My Nevada, Iowa coin show report and more! (Long w/ a lot of pics)

MorganMan94 · March 2, 2018 11:36AM

Well the Nevada, Iowa coin show was last Saturday and Sunday (Feb 24/25) and I wasn't sure I had enough material to justify a report. I didn't have as much as I had planned on having due to a trip to a coin shop a few weeks before so I decided to include that in my report. (Then coincidentally a trip after)
I just can't decide what I want to focus on and collect, I have a few Barber proof halves that I love but am also a big fan of commemoratives. Up until now I have been more of a buy whatever appeals to me and when I get tired of it move on to something else but I am slowly passing that stage. I ended up visiting a shop (unnamed) looking for Barber proofs and commems and I just happened to luck out! The dealer I was talking with just bought a collection from a younger lady that inherited it and it had a mix of everything! There was a little bit from about every series. I did not expect to see a Barber proof but he had a 1901 65Cameo that was priced very well, I didn't intend on spending that much but after looking at it over and over while debating I couldn't leave without it. The thing has some serious mirrors! All my other Barber proofs are 64s but I stretched for this one and am thrilled I did.
Sorry my photos are the worst, and they don't get any better the further you read on).

There also happened to be some commemoratives in the lot, I really liked three of the five but the Albany I only liked cause it was priced right, it was blast white and could easily be located later while the Bay Bridge had some great colors and was priced in range with what a blast white one would cost. I don't even know how to explain how great I feel about this buy, I paid average 64 money and the coin was in a grade that is very affordable to me. I couldn't sell out the cash fast enough for this one. The third commemorative I was interested in was Lynchburg in 65 with original tab toning, I really liked the look but I figured I had spent enough for the day and the show was coming up, so maybe another time if it is still around. During the week I regretted passing that one up and went back with the intentions of buying it to find out it was sold, darnit.

Alright now onto the Nevada show. Every coin show I have been to (with the exception of Central States) I went with my grandpa so I made the trip to his house early Saturday morning. We made it to the show by 8:40 when it started at 9:00 and the parking lot was already surprisingly looking full. We saw license plates from all the states bordering Iowa and even Wyoming (that would be quite a drive!). Once we went in they let us go onto the floor about 15 minutes early which was different than most so that was nice. I decided to do a walk around the bourse one time before buying everything, looking mostly for Barber proofs and commemorativess. I made it around fairly quickly with no luck on affordable Barber proofs, my main hope for the day. There was one dealer with two in 65 and one in 66 but all were much higher than I was willing to pay. Another dealer had a raw one that was pretty but cleaned, and it wasn't priced like it was cleaned. Anyways I went on to commemoratives. Not a whole lot there for commemoratives in general, much less toned. There were two dealers that each had an MS67 Stone Mountain with nice toning, I considered both and couldn't pick a favorite. Both were exceptional in my opinion. One was asking more than I was willing to pay and the other didn't have any room for negotiation, not even a few bucks! That was disappointing so I didn't come home with a commemorative either.
I decided to focus on other items, one of the first dealers I stopped by had two old poured bars, an Academy 6 ounce and California Crowne 10 ounce, I had to pay more than I wanted for them but still under what I thought was retail. A little bullion to the stack is never a bad thing. No photos for these since I sold the Academy to a good friend and everyone knows what a California Crowne Mint bar looks like or easily can after searching it on Ebay. I also bought $10 face in Barber halves, the price was right and it just felt like a good buy. He had much more available but I wanted to save a little for the next time. He also had an 1817/3 bust half in an old ANACS 6 digit holder and coincidentally it was graded G-6. I don't know how rare that is but he must've considered it noteworthy as he had it taped across the holder. Not a great coin and had some scratches but it also had a very pretty blue color and the overdate is clear! He was asking a ton but took 30% off so I couldn't complain too much. I still had to pay more than PCGS price guide but hey I like it. I actually ended up selling it to a friend who really really liked it!! I didn't make much but I was happy to own it for a bit. I forgot to take pictures but thankfully he sent me some, although they aren't any better than mine.

Overall I spent quite a bit of talking chatting with people I knew or dealers, we stayed until about 11. My grandpa didn't end up coming home with anything but he made the rounds chatting with everyone he has known for years. He enjoys going for the people, he knows about everyone there. When we were sitting around with a group of others before leaving they had some cake and were handing out slices for Lee's birthday. Happy birthday Lee! (I don't know who Lee is but everyone there that wanted a slice got a slice). Shortly after that we headed home to the east. Hit up a few antique shops on the way but didn't find anything worth buying. Overall a good day and a good show! Well attended from the start until we left.

This is probably where I should end the show report beings I have already written a short book but there is a reason I didn't write this earlier in the week. A.) I was pretty busy all week as I was on the road for work. B.) Where I was working this week was close to the coin shop that had the Stone Mountain I passed up at the show. I headed home from work Thursday night and decided to make a 30 minute detour to take another look at that Stone Mountain half. I looked at that along with a few other commoratives he had in his shop for a bit before negotiating on it. I didn't negotiate on it at the show but felt more prepared to this time where there weren't people all around watching. He ended up dropping quite a bit! Originally this one was $200 more than the other Stone Mountain and by the time I committed to purchasing it it was $100 less. I felt really good about the final price we arrived at and pulled the trigger on it! When looking at auction prices for the Stone Mountain in 67 I was amazed by the price difference between CAC and non-CAC, but that discussion would lead to a whole new thread. Also bought 10 cull dollars with and he let me chose which ones I wanted, got all Morgans and only a few 21s. I haven't gotten a chance to take my own pictures but here is the TruView for the Stone Mountain.

ModCrewman · March 2, 2018 11:55AM

I have to make that show sometime, I've heard it's one of, if not the, best in the state of Iowa. Thanks for a great write-up.

johnny9434 · March 2, 2018 12:11PM

im not one for barber coin and the sorts but do really like that half dollar, nice score

mr1931S · March 2, 2018 12:17PM

The Nevada show was a good one.The kids in attendance get lots of free stuff at the door. Too bad it's held only once a year.

TwoSides2aCoin · March 2, 2018 12:18PM

John at J+J Coins said it was a great show. I should get out more often.

1630Boston · March 2, 2018 12:28PM

Your pics are ok, they get the point across.
Thanks for taking the time to write the report, sounds like you and grampa had a great time.

MorganMan94 · March 2, 2018 12:53PM

@ModCrewman said:
I have to make that show sometime, I've heard it's one of, if not the, best in the state of Iowa. Thanks for a great write-up.

I would say second best, the annual state show was really good last year being in Davenport as it brought in Illinois dealers I usually don't see.

@TwoSides2aCoin said:
John at J+J Coins said it was a great show. I should get out more often.

John is one of my favorite dealers to deal with! I went straight to his table at Ames, it is where I bought the $10 face Barbers and the 1817/3. When it comes to buying at shows there is no dealer I buy more from.

ModCrewman · March 2, 2018 12:58PM

Quote: John is one of my favorite dealers to deal with!
No dealer I buy from more either...since he's my hometown B&M. I even have a box with my name on it there...which is why I definitely don't have to travel all the way across the state to Davenport for the state show. Though I'd be glad to head to Nevada if it wasn't always in the heat of tax season.