Long Beach Report

TommyType

As late as mid week, I had intended to go only on Saturday. But as Thursday dragged on, I found myself thinking more and more about taking Friday off, and sneaking off to Long Beach. So, I did!

• Nasty stormy in SoCal today. Rain is supposed to total over 2 or 3 inches everywhere, with 6 or 8 in some areas, and it's very windy. It didn't really start raining until maybe noon(?) in Long Beach, but the TV warnings leading up to today were so pervasive, I think it probably scared off some, and affected the crowd. Seemed fairly empty in the aisles, based on what I recall from other shows. It might make for a very busy Saturday, since it's supposed to clear up by late morning?

• Lesson Learned: If you carry a business style leather satchel, everyone will assume you are SELLING! Normally, I go to shows "lean and mean". Cargo pants for storage, no bag, no jacket. So, it's rare that anyone asks if I have something to sell. Of course I don't! I look like a geeky coin collector!
  But, because of the rain, I wanted something to store a light jacket, and my umbrella. Easiest was my business trip travel shoulder bag. On top of that, I had my "Indiana Jones" style rain hat....so suddenly, I looked like a coin selling mercenary, I guess. I stopped counting the number of dealers who asked if I was selling, but it easily surpassed a dozen. I was even stopped in the aisle twice by random people asking if I was selling! (Guess if I ever DO plan on going on a selling spree, I now know how to dress....)

• My Plan for the Day: Didn't have one....and that was the plan. I've kind of decided that if I focus on ONE desire, I get frustrated when I inevitably don't find it, and I miss seeing "other things" and other opportunities. I know my want list pretty well, since I check the weekly auctions for them every week. So, I just went to Long Beach this time with an open eye.

• Don't you hate it when you see a coin with the price tag fully visible, but you can't find a dealer to take your money?
  
  I showed them! I just walked away.

• Overheard at Ted's Coins table: "I know I'm kind of new...but what is this 'MS' thing written on the holders?"
  Yes, you are kind of new....but we all start somewhere! Ted stepped up, and gave a really good tutorial on coin grading.

• What my "open eyes" finally settled on.
  1) PCGS AU-53, 1825 Bust Half. Lightly toned, nice remaining luster, and with a just a hint of blue-green color around the stars. I'm kinda-sorta working on a date set of Busties, and this one fits quite nicely. I haven't done an Overton on it yet...but past experience says it will be the most common variety. I buy on look, not variety.
  Initially, I was eyeing an 1811 in PCGS VF-35 CAC, with a nice "circulated cameo" look at another table....but passed due to price. I set a price in my head, and thought I was probably being generous. But it was priced at 50% higher! Dealer said, "Well, that's obviously too high...I can go $__", which was still 25% over "my price". Um...No. Someone in the Bust Half world might have told me I was being silly, but that was too much for me. In my little world, the 1825 in AU-53 was a better buy at the same price as "my price" on the 1811.

2) Picked up a PCGS AU-53 1870 2-cent from John McIntosh's table. More accurately, I think it was John McIntosh's son, who has been dealing side-by-side with him recently. Again, I'm working on a date set. Nice brown color, and no distracting spots. For some reason, the 1870 has been a deceptively uncommon date, in my limited experience. It books for less than the 1871 in this grade range, but I seem to see the 1871 much more often...(though, I haven't actually acquired one yet!)

3) I'm ACTIVELY working a set a Walkers, (compared to dabbling on Busties and 2-centers....don't make me define the difference), and found an 1929-S I really liked the look of. Technically, at VF-30, it's a lower grade than I was seeking, (XF-AU). But the nice original toning sold me. It was a cheapy coin, but I figured it worked for me.

• By the time I left at 2:30pm, the storm had kicked in. Wind and rain made walking around the area a pain. Undeterred, I went across Pine to the California Pizza Kitchen, (as I usually do), to have lunch/dinner, and a beer. Lost my hat once, and my umbrella inverted 3 or 4 times walking back to the parking garage. Freeways weren't TOO bad, and I got home safely. (Thanks for asking).

All in all, a fun day at Long Beach. Not sure if I'll make the trip again tomorrow, or not. I'll just spend more money....

Kyle

Good Read. Thanks for the report!

TopographicOceans

Nice report. Thanks.
It's good to see prices on coins

Walkerfan

Thanks, for the interesting report. Sounds like you had a nice time.

Walkerguy21D

Nice write up - thanks for taking the time and sharing your thoughts with us!

Desert Moon

Thanks for the report, always good to see them.

Best, SH

ricko

Thanks for a good report. I agree about going to a show with a generally open mind... I too experienced 'shut out' when only seeking a specific coin.... often saves money, but spoils the fun.... Cheers, RickO

logger7

Thanks for the report. Too bad on the flooding, but glad the drought is over. Security needs to always be kept in mind.