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Charmy's 2016 FUN SHOW REPORT w/tons of Pics!

ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
The FUN show seems to be the show that everyone looks forward to. Some say it sets the tone of the coin market for the year. Well, if that is true, than I think we are going to have a great year in coins!



I was flying out on Tuesday which was a cold morning with several storms slated to hit Southern California. My hubby dropped me off at the John Wayne airport on his way to work, which meant that I would have a couple hours before my scheduled flight. I sailed through TSA, and relaxed with a nice warm cup of coffee at Ruby’s.



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Then I settled in a seat at my gate and began listening to my latest audio book until it was time to board.



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By the time I boarded my flight, I saw that the storms had begun and it was raining quite hard outside.



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Thankfully, I had a very uneventful, although long, flight to Tampa (via Houston) and was so happy to be in Florida.



I stayed at one of the host hotels which was attached to the convention center by a walkway, and my room overlooked the convention center.



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I was watching tv in my room and was pleased to see a commercial for the FUN show!



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I had my ANA Dealer Relations Committee meeting early Wednesday morning so I woke up early, grabbed a quick breakfast and cup of coffee, then headed over to the convention center.



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We had a lot to discuss, including locations for upcoming ANA shows, possibly shortening the length of the ANA World’s Fair of Money and the PNG preshow, and other logistics and suggestions on ways to improve the ANA shows. All of our recommendations are then presented to the ANA board to discuss and decide on.



The day was gorgeous and sunny, so I took several photos around the convention center. I saw several crew boats on the river right outside where we were meeting.



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This is a view from the bridge in between the convention center and the hotel looking both ways and back at the convention center



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Set up wasn’t until 3pm, so after my meeting, I went in to the Heritage Auction Lot Viewing room.



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Then I registered and got my picture taken for the new 2-sided badges. Bob Hurst is the FUN Vice President and was on hand to help answer questions



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I received these “swag” items at registration



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The bourse floor was located just up these stairs



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The lower lobby



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I had enough time to view some coins at one of the dealer’s rooms, which gave me a little head start on the coin buying part of my trip. I found this beautiful 1863 toned Indian cent - it’s very hard to find toned copper nickel Indian cents and I was very happy to snatch this one for my personal set!



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Then it was time for my PNG lunch meeting back at the convention center. We listened to details about a new PNG precious metals sub-group, as well as information from an eBay representative on changes eBay has made to their coin and paper money category, as well as updates on changes and potential new laws in various states that affect the coin market.



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Soon it was time for the bourse to open to dealers, so I went to security, grabbed my bags, and waited in line along with all the other dealers eagerly to get in.



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As usual, during set up day, I often do most of my buying. Here are the newps I bought so far!



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I also bought this beautiful 1877 in a scarce old PCGS rattler holder with possible upgrade potential!



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After setup, Rick and I headed over to the Hard Rock Casino to play some poker. Of course, they have some amazing music memorabilia displayed all over the casino! Here are some of my favorite musicians.



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And Rick’s favorite!



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A wall of gold records by many famous musicians.



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The poker room is quite large! This photo was taken from a table that was in the middle of the room looking towards the entrance.



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Thursday I was all set up and ready to do business with my brand new sign!



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Right next to Todd/BluCCPhotos and his dad Roger/MustangGT



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Right across from me from my own town was Ian/GreatCollections.com



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Next to Ian was James/QA



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Boy, was Thursday a blockbuster day! The floor traffic was amazing, and I was busy from start to finish! I hardly came up for air and couldn’t believe how much business I did that day.



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Here are some of the people who stopped by my table.



David Lange of NGC stopped by to say hi. It was good to see him since he doesn’t work as many shows as he used to.



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Ken/Green19 was very kind to bring me this big bottle of wine



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Greg/Keyman64 and Darren/dsgill2000



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After the show closed, we walked across the bridge to Jackson’s Steakhouse. What a beautiful night it was!



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Even though the restaurant was extra crowded and they were short staffed, and we had to wait an hour to be served, the food was delicious. I had grouper covered in crab, but forgot to take a photo. And of course, we had some very yummy wine with our wonderful dinner.



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Rick, Ron, and Matt



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When I woke up on Friday, the weather was opposite of the day before! There was a big storm, with thunder and lightning.



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But it soon cleared up.



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Friday was another blockbuster, super busy day, with great sales! It was so good to see the bourse floor being so crowded and busy!



Shortly after I got to the bourse floor, Fred Weinberg stopped by to give me 2 piece bonded die cap error cent he had sent in for grading for me. I was surprised to see it in this giant holder!



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David Poole/dpoole stopped by to say hi, and got photobombed when I was taking his picture!



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Benny/Greysoldier came by my table to give me a really neat Lincoln cent pocket mirror as a gift! Wow, so very thoughtful, and I was extremely grateful as it was one I didn’t have!



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Again, I didn’t have much opportunity to get away from my table on Friday, except to attend the Fly-In Club meeting, and I was grateful to Dennis Halladay for stepping in and watching my table for me!



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On the way back to my table, I took a brief opportunity to see this amazing part of the Perfection collection at the Heritage table.



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And to stop by my BFF Cindi’s table who attended the FUN show for the first time!



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Dino-Lite always has a nice display of their microscope cameras and since they had a penny on their display screen, I just had to take a photo!



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Jeff/Justmakecents came by to look at some coins



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My good copper buddy, Greg Hannigan, needed to borrow my wine opener and brought me a cup of his own very tasty wine!



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Wow, what a super Friday it was! I had some record sales, which and was so grateful to all the collectors who came to buy my pennies! The shows during the last half of 2015 were not as busy and successful as usual, so having a great FUN show was much appreciated!



After the show closed on Friday, a group of us went over to the Embassy Suites for their happy hour and much-needed unwinding. I ran into my fellow Summer Seminar buddy Dan Adif and got to catch up with him.



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After happy hour, we took a cab over to That’s Amore to meet up with another group of friends.



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Ron picked out the wine and these three wines were some of the very best wines I’ve EVER had, particularly the Vulcanico!



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It was another beautiful night so we ate outside on the patio. The harbor was gorgeous!



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My dinner companions!



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Several of us had the lobster ravioli which was delicious!



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The ravioli was so good and some of us were more hungry than others, that Cindi’s plate looked like she had licked it clean!



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Saturday morning I had a WIN board meeting at 8am, followed by our general meeting at 9am



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Wendell Wolka was our guest speaker and gave an interesting presentation on obsolete notes



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Two of my regular buddy forum members came by to say hi - Larry/Ldhair and Lance/LIkweigen



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Saturday was much slower, with several dealers packing up and a lot less public in attendance



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So I took the opportunity to finally view the exhibits



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The Kids’ Zone was very active on Saturday



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Rick showed me this stunning rare 1856 Flying Eagle he won in the auction!



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My flight wasn’t until later on Sunday, so I was still open for business all day and had several sales throughout the day, as well as several people who stopped by to ask questions about coins they had found, including this young man who showed me a medicine vial filled with various wheat cents (unfortunately, they were not very valuable).



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The circus was in town and was located right next to the convention center, so there were several sightings of critters crossing the road, or just meandering around, including these elephants!



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I ended up selling several of the new coins I had purchased at the show, as well as buying more, so these are the final set of newps I had at the end of the show.



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Saturday night after the show, we just went back to the Embassy Suites for their happy hour with some friends, and ended up having dinner there too. Afterwards, since Rick had a rental car, we I headed back to the casino. Along the way, we stopped at a store so I could buy some Powerball tickets!



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Unfortunately, I didn’t win anything!



On Sunday, I slept in a little, had a relaxing breakfast with my friend Dan, and wondered into the bourse around 10am. It looked like a ghost town, at least the main part of the bourse floor did. The budget section was still mostly fully present. But there was still a decent public presence, and I was very pleased to have a huge sale by a new customer who bought a large group of PCGS MS64 RB Indian cents.



Soon it was time to pack up and begin the long trek home. Rick’s flight was at 4pm, and even though my flight wasn’t until 6pm, Rick had a rental car so I went to the airport with him. I had an almost 4-hour wait for my flight so I had a nice lunch and a tasty rum and pineapple beverage while I waited for my flight.



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When I headed to my gate, I was very pleased to see that the area around my gate was not very crowded, in fact, it was almost deserted!



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Getting ready to board!



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So happy to be headed home!!



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Bye-bye beautiful Tampa….



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Hello home, hubby and my sweet little PENNY!!!



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As I mentioned, this FUN show was a fantastic show for me, probably one of my best shows ever! It demonstrates to me that the collector market is still alive and thriving. I loved being so busy that the days flew by, yet I still had some time to visit with the folks who took the time to stop by and say hi. I am so grateful and fortunate to be able to work in a business that I love and have a passion for, and to get to see so many good friends at each show I attend.



Next up: San Jose Show, then Long Beach on Super Bowl weekend!



Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®

Comments

  • etexmikeetexmike Posts: 6,794 ✭✭✭
    Thanks for another great show report.



    Always love the pics you include.





    Mike
  • TopographicOceansTopographicOceans Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭
    I was hoping you'd include Bill Jones Dahlonega gold type set display.

    Maybe he'll post it here for us?

  • ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Bill posted photos of his exhibit on the NGC forum here
    Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®
  • MeltdownMeltdown Posts: 8,649 ✭✭✭✭✭
    What a fun read! Looks like you had a great time.
  • TopographicOceansTopographicOceans Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: ThePennyLady
    Bill posted photos of his exhibit on the NGC forum here
    Thanks. It looks like something you need to see in person. I zoomed in as much as I could, but wasn't able to read it all.
    The gold nugget is an extra cool bonus.

  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice report as always!



    So on that big silly holder for that small cent die cap is that just Mylar sandwiching the coin inside the acrylic?



    Wonder if you shake it does the coin move all over?
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • fcloudfcloud Posts: 12,133 ✭✭✭✭
    I always look forward to your reports. Thanks for sharing them.

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

  • keyman64keyman64 Posts: 15,452 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Well done, once again. Always nice to see you. image
    "If it's not fun, it's not worth it." - KeyMan64
    Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners. :smile:
  • ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I thought it was pretty funny to have that little coin in that big holder, but let me tell you, it sure got a lot of attention, mostly due to the holder! It looks like mylar to me, but I'm not sure. The coin is in there pretty firm and does not move.
    Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®
  • AuroraBorealisAuroraBorealis Posts: 3,591 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great report Charmy... Was nice seeing you again

    ABimage
  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 8,896 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Amazing report!



    Thanks for taking the time to put it together!

    “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/

  • EagleEyeEagleEye Posts: 7,676 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Another great report. Thanks for posting it.
    Rick Snow, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, Inc.Check out my new web site:
  • Jackthecat1Jackthecat1 Posts: 1,122 ✭✭✭
    Thank you for the great show report, as always.
    Member ANS, ANA, GSNA, TNC



    image
  • WildIdeaWildIdea Posts: 1,872 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Your new banner is Dynamite! Looks great with all those gems on it. Very inviting and just plain neat.



    Besides that, the 1856 that Rick bought is a super standout to the thread. It's hard for me to believe that sort of coin exists in that grade with that color.



    Thanks for the posting the photos, looks like the show was a success. I've hit 4 FUNs, maybe next year...
  • AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 24,515 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Read every word, thanks Charmy!



    bobimage
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • dpooledpoole Posts: 5,940 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It was good to meet you at last, Charmy. Looks like you were BUSY at the show!
  • hchcoinhchcoin Posts: 4,825 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great report again Charmy image
  • ldhairldhair Posts: 7,111 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Fun times Charmy. I don't know how you were able to handle all the folks you had at your table each day. I knew it was going to be a great show for you. Your cases were filled with quality stuff. I love to see friends do well at a show. You still owe me a cup of wine.image
    Larry

  • OldIndianNutKaseOldIndianNutKase Posts: 2,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Charmy,



    If a picture is worth a thousand words, then your show reports are a book. A book that will forever take us back in time. Thanks.



    OINK
  • BLUEJAYWAYBLUEJAYWAY Posts: 7,938 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I enjoyed your report. Can you elaborate/explain to me the exhibit that had the train running through (?) the display cases? Can a larger pix be presented or located of that particular exhibit? It looked interesting. Thank you in advance.
    Successful transactions:Tookybandit. "Everyone is equal, some are more equal than others".
  • ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: BLUEJAYWAY

    I enjoyed your report. Can you elaborate/explain to me the exhibit that had the train running through (?) the display cases? Can a larger pix be presented or located of that particular exhibit? It looked interesting. Thank you in advance.




    It was all about railroad notes and he just had the tracks and tunnels go to the edge of each case and then start at the same location at the edge of the case next to it, making it look like the train was going through to the other case.

    Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®
  • CMCARTCMCART Posts: 1,409 ✭✭✭
    Great report 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
  • gonzergonzer Posts: 2,986 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thank you Charmy. The FEC article is a fantastic read.
  • spacehaydukespacehayduke Posts: 5,441 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great report Charmy. Did you snag any Conders at the Groll/Sirna table?



    Best, SH

    Successful transactions with-Boosibri,lkeigwin,TomB,Broadstruck,coinsarefun,Type2,jom,ProfLiz, UltraHighRelief,Barndog,EXOJUNKIE,ldhair,fivecents,paesan,Crusty...
  • thebeavthebeav Posts: 3,744 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice report....

    Happy to hear that business was so brisk....That's always good for everyone.....
  • oih82w8oih82w8 Posts: 11,865 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I enjoy seeing/reading Charmy's reports and look forward to the next.



    I can imagine Charmy (with some Jackie-O sunglasses image) zipping through airports with an entourage of paparazzi in hot pursuit.
    oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's

    BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug...
  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,282 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice report!



    This display was really well done - the tunnels "between" cases and the continuity of the track made it feel like one big display instead of 7 separate cases.



    image

    "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.
  • guitarwesguitarwes Posts: 9,237 ✭✭✭
    Your new banner is Dynamite! Looks great with all those gems on it.




    My thoughts exactly. Super to hear you had a great show and thanks again for taking the effort and time for posting such awesome show reports.

    @ Elite CNC Routing & Woodworks on Facebook. Check out my work.
    Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Once again, an awesome report Charmy..... and some great wines... those are nice Italian

    wines and the Cabernet Sauvignon's are super. Thanks... Cheers, RickO
  • dbldie55dbldie55 Posts: 7,717 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Awesome report. A show is not complete until you post about it.
    Collector and Researcher of Liberty Head Nickels. ANA LM-6053
  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 27,409 ✭✭✭✭✭
    i like that 1856 flying eagle cent rick snow won.
  • stevebensteveben Posts: 4,595 ✭✭✭✭✭
    great report... i love the '77 in ms63/ogh!
  • StuartStuart Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Charmy, Thanks for posting another superb FUN Coin Show report.



    Your coin show reports help those of us who didn't attend the show to get a vicarious feel for the event and the market conditions, both of which are much appreciated! image

    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"
  • segojasegoja Posts: 6,112 ✭✭✭✭
    Nice report....Berns next time
    JMSCoins Website Link


    Ike Specialist

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

    image
  • MarkMark Posts: 3,520 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Charmy:



    I look forward to your show reports but for some reason I especially look forward to your FUN reports. I don't know ... it seems that you always out-do yourself with the FUN reports. And this report was absolutely not an exception. It was simply magnificent.
    Mark


  • ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thank you everyone, I'm so pleased you enjoy my reports, it makes all the work putting them together worthwhile (which is especially tedious on this new format). And I'm glad you like my new banner. I had it made from the flyer that Todd/BluCCPhotos put together for me.



    Segoja - absolutely - I'm so sorry I missed going there!



    oih82w8 - LOL! While I may have some Jackie O glasses, I haven't seen any paparazzi following me lately!



    dpoole - I was very happy to meet you as well!



    ldhair - I'm sorry you missed out on the wine, it went fast! Definitely next time I see you, you'll have to sit down, relax, and have a glass with me!



    ricko - the wines this time around were superb - thanks to my friend Ron who has excellent taste and usually chooses the wines for us.



    keyman and AB - it was great seeing you both the show.



    I was so grateful to have such a successful show, and to be so busy, but I'm even more grateful to have such great friends who take the time to stop by and say hi, chat, etc. It's the people who make this business as enjoyable as it is for me, and you all are a big part of that!
    Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®
  • amwldcoinamwldcoin Posts: 11,269 ✭✭✭✭✭
    LOL! You finally caught me in a pic but I won't say where! image



    Your pictures of the exhibits shows how poorly FUN treated the budget section! We were so far from the rest of the show that our traffic was probably 30-40% of normal. I mean dang! a football field away from the rest of the show! image
  • Dave99BDave99B Posts: 8,331 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wonderful report and pics, Charmy.. Thank you for sharing; I know it takes a lot of time to put these together, but they are much appreciated.

    PS The 1856? .... Mind Blown!

    Dave
    Always looking for original, better date VF20-VF35 Barber quarters and halves, and a quality beer.
  • CocoinutCocoinut Posts: 2,505 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It looks like the FUN show really was fun! I'm glad that it was a successful one for you.

    Thanks for the great report!

    Jim
    Countdown to completion of my Mercury Set: 2 coins. My growing Lincoln Set: Finally completed!
  • thisnamztakenthisnamztaken Posts: 4,101 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Very enjoyable report! Thanks. image
    I never thought that growing old would happen so fast.
    - Jim
  • goldengolden Posts: 9,017 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Many thanks for the super report! I had to miss the show this year.

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