offered some raw Morgans, various dates in PL/DMPL grades around MS63. We bought a few but couldn't agree on grade/price with most of them. He also had an 1883-CC in an NTC MS63DMPL holder that we snagged, a real gem that NTC got maybe a point low. There were other type pieces we bought but those two deals are the ones that stand out for me. We also bought a group of 23 Morgans in PCGS rattlers from Silvertowne at less than bid, many that are clearly undergraded and about 10-12 Franklins in PCGS MS64FBL holders, dates from the early 50's-63 that look clean and right.
We were set-up next to Larry Briggs and I chatted with him briefly and looked at a few coins in his case. I think he had about 6-7 raw 1857 Large Cents that caught my eye so I checked them over. The nicest coin he had that I viewed was a 1961 DDR Franklin, just a gem in a PCGS PR66 holder. Our conversation drifted to how many sets we've each looked at for that die variety and speculation as to how many sets Val Webb has looked at!!! Next to Larry was Roma Coin and forum member Mar327(Marlene) was helping him out, nice to meet her and talk for a while. Behind us was old forum buddy Quarterjack, so I felt right at home.
Although the day went smoothly and was enjoyable, there were a couple of points that got us off to a bad start. We showed up to discover that instead of two eight foot table along the aisle we had two six foot table on a corner!!! Bad show promoter. As a consequence, we were two showcases over-packed and ended having to make changes to our normal setup. As if that wasn't bad enough, there was the usual few dealers who can't seem to exhibit any class as we try to unpack. The guy that got me wrankled stood his ground at the corner of our table as he asked if we had any slabbed Gold. My suggestion to other dealers who might read this is simple----please allow your fellow dealers to unpack unless you've made a prior arrangement and the have a package ready for you. Being the show PITA dealer at the start is a sure way to move backwards on the "shot" list when stuff you're looking for shows up, yet we seem to get a few at every show we do.
All in all it was a nice day. I managed to locate another nicely toned Morgan that I think I'll pull the trigger on, a 1904-O in an NGC MS63* holder. Have I mentioned that I collect Morgans now??!!??
Al H.
Several regular customers visited our table with most of them either buying or selling bullion items and coin silver. We had a large sale around noon which solved our table space problem; almost all our coin silver and about 200 ounces of bullion emptied a case and we had room to put out some currency and other items. We had lookers at collector coins but noone really seems willing to buy expensive coins, at least not from us or the other guys we talked to. Some 1950's Proof Sets sold along with a few slabbed Franklins, some raw gold, a few Lincolns got looked at and some of the stuff in the 50/50 bins got picked over, but nothing really high end was of interest to anyone. Very strange for us.
Larry Briggs next to us had an awesome coin in his case, an 1870-CC Seated Half-Dollar in a PCGS XF40 holder. Man, I see those every day!!! We had surprise visits from a couple of "prodigy" forum members who help me understand that there are still YN's pumping life into the hobby. The first was top50setbuilder(Ben) who is a regular at the shop, all of 18 and a senior in high school having done an internship at NGC this past summer and getting set to release a book!!! The second was IRCWcoins(Isaac) who was back home visiting from his job with APMEX where he's settled into searching what he says is about half-a-million Morgan Dollars a year!!! I hadn't seen Isaac in quite a while, I'd forgotten his name and forum ID but not his face even though he's a little taller. Both these fine young men are blessed to have such an early start in their chosen careers and they each display a passion for what they're doing. I feel privelaged to know them and wish them success.
The two weird events both happened on Saturday. We had a guy stop at our table early in the day and then return about an hour later. He had apparently lost $2,000 from his pants pocket and was back-tracking to find it. One of the dealers down the bourse found the money at his table but I never heard whetehr or not the Chairman had found the guy. As embarrassing as it may be, I'd encourage anyone who loses something at a show to tell someone and leave contact information. The second event took place Friday but wasn't discovered until Saturday-----a well known dealer had two expensive coins lifted from his case. He was quite upset and it's bad news realizing that theft is a very real thing at shows. All dealers tend to watch out for each other but some thieves are really good.
On Saturday we bought what I thought was the nicest thing for us at the show, a nice original 1947 Mint Set. A guy had come by and offered the 1947 along with original 1951 and 1952 sets. We offered 10% back of bid and he said he'd check around and come back. He sold the 1951 and 1952 and returned to sell the 1947 at the agreed price. He said he got bid for the other two but to be honest, the 1947 seemed like a much nicer looking set with soft, pearlesque tone on the silver coins and very clean. We had another dealer ask about it on Sunday but it was already back at the shop.
The show host puts on a really fine dinner every Saturday and this year was no exception. The standouts were the Chicken Marsala and the chocolate cheesecake whatever that they served. I slept like a baby with a full belly!!!
We closed things down early on Sunday at about one o'clock after doing quite a few deals with the other dealers and a few with collectors. For myself, I picked up a couple nice 1968 Proof Sets(one with a nice Quarter, the other with a nice Kennedy), a raw 1956 Franklin with Mint Set tone and vibrant luster and another Morgan Dollar, the 1904-O that I mentioned in the Day One report. Pictures are below. Thanks for your indulgence and have a great week.Day One-----We attended the first day of a three-day show today and I thought I'd share a few thought's, in no random order....................
First off, the attendance seemed lower than usual although those who showed up seemed to have a purpose, there weren't very many of the "tire kicker" variety that dallied at our table. Most of the action was in selling bullion related items and buying collector coins. Saturday is generally better and I expect that will be the case tomorrow. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the show was the gentleman who showed up to offer a set of Matte Proof Lincoln Cents 1909-1916 sans VDB in PF64RB graded NGC holders. These coins looked spectacular with the standout being the 1916, they were just a bit past what my boss was willing to spend and wait to recoup. The guy also had another group of NGC Proofs, a complete 1909 set with both Cents in NGC 64/65 holders. The tone on the coins from both groups was what I'd call wonderful!!! We chatted for several minutes as we looked at the coins and talked about a price, but in the end my boss just thanked him showing us and away he went.
Late in the day an older guy that we see at area shows offered some raw Morgans, various dates in PL/DMPL grades around MS63. We bought a few but couldn't agree on grade/price with most of them. He also had an 1883-CC in an NTC MS63DMPL holder that we snagged, a real gem that NTC got maybe a point low. There were other type pieces we bought but those two deals are the ones that stand out for me. We also bought a group of 23 Morgans in PCGS rattlers from Silvertowne at less than bid, many that are clearly undergraded and about 10-12 Franklins in PCGS MS64FBL holders, dates from the early 50's-63 that look clean and right.
We were set-up next to Larry Briggs and I chatted with him briefly and looked at a few coins in his case. I think he had about 6-7 raw 1857 Large Cents that caught my eye so I checked them over. The nicest coin he had that I viewed was a 1961 DDR Franklin, just a gem in a PCGS PR66 holder. Our conversation drifted to how many sets we've each looked at for that die variety and speculation as to how many sets Val Webb has looked at!!! Next to Larry was Roma Coin and forum member Mar327(Marlene) was helping him out, nice to meet her and talk for a while. Behind us was old forum buddy Quarterjack, so I felt right at home.
Although the day went smoothly and was enjoyable, there were a couple of points that got us off to a bad start. We showed up to discover that instead of two eight foot table along the aisle we had two six foot table on a corner!!! Bad show promoter. As a consequence, we were two showcases over-packed and ended having to make changes to our normal setup. As if that wasn't bad enough, there was the usual few dealers who can't seem to exhibit any class as we try to unpack. The guy that got me wrankled stood his ground at the corner of our table as he asked if we had any slabbed Gold. My suggestion to other dealers who might read this is simple----please allow your fellow dealers to unpack unless you've made a prior arrangement and the have a package ready for you. Being the show PITA dealer at the start is a sure way to move backwards on the "shot" list when stuff you're looking for shows up, yet we seem to get a few at every show we do.
All in all it was a nice day. I managed to locate another nicely toned Morgan that I think I'll pull the trigger on, a 1904-O in an NGC MS63* holder. Have I mentioned that I collect Morgans now??!!??
Al H.
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Comments
Thanks for the report
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
<< <i>We also bought a group of 23 Morgans in PCGS rattlers from Silvertowne at less than bid, many that are clearly undergrade... >>
Why would Silvertowne sell UNDERGRADED Morgans for below bid?
Post a picture of the 04-O when you purchase it...
"Bongo hurtles along the rain soaked highway of life on underinflated bald retread tires."
~Wayne
Do you do the MSNS in Dearborn, Al?
Maybe we can meet up there in November.
I don't generally make the Ohio shows.
Ray
better promotion and NO ADMISSION FEE would increase attendance and bring in better dealers.
I left my mailing info at the last show (for a $1 discount on entry) but never received a mailing about the new show! I saw people showing a postcard to get a $1 discount this time around so I explained the situation to the cashier.
You'd think they would be able to manage mailing list contacts they are given !!
In my opinion it was quieter than the last time, but I found better deals so I walked out happier this time around.
I was happiest with a 1921 Peace in AU I walked out with. Still some luster around the rims and hair.
We were there at the show this weekend as well. I would agree Al's observation, including that the 1947 Mint Set was very nice. We were the "underbidder" on the set. There were some customers there to conduct business, but attendance seemed lower than in the past (especially on Saturday and Sunday) and there were a lot of tirekickers.
Just to clarify, the old show promoter also charged an admission fee. I think it was $6. We have lobbied a number of times for them to eliminate the admission, but to no avail so far.
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