My December 2015 PCGS Members Show Las Vegas report
ElmerFusterpuck
Posts: 4,767 ✭✭✭✭✭
Just wrapped up my short stay in Vegas and attended the PCGS Members Show. At least it wasn't 5 years between shows this time, since I also went to the April show this year.
Compared to that one, the activity was much more bustling at this show. There was a steady stream of people going in and out, especially the first couple days. Maybe it was for the food!
Like FUN, Long Beach, the ANA shows or others, this is one show every serious collector should try to make at least once in their lifetime. It's a small show, which gives you a chance to shoot the breeze with many a dealer or fellow coin nerds. Along with that, you get to view many an amazing coin or two. Some of the people I got a chance to talk to were Andy and Alynne of Angel Dee's, Mason Amos, Evan Gale of Aspen, Larry Shapiro, the fine folks at Paragon Numismatics (names have escaped me!), Mark of Mark's Coins, Steve Teal of Stateline Coin Exchange and others. It's far tougher to do that at a big show, when everyone is busier. I also had a chance to preview the lots for the Legend auction and attend - my first coin auction in person!
Here are my takes on the show, these are my opinions only:
Grading and upgrading has gotten to be a big business in the coin market. For us everyday collectors a plus or a 1 point bump or deduction may or may not matter, but for some dealers it is a big thing. It's their living and I understand it, no criticism there. It's something that can't be ignored.
Attending the Legend auction was eye opening. While many of the toners coins and rare type (the 1796 half in VF-30) went for strong prices, many others fell way short of their estimate and went for 50% to 60% of PCGS guide prices. They were not bad coins at all, I'm sure many of the bidders were happy about that. I had my eye on a few coins, but all but one had shot up in price before the auction started. The one I tried bidding on went past what I wanted to do. No biggie, still had fun attending!
Vegas itself appears to be turning around on the surface, but there are still some problems underneath all that glitz. All the consolidation of ownership to just two major companies for the majority of Strip casinos is showing, giving many of them the same look and feel. It's not good and reminds one of the same strip centers that can be found in every town in the U.S.
Overall I had a great time at the show! I submitted a few coins for crossover, but chose economy submission. I'll post the results in a future thread. OK, now on to the purchases from the show!
This first coin comes from Paragon Numismatics. It caught my eye because of the nice even dark tone with full blazing luster. The little bits of green and pink don't hurt either.
PCGS MS-65:
The next one comes from Mark's Coins, another great dealership. This coin grabbed my attention as soon as I got to the case. It really booms in hand and I didn't quite have this color scheme in my toned collection.
NGC MS-65*:
The next two come from Larry Shapiro. I didn't have any target toned Morgans, and he had two in his case. The obverse one was beyond my range, but the reverse toner was right up my alley. I like the way the circular tone ring hugs the wreath.
PCGS MS-64:
And lastly, this was a fun addition to my collection. I really don't collect errors, but this one was too good to pass up. Not often you get a cool error with attractive toning.
NGC MS-64 BN:
Compared to that one, the activity was much more bustling at this show. There was a steady stream of people going in and out, especially the first couple days. Maybe it was for the food!
Like FUN, Long Beach, the ANA shows or others, this is one show every serious collector should try to make at least once in their lifetime. It's a small show, which gives you a chance to shoot the breeze with many a dealer or fellow coin nerds. Along with that, you get to view many an amazing coin or two. Some of the people I got a chance to talk to were Andy and Alynne of Angel Dee's, Mason Amos, Evan Gale of Aspen, Larry Shapiro, the fine folks at Paragon Numismatics (names have escaped me!), Mark of Mark's Coins, Steve Teal of Stateline Coin Exchange and others. It's far tougher to do that at a big show, when everyone is busier. I also had a chance to preview the lots for the Legend auction and attend - my first coin auction in person! Here are my takes on the show, these are my opinions only:
Grading and upgrading has gotten to be a big business in the coin market. For us everyday collectors a plus or a 1 point bump or deduction may or may not matter, but for some dealers it is a big thing. It's their living and I understand it, no criticism there. It's something that can't be ignored.
Attending the Legend auction was eye opening. While many of the toners coins and rare type (the 1796 half in VF-30) went for strong prices, many others fell way short of their estimate and went for 50% to 60% of PCGS guide prices. They were not bad coins at all, I'm sure many of the bidders were happy about that. I had my eye on a few coins, but all but one had shot up in price before the auction started. The one I tried bidding on went past what I wanted to do. No biggie, still had fun attending!
Vegas itself appears to be turning around on the surface, but there are still some problems underneath all that glitz. All the consolidation of ownership to just two major companies for the majority of Strip casinos is showing, giving many of them the same look and feel. It's not good and reminds one of the same strip centers that can be found in every town in the U.S.
Overall I had a great time at the show! I submitted a few coins for crossover, but chose economy submission. I'll post the results in a future thread. OK, now on to the purchases from the show!
This first coin comes from Paragon Numismatics. It caught my eye because of the nice even dark tone with full blazing luster. The little bits of green and pink don't hurt either.
PCGS MS-65:
The next one comes from Mark's Coins, another great dealership. This coin grabbed my attention as soon as I got to the case. It really booms in hand and I didn't quite have this color scheme in my toned collection.
NGC MS-65*:
The next two come from Larry Shapiro. I didn't have any target toned Morgans, and he had two in his case. The obverse one was beyond my range, but the reverse toner was right up my alley. I like the way the circular tone ring hugs the wreath.
PCGS MS-64:
And lastly, this was a fun addition to my collection. I really don't collect errors, but this one was too good to pass up. Not often you get a cool error with attractive toning.
NGC MS-64 BN:
10-4,
Erik
My registry sets
0
Comments
Great fun error pickup!
mark
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......
I was not expecting such attractive toning on that cool Lincoln error. Nice!
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
Thank you for your report.
Congrats on your newps
AB
a few years now. The times of shows and when I'm there doesn't match up.
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
Great looking group of coins ya' got there.
Morgan dollars sometimes take a bad rap from some of the folks here on the forums but they are still my favorite coin to collect.
Mike
Mike Byers
Mike Byers Inc
Boy, those prongs on that error cover a decent portion of that cent.
OINK
Great report. Thanks for your insight. Having been to Vegas once to see Andreas Boccelli
all I remember was the flight was forever. It takes the wind out of your sails just getting
there. Maybe one of these days, I'll make it to a Legend Auction & PCGS Members only show
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Coin collecting is not a hobby, it's an obsession !
New Barber Purchases
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.