Rambling Long Beach Show Report
TommyType
Posts: 4,586 ✭✭✭✭✭
Departed home in North Orange County at 10:00am, with Long Beach on my mind. Quick ATM stop for $$, and a mini-market stop for a snack. Traffic was a bit of a pain, so I followed my GPS suggestion to get off the 405, and take surface streets through Long Beach. Not sure it was the best idea....but I got there safe and sound at 11:15 or so. Early enough to have a full day...late enough to avoid the opening lines.
Task 1 was to finally submit my 9 coin lot to PCGS for grading. I had planned to do it a month ago before my membership ran out for the year, and then not renew. (I don't have that much business to do!). But "real life" kept preventing me from getting that done, and I was forced to either pass on submitting these coins, or do a renewal. I decided there are some cross-overs that I really WOULD like to do in the next year or so...so what the hell. If I continue to submit in person, the savings on shipping may pay for the membership anyway! (That's what I'm telling myself...don't argue with me). 
The submission is:
- 4 Bust Halves that I picked up over the years. All Fine to VF, so nothing special, and probably don't need to be certified. But I'm slowly working a date set, so they'll at least fit in the same box now! (That's what I'm telling myself...don't argue with me).
- 3 Morgans from my "attempt at a full set" that just have that "original luster" look to them. They may grade out better than my own guess of 63 to 64 based on that.
- 1 Peace Dollar that I don't remember buying, since I'm not a Peace collector. (I'm sure we all have a few of those). It just really looks clean and unmolested, which is probably why I bought it. I grade it 64, but hoping for a pleasant surprise again. At least, I think it deserves a nice home.
- 1 throw in: A 1964 Proof Kennedy Half from my EARLY days of collecting. Turns out, it's an accented hair variety (in my judgement). It will probably only grade out to PF-64 due to hairlines, but my PCGS "Modern Type Set" has the variety, and I have the option of actually seeking out and buying one, or spending 20 bucks to fill the hole. Since I was submitting anyway.... (That's what I'm telling myself...don't argue with me).
That taken care of, I started my walk up the aisles with no real plan in mind. If I see something I like and need? Buy it. If not, next table.
Had a real nice conversation with Jim Koenings, "Die Variety Specialist" (from his business card). Don't know if he's well known. But the gist of the conversation was 1837 to 1839 Bust Half varieties. He started it off by asking, "So, are you interested in varieties?" "I dabble in Overton, and VAM's...you know, the basic stuff". Well, he pulled out some books, and notes, and auction listings, and told me that the way to go is reeded edge Busties by GR number! Some are only known by fewer than a dozen examples, and several by single examples! And you just KNOW more exist, wallowing away in collections somewhere. "The Book" on the series only exists as a couple hundred copies....so unlike Overton, you may be one of very few searching for them! He has a point. And I was interested enough to wonder if my 1837, '38, or '39 might just be one of those hidden treasures! (Ok...seems unlikely...but that's what I'm telling myself...don't argue with me.) I plan to do some deeper research on those coins...maybe even find the book.
Took a few notes along the way, but didn't find anything that really demanded that I pull out my wallet through the first 3 rows or so. Then I spotted some really NICE looking Busties in the VF range at one table. For me, that's the sweet spot as far as "bang for the buck". Problem is, many VF coins are PDU....Pretty Darn Ugly. These were not. I don't know where he got them, but many were graded in near sequential new PCGS holders. I noted the table, and moved on....until I got back to his table up the next row. I knew I just HAD to pick out a couple of them before they got sold. Problem is...The dealer was gone! His table-mate called him on his cell, without answer. "Well, I'll hit another aisle and come back!" So, I did. Thankfully, he was back, and they were still there when I got there. I picked up a 1819 in VF-30, and an 1827 in VF-35....both at a real nice price, in my mind. That right there made a successful show, as far as I was concerned. Overton variety identification on for tonight! (Oh, the fun....That's what I'm telling myself....don't argue with me).
As an Anaheim Ducks season ticket holder, I was disgusted.....DISGUSTED I SAY....to see the LA Kings had a booth selling game worn jerseys over in the sports memorabilia area. If you are a Ducks fan, you are required to hate the Kings...and vice versa.
I almost bit on a MS-64 Grant commemorative. From a distance, it had great luster and some nice color poking through. Problem is, when I picked it up and looked closer, the color wasn't there, and the surfaces were scuffy. It was like a different coin. . I know lighting can play tricks, but I've never been that BADLY tricked before... Really weird....and I passed.
Once I had walked pretty much the entire bourse, I had the choice of going back for further looks at the 3 or 4 items I had taken note of, but didn't really thrill me.....Or going back to John McIntosh's table. I pretty much KNOW I'm going to find something at his table if I look long enough! Some dealers just "fit" you. I went there, and I did. A really sweet looking 1906 Liberty Nickel. Technically, it was on his son's side of the table, but the rule still stands. It's graded MS-64, but I think most novice graders of the series would throw a 65 guess at it, (I would). Really clean looking with nice luster. Not BOOMING, and maybe slightly under-struck for a 65....but a really sweet 64 IMHO. Got a nice price again, and I was a happy boy.
Attendance: It was pretty quiet, I thought. I never felt like I was in a crowd. Most dealers seemed to say they were doing pretty fair business, but I got the impression that was based on YESTERDAY more than today. Are Friday's usually a slow day?
I really have grown to like not having "a plan" for a coin show. I tend to get better coins, because I'm not buying something just to fit "the plan"!!
Did my usual Beer and Pizza at the California Pizza Kitchen across the street, and headed home...in traffic. (Then I wrote this rambling trip report). 
All in all, a pleasant day looking at coins. Love the Long Beach show, and I feel really lucky to live so close to a "major" coin show 3 times a year!
Comments
If anyone runs a busy table at a show it's John McIntosh. He always has a huge mix and I find it fun to do business with him.
I've been bitten by Long Beach lights before. Nice report!
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 really enjoyed that report, except the part where you are buying up my busties...thanks for the effort! Actually I have most of the 19's and have no intent to even try to get most of the 27's.
No arguments from me. Thoroughly enjoyed your report.
I spoke with a NY dealer who said yesterday was a good day for him, he does a lot of gold so that makes sense. Today he said was not as strong. One of the stronger shows.
Nice report, and congrats on the successful day.
Thanks for the nice report.
I think that you may have great talent for writing show reports. You make me feel all of the action, and all of the emotion of traversing the bourse. A little more emotion would maybe make you great.
OINK
Thanks for the report. I was only there a few hours and it seemed quiet.
"As an Anaheim Ducks season ticket holder, I was disgusted.....DISGUSTED I SAY....to see the LA Kings had a booth selling game worn jerseys over in the sports memorabilia area. If you are a Ducks fan, you are required to hate the Kings...and vice versa."
As a very long-time LA Kings fan (from OC no less) I can appreciate that. And, yes, the Ducks are the enemy.
I met Darryl Evans at the show. Nice guy and got his autograph too.
jom
Was he wearing a shiny suit?
Now, in reality, I thought it was a pretty good marketing thing for the Kings to have a booth. Didn't look like they were selling much, or had much interest....but we all know hockey is a second class sport in LA/OC.
We are the few, the proud, the hockey fans of SoCal. (Yet, I still hate the Kings).
Enjoyed your report, and good luck with the busties!
Cool report. What service level did you submit? I am assuming it was not show grading?
No, no, no.....Economy all the way. I'm rarely in a hurry when it comes to coins! The rest of my life can be frantic....coins need to be relaxing.
I like a long coin show report with all the details. Thanks!
But man, I hate not being any where near a coin show. It sux.
Thank you for the interesting show report.
Yeah it would be great not to have to drive hours to either attend or set up at a show! Thank you for reporting and I'm glad you found some coins that fit your style.
Kind regards,
George
Kings have twice as many Stanley Cups...
Thanks for the report; didn't make it out there this time. You wrote a good report; made me feel like I was there. Thanks for that!
Did you see anything you thought was special that you enjoyed seeing, even though you know you could never afford to buy it? I always like to hold a coin like that in my hand when I attend a major show, as there's always a dealer who has one who is willing to show it to someone who appreciates the gesture.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
Like the show....hate the drive.
Great report...good detail... you mentioned gold... did you notice if it was moving quickly? Or just seem a regular market? Cheers, RickO
Have to say I wasn't paying much attention to gold. If it was moving fast, I missed it. Didn't see any large quantities being bought up just in my casual walk through the bourse.
For what it's worth,
I went to a local coin show and neither gold or silver seemed to be moving much. Guess people thought the same as I did (not bargain-priced compared to just the last few months.) I still bought some of both, however.
That is very, very cool. Is this their 1st time doing this at long beach?
Signed,
A Blackhawks & Predators fan
(you must hate me now)
Thanks for reporting back, sounds like you had fun
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
First I've ever seen....for any local team.
And I don't HATE the fans of teams I hate! I just question their sanity.
@tommytype Gotta say, 2015 Ducks were super scary. I think you guys would have won the cup, if we didn't.
Not OP, but I definitely did. One of my favorite parts of going is getting to hold coins that are orders of magnitude more than I can afford. There were a pair of AU 1796 $2.5 No Stars which were really cool to hold and see in person. A couple 1794 dollars were there to hold as well. And a very nice copper collection at 1 table.
Successful transactions with: wondercoin, Tetromibi, PerryHall, PlatinumDuck, JohnMaben/Pegasus Coin & Jewelry, CoinFlip, and coinlieutenant.
Nice report. I tried to get my g/f to go with me. She said she would rather be my wife, so I stayed home.... and fixed the lawn tractor.