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RYK's SLNA Show Report, 2/11/2012
RYK
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Today, I spent a couple hours at the 48th Annual SLNA Show at the St. Louis Airport Hilton. When I walked in the hotel, I immediately noted the buzz (if not low roar) from the bourse room, and when I walked in the door, it was pretty packed. There were the usual assortment of national, regional, and local dealers, including numerous friends and forum members representing all positions in the numismatic food chain.
I probably spent more time chatting with friends and forum members (including Mike S, bidask, jfloomis, jaywalker, jamesearlyus, shrub68, njcoincrank and others) than I did examining coins, but it was clear that the show was busy, people of all ages, shapes, sizes, and smoking preferences were buying and selling coins.
Things that I saw or heard that were interesting:
1. The "But for" coin--a splendid, original, crusty 1842-O $10 PCGS OGH XF-40 with delightful red crust which would be a LOCK platinum sticker coin but for the effort of some nimrod to scratch away some of the red toning on the lower obverse at 7 o'clock. I toyed with the idea of buying the coin and having it holdered reverse up but ultimately could not get over the scratches and passed.
2. Three Denali patterns in the display case of a local/regional dealer.
3. An 1840-D QE in a VF-30 Rattler in the display case of a seller of almost exclusively toned coins--it was a little processed and a lot expensive. These are scarce, and I am pretty sure I have never seen a 40-42 D QE at these shows.
4. Lovely very red RB 1843 and 1849 large cents at Doug Bird's table.
5. Tom Reynolds usually expansive inventory confined to one small table. (No one at this show gets more than one table).
6. A healthy amount of respectable gold coins.
7. All of the recent marketing efforts were on full display. CAC stickers, PCGS Genuine, Secure Plus, + signs, etc. I saw an IHC in a case that was in a Secure Plus holder with both an Eagle Eye sticker and a CAC bean. The trifecta! I did not see a gold CAC sticker and did not, of course, see a platinum sticker. I would also add that I believe that PCGS has gained market share on the bourse.
8. No one has covered photography at this show since soty imaged some coins for me a couple years ago.
9. I was looking for a PCGS 1861 IHC, and not only did I not find one, I could not find a problem-free raw one. These are apparently more scarce than I thought.
So what did ryk buy?
There was an extremely dirty/original 1843 QE PCGS/CAC XF-45. This is a pretty scarce date (71 coins in all grades at PCGS, but interestingly, another of these was on the bourse).
I also purchased three, mid-grade raw seated half dimes from an album set that was broken up the day before and consigned to James Garcia.
Overall, it was a busy and worthwhile show. Many dealers were extending their stays longer than they expected to accommodate the increased activity. The coin market is alive and well in St. Louis, MO, no matter what Wei tells you!
Edit to add: There was no visibility of 25th Anniversary Sets on the bourse, and I heard no discussion on the subject.
I probably spent more time chatting with friends and forum members (including Mike S, bidask, jfloomis, jaywalker, jamesearlyus, shrub68, njcoincrank and others) than I did examining coins, but it was clear that the show was busy, people of all ages, shapes, sizes, and smoking preferences were buying and selling coins.
Things that I saw or heard that were interesting:
1. The "But for" coin--a splendid, original, crusty 1842-O $10 PCGS OGH XF-40 with delightful red crust which would be a LOCK platinum sticker coin but for the effort of some nimrod to scratch away some of the red toning on the lower obverse at 7 o'clock. I toyed with the idea of buying the coin and having it holdered reverse up but ultimately could not get over the scratches and passed.
2. Three Denali patterns in the display case of a local/regional dealer.
3. An 1840-D QE in a VF-30 Rattler in the display case of a seller of almost exclusively toned coins--it was a little processed and a lot expensive. These are scarce, and I am pretty sure I have never seen a 40-42 D QE at these shows.
4. Lovely very red RB 1843 and 1849 large cents at Doug Bird's table.
5. Tom Reynolds usually expansive inventory confined to one small table. (No one at this show gets more than one table).
6. A healthy amount of respectable gold coins.
7. All of the recent marketing efforts were on full display. CAC stickers, PCGS Genuine, Secure Plus, + signs, etc. I saw an IHC in a case that was in a Secure Plus holder with both an Eagle Eye sticker and a CAC bean. The trifecta! I did not see a gold CAC sticker and did not, of course, see a platinum sticker. I would also add that I believe that PCGS has gained market share on the bourse.
8. No one has covered photography at this show since soty imaged some coins for me a couple years ago.
9. I was looking for a PCGS 1861 IHC, and not only did I not find one, I could not find a problem-free raw one. These are apparently more scarce than I thought.
So what did ryk buy?
There was an extremely dirty/original 1843 QE PCGS/CAC XF-45. This is a pretty scarce date (71 coins in all grades at PCGS, but interestingly, another of these was on the bourse).
I also purchased three, mid-grade raw seated half dimes from an album set that was broken up the day before and consigned to James Garcia.
Overall, it was a busy and worthwhile show. Many dealers were extending their stays longer than they expected to accommodate the increased activity. The coin market is alive and well in St. Louis, MO, no matter what Wei tells you!
Edit to add: There was no visibility of 25th Anniversary Sets on the bourse, and I heard no discussion on the subject.
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Box of 20
SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
At least you found a thing or two to buy. I've been to this show several times and I've mostly struck out there.
Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
<< <i>Appreciate the show report from flyover country (couldn't resist). Speaking of flyover, I am currently on my way to a flight from Washington DC to SFO. Better yet the flight plan shows STL as a waypoint. If calculations serve me right we should cross right over STL around 6:50pm ish CST. Don't forget to wave...
At least you found a thing or two to buy. I've been to this show several times and I've mostly struck out there. >>
Safe travels, Wei.
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)
<< <i>Excessively good show report, RYK. Nice pick up, too. Where are the pics? >>
Here are the iPhone images:
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
<< <i>Great report! Its a shame there were no platinum stickers
This
Nice 1/4 eagle.
St. Louis is a great coin town.
K
My 1866 Philly Mint Set
<< <i>Sounds like a very good time. You did all that in 2 hours??
You bet!
I didn't run into any forum members, although in retrospect I think I recognized RYK from our meeting at Doug Winter's table in Chicago on my way out, but I did enjoy my time at Larry Briggs's table, as he had an impressive assortment of early dimes. All in all, a nice regional show, and I'd definitely go back next year.
The Penny Lady®
I knew it would happen.
<< <i>Excellent report - sounds like I should have gone . . . >>
Ditto.
Next best thing to actually being there.
Mike
Been a busy day here, with a birthday to set up for the kid, his basketball game, party, etc, and it was good to be able to sit down on the forums and read posts and the show report.
Nice pickup on the QE....good and dirty!
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
<< <i>Thanks for the mention RYK. I had a very good show also. For all of the board members who have never met RYK, let me tell you he is one of the nice guys! >>
Aw, shucks.
I forgot to mention a couple of other interesting tidbits:
The same dealer who had a damaged Continental Dollar in his case (for $9500) had a very dirty 1848-D $5 in a PCGS Good-6 holder in his case, too. The same or a similar one is pictured below. I asked the price for the coin, and he said, "$1400, which is like melt value for a Dahlonega coin." Uh-huh.
Someone bought a half cent from one of the copper specialists and brought it to James Garcia's table for his opinion. James thought it was recolored and asked me my opinion. WTH do I know about half cents? Well, this one was obviously not right, and I am surprised that the copper specialist would even sell it. James recommend that he return to the dealer and get his money back. I would love to witness THAT conversation.