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Baltimore Show report
FredF
Posts: 527 ✭✭✭
Just a little about me - I'm an extreme introvert at shows. I love walking the aisles, looking at coins, but rarely engage with dealers. I prefer seeing prices before I ask about coins. So if you are the type of dealer (like most) who shows coins with no prices, I will look but not buy (unless you have a website where I can look up your list price for the coin). I like seeing the price, then if I'm interested in the coin, stepping away from the table, checking my notes to see what I think about the price for the grade, do a reality check to see if it is something I really want and not just an impulse buy, and decide whether or not I'm really interested before engaging. Hence, I can count on one hand the number of coins I've bought for my collection at shows over the past 8 years. To me, a coin show is like going to a museum. In the case of the Baltimore show it was like a really cool museum.
I've never been to the Baltimore show despite living within reasonable (roughly 2 hours) driving distance. Life conspired to allow me a few hours today, but my time was short. I only was able to attend from 12:15 until about 3:45 - I spent more time in the car than at the show. So my judgment is colored by not having been to a show anywhere near this size in the past.
As a side note - for those not from the area who have seen Baltimore protests in the news, the Convention Center is in a perfectly fine part of town. I was walking in broad daylight but have been there at night and feel perfectly safe.
I would say that traffic was very light. I spent about 2 1/2 hours walking up and down the aisles and any time I saw something interesting in a case, it was very easy for me to get a close look because there was nobody in my way. A handful of tables had a single person sitting in front of them looking at coins.
From a buyer's perspective, it was just awe-inspiring the breadth and depth of the material present. I only collect US coins, but spent a bit of time looking at dark side material and notes just because there are so many designs.
Three highlights of the show for me:
#1 - meeting Todd from BlueCC Photos. He was able to photograph coins for me and get everything turned around in the limited time I had. I've admired his skills and he was great to work with. He took time to explain to me what of my coins would be easy and more challenging to photograph, and why (proof coin with color is a real challenge, for example). Just enlightening to learn some about the art. While dropping the coins off I explained to him how I never buy coins at shows. So he was a bit surprised when at around 2:30 I had to add a coin to my order.
#2 - I have read other people post how coins sometimes just "pop" out to them while they're walking the bourse floor, but it had never happened to me, until today. Was walking by and a dealer had a case that only had about 7 coins in it, one of them a NGC AU 58 FH 1917 Type 1 SLQ with an awesome strike, great luster and great blue rim toning. I needed a SLQ for my type set, I have been looking for quite some time, and I was thinking I would have to stretch to a MS coin to get the strike I wanted so this 58 was not just a cool coin but way more affordable. It had what I thought was a low price on it. I asked the woman behind the table and she said that the dealer himself would be back in a minute, but the price was the price he had just paid for the coin, and it wasn't his price. I hung around, dealer showed up, I said I knew that this was what he paid, what was his price. He marked it up by 33%, I still felt the price was low so I said "sold" without a second thought. Photo will be forthcoming.
#3 - At 3pm, QDB had a session called "beat the gold standard" where people could submit questions, with certain criteria, and if he couldn't answer then the person who posed the question would get a gift certificate. The session was very lightly attended - maybe 10-15 people in the room, 3 of whom were show staff. But I had never been in the same room with Mr. Bowers, and the small crowd made for a great session with some interactivity. Unfortunately I had to leave at about 3:45, but I really enjoyed hearing him speak. The small crowd for this event I think gets to the concerns expressed by dealers that the flow was really light.
I got to meet Charmy Harker and we talked a little bit about one of her error coins, which is the 9-planchet cent listed on her website. Laura from Legend smirked at me when I said hi, but to be fair, I think someone had just given her some bad news. I had been struck by a proof Morgan she had in a totally insane grade (I think it was a PR-68 or something). I am not a Morgan fan, but this was the single nicest of the issue I have ever seen. Only words I could muster after being stunned by the attractiveness of the coin was that I hoped that someday I could afford the types of coins she sold. Hence the smirk.
I think that from a dealer perspective, the show was pretty dead. From a buyer perspective, there was so much there - had I gone with a definitive shopping list, I'm sure I could have filled a few items. Buying the one coin and getting the photos done made for a very successful show for me.
-Fred
I've never been to the Baltimore show despite living within reasonable (roughly 2 hours) driving distance. Life conspired to allow me a few hours today, but my time was short. I only was able to attend from 12:15 until about 3:45 - I spent more time in the car than at the show. So my judgment is colored by not having been to a show anywhere near this size in the past.
As a side note - for those not from the area who have seen Baltimore protests in the news, the Convention Center is in a perfectly fine part of town. I was walking in broad daylight but have been there at night and feel perfectly safe.
I would say that traffic was very light. I spent about 2 1/2 hours walking up and down the aisles and any time I saw something interesting in a case, it was very easy for me to get a close look because there was nobody in my way. A handful of tables had a single person sitting in front of them looking at coins.
From a buyer's perspective, it was just awe-inspiring the breadth and depth of the material present. I only collect US coins, but spent a bit of time looking at dark side material and notes just because there are so many designs.
Three highlights of the show for me:
#1 - meeting Todd from BlueCC Photos. He was able to photograph coins for me and get everything turned around in the limited time I had. I've admired his skills and he was great to work with. He took time to explain to me what of my coins would be easy and more challenging to photograph, and why (proof coin with color is a real challenge, for example). Just enlightening to learn some about the art. While dropping the coins off I explained to him how I never buy coins at shows. So he was a bit surprised when at around 2:30 I had to add a coin to my order.
#2 - I have read other people post how coins sometimes just "pop" out to them while they're walking the bourse floor, but it had never happened to me, until today. Was walking by and a dealer had a case that only had about 7 coins in it, one of them a NGC AU 58 FH 1917 Type 1 SLQ with an awesome strike, great luster and great blue rim toning. I needed a SLQ for my type set, I have been looking for quite some time, and I was thinking I would have to stretch to a MS coin to get the strike I wanted so this 58 was not just a cool coin but way more affordable. It had what I thought was a low price on it. I asked the woman behind the table and she said that the dealer himself would be back in a minute, but the price was the price he had just paid for the coin, and it wasn't his price. I hung around, dealer showed up, I said I knew that this was what he paid, what was his price. He marked it up by 33%, I still felt the price was low so I said "sold" without a second thought. Photo will be forthcoming.
#3 - At 3pm, QDB had a session called "beat the gold standard" where people could submit questions, with certain criteria, and if he couldn't answer then the person who posed the question would get a gift certificate. The session was very lightly attended - maybe 10-15 people in the room, 3 of whom were show staff. But I had never been in the same room with Mr. Bowers, and the small crowd made for a great session with some interactivity. Unfortunately I had to leave at about 3:45, but I really enjoyed hearing him speak. The small crowd for this event I think gets to the concerns expressed by dealers that the flow was really light.
I got to meet Charmy Harker and we talked a little bit about one of her error coins, which is the 9-planchet cent listed on her website. Laura from Legend smirked at me when I said hi, but to be fair, I think someone had just given her some bad news. I had been struck by a proof Morgan she had in a totally insane grade (I think it was a PR-68 or something). I am not a Morgan fan, but this was the single nicest of the issue I have ever seen. Only words I could muster after being stunned by the attractiveness of the coin was that I hoped that someday I could afford the types of coins she sold. Hence the smirk.
I think that from a dealer perspective, the show was pretty dead. From a buyer perspective, there was so much there - had I gone with a definitive shopping list, I'm sure I could have filled a few items. Buying the one coin and getting the photos done made for a very successful show for me.
-Fred
Successful BST (me as buyer) with: Collectorcoins, PipestonePete, JasonRiffeRareCoins
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Comments
mark
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......
bob
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
What you stated was probably the highest compliment to a dealer's offerings.
AB
Wish more members would give their perspective of shows that they attend
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
Keep them coming when you can!
Also, post a pic of your new SLQ when you get the chance...sounds like a looker!
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
BHNC #203
Anyway, thanks for sharing your nice report and your perspective on the show. Congrats on buying a coin and meeting Todd--something I hope to do someday as well!
Best Regards,
George
Excellent report, Fred. Glad you had a chance to meet two friends of mine, Todd and Charmy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coin collecting is not a hobby, it's an obsession !
New Barber Purchases
It may be because your intro reminds me of myself.
Looking forward to seeing your new SLQ.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
OINK
Thank you for your perspective and great report.
Congrats on your newp.
Now, knowing you are an extreme show introvert, will we see your handsome face in Charmy's show report? I would be quite surprised for one.
I was there in the morning and it seemed fairly well attended. At least I had to wait a couple of times for spaces to open up at tables that had something I was interested in.
Complete Set of Chopmarked Trade Dollars
Carson City Silver Dollars Complete 1870-1893http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase.aspx?sc=2722"
You write extremely well; it was a pleasure to read your report.
Successful BST (me as buyer) with: Collectorcoins, PipestonePete, JasonRiffeRareCoins
I have a price sticker on the back of every coin. Asking a price before looking at a coin really serves no purpose. One needs to know if they like the coin first. Then price can be discussed
I have to respectfully disagree John .. If I see a coin I like , but the asking price is ridiculously then I don't want to waste my time .. I would rather move on as time is limited . I don't need a 30 min story prior to every purchase ..
Ironically John I bought 4 coins from you in the past sight unseen
Price was respectable and so was your reputation