NY International - Show Wrap Up
Zohar
Posts: 6,676 ✭✭✭✭✭
For me, this local show has been a treat for the past 5 years. A chance to personally engage (offline) with the various stakeholders in this hobby - auction houses, dealers and of course, sense the collector vibe. This is an end of an era as the show will no longer be held at the Waldorf, which on one hand will modernize the venue, on the other lose some of the special feeling you get when walking into a NYC landmark where US Presidents and historical figures have stayed over decades.
The week started on a very negative and embarrassing note for me - I came in for lot viewing particularly focusing on the Heritage Moore collection, which presented some superb quality crowns. I reserved some funds for this purpose. The sale was held at 1PM EST on Monday and I thought for some strange reason that it is at 1PM CST (some auctions use this time zone in their catalogs). I stroll in to the live auction and... Chinese coins are being offered - clearly I missed the Austrian section. Frustration is an understatement, yet as in certain situations in life, from bad comes good. First - I meet Pruebas for the first time when speaking to Andy Lustig prior to the evening's auction - friendly, knowledgeable and addicted like all of us for sure! I vent about my disastrous Moore sale outcome seeking consolation, yet we both know that its a major mess up. I rush to lot viewing to have a look at one lot on Platinum Night which seemed to be scarcer than listed - a Hungarian 2 Taler as written up here - https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/comment/11619927#Comment_11619927
The following days I come in/out of the Waldorf from the office for lot viewing and bidding on CNG, New York Sale. No luck there as bidding seemed to have no limits on certain pieces I was after, which ended far higher than market, while not being scarce. Makes one wonder who was actually bidding on them - perhaps an attempt to protect a consignment or set a new high? Not clear.
Then the early bird begins on Thursday - much awaited as whether you end up buying coins or not, you see lots of them! Walking the show floor (in 4 different rooms) can be addictive and repetitive yet uncontrollable. I can't get enough of this stuff.
And of course the most fun part for me - the people. I meet up with EVP, the fabulous Andy Lustig (Mr. Eureka) and his welcoming smile, harasha, coincat, Iosephus, Nap, John Agre (CRO), and Todd @ BlueCC Photo who was as friendly as always and placed one of my coins in his brochure!! (what an honor). I also spend quality time with an Italian dealer friend who I saw this past summer in Florence.
An even greater treat was meeting TwoKopeiki (a wonderful, respectful guy and extremely knowledgeable collector) who came in from the cold North at the show after many years, ending up at a spontaneous dinner in an Irish pub with him and EVP in an Irish bar talking about anything BUT coins. I meet Mrs. EVP prior to dinner, while passing by the hotel. People with shared passion just mesh well I find. I meet 2K again in the AM to look at coins and head back to the bourse for the Stacks lot viewing. I meet MarcMoish who came in for a sneak peek. Believe it or not, I had never met Marc in person, even though I feel that I have known for years as a mentor on the forum. He is as nice in person as on forum or his frequent texts and I appreciate his friendship and support. We jointly look at lots and head back to bourse.
I scan the floor and come across very few pieces of interest. However, in an unexpected table of mostly British material, I find a stellar old collection of German, Italian and Austrian Crowns. Here is a wicked coin that laid in the case which gave me sticker shock, yet for a good reason - stunner!
I look further and I find a multi Taler of Rudolph II which weighs like a hockey puck- a 3 Taler! Pricey, yet the coin kicks butt for what it is. I don't know the dealer, yet wanted to take the coin for second opinions. Dealer doesn't know me but I suggest leaving my wallet as collateral for 15 minutes of consultation - they agree. I head to Kunker and another dealer for confirmation. Now the difficult part, the price, A partial trade soothes the pain. It's mine - look at that rim!
I spend the Saturday hanging around with EVP joking around the halls while looking at coins and people. We even walked around with a young liteside dealer who can't avoid talking about nickels, dimes and others. EVP bought a killer Italian piece and teased me with his German collection. I run into Iosephus and Harasha again and chat while ending up buying another coin a bit out of my traditional scope an Austrian Netherlands 1789B 1/2 Kronenthaler conditionally scarce within a mintage of 24,000.
I came in again today with my 7 year old daughter as we do every year since she was 4. Not sure if she likes the coins as much as walking around looking at people with coins.... Much lighter traffic which allows for calmer discussions with collectors and dealers. We buy two bags of theme coins (birds and countries) from Educational Coin Company which we like to sort together from time to time. Say goodbye to EVP and others and sell a few coins on the way out which was nice. Also drop off a few coins for grading, re-designation (as PL) and re-holdering at NGC.
Lastly, market and show observations:
1) Thinner traffic overall, with fewer younger collectors. Perhaps the cost of coming in, or the comfort of the internet
2) Auctions were busy. Hit or miss - rarities or quality coins do EXTREMELY well, commonly replaceable coins are softer.
3) Dealer inventories are limited with quality navigating to auctions. Exception - Atlas Numismatics who keeps a broad high grade inventory (priced accordingly).
4) Weak Euro/Strong Dollar is felt (almost parity) - You almost sensed a dead European vibe with respect to even attempting to buy, while eagerness to get US Dollars for their material. European export headaches, however, prevent them from bringing in much in inventory. Frustrating as seller and buyer.
To conclude - great show and week in spite of the hiccups. Todd @ BlueCC Photo was kind enough to burn my raw (unedited) images on a CD. I had 21 coins imaged, here are a few as preview and fully edited will be listed separately when done. See you all next year at the Grand Hyatt!
Comments
Great writeup & coins. That one that looks like a hockey puck, you ain't kidding!
By chance what's the weight of it?
Nice summary, Z.
The R2 3T is a very handsome coin, a lot nicer IMO than the image (which makes it look similar in quality to the Hungary 2T but isn't really when viewed in hand).
The Austrian Netherlands 1/2KT is also a lot nicer than the slabbed grade. It is accurately graded, but has the eye appeal of a coin 1-3 points HIGHER! Z did well to get that.
The Rooster coin is also nicer in hand than the image would suggest. The image suggests a solid Choice AU coin, whereas it actually is much nicer - has strong luster underneath the crusty toning, making it a great slider coin. Anyone crazy enough to dip the coin will probably see a blasty lustrous coin shine through. (But, I hope no one dips it because the coin is great as is.)
How does one get a hater to stop hating?
I can be reached at evillageprowler@gmail.com
84gr..
I guess that would be the 3T?
How does one get a hater to stop hating?
I can be reached at evillageprowler@gmail.com
Wow....
BTW, the same dealer with that 3T also has a Charles I silver pound in very nice grade. Obviously priced high, but it was also crazy massive. Should be ~1/3rd heavier than the 3T. I held it, and it gives new meaning to 'size matters'.
How does one get a hater to stop hating?
I can be reached at evillageprowler@gmail.com
Great coins, thanks for taking the time to write up a report. I always enjoy reading these.
Just reading this and one feels the love and affection you have for your dark-side beauties - love these reads.
You are lucky to able to spend as much time as you do, perhaps one day I hope I can too.
The 3T is a killer glad I saw it in hand...like EVP mentioned and I agree - way better in hand so if you think the pic rocks...
The rooster is a super cool newp too - a solid addition to your Hashem's name/Jehovah theme. I believe I will love watching this set grow.
I can go on and on, but suffice to say it was a pleasure to meet up with you, and glad we did.
Nice to finally meet you Zohar. And I met 2K for the first time too, albeit all too briefly. (I actually met EVP as well, but he didn't know it....)
Great purchases! While it may feel bad at first, don't sweat missing your auction lots. As Mr. Eureka says, there are always more coins to buy. Truer words have not been spoken.
I missed out on some nice coins too. One a post-sale purchase (because the starting bid was too high and another person made a higher offer than me) and another because HA changed the way they price their hardcopy catalog and I got confused about the value of the coin vs. the bid in the heat of bidding. (I didn't know how to price the coin so I was relying on HA estimates in this instance).
I do want to add that even on not-so-good coins, there was some strong money in the room. Not all of course, but enough.
I sensed a possibility of shill bidding, but nothing to speak of. I thought there was much more at the Heritage ANA auction. Curious to hear your side of this (perhaps privately).
"I actually met EVP too, but he didn't know it."
@pruebas - I am so sorry. I really don't mean to be impolite (to most people, at least). Please refresh my memory.
How does one get a hater to stop hating?
I can be reached at evillageprowler@gmail.com
You weren't being impolite at all. I was being secretive....
I'll just say you certainly didn't want to forget that knife!
Ah, ok. That would explain why I didn't remember you. Again - sorry.
How does one get a hater to stop hating?
I can be reached at evillageprowler@gmail.com
Thanks for the show report Zohar, I really wish I could come to one of these. Maybe one day.
"And I met 2K for the first time too, albeit all too briefly."
@pruebas I know! I was trying to track you down afterwards, but unsuccessfully. Did you see the 1829 PI JS 8 Reales copper pattern in NGC MS61 BN at Stephen Album's desk?
8 Reales Madness Collection
@TwoKopeiki, at these busy shows, everyone is always scurrying from one place to the next to transact business and secure the next great piece for their collection. There should be a show that's just social or educational in nature, but if there was, nobody would spend the money to attend!
I know of that piece, but thank you for the heads-up. I'll tell you a story about that type and why I'll never need to pursue it again. But I should do it privately to protect the guilty!