Coin Show Report...Gillespie, Illinois

dirtybird

I just got back from the 46th annual coin show held in Gillespie, Illinois. Gillespie is a small rural town located about 50 miles northeast of St. Louis. The Hilltop coin club hosts the 44 table show and I always look forward to going. The show was very crowded but with a relaxed atmosphere that you can only experience at a smaller show.

I normally walk the whole show before buying anything but didn't make it all the way around this time. A dealer was selling AU late-date Walkers for $9 each. His pricing was too reasonable to just walk by so I picked up a 1941, 1942 and 1943 in AU+. They had just a touch of wear and could be confused with a BU coin at a glance. While at this dealer's table a teenager (12-13 years old) came up and bought 12 raw circulated Morgan dollars @ $15 each. He then asked who to make the check out to. Turns out his father had given him a signed blank check to spend on coins. He is a very fortunate young man and his father must feel he is very responsible. I'm not sure I was at his age.

I continued around the bourse and bought a 2005 ASE in a Littleton holder. The reverse has real pretty rim tone and I couldn't pass it up. I also picked up a roll of BU 1955-S Lincoln cents for $19. There were some high-end coins for sale but I get more enjoyment from the more common stuff. It's a lot like a competition at a large show to get that special coin before someone else does. I'm starting to enjoy coins again since I retired. I did see two really neat Barber quarters. This dealer had a 1896-S in Fine 12 and a 1913-S in VG 8. Both were PCGS certified and he was asking $2500 each. The 1896-S looked under-graded to me or at least PQ, but I'm not real familiar with the series. It showed even wear with no problems. It seemed like a good buy but I passed.

That's about it. My wife goes with me to this show because there are tables near the food bar where she can sit and patiently wait for me. And after the coin show we go to the antique barn located just outside of town. Seems like a fair trade-off to me. We are already looking forward to next years show.

Bear

Great report. Thank you for taking the time to share
you experience and thought with all of us.

kranky

Thanks for the report and it sounds like a nice show. That really does seem like a good price for AU Walkers - glad you didn't miss out.

mustanggt

thanks for sharing, sounds like a fun show...

Walkerguy21D

Nice report, thanks for sharing, and glad you found some neat things at fair prices!

kaz

Sounds like a nice, relaxing time.. which is what going to a show should be all about!

thanks for posting.

123cents

Good report. Thanks for sharing with us!

Cameonut

Thanks for sharing, I love small shows.

Now were you able to cherrypick anything at the antique barn?

dirtybird

Cameonut....I did not cherrypick anything at the antique barn. The few coins that were there were fully-priced (and then some). Of course, my wife did not leave empty-handed

coinkat

One never knows what might show up at an antique barn... nice report and keep looking

Rollerman

Nice report, you'll have to come up for the one in Milan, Illinois on the 11th of April. It's at the community center on the south side of town on route 67. There will be signs out marking it also.
Pete

nankraut

Thanks for sharing. Looks like you had an enjoyable time; and that's what coin collecting is supposed to be.