Home U.S. Coin Forum

Charmy's BIG 2015 FUN SHOW REPORT w/Tons of Pics!!

ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
For me, the FUN show is probably the most anticipated show I attend. The coin show season slows down the last few months of the year so many dealers eagerly await the FUN show in early January, as I do! Also, many feel the FUN show is somewhat of a gauge for the coin market for the year. And if this FUN show is any indication, 2015 should be a good coin year! For me, the FUN show was very busy, with lots of good buys and really good sales. Even more importantly, I also built relationships with several new collectors.

Going to shows on the east coast requires a full day of travel for me, so I headed to the airport on Tuesday morning. As a frequent traveler, I build up my air miles and look forward to using them to upgrade to first class when traveling to east coast shows. This only happens a couple times a year, with the FUN show being one of them. So even though it would be a very long day, I didn’t mind since I would have a more relaxing flight to Florida.

Me so happy to be headed to the FUN show!

image

Bye-bye OC

image

I had a connection in Denver which was covered with snow!

image

image

I arrived in Florida late Tuesday, settled in to my condo, and went straight to bed since I had a 9am meeting the next morning.


Wednesday – It was a beautiful morning, and I arrived at the Orlando convention center early for a meeting.

image

image

image

image

There was a Surf show in the convention building right next to ours and, apparently, their show began before ours did so most of the parking lots were pretty full by the time we arrived.

image

I am Chair of the ANA’s Dealer Relations Committee and we had a meeting at 9am on Wednesday. During our meeting, we discussed issues relating to how the ANA can improve coin shows for dealers, including issues relating to locations for future shows, safety, etc.

After that meeting, I went over to the Heritage lot viewing room to check out some of the copper pieces up for auction and was able to view and examine some amazing and historical coins.

image

Some of these coins were brought to me by a Heritage representative with a security guard standing by his side.

image

image

image

image

image

image

image

Alan Weinberg was sitting next to me examining some of these amazing pieces as well.

image

After lot viewing, I attended a PNG lunch meeting. One of the most interesting items discussed at the PNG meetings are updates on legislation affecting numismatics around the country. The most significant event discussed at this meeting was the passage of the recent law Collectible Coin Protection Act which broadens the existing Hobby Protection Act by making it unlawful to sell unmarked replica coins.

image

image

After the PNG meeting, I headed over to security to retrieve my bags, and waited along with all the other dealers for the doors to open so we could set up our booths.

image

image

Todd and his dad Roger waiting in line

image

Also ran into my favorite error dealer Fred Weinberg

image

This beautiful 1864 Bronze Proof Indian cent was the first coin I bought at the show

image

I also found many other coins throughout the show that I was very pleased to add to my inventory!

image

And since my favorite Conder token dealer Gary Groll was set up right across from me, I was able to pick up a beautiful new piece to add to my collection. This Clerkenwell 146 is very rare – due to the broken die, only 4 were struck all of which have the massive die cracks.

image

image

I also bought this beautifully toned Bath 8 from Ron Sirna who was set up with Gary

image

image

After the show ended, a group of us went out to dinner. My friend, Mark, likes to rent flashy cars, and this beauty was no exception!

image

Along the way to the restaurant, we passed the upside down house.

image

And this unfinished Ferris wheel

image

We went to my favorite Chinese Restaurant, Ming Court.

image

image

image

image

image

I enjoy having Mai Tai whenever I have Chinese food!

image

After dinner, I was pretty pooped from traveling and the busy day with meetings and set up, so I just headed back to my condo for a fully night’s rest!


Thursday started off with a bang! The public streamed in and the bourse soon became quite crowded.

image

image

image

image

As many of you who attend coin shows knows, sometimes you run into “interesting” characters on the bourse floor. This guy was no exception!

image

Speaking of interesting characters, look who was the first forum member to stop by my table for a photo op – Greg/WalkerGuy21!!

image

These two fun and enthusiastic forum members definitely fit into the “interesting character” category – Tom/1Tommy and Jon/Dimeman!

image

Another very interesting character, Rick Snow! Rick had his newly published awesome super popular Flying Eagle and Indian Cent Attribution Guide on sale at the show – and he quickly sold out of every set he brought!

image

image

Greg Hannigan is one of the nicest, smartest, and sweetest early copper dealers!

image

After a very busy day of buying and selling, it was time to open one of the bottles of wine I had brought. This Tempranillo is from a vineyard just south of me in Temecula. Since I was coincidentally surrounded by several dealer friends from California in the booths around me, this bottle of wine did not last long!

image

After the show, we had our Women In Numismatics (WIN) mixer at the Hyatt which is just across the street from the convention center. My beautiful friend Nina is such a loyal supporter!

image

After the mixer, I joined Ron Sirna, Gary Groll, Rick Snow, and Greg Allen for a delicious “home-cooked” spaghetti dinner at Ron’s condo which included of course, more wonderful wine. It was a fun evening of good food, good wine, and really good company!


Friday morning was cold but beautiful. Here is a photo taken in front of the convention center

image

This is Glenn Holsonbake – his booth was located near the right rear of the bourse so I took this photo to try and demonstrate how large the bourse floor was. You can’t even see the left side of the floor because it’s so far away!

image

This is a picture of the bourse taken from my booth which was on the right side of the bourse. That’s Nina/Great Collections right below their sign.

image

More photos taken around the bourse floor

image

image

The kid’s corner!

image

Panning for gold.

image

image

My dealer buddy Jim Bush/Shrub has his eye on the 1860 Pointed Busy Indian cent for his personal collection and finally pulled the trigger!

image

Phil/Habaraca

image

This lounge area outside the bourse floor was a popular meeting place for people to just relax or show each other their new purchases

image

I attended our Fly-In Club meeting where Chris Pilliod gave an interesting presentation on Indian cent errors, one of my favorite topics!

image

I had forgotten to stop by the NGC table when Rick Harrison from Pawn Stars was there, so David Lange 9NGC) and another friend sent me their photos

image

image

Friday was also a very busy day for me, so it was pretty late when I was had a chance to open another bottle of wine. This was a tasty bottle of Cabernet from one of the most popular vineyards in Napa. This time, a few forum members stopped by and I was happy to share my wine with them!

image

Friday night was my “splurge” night for dinner so after the show, we headed over to MoonFish which I understand is owned by the same folks as Vitto’s Chophouse, a very yummy steak restaurant. Moonfish serves high end seafood and steak.

image

image

image

image

And they have an extensive wine list. We had this great bottle of Stag’s Leap red wine.

image

My dealer friend, Mark Simon, and me

image

Another dealer friend, Ron Mirr.

image

image

I had the surf and turf and could barely finish half. The leftovers made for a great lunch the next day!!

image

Mark had the steak and shrimp.

image

Can’t remember what this dish was but Ron said he loved the dish and even enjoyed the leftovers for breakfast the next day!

image


Saturday morning came way too early since I had an 8am WIN board meeting. Before our meeting began, I had a chance to chat with fellow WIN member Cindy Wibker who sadly informed me of the passing of one of the FUN Board of Directors the evening before, Gary Overton.

image

following by our general meeting. Dave Frank was our guest speaker and gave a very interesting presentation on “Women on Numismatics.”

image

image

image

image

Dave even had some interesting ideas as to whose portraits might appear on future money!

image

After our WIN meeting, being a former exhibitor, I had to take a few minutes to check out the collector exhibits to try and see if I could pick this year’s Best of Show winner.

image

image

image

The People’s Choice ballot box

image

There were lots of really great exhibits, several of which I thought had a shot at top honors. Here are some of the exhibits I found interesting…

image

image

image

Many of you know I collect penny exonumia and things made out of or using pennies. So you shouldn’t be surprised that this locket exhibit was my favorite!

image

image

image

image

This Hobo exhibit was also outstanding

image

YN WIN member Myriam took top honors for the YN Junior Class with her exhibit "Headed West - The changing faces of Miss Liberty on the one cent piece.”

image

I then toured the displays and exhibits set up by the Mint.

image

image

image

The 1816 Fleet Exhibit was fascinating!

image

image

image

image

image

image

image

image

image

image

The PCGS folks hard at work!

image

image

image

PCGS had on display the fantastic Bob Simpson Gobrecht Dollars

image

image

image

This adorable group of kids were also checking out the Gobrecht Dollar exhibit

image

The NGC folks also hard at work!

image

ANACS was also busy throughout the whole show!

image

Greg Bingham standing on a stack of “gold bars”

image

image

Brian/HighRelief stopped by to show me a gorgeous cameo proof Indian cent he had just purchased

image

Jim Sego launched his new company, “Collectibles Quality Assurance Company, LLC” (QA), a grade verification service for modern US coins.

image

Since I had a Sunday morning flight back home, at the end of the show on Saturday I packed up my booth and checked my coins into the security room before we headed out to dinner. We ended up back at Ming Court, which I didn’t mind whatsoever!

image

image

I had dinner with Greg Allen and Rick Snow. These were the fortunes we received in our cookies. Mine is first, then Rick’s, then Greg’s.

image


The next morning I picked up my bags at security and headed to the airport. Boy, was the security line packed! But I made it through security with TSA only examining one of my coin bags, then it was off to find my gate. It was a cold rainy morning so on the way, I stopped to have a cup of coffee laced with some sweet Bailys.

image

While waiting for my plane to take off, it began to rain.

image

Me so happy to be headed home!

image

I had a connection in Chicago and saw that Chicago was covered with snow!

image

image

image

image

It was snowing while we were waiting to board our plane in Chicago. Once on board, it began snowing even harder.

image

The pilot then announced our take off would be slightly delayed since they had to de-ice the wings.

image

image

image

It was a long day of travel and I was very glad to be home, very glad to see my hubby, and especially glad to see my little kitty Penny!

image

Overall, as I mentioned, the show was very busy and very successful for me. I hope it’s an indication that this will be a successful year for the coin market as well.

Next up, the San Jose show (Jan. 23-25) and the Long Beach show (Jan. 29-31)!

Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®

Comments

  • BryceMBryceM Posts: 11,721 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Looks like a great show.

    Charmy, your show reports are an institution. Keep up the good work.
  • SeattleSlammerSeattleSlammer Posts: 9,953 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks Charmy, terrific report and photos. I really appreciate you expending so much time and effort to share these reports.
    Wow, that Garrett/Patrick Birch 1C is really incredible.
    And that cameo IHC that HighRelief picked up looks outrageous...you can really see its cameo 'POP' even in that photo.
    image
  • kazkaz Posts: 9,052 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Another great report! It's always good to be able to connect faces to names of some of our fine forumites. Nice photos of snowy Chicago from the air.
  • shorecollshorecoll Posts: 5,445 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Charmy, great report as usual. How many Conders are you up to?
    ANA-LM, NBS, EAC
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 43,794 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Love the enthusiasm you exude. And feeling like I'm there with the coins and the people gathered. Very nice, indeed. Thank you.
  • 19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,470 ✭✭✭✭
    Thanks Charmy! You photographic skills have greatly improved! image
    I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.



    The name is LEE!
  • mozinmozin Posts: 8,755 ✭✭✭
    Thanks Charmy, fun as usual.
    I collect Capped Bust series by variety in PCGS AU/MS grades.
  • segojasegoja Posts: 6,112 ✭✭✭✭
    Cool Beans....Awesome as usualimage
    JMSCoins Website Link


    Ike Specialist

    Finest Toned Ike I've Ever Seen, been looking since 1986

    image
  • Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 11,114 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great photos as always, Charmy, and it was nice chatting and doing business with you!

    Successful BST transactions with 170 members. Recent: Tonedeaf, Shane6596, Piano1, Ikenefic, RG, PCGSPhoto, stman, Don'tTelltheWife, Boosibri, Ron1968, snowequities, VTchaser, jrt103, SurfinxHI, 78saen, bp777, FHC, RYK, JTHawaii, Opportunity, Kliao, bigtime36, skanderbeg, split37, thebigeng, acloco, Toninginthblood, OKCC, braddick, Coinflip, robcool, fastfreddie, tightbudget, DBSTrader2, nickelsciolist, relaxn, Eagle eye, soldi, silverman68, ElKevvo, sawyerjosh, Schmitz7, talkingwalnut2, konsole, sharkman987, sniocsu, comma, jesbroken, David1234, biosolar, Sullykerry, Moldnut, erwindoc, MichaelDixon, GotTheBug
  • CMCARTCMCART Posts: 1,409 ✭✭✭
    Your reports are #1 imageawesomeimagethanks image
    Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865)
    5$ bills are WOW with the numbers - wanted:
    02121809
    04151865
    Wanted - Flipper notes with the numbers 6-9 or 0-6-9 ON 1$ 2$ 5$ 10$ 20$
    Wanted - 10$ Sereis 2013 - fancy Serial Numbers
  • EagleEyeEagleEye Posts: 7,676 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The iPhone 6 plus is a big improvement in picture quality! Thanks for all the work you put into this post.
    Rick Snow, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, Inc.Check out my new web site:
  • ClosedLoopClosedLoop Posts: 1,077 ✭✭✭
    great report, love the silver clump. thanks
    figglehorn
  • That was an excellent trip to the Fun show Charmy, Thanks. I have always wanted to go to it but until I do your show reports are the next best thing.
  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 32,123 ✭✭✭✭✭
    what exhibit took top honors?

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Super report Charmy.......great pictures..nice wines - Stag's Leap has always been a favorite of mine...Cheers, RickO
  • HighReliefHighRelief Posts: 3,654 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Super Show report, Charmy, it was a FUN time for sure and it was great seeing you again.
    You know how to bring the show home with your pictures.
  • CameonutCameonut Posts: 7,250 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Enjoyed the report - was worth waiting for! image

    “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson

    My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!

  • TopographicOceansTopographicOceans Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭
    Needs more pictures image
  • MarkMark Posts: 3,520 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Charmy, I hope no one from PCGS reads this post but I'd probably pay to be able to read your threads about the shows!!!
    Mark


  • DIMEMANDIMEMAN Posts: 22,403 ✭✭✭✭✭
    A great report as usual Charmy. Good to see you again.image
  • PurfrockPurfrock Posts: 545 ✭✭✭
    Thanks, Charmy!
    EAC, ANA Member
  • curlycurly Posts: 2,880
    Another great report, Charmy. I was especially glad to see Monsterman was at the show.
    Every man is a self made man.
  • fcloudfcloud Posts: 12,133 ✭✭✭✭
    Thanks! You always have great reports and this one is right up there to the top!

    President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay

  • Enjoyed every minute of it! Thank you so much for going to the trouble...

    I was starting to worry that the "panties in a bunch boys" had taken this away from the rest of us.

  • CocoinutCocoinut Posts: 2,505 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great report,Charmy! Thanks for taking the time and effort to post.

    Jim
    Countdown to completion of my Mercury Set: 2 coins. My growing Lincoln Set: Finally completed!
  • Dave99BDave99B Posts: 8,331 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great report...I so look forward to these. They are so in-depth, I feel like I was there!

    Thank you Charmy.

    Dave
    Always looking for original, better date VF20-VF35 Barber quarters and halves, and a quality beer.
  • GoldbullyGoldbully Posts: 16,823 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You make me hungry, Charmy! image

    Thanks for another great report.
  • goldengolden Posts: 9,017 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks for the super report! This was my 41st FUN show. I had more FUN at this one than I have had in a long time.
  • gargoyle62gargoyle62 Posts: 268 ✭✭✭
    This is the first Fun Show Report from Charmy that I've had the pleasure of viewing. It was fantastic! Since I'll probably never make it to a decent sized show - let alone a Fun Show - this is the next best thing. Thanks for sharing
  • AuroraBorealisAuroraBorealis Posts: 3,591 ✭✭✭✭✭
    How I enjoy your show reports Charmy... Thank you so much for for taking the time for such amazing detailed reports with all the great pictures and stories... Missed seeing all you good folks this year...

    ABimage
  • ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Once again, thank you everyone. And thank you to those of you who came up to me at the show to tell me how much they appreciate my show reports "just the way they are." I know you can't please everyone, so I just do what I like to do and don't 't plan on doing anything differently, and it's nice to have your support!

    As Rick mentioned, I did get a new iPhone 6 plus which I think has really improved the quality of my photos - believe me, I need any mechanical improvement I can get with my minimal photo taking skills!

    Ms. Morrissine, Tom Uram got Best in Show for his exhibit on "The Kings and Queens of England Through Maundy Money" and Dennis Schafluetzel got People's Choice for his exhibit on "Willis Valley and Chatanooga & Alabama Railroads."

    Shorecoll, I have about 175 Conder tokens now.

    Mark, I'll have to see if I can milk that somehow! ;-)
    Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®
  • OldIndianNutKaseOldIndianNutKase Posts: 2,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Charmy,

    Your show reports are the best. Your reports are soooo more much about the experience and not just the bourse. And just so that you know, I value your wine recommendations just as much as I do with your coin recommendations. You probably have great taste for every thing fine in life.

    OINK
  • TONEDDOLLARSTONEDDOLLARS Posts: 2,928 ✭✭✭✭
    I always look forward to her reports even when I am at the show. Love them and always appreciate all the time it takes to file these. Thank you!
  • etexmikeetexmike Posts: 6,794 ✭✭✭
    Charmy has posted. Show is officially closed. image

    Thanks for all the great pics as usual. I always looked forward to your show reports.


    Mike
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 43,794 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Enjoyed every minute of it! Thank you so much for going to the trouble...

    I was starting to worry that the "panties in a bunch boys" had taken this away from the rest of us. >>



    image I didn't wear panties today.
  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,282 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice report - thanks!

    Had forgotten about the Gobrecht display - very impressive!!!
    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko.
  • duck620duck620 Posts: 948 ✭✭✭
    Thanks for a wonderful report.Enjoy your pics & comments from all the shows you attend .

    Ken.
  • ashelandasheland Posts: 22,612 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Your show reports and pictures are always top notch!
    Almost like I went to the show myself just by reading this post!
    Thank you!
    image
  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 27,411 ✭✭✭✭✭
    wow, there sure is some wonderful coins in there image
  • RadioContestKingRadioContestKing Posts: 3,002 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Another Great Show report and thanks for taking the time. It was nice seeing you again and it really was a FUN Show.............Enjoy Tom image
    https://youtube.com/watch?v=UayFm2yCHV8
    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.
  • ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Just got Todd's photos of the two Conder tokens I bought at FUN - he does a much better job than I do, don't you think!

    image

    image
    Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wow...awesome pictures..... Cheers, RickO
  • DorkGirlDorkGirl Posts: 9,994 ✭✭✭
    Thanks so much.image
    Becky

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Emoji
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file