My Long Beach Show Report
WaterSport
Posts: 7,032 ✭✭✭✭✭
Well I got to the show about 10:45 Friday and was on a mission to sell my late Father-in-Laws rather large stamp collection. Knowing a few stamp dealers lurked in the very back of the bourse I went straight back and found the first one with a “buying” banner and proceeded to watch for 2 hours as the 2 dealers went thought the equivalent of 2 large suitcases of stamp books which covered the US, New Zealand, Australia, Tonga, and Canada.
After settling on a price I headed over to the PCGS table to inquire why a coin I had sent in for variety submission came back graded, but with no variety. The friendly employee looked up the notes on the computer and said the grader claimed it “did not meet the requirements.” I had photos of two other PCGS graded coins with the same variety designation, plus mine and all with close up shots of all the same Obv and Rev die markers. So she suggested I discuss it with David Hall at 1 pm. Well Ron Guth was sitting in for David Hall and when I showed him my coin, pictures, etc., he agreed, they looked the same, but said it might be because the die was not exactly like the CPG. Well darn, I never got a picture of the CPG image, so I said fine, I will resubmit it with a CPG picture also. GRRRRRRR.
Anyway, the show was VERY DEAD! It never picked up while I sat 2 hours and after lunch I returned still able to walk up to any dealer and ask to see a coin or 2 with out any one in front of me. Honestly by days end I saw not one, but 2 dealers asleep at the table!
The highlight of any show is of course seeing dealers and Forum members you know. This was no exception after asking Rick Snow about 1858 large date flyers I stopped at saw Mike (illini420) in full Dealer mode and then was handed a just graded MS 64 R&B 1909 VDB MPL at Angel Dee’s table. Unfortunately Charmy was away from her table. Another surprise for me was to meet John Sparti (AU Hobby) who had just flown in so we agreed to have dinner before I drove back north.
Oh Yeah, so what coins did I buy. I cherry picked a XF 1927 D/D for $7 and picked up a XF 1911 D “study” specimen meaning it has a very late die state crack similar but not quite like those found on 2 of the 4, 1911 D RPM cents. So after 240 miles of LA traffic, $30 in food, $50 in coins, unloading the stamp collection and spending time with a great cent collector plus getting to hold a 1909 VDB MPL in my hand – and not being hassled by any crowds whatsoever, it was a good show for me.
WS
After settling on a price I headed over to the PCGS table to inquire why a coin I had sent in for variety submission came back graded, but with no variety. The friendly employee looked up the notes on the computer and said the grader claimed it “did not meet the requirements.” I had photos of two other PCGS graded coins with the same variety designation, plus mine and all with close up shots of all the same Obv and Rev die markers. So she suggested I discuss it with David Hall at 1 pm. Well Ron Guth was sitting in for David Hall and when I showed him my coin, pictures, etc., he agreed, they looked the same, but said it might be because the die was not exactly like the CPG. Well darn, I never got a picture of the CPG image, so I said fine, I will resubmit it with a CPG picture also. GRRRRRRR.
Anyway, the show was VERY DEAD! It never picked up while I sat 2 hours and after lunch I returned still able to walk up to any dealer and ask to see a coin or 2 with out any one in front of me. Honestly by days end I saw not one, but 2 dealers asleep at the table!
The highlight of any show is of course seeing dealers and Forum members you know. This was no exception after asking Rick Snow about 1858 large date flyers I stopped at saw Mike (illini420) in full Dealer mode and then was handed a just graded MS 64 R&B 1909 VDB MPL at Angel Dee’s table. Unfortunately Charmy was away from her table. Another surprise for me was to meet John Sparti (AU Hobby) who had just flown in so we agreed to have dinner before I drove back north.
Oh Yeah, so what coins did I buy. I cherry picked a XF 1927 D/D for $7 and picked up a XF 1911 D “study” specimen meaning it has a very late die state crack similar but not quite like those found on 2 of the 4, 1911 D RPM cents. So after 240 miles of LA traffic, $30 in food, $50 in coins, unloading the stamp collection and spending time with a great cent collector plus getting to hold a 1909 VDB MPL in my hand – and not being hassled by any crowds whatsoever, it was a good show for me.
WS
Proud recipient of the coveted PCGS Forum "You Suck" Award Thursday July 19, 2007 11:33 PM and December 30th, 2011 at 8:50 PM.
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Comments
Was very dead, but business was still ok. The few that showed up seemed to be motivated and enough deals got done to make it worthwhile. I still think the massive size and timing of the Heritage auction is a huge distraction that takes collectors and dealers off the bourse and really is hurting this show.
Didn't know Andy got a new 1909 VDB MPL... might have to go check that out if it isn't already gone... still missing that one in my 1909 set
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 700
I never attend Saturdays, but can state that Thursdays are almost always fairly "hopping". The
serious folks want first shot.
<< <i>The serious folks want first shot. >>
I've found that true for every show. I for one always go on the first day of a show. A good reason for this, besides excitement, is possibly saving money ... every time a piece changes hands from one dealer to another, the price goes up slightly. You could buy a coin on Day 1 for $X and by the time you reach Day 3 the coin is being sold by some other dealer for $X + 15%. The only advantage to going on the final day is the possibility of buying at discount, but the cons outweigh this singular pro.
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