going to a coin show....what to bring?

chumley

going to a local coin show(20-25 tables) mulling over what to take with me.....got a box of 20 higher end slabs,about half of them CACD but I,ve been working on mint/proof sets too,starting with 1948 to 1964...got em all housed in national coin albums for easy display...also have some (collector bullion).I cant carry it all so any thoughts on what to bring or leave behind is appreciated chumley

ModCrewman

I take along what I am willing to use as trade material, or material I am wanting to sell. And if you're working on a set of something that you may want to upgrade, you may want to take along those items for comparison purposes if you don't have good photos available for comparison.

Good luck.

crypto79

bring modest expectations about finding choice stuff at such a small show.

MICHAELDIXON

Only take what you are willing to let go of. Don't take material to "show off," as that material will probably be what the dealers want to buy or trade for. The common question among dealers is: "Why did he bring the stuff if he isn't willing to get rid of it?"

DennisH

I suggest:

-- a loupe or two
-- comfortable shoes
-- pricing reference material for whatever series you are mainly looking at
-- cash
-- checkbook
-- plans for what to do the rest of the day after attending a small show

Meltdown

<< <i>Only take what you are willing to let go of. Don't take material to "show off," as that material will probably be what the dealers want to buy or trade for. The common question among dealers is: "Why did he bring the stuff if he isn't willing to get rid of it?" >>



Good advice here. In the past, I have brought my entire binder of slabs with the intention of selling a few but not my "keepers". The ones I was not interested in selling were of course the ones that most dealers inquired about and pretty much put a damper on whatever deal we were working on... I'd say not for sale, they'd be discouraged, etc....

WTCG

<< <i>Only take what you are willing to let go of. Don't take material to "show off," as that material will probably be what the dealers want to buy or trade for. The common question among dealers is: "Why did he bring the stuff if he isn't willing to get rid of it?" >>



Good point. Athough there are no guarantees, those small shows with 20-25 tables tend to feature mostly lower end items and the dealers setting up are mostly vest pocket part time dealers. High end CAC slabs do not usually sell well at those type of shows.

PerryHall

Bring a set of Gray sheets so you can be sure the dealers aren't overcharging you.

johnny9434

keep an eye on whats going on around you as well

Elcontador

Good point. Athough there are no guarantees, those small shows with 20-25 tables tend to feature mostly lower end items and the dealers setting up are mostly vest pocket part time dealers. High end CAC slabs do not usually sell well at those type of shows. >>



This.

I only attended one of these shows. I only found one interesting coin, an MS 65 BN 1881 IHC in an NGC holder. One so-called dealer was selling Nazi war memorabilia, and from the way he looked and acted, it appeared to be material he got when he was a German soldier during this era, and he was late making his rent payment.

jessecarlk

$$$

TwoSides2aCoin

A pad and paper. Make a journal an' share it with us. Tell us what sort of type coins you find. 3CN, Trimes, Half dimes, or Large cent and Half Cents. Get pictures. Make notations of prices for the coins that have "eye appeal". See just how LOW you can get a dealer to come down on coins and don't insult him. Most guys want to sell. That is why they're there with their coins. Talk softly and bring cash. Expect to find things for prices well below what you actually find on eBay. Seriously. Way good comes from coin shows and people think casinos or lotteries will pay off, but a shorter amount of time can be spent at a coin show and much more profit can be had rather easily. Be early, enjoy the ambience.

Bear

1. A pair or comfortable walking shoes.

2. A small suite case with rolling wheels
and a long handle to hold your freebee
magazines and reference material.

3. Food is usually expensive, If you are on
a tight budget, bring a sandwich with you
and perhaps a few drinks.

4 Cash is king at the show. Followed by a check
if another dealer that you have done business
with will couch for you.

5. Sometimes a show can get cold, bring something
warm in your suite case. Long sleeve shirt or a sweater.

6. Sometimes it gets hot at a show, also bring a cool shirt.

7. Brinhg several good pens to make notes for which dealers
tables you want to return to. Also you might note special coins
you would like a return look at.