RYK's SLNA Show Report, 2/14/2013 and 2/16/2013 (updated)
RYK
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This afternoon, I visited the SLNA coin show at the St. Louis Airport Hilton for the Early Bird session. I have never been to this show for the Early Bird and was not sure what to expect. I arrived at 3:15. The show opened to dealers and early attendees at 3:00.
Well, it was pretty darn busy. Most of the attendees were dealers, but there was a decent representation of non-table-holder-collector-types like myself. The dealers were doing quite a bit of business amongst one another, and it was hard to get to see the better inventory because of the level of activity. There was an excellent mix of national, regional, and local dealers present with coins ranging in price from under $1 to at least $100,000.
I did get to spend some time with two dealers friends: James Garcia, former Jade partner, now working for Scotsman and njcoincrank (who delivered my newp that was discussed in another thread last weekend--the 1850 Extremely Filthy Moffat $5). I bought one coin at the show, a half eagle for my latest dalliance from James.
Some observations:
1. Business seemed strong, at least at this wholesale level.
2. There is one dealer from NY state who comes every year and has the same table location and same cases full of the same better date/rare/popular stuff in absolutely horrific condition for which he generally wants gold sticker level prices.
3. Some dealers were willing to show me boxes of coins from the back table; others were not. In the future, I will aim to patronize the former (as a customer).
4. Other than Dalton Gold and Silver, there was very little better date gold present.
5. There were very, very few $10 Libs that were not 1901-S and, in general, less coronet $5 and $10 gold than I usually see. $10 Libs from the 1880's and 1890's were more plentiful than those from the 1900's. There was no 1900-S $10 on the floor, nor was there a 1904-S $5. I did see a cleaned, AU raw 1906-S $5 (which I did not purchase).
6. I heard a couple dealers mention that CC gold was hard to find and hard to buy--where did I hear that before.
7. The dealers are very efficient at going through coins and kind of ran through the show like a bunch of Tasmanian devils. Even an hour or two into the show, it seemed that much of the good stuff had already been taken.
8. I saw an 1839-D dirty quarter eagle in PCGS XF-40 that I believe formerly belonged to a forum member.
9. NJcoincrank (Numismatic Americana) had some of the coolest coins at the show. You can visit their website to get an idea. The 1843-D in 3 was a killer!
After a few circuits around the room, it was clear that some dealers had no intention of setting out material, and I had seen everything else. I left at 5:45 with time enough to pick up my son and get this show report before dinner with the family.
Well, it was pretty darn busy. Most of the attendees were dealers, but there was a decent representation of non-table-holder-collector-types like myself. The dealers were doing quite a bit of business amongst one another, and it was hard to get to see the better inventory because of the level of activity. There was an excellent mix of national, regional, and local dealers present with coins ranging in price from under $1 to at least $100,000.
I did get to spend some time with two dealers friends: James Garcia, former Jade partner, now working for Scotsman and njcoincrank (who delivered my newp that was discussed in another thread last weekend--the 1850 Extremely Filthy Moffat $5). I bought one coin at the show, a half eagle for my latest dalliance from James.
Some observations:
1. Business seemed strong, at least at this wholesale level.
2. There is one dealer from NY state who comes every year and has the same table location and same cases full of the same better date/rare/popular stuff in absolutely horrific condition for which he generally wants gold sticker level prices.
3. Some dealers were willing to show me boxes of coins from the back table; others were not. In the future, I will aim to patronize the former (as a customer).
4. Other than Dalton Gold and Silver, there was very little better date gold present.
5. There were very, very few $10 Libs that were not 1901-S and, in general, less coronet $5 and $10 gold than I usually see. $10 Libs from the 1880's and 1890's were more plentiful than those from the 1900's. There was no 1900-S $10 on the floor, nor was there a 1904-S $5. I did see a cleaned, AU raw 1906-S $5 (which I did not purchase).
6. I heard a couple dealers mention that CC gold was hard to find and hard to buy--where did I hear that before.
7. The dealers are very efficient at going through coins and kind of ran through the show like a bunch of Tasmanian devils. Even an hour or two into the show, it seemed that much of the good stuff had already been taken.
8. I saw an 1839-D dirty quarter eagle in PCGS XF-40 that I believe formerly belonged to a forum member.
9. NJcoincrank (Numismatic Americana) had some of the coolest coins at the show. You can visit their website to get an idea. The 1843-D in 3 was a killer!
After a few circuits around the room, it was clear that some dealers had no intention of setting out material, and I had seen everything else. I left at 5:45 with time enough to pick up my son and get this show report before dinner with the family.
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Comments
I actually will be in St. Louis on Monday, thereby missing that show by one day.
Latin American Collection
<< <i>Did the 39-D have a few heavy obverse marks? >>
There was one substantial one to the cheek. It made me cringe.
<< <i>per #3: sheesh, seems like you'd get to take a look especially with early entry .... aren't early entry collectors viewed generally as pretty serious about spending some $ ? >>
To be honest, I was not sure re: the etiquette, so I asked James. He thought that I should ask to see the coins I wanted to see. The NFC guys and the Adkins guy were very nice about it and accommodating. Not so the ____ _____ dude.
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......
Many members on this forum that now it cannot fit in my signature. Please ask for entire list.
<< <i>Show me something with meat pls
Not in my thread!
I used to be famous now I just collect coins.
Link to My Registry Set.
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-specialty-sets/washington-quarters-complete-variety-set-circulation-strikes-1932-1964/publishedset/78469
Varieties Are The Spice Of LIFE and Thanks to Those who teach us what to search For.
I like that.......maybe it is tough for dealers to buy nice coins.
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
During setup and wholesaling, it seems collectors just get in the way of most dealers.
For a large selection of U.S. Coins & Currency, visit The Reeded Edge's online webstore at the link below.
The Reeded Edge
<< <i>Sorry the 39-D didn't work. I liked the originality but know its got some marks (especially that one), like they seem to have. >>
No need to apologize. It is an excellent coin!
I am amazed you got through the entire show in 2 1/2 hours with such thoroughness.
I saw exactly two (2) graded Platinum Eagles, so that didn't bear much fruit. One dealer had a couple of Liberia replicas of both the Coiled Hair and Flowing Hair Stellas for not alot over spot, and I thought they were pretty cool.
I didn't buy anything from Doug Bird this show, but I did pick up a nice coin at Tom Reynold's table. James Garcia was at the Scotsman Table, and it's always nice talking to James.
If you are contemplating the show, I'd say that it's pretty active and a better-than-average show.
I knew it would happen.
<< <i>excellent report RYK.
I am amazed you got through the entire show in 2 1/2 hours with such thoroughness. >>
Remember, I am looking almost exclusively at gold coins. This narrows the field significantly.
"She comes out of the sun in a silk dress,
running like a water color in the rain...."
I am glad that I came as there were a couple dealers set up that were not set up on the Thursday PM. The dealer who told me he did not have any XXX's on Thursday when I asked them had a full case of XXX's as I knew they would as it was there specialty. I looked at the case, and while there were a few things that I might have looked at more closely, I walked away.
My favorite two coins new to me on the bourse today were an 1897-S $5 in PC 64 CAC that looked like a 65 to me. It was priced as a 65, too, but a very nice and condition scarce coin. The same dealer had a stunning 1858 3cs in PCGS XF-45. The colors were so vibrant that the coin virtually jumped out of the case, and I contemplated buying it (for the multiples of price guide that he was asking). Alas, I am trying to stay focused and have had a recent buying binge that still needs to be fully digested.
Also not present on Thursday, I saw an 1856-S G$1 in PCGS-45 at NEN's table, and it was decent but not nice enough for me to pull the trigger. He also had a crusty 1861 QE in NGC 40 that I thought was very attractive.
At one of the tables there was a lot of old concert tickets, posters, and backstage passes, incluing a pretty good stack of Grateful Dead stuff, but the dealer was never around for me to take a closer look.
I got a call from work that forced me to cut the visit short, but I am glad that I came back. Some might say that I probably saw it all on Thursday, and while nothing earth shattering did appear, the deck is constantly being shuffled, and you never know if the card that you need is going to be face up when you are there.