Let's have a PAN show report!

Was at PAN all 3 days getting in the way of PTVETTER at his table. (PAN is the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists twice-yearly show.) The bourse was 98% full (I counted 80 dealers) and this time we had a couple new faces taking tables.

Always a treat to see some fellow board members - RichieURich, shortgapbob, mar427, papabear, JonMN34, CoinZip (and his table partner Bill) and vam44. The show was Thursday-Saturday. I thought Thursday attendance was strong but Friday and Saturday were IMHO below average. Saturday was especially challenging as the other side of the convention center was hosting a gun show, and the inadequate parking was made even worse by the flotilla of giant pickups pulling long trailers who were setting up at the gun show. I would not be surprised if some of the older people who came to the coin show just went home rather than brave a long walk from having to park far down the street. Couldn't help but notice the big difference between the two shows - the coin show had dealers selling coins, while the gun show had people selling guns... and people selling gutter covers, t-shirts, DVDs, jerky, candy, and all sorts of other stuff. It was very flea-market like AND they charged $9 to get in!

Some new things were done this time - a Chinese Auction, Silent Auction and 50/50 raffle to benefit PAN, as well as a coupon on the reminder postcard mailed to all previous attendees. The coupon was worth $10 towards a purchase of $100 or more at the show. The featured speaker for the speaker series was Bob Evans from the SS Central America project and there was a nice display of shipwreck items at the show. PAN always has a big YN program as well which was also on the schedule.

With bullion prices being moribund and no nuclear-hot fresh US mint products to be hunted, there was little buzz on the floor. I'm always surprised by how many people will scrutinize each and every case carefully but will not tell you what they are hunting for ("I'm just looking"). And on the other hand, there are some people who come right up to you and ask if you have X or Y. If not, they move right on.

Overheard between two dealers:
Dealer 1: ...not me, I only drive at night if I do great playing poker at the casino.
Dealer 2: How often does that happen?
Dealer 1: Never.

Interesting items I saw:
A large Capitol holder with 4 WLHs (AU, 60, 63, 65 if I recall correctly) with the legend "Kurt R. Krueger Grading Set". Looked like an item that was produced in quantity and sold.
A 4-coin gold Panda set in a presentation case as issued from the China Mint, all graded NGC 70.
A 1856 Flying Eagle cent in 63, which got snatched up the first day.
A showgoer carrying a canteen on his belt. I'm sure I've not seen that before. Was it an adult beverage?

I got the feeling that dealer-to-dealer sales made most people happy even if the retail public didn't turn out in force (again, the gun show had to hurt the Saturday attendance).

And I want to give a shout-out to board member Rich Uhrich, who was named PAN Dealer of the Year for his contributions to and support of PAN. Rich is just an all-around good guy and was glad to see him recognized.