RYK'S Silver Dollar Show Report (St. Louis, MO), 10/17/2013
RYK
Posts: 35,800 ✭✭✭✭✭
Before someone quibbles, technically the show is in St. Charles, an across-the-river suburb of St. Louis that is 21 minutes from my house (all highway).
I had a window of time late this morning to make an annual visit to this long-running, mid-size national coin show. There were some warning signs in advance of me stepping onto the bourse that portended the kind of show that I was going to have.
1. The Scotsman auction was awfully weak in my areas of interest.
2. The two dudes in line in front of me at registration asked a lot of questions about the lot viewing for diamonds that would appear in the auction.
3. I nailed a parking spot at the curb right in front of the doors, the closest I had ever parked to the convention hall entrance...by at least a hundred yards.
4. Some dealers that I knew well that had tables in the past were not attending this year.
5. My 12 year old daughter was off from school and was watching old James Bond movies when I left.
That said, I walked onto the bourse, and while the configuration of the room was slightly different (mostly accommodating moving the auction lot viewing to a different location), the overall attendance seemed to match previous years. I did not bother with lot viewing as the catalog revealed little of interest for me, and apparently, I was not alone. Even with a hefty jewelry offering, lot viewing seemed to be down from previous years. I heard some dealers complaining about the show (as they do every year), and much of the conversation at tables was about sports, politics, strip clubs, etc. you know, the usual banter.
In walking around the room, there were a few more empty tables than usual, but a vast majority of attendees appeared to be dealers with few collectors as far as I could tell. Many of the big national dealers had all of their inventory in cases at the back of the table (Heritage, NFC, etc.), and depending on my mood, I will ask to see some coins. When I see a familiar Heritage or NFC (or whatever) face, they always show me boxes of whatever I want to see. Otherwise, it often goes something like this.
RYK: "Can I see your half eagles?"
Coin Dealer Dude: "What are you looking for?"
RYK: "No Motto half eagles and eagles, early with motto, branch mints, stuff like that?"
(and then it usually goes in one of these directions)
CDD: "We left all of those at home" (and likely whatever else you might ask to see)
or
CDD: "Here, check this one out..." as he hands me a freshly scrubbed XF 1844-O $5 in an NGC AU-55 holder
or
CDD: "Can you be more specific?" (because there is no way that I am going to let you interrupt my lunch to just browse my boxes, given that there is probably a greater chance that you would steal something from me than buy something)
and for that reason, as I did not see a friendly face, I did not bother to ask.
And speaking of lunch, there was a single coin on the bourse that I was strongly considering buying--an 1893 $10 in OGH MS-61--but the coin dealer has his lunch spread out all over his case and did not have the nerve to ask him to let me see the coin as it would involve about then minutes of shuffling food items around probably stuffing some of into his face while I watched. The idea of it was not appealing, the coin was not so important, so I just walked away.
There was one other coin of mild interest, a 1902-S $5 in OGH 63 which would be an upgrade for me Liberty $5 set, but upon close inspection it looked like the coin had been burned and turned, so I did not pursue it.
What I did see...
Tons and tons of Morgans (hey, it is called "The Silver Dollar Show"
More foreign coin dealers (that is, sellers of foreign coins) than I can remember seeing before which allowed me to see...
More hideously cleaned Pillar dollars than I have ever before seen in one location
An 1838-D $5 in PCGS AU-50 that has probably been offered for sale by the same dealer for at least 5 years. He tried once again to show it to me.
Two low grade 1860-S $3s (G-4 and VF-20)
DaveatHLRC and Shrub88 (and a few other dealers I knew)
What I did not see...
Not a single Type I $20 Lib (raw, slabbed, holed)--when you think about it, millions of these were struck and hundreds of thousands (?) are still around.
More than a handful of No Motto $10's (and probably closer to one coin than five)
Any dietary restraint on the part of the show goers--they were eating horrible concession stand food like it was going out of style.
An attendance gift at registration (other than the tootsie roll I snagged). In the past, there have been numismatic trinkets or raffles.
Any collector friends (usually I see two or three, even on Thursday)
I sold nothing, purchased nothing, and left with the pleasant thoughts that I am fortunate to have acquired the coins that I own and that if I ever set up for this show with my collection for sale, my table would likely be very popular!
I had a window of time late this morning to make an annual visit to this long-running, mid-size national coin show. There were some warning signs in advance of me stepping onto the bourse that portended the kind of show that I was going to have.
1. The Scotsman auction was awfully weak in my areas of interest.
2. The two dudes in line in front of me at registration asked a lot of questions about the lot viewing for diamonds that would appear in the auction.
3. I nailed a parking spot at the curb right in front of the doors, the closest I had ever parked to the convention hall entrance...by at least a hundred yards.
4. Some dealers that I knew well that had tables in the past were not attending this year.
5. My 12 year old daughter was off from school and was watching old James Bond movies when I left.
That said, I walked onto the bourse, and while the configuration of the room was slightly different (mostly accommodating moving the auction lot viewing to a different location), the overall attendance seemed to match previous years. I did not bother with lot viewing as the catalog revealed little of interest for me, and apparently, I was not alone. Even with a hefty jewelry offering, lot viewing seemed to be down from previous years. I heard some dealers complaining about the show (as they do every year), and much of the conversation at tables was about sports, politics, strip clubs, etc. you know, the usual banter.
In walking around the room, there were a few more empty tables than usual, but a vast majority of attendees appeared to be dealers with few collectors as far as I could tell. Many of the big national dealers had all of their inventory in cases at the back of the table (Heritage, NFC, etc.), and depending on my mood, I will ask to see some coins. When I see a familiar Heritage or NFC (or whatever) face, they always show me boxes of whatever I want to see. Otherwise, it often goes something like this.
RYK: "Can I see your half eagles?"
Coin Dealer Dude: "What are you looking for?"
RYK: "No Motto half eagles and eagles, early with motto, branch mints, stuff like that?"
(and then it usually goes in one of these directions)
CDD: "We left all of those at home" (and likely whatever else you might ask to see)
or
CDD: "Here, check this one out..." as he hands me a freshly scrubbed XF 1844-O $5 in an NGC AU-55 holder
or
CDD: "Can you be more specific?" (because there is no way that I am going to let you interrupt my lunch to just browse my boxes, given that there is probably a greater chance that you would steal something from me than buy something)
and for that reason, as I did not see a friendly face, I did not bother to ask.
And speaking of lunch, there was a single coin on the bourse that I was strongly considering buying--an 1893 $10 in OGH MS-61--but the coin dealer has his lunch spread out all over his case and did not have the nerve to ask him to let me see the coin as it would involve about then minutes of shuffling food items around probably stuffing some of into his face while I watched. The idea of it was not appealing, the coin was not so important, so I just walked away.
There was one other coin of mild interest, a 1902-S $5 in OGH 63 which would be an upgrade for me Liberty $5 set, but upon close inspection it looked like the coin had been burned and turned, so I did not pursue it.
What I did see...
Tons and tons of Morgans (hey, it is called "The Silver Dollar Show"
More foreign coin dealers (that is, sellers of foreign coins) than I can remember seeing before which allowed me to see...
More hideously cleaned Pillar dollars than I have ever before seen in one location
An 1838-D $5 in PCGS AU-50 that has probably been offered for sale by the same dealer for at least 5 years. He tried once again to show it to me.
Two low grade 1860-S $3s (G-4 and VF-20)
DaveatHLRC and Shrub88 (and a few other dealers I knew)
What I did not see...
Not a single Type I $20 Lib (raw, slabbed, holed)--when you think about it, millions of these were struck and hundreds of thousands (?) are still around.
More than a handful of No Motto $10's (and probably closer to one coin than five)
Any dietary restraint on the part of the show goers--they were eating horrible concession stand food like it was going out of style.
An attendance gift at registration (other than the tootsie roll I snagged). In the past, there have been numismatic trinkets or raffles.
Any collector friends (usually I see two or three, even on Thursday)
I sold nothing, purchased nothing, and left with the pleasant thoughts that I am fortunate to have acquired the coins that I own and that if I ever set up for this show with my collection for sale, my table would likely be very popular!
0
Comments
My local B&M is set up at the show; as he is at most Midwest shows.
<< <i>5. My 12 year old daughter was off from school and was watching old James Bond movies when I left. >>
<< <i>CDD: "Can you be more specific?" (because there is no way that I am going to let you interrupt my lunch to just browse my boxes, given that there is probably a greater chance that you would steal something from me than buy something) >>
Dang, I didn't think you are THAT rough looking of a feller?
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
Thanks for the report. Hope your daughter enjoyed the Bond movies.
What is wrong with the '38-D $5?
<< <i>Thanks for the report. Hope your daughter enjoyed the Bond movies.
What is wrong with the '38-D $5? >>
It's not nice for the grade and too expensive (which is generally the explanation for any coin that is on the market for five years).
Nice report
Sorry to hear about the lack of acceptable material
First time not attending a show in my own backyard.
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
K
My 1866 Philly Mint Set
<< <i>
An 1838-D $5 in PCGS AU-50 that has probably been offered for sale by the same dealer for at least 5 years. He tried once again to show it to me.
>>
ha...that's funny. i think i know that one.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
<< <i>Before someone quibbles, technically the show is in St. Charles, an across-the-river suburb of St. Louis that is 21 minutes from my house (all highway) >>
St. Louis' Rosemont?
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
And I also never understood the idea of not letting people browse through a box. Are you supposed to guess the exact date, mint and grade of a coin so you can actually look at it? It's like a game of Go Fish.
Do you have any halves earlier than these Walkers in your case?
"Ummm.... what type?"
Seated Liberty?
"Ummm.... Motto or No motto?"
"No motto?"
"Ummm.... no."
Gee, no bonus round for me!
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>
<< <i>Before someone quibbles, technically the show is in St. Charles, an across-the-river suburb of St. Louis that is 21 minutes from my house (all highway) >>
St. Louis' Rosemont? >>
Nothing in StL really compares to Rosemont. They got a different vibe down there.
<< <i>I sold nothing, purchased nothing, and left with the pleasant thoughts that I am fortunate to have acquired the coins that I own and that if I ever set up for this show with my collection for sale, my table would likely be very popular! >>
I am sure with what we have seen here all these years in the forum ...I totally agree with what you said above.
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"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
From the outset. I knew the Bond movies would come up, but someone already beat me to it.
I'll only note you could have stayed home and watched the first one with her. Seemed to numismatically describe your day....
Oh Ursula..
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'm surprised by the presense of foreign dealers.
<< <i>Excellent report..
From the outset. I knew the Bond movies would come up, but someone already beat me to it.
I'll only note you could have stayed home and watched the first one with her. Seemed to numismatically describe your day....
Oh Ursula.. >>
She was just starting Goldfinger when I returned home. The irony!
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
NLCS tonite.
I'm here now!
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
There seem to be more foreign and ancient dealers at the St. Louis shows these days as well. There was more platinum than usual as well, and a fair amount of bullion, lots of silver dollars and generic gold too.
Great Collections was there!
I knew it would happen.
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>All is not lost if a dealer made it to the
NLCS tonite.
I'm here now!
Awesome game for a Cards fan!
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