Options
RYK's MNS Show Report (St. Louis), 7/26/2012
RYK
Posts: 35,799 ✭✭✭✭✭
Today, I had the good fortune to attend the summer MNS coin show, in hot and humid St. Charles (St. Louis), MO. The attendees were spared our normal-for-this-summer 100-plus degrees temperatures as it only got into the low 90's, and the A/C was working well in the convention hall. I arrived at the venue about 45 minutes to the sight of a boy and his mil, er, mom, walking into the show, and, in general, I was pleasantly surprised by the overall attendance of younger people at the show. There were quite a few father-son combinations and even some younger dealers that I have not seen before. One of the young whippersnappers actually called me "Sir", and I was mildly unnerved by this level of politeness at a coin show.
I immediately viewed the auction lots and was impressed by the consignment of CAR/Costa Rica gold coins from a collection that was assembled in the late 60's and early 70's, with notes from the consignor and original auction flips. The quality of coins was mixed, but I liked the headliner (the 4 Escudo), and some others were quite nice. There was one, ONE, dirty US gold coin to consider, but overall, nothing earth-shattering in my collecting sphere.
The bourse seemed active with some buzz and bustle as people were checking out coins, buying and selling, and the public asking the usual variety of inane questions that we have grown accustomed. One particular "Ma and Pa Kettle" pair, with grandson in tow, was attempting to unload some Chinese pandas and such on the poor guy who was set up as a specialist in these. The poor woman was wheezing a fair amount, obviously suffered from emphysema, and I was afraid that I was going to be called into action for some real work. All parties seemed to survive the transaction, and so far as I know, 911 did not need to be called.
At the same table, I ended up being engaged in conversation by some nitwit who was very impressed with himself for buying silver at 28 and later selling it for 33. He seemed to think that he found the secret of how to make gold from straw or make gold from lead. And, finally, the annoying vest pocket guy who always tortures me, found me again, and I feigned interest in his diatribes on the CAC, CC gold, and similar topics.
I spent some time chatting with njcoincrank, who was there with his son and showing him the ropes of the coin biz. Bill S had a terrific selection of type coins, nearly all PCGS/CAC, including what might be the nicest buffalo nickel I have ever seen. He gave me some pointers and even sent me to look at a couple coins around the floor that he thought had my look.
I also reconnected with forum member shrub68, who was sharing a table with John Dannreuther, and I ended up buying a coin from Jim/shrub68, for one of my side projects. As for purchases, I bought a second coin for another side project and that was it. Nothing for the core collection. Nothing super cool or unusual.
I ran into the newly hired Scotsman employee, James Garcia, a former forum member (and currently active ATS as JamesEarlyUS). James has been cataloging for Scotsman for a couple of years, as a part time gig, and they finally hired him as a full time employee. I think his head is spinning with all of the new responsibilities given to him, but James is a hard worker, smart, and a nice guy, and I have little doubt that he will take Scotsman to the next level.
More than a couple times I heard statements like, "I am saving my cash for the ANA" or "I will dump this cheap because I am raising cash for the ANA."
On the way out, I saw a guy that looked like WTCG, but since I know that Wei is too cool to come to the Midwest
, I knew that I had to be mistaken and, indeed, was.
Overall, I would grade the show a B. Here is the letter grade breakdown, and perhaps others will adopt it, or something similar, in future show reports--
Logistics and venue: A (Functioning A/C, free parking and admission)
Dealer participation: B (there were some empty tables and some used as desks for wholesalers)
Quality and variety of coins for purchase: B- (there were a few big names, as mentioned, and others like NFC, RLH, Dalton, Hambrick, Tom Reynolds, Kern, Teaprty, etc., but of the three St. Louis shows, I think this one is the weakest for retail buying.
Dirty Gold availability: D (and not for Dahlonega! Very weak in fresh, dirty gold)
On-site grading: D (ANACS was there. Yawn.)
Food: Incomplete--I did not purchase any food
I immediately viewed the auction lots and was impressed by the consignment of CAR/Costa Rica gold coins from a collection that was assembled in the late 60's and early 70's, with notes from the consignor and original auction flips. The quality of coins was mixed, but I liked the headliner (the 4 Escudo), and some others were quite nice. There was one, ONE, dirty US gold coin to consider, but overall, nothing earth-shattering in my collecting sphere.
The bourse seemed active with some buzz and bustle as people were checking out coins, buying and selling, and the public asking the usual variety of inane questions that we have grown accustomed. One particular "Ma and Pa Kettle" pair, with grandson in tow, was attempting to unload some Chinese pandas and such on the poor guy who was set up as a specialist in these. The poor woman was wheezing a fair amount, obviously suffered from emphysema, and I was afraid that I was going to be called into action for some real work. All parties seemed to survive the transaction, and so far as I know, 911 did not need to be called.
At the same table, I ended up being engaged in conversation by some nitwit who was very impressed with himself for buying silver at 28 and later selling it for 33. He seemed to think that he found the secret of how to make gold from straw or make gold from lead. And, finally, the annoying vest pocket guy who always tortures me, found me again, and I feigned interest in his diatribes on the CAC, CC gold, and similar topics.
I spent some time chatting with njcoincrank, who was there with his son and showing him the ropes of the coin biz. Bill S had a terrific selection of type coins, nearly all PCGS/CAC, including what might be the nicest buffalo nickel I have ever seen. He gave me some pointers and even sent me to look at a couple coins around the floor that he thought had my look.
I also reconnected with forum member shrub68, who was sharing a table with John Dannreuther, and I ended up buying a coin from Jim/shrub68, for one of my side projects. As for purchases, I bought a second coin for another side project and that was it. Nothing for the core collection. Nothing super cool or unusual.
I ran into the newly hired Scotsman employee, James Garcia, a former forum member (and currently active ATS as JamesEarlyUS). James has been cataloging for Scotsman for a couple of years, as a part time gig, and they finally hired him as a full time employee. I think his head is spinning with all of the new responsibilities given to him, but James is a hard worker, smart, and a nice guy, and I have little doubt that he will take Scotsman to the next level.
More than a couple times I heard statements like, "I am saving my cash for the ANA" or "I will dump this cheap because I am raising cash for the ANA."
On the way out, I saw a guy that looked like WTCG, but since I know that Wei is too cool to come to the Midwest
, I knew that I had to be mistaken and, indeed, was.Overall, I would grade the show a B. Here is the letter grade breakdown, and perhaps others will adopt it, or something similar, in future show reports--
Logistics and venue: A (Functioning A/C, free parking and admission)
Dealer participation: B (there were some empty tables and some used as desks for wholesalers)
Quality and variety of coins for purchase: B- (there were a few big names, as mentioned, and others like NFC, RLH, Dalton, Hambrick, Tom Reynolds, Kern, Teaprty, etc., but of the three St. Louis shows, I think this one is the weakest for retail buying.
Dirty Gold availability: D (and not for Dahlonega! Very weak in fresh, dirty gold)
On-site grading: D (ANACS was there. Yawn.)
Food: Incomplete--I did not purchase any food
0
Comments
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 like how you graded aspects of the
show.
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
Did Bill show you his letter written by James Ross Snowden?
Check out the Southern Gold Society
Thanks for the report. It reads well attended.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
The content and commentary are excellent
good report, sounds like a good show.
Thanks for the report.
Nice report RYK... I've learned more from just a few visits to njcoincrank's table at shows then 5 years on this forum.
No, but I did not ask, either. Probably not my kind of thing.
How would you grade the show on having DIMES I need?
Incomplete, as I do not know what you need and only looked at a few dimes. BTW, one of my purchases was a dime.
We need pics of the Dime asap.
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
<< <i>Entertaining report. I like the grading scale.
>>
Me too. Except, shouldn't we use coin grades
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
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......
As DaveG. pointed out, Bill always has some great numismatic items like bills of sale, letters from mint officials and such. I don't collect such things as I try to maintain a collecting focus, but they are cool to look at and often the basis for a great story (Bill has more than a few, as does Dave for that matter).
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
I like the RYK Show Grading Scorecard™, I will probably steal that for future show reports.
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'm set up at table 109 Stop by and say hello
The show was pretty solid for the first day, hopefully today (with the metals up) will bring even more good news.
Ike Specialist
Finest Toned Ike I've Ever Seen, been looking since 1986