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Charmy's March 2015 BALTIMORE SHOW REPORT w/lots of Pics!!!

ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
This Baltimore show was the fifth show in a row for me, but I was still really looking forward to being back in Baltimore. It’s always such an active show, and this one was no different.

I arrived at the John Wayne Airport around 11am sand sailed through TSA with no bag checks for a change! Since I had plenty of time before my scheduled flight, I grabbed a tasty Bloody Mary while I waited.

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As usual, I pretty much spend an entire day getting to Baltimore and arrived around 11pm on Wednesday. This is Baltimore from the air at night.

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I checked in to my hotel and settled right in. This is the view from my hotel room, it looks out over the side of the convention center where the show was held this year.

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The next morning (Thursday) came way too quickly!

The daylight view of the city and convention center from my hotel.

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This is the front of the convention center where the bourse floor is located.

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My hotel was connected by a walkway to the convention center. I headed over to the convention center to check in and set up my booth. The weather was really nice, in the 60’s, though it was expected to rain most of the day.

This is looking out the front door of the convention center where the bourse was located.

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There is a beautiful church located right across the street from the front door.

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This replica ship was located near the lobby of the convention center

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As usual, the lobby was full of dealers waiting to get in, and as soon as the doors opened, the dealers found their tables and business began!

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I checked out a couple of my favorite dealers’ inventory, picked out several nice coins. These are the newps I bought throughout the show, including a gorgeous super lustrous iridescent toned 1877 Indian cent in PCGS MS64 BN and an even more vibrantly toned 1864-L PCGS MS64 BN, and a stunning 1864 Copper Nickel PCGS MS66 that has a lot of copper red color, rather than the typical gold/tan toned copper nickel cents.

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A dealer friend who owns a couple of jewelry stores handed me a bag of jewelry he had brought to sell. I went through it but didn’t see anything I really couldn’t live without. Then he asked if I saw the watch that was in the bag. I said “what watch?” So he pulled out this really pretty ring that I had seen in the bag but had thought it was a bit ostentatious even for me. Then he flipped open the top and showed me it was a really cool watch ring! Well, he gave me a price I couldn’t refuse, so I ended up buying it. I wore it the rest of the day and whenever I showed it to someone, they were just as surprised as I was that it was a watch in a ring.

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While I was setting up, my friend Cindy Wibker stopped by to discuss a little WIN business, and to bring me these adorable little salt and pepper shakers she had found.

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Shortly after I was all set up, the doors opened to the public and the crowds just poured in. I was busy all afternoon and made quite a few nice sales.

When things slowed down, I did a little more coin shopping, then I took a minute to relax and opened a bottle of wine. My dealer friend who I had bought the ring from also brought me a bottle of wine which I opened and shared with him (and a few other friends).

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I had also managed to bring my own bottle of wine which survived securely wrapped in bubble wrap in my checked bag.

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After the show was over, a group of us went to one of our favorite restaurants in Little Italy, Da Mimmo’s.

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Matt Chapman and Rick Snow

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Their beautiful dinnerware

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This was the wonderful bottle of wine we had with dinner

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Neil (Rick’s FBI friend), Rick, and Matt

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Me, Ron, and Neil’s wife, Barbara, and the rest

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Lil’ ol’ me

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After dinner, a few of us headed over to the new casino to play some poker!

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The next morning (Friday) a lot of people were waiting to get in when the doors opened, and customers and forum members began stopping by my table.

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David/OysterK stopped by to show me a pretty toned penny he had bought.

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Chris Pilliod came by to show me this amazingly rare triple struck 1893 Indian cent with three full dates that he had just bought!

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Bryce Doxzon, the Exhibit Chair

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Mike/ToughCoins

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After the show ended, I went to dinner with the same group of foreign and ancient coin dealer folks who invited me to join them at the last Baltimore show at the Black Olive Greek restaurant. This has been their ritual Baltimore show Friday night dinner for several years, and I was honored to be included.

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We start out in the intimate bar with a bottle of white wine, while we wait for the rest of our party to arrive.

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This is a bowl of their sangria.
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What makes it even more special, is that we have an exclusive table in their amazing wine cellar. These are the stairs and pathway down to the cellar.

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The wine cellar was designed after this ancient cellar in Italy

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From left to going around the table is Dan Sedwick, me, Paul Montz, Karl Stephens, Mike Barry, Al Boulanger, and Augi Garcia-Carneche.

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Me and Paul Montz

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We had some of these wines for dinner.

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Many know that I’m not a huge seafood fan, but this octopus appetizer is simply amazing!

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Now it was time for the red wine!

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I had this excellent Village Pie for dinner

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And this delicious apple tart dessert.

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On Saturday morning, I arrived early so I could be sure to have time to take some photos around the bourse. This is the FUN show table with FUN Officers Cindy Wibker (Convention Coordinator), Bob Hurst (Vice President), and Tony Swicer (President).

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Rick Snow (Eagle Eye) and I know you all can’t get enough of her, so here are the many faces of lovely Nina (GreatCollections)

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PCGS folks, David and Ophelia

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The ANACS folks

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And NGC

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There were only a few competitive exhibits, and I thought this one of Presidential Appreciation Medals was most interesting.

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When the show opened to the public, the bourse became very busy and crowded!

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My table

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Augi talking with my table neighbor

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A few more forum members stopped by to say hi.

This is the Penny Guy!

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Brandon/Browe just picked up this pretty Lincoln cent from me.

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And Paddy who works for Dietz and Watson, a gourmet meat and cheese company, brought me a lot of wonderful goodies, including a yummy cheese and meat tray, some super delicious chocolate cookies, and this cute hat!

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Soon it was time to pack up and head out to the airport. Again, I sailed through TSA with no bag check, so I had plenty of time to grab a bite to eat and a refreshing gin and tonic!

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I happened to run into several other dealers waiting for their flight, including Norman and Michelle (The Coin Shop Biloxi).

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Bye-bye Baltimore til next time….

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Me so happy to be headed home!

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Flying above the clouds is beautiful!

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Brief connection in Phoenix

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Hello Orange County!

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I was so exhausted by the time I got home, but as always, so happy to see my hubby and my sweet little Penny! (She really likes laying on top of our old juke box.)

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Luckily, I don’t have another show for a couple weeks and can regroup before the next round! Next up:

Santa Clara show (April 16-19)
Central States (April 22-25)
PNNA Tukwila/Seattle (April 30 – May 3)
Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®

Comments

  • Musky1011Musky1011 Posts: 3,899 ✭✭✭✭
    Another wonderful report. Always look forward to reading them.. Thnx
    Pilgrim Clock and Gift Shop.. Expert clock repair since 1844

    Menomonee Falls Wisconsin USA

    http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistr...dset.aspx?s=68269&ac=1">Musky 1861 Mint Set
  • StuartStuart Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Charmy, Thanks for sharing another great Coin Show Report with those of us who were unable to attend.

    Stuart

    Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal

    "Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
  • EagleguyEagleguy Posts: 2,262 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That Santorini wine is good stuff but, sadly, not as good as the local (i.e. non-exported) wine! You can always tell a great Greek restaurant by how much music is playing and how tender the grilled octopus is.

    Thanks for the report!
    JH
  • BrolBrol Posts: 266 ✭✭
    Great report, thanks! At first I was thinking that it was some kind of wine tasting show image , but was glad to see some coins on the report too. Especially like that triple struck Indian!
  • BustCudsBustCuds Posts: 1,096 ✭✭✭

    Thank you for another great report and pics image
  • shorecollshorecoll Posts: 5,445 ✭✭✭✭✭
    No liquor at the airport? Oh, the humanity!!! image
    ANA-LM, NBS, EAC
  • ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>No liquor at the airport? Oh, the humanity!!! image >>



    Ummm, maybe you should look again.... ;-)
    Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®
  • kazkaz Posts: 9,052 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks for another mouth-watering show report!
  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 32,123 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The color on the 64 CuNi is Insane.

    I went back to look at it twice.

    And penny is getting big! a large cent perhaps?



    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • GoldbullyGoldbully Posts: 16,823 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great report, Charmy........loved it!!

    Sorry I missed you, got to the show as you were packing up on Sat. afternoon.....didn't want to bother you.
  • MoldnutMoldnut Posts: 3,082 ✭✭✭✭
    Love that triple struck 93. Anyone know the history of that coin?
    Derek

    EAC 6024
  • DrDarrylDrDarryl Posts: 585 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hi Charmy,

    I'm the exhibitor of the US Mint: The POTUS Appreciation Medals Series. I'm glad that you enjoyed my exhibit. There were many positive comments from those who saw my exhibit. The exhibit is based on my book "The Dwight D. Eisenhower Appreciation Medals" (search amazon.com for a copy).



    You need to buy the book to get the full story about this "newly discovered" U.S. Mint series. I'm in the process of revising the book with added research information.

    The exhibit was my first ever entry. It came in 2nd place overall. A few lessons learned on my part on the technical aspect of judging.

    Darryl

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  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 32,123 ✭✭✭✭✭
    DrDarryl, start a new thread and clue the rest of us in a bit. Throw some teasers out there.

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • PurfrockPurfrock Posts: 545 ✭✭✭
    Brilliant show report! Thank you
    EAC, ANA Member
  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 8,896 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That triple struck Indian was great!!

    Thanks for yet another awesome show report!!

    “I may not believe in myself but I believe in what I’m doing” ~Jimmy Page~

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947)

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • BroweBrowe Posts: 236 ✭✭✭
    I couldn't be happier with my purchase, and I really enjoyed talking to you and swapping cat stories! Thanks again
  • Nice report, as usual. I actually appear in one of the pictures. Can you guess where?
    No good deed goes unpunished

    carolinacollectorcoins.com
  • goldengolden Posts: 9,017 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>That triple struck Indian was great!!

    Thanks for yet another awesome show report!! >>

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  • littlebearlittlebear Posts: 1,431 ✭✭✭✭
    As always, an excellent report! Thank you for your time and effort. It is certainly most appreciated!


    Larry L.


    image
    Autism Awareness: There is no limit to the good you can do, if you don't care who gets the credit.
  • Dave99BDave99B Posts: 8,331 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Tremendous report. Always fun to see some familar faces as well. Oh, and wine, and food, and casinos! All good.

    That triple struck IHC is flat AMAZING.

    Dave
    Always looking for original, better date VF20-VF35 Barber quarters and halves, and a quality beer.
  • OldIndianNutKaseOldIndianNutKase Posts: 2,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Charms,

    You report is maybe better than being there. But you might rate the wines on MS 60-70 scale, or Wine Spectator scale.(0-100) Just so that we know that an eye for coins and a taste of fine wine are copasthetic traits........

    OINK
  • AuroraBorealisAuroraBorealis Posts: 3,591 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Awesome!!!!!! Thank you!

    ABimage
  • relicsncoinsrelicsncoins Posts: 7,833 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It's almost like I was there. Thanks again for the great write up.
    Need a Barber Half with ANACS photo certificate. If you have one for sale please PM me. Current Ebay auctions
  • GoldysCCGoldysCC Posts: 20 ✭✭
    A great read, Charmy! What happened to Penny's arm? I hope she is okay.
    --Goldy
  • Great show report, thanks!! I enjoyed looking at the all the pics! Thanks!
  • bosco5041bosco5041 Posts: 1,303
    Awesome show report.
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Super report Charmy..... and some lovely Greek wines....The Indian Wells Cabernet is also nice..... awesome triple struck IHC, certainly a rarity. Cheers, RickO
  • curlycurly Posts: 2,880
    Good job, Charmy.
    Every man is a self made man.
  • ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thank you everyone! Yes, that triple struck is amazing. When Chris first showed it to me, I thought it had to be fake because it's just so rare to see a coin so perfectly struck 3 times with such clear dates. I was pleased he let me photograph it for this report.

    And yes, the wines were fantastic, from the Italian wine at Da Mimmimo's to all the Greek wines at the Black Olive. Many of the folks I have dinner with are much more knowledgeable connoisseurs of wine than I am and often are the ones who pick the wines we have with dinner. So even though I have learned a lot over the many years I have been drinking wine, I am always learning, and I have excellent teachers.

    That 1864 Copper Nickel does have insane color. I love it when I find copper nickel cents with lots of red.

    Regarding Penny's little arm, when she was spayed, they had to shave her arm to take blood for the pre-surgery blood tests and for the IV during surgery.
    Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®

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