AT FUN.......... Images added

Desert Moon · January 4, 2017 3:47PM

Hi Folks,
Normally I do a final report after. This year I am going to try a day by day report. Sadly I won't have my images of anything I buy until after but this can give a feeling of what is going on this way live and can install images next week. Today I got into Ft. Laud at 11 am, headed right over to lot viewing. I don't get a dealer or EB badge so I got alot of viewing in in the HA room, and put in a couple bids for tonite. There were a heck of alot of dealers waiting to get in when the doors opened this afternoon. Had a nice chat with Don Kagin at lot viewing, if you have never talked to Don, make an effort to do so, this is a really nice bloke and always willing to help a collector, and of course will love to wheel and deal.
Lot viewing was a really friendly occasion today, HA staff and viewers were all in a good mood. Maybe things are picking up....

More tomorrow, looking forward to the bourse.

Best, SH

BustCuds · January 4, 2017 4:04PM

Thank you for the report, looking forward to your daily writings.

Jackthecat1 · January 4, 2017 4:55PM

Thank you for taking the time to report on FUN. I like the day by day approach.

Boosibri · January 4, 2017 5:18PM

Good luck and have fun

Yorkshireman · January 4, 2017 6:09PM

I wish I was there.

Desert Moon · January 5, 2017 5:58AM

Well it is 7:37 am here at Ft. Lauderdale and I am in the Hilton drinking my coffee before more lot viewing at HA at 8 am. My room faces the back side of the hotel, which is a marina. On the other side of the marina are rows of what appears to be connected town homes or apartments. Yesterday afternoon workers were putting a big 'tent' over one of the rows of these buildings. In the back of my mind I thought, okay they are going to be renovated but strange covering them with a tent. This morning I had one of those realization moment - aha, they are debugging them. Yep, one way to remove bugs when the infestations are bad is to heat them up to something like 140F for a day - kills everything. I remember when I was in Santa Barbara visiting a few years back and the folks in the apt next to me woke up with bed bug sores. That day our apts were covered in tents and heated up, no more bed bugs. So I am thinking, hm.... what about this hotel? We will see if the tents are removed while I am here.

So I lot viewed after my previous post and inserted bids on 3 bust quarters for the HA auction last nite. One of the key reasons to come to these shows is to see coins in hand, and lot viewing is a crucial aspect of this - you get to see 100s to 1000s of coins close up with no rush. So I went through about 90 coins I had watch listed for last nites auction, and everything around them. I ended up, after viewing, liking 3 bust quarters on my list, none of them beaned BTW, that I was ready to bid on. Each had met the conditions I have for putting one in my collection. I then went back to the hotel and went online to put in bids. One of the 3 was already too high for me, so that meant putting in two bids. For one of them, the bid was already over 2x MV. But it was an R5 and the surfaces for the grade were spectacular as was the rich toning, no hairlines, all of the things that make an old coin appealing for my CBQ die variety/marriage collection I am building. The other was one of the counterstamped examples, several in this auction. For reasons still not clearly known, some 1815 B1 and 1825 B2 die marriages come with E and L counterstamps, most are still MS with an occasional one that is not MS. I have been trying to get one of these for a few years. They had several in this auction, I targeted 1 that I thought would be nice to have and bid on it. Interestingly PCGS won't put these in graded holders, and CAC won't bean them. But NGC had been giving them grades and ignoring the counterstamp, they are accurately graded. So for my two CBQ's bid on, I got the R5 at 2.5x MV, and was outbid on the counterstamped one, alas I will have to keep trying. I always chuckle when I hear folks not wanting to pay more than 'sheet' or 'back of bid' on their coins. Man O'Man, for the old stuff I collect, if I can get them for published MV I am thrilled and as noted, I just paid 2.5x MV for a CBQ in last nites auction. But with a dozen other bidders almost bid up to that and an R5 with spectacular surfaces just does not come around all that often so happy to have it and it won't be leaving my collection for decades.

Today, more lot viewing at 8 am, a submission to PCGS to reholder, bourse searching, and dinner with some board members. Folks please come to these shows, you will have fun and learn alot.

More anon, thanks for reading, Best, SH

oih82w8 · January 5, 2017 6:09AM

One of these years...a FUN visit will be in my future.

BustCuds · January 5, 2017 6:10AM

Thank you for the report.
Congratulations on your auction lot win.

Boosibri · January 5, 2017 6:18AM

@spacehayduke said:
I always chuckle when I hear folks not wanting to pay more than 'sheet' or 'back of bid' on their coins. Man O'Man, for the old stuff I collect, if I can get them for published MV I am thrilled and as noted, I just paid 2.5x MV for a CBQ in last nites auction.

Only buying coins which are priced at or below the averages seems like an excellent collecting strategy if ones goal is to own average to below average coins.

grip · January 5, 2017 6:35AM

Only buying coins which are priced at or below the averages seems like an excellent collecting strategy if ones goal is to own average to below average coins.

Isn't this the truth.

DIMEMAN · January 5, 2017 6:46AM

Sounds great....I will be there soon today (Thursday)!

Catbert · January 5, 2017 6:53AM

Man, I am so envious - both of having the opportunity to be there and to have the resources to take advantage. You are fortunate! Perhaps I can return next year.

Got to say that when you commented upon the tents around the houses, I immediately thought of the "Breaking Bad" episodes where the fumigation business was a front for the mobile meth lab in use inside the unsuspecting homeowner's house. Hah, good memories of this show!

DCW · January 5, 2017 7:02AM

Great write ups. And congrats on winning the coin you really wanted. I will have to get in on the FUN next year

asheland · January 5, 2017 9:08AM

I've only been once 2009 and loved it! I am envious!

ricko · January 5, 2017 9:17AM

Great idea....daily reports..... and a good report on the auction..glad you got your coin. Cheers, RickO

BryceM · January 5, 2017 9:54AM

Jealous. Have FUN! Hope to get to that show someday. Wrong side of the country for me. Can't wait for pics.

hchcoin · January 5, 2017 10:04AM

As a bust quarter enthusiast, I can't wait to see your new acquisition and am glad to hear the market is still going strong for quality coins. I don't think people realize how challenging it can be to get bust coins you like considering all the varieties. I also have always been intrigued by the counter stamps. Another numismatic mystery that may never be solved.

Thanks for the show report. I love hearing about peoples experiences.

Gazes · January 5, 2017 10:51AM

Thank you so much for your reports!

Baley · January 5, 2017 1:52PM

Great report, was going to write more but hchcoin said exactly what I was going to, so I simply agreed with that post!

1630Boston · January 5, 2017 1:57PM

Don't forget to also update on the "tarp / tent" situation. :1

keets · January 5, 2017 1:57PM

Only buying coins which are priced at or below the averages seems like an excellent collecting strategy if ones goal is to own average to below average coins.

this is a statement that should be posted every time we have a thread about auctions and the line is --- "I always figure what the buyers fee is and I bid accordingly." that makes me crazy.

Broadstruck · January 5, 2017 2:34PM

Great report... Have FUN @ FUN!

Yorkshireman · January 5, 2017 2:37PM

Almost pulled the trigger on a last minute Southwest flight. Waited too long and it sold out!
oh, woe is me!

kaz · January 5, 2017 5:19PM

I'm enjoying the reports... keep 'em coming!

alohagary · January 5, 2017 7:03PM

Keep the reports coming

Manorcourtman · January 5, 2017 7:37PM

4 hours.......that's how long it took me today to get from one side of the bourse to the other. An amazing sized show that is almost too big, if there is such a thing! Friday I start on the other side and work my way backwards. That's my strategy. Saturday? Who knows, maybe I'll figure it out by then. I had sensory overload today! My eyes hurt and my back hurts from bending over 1000's of Dealer cases. What a show! If you skipped this show......you missed quite a bit!! Selection and atmosphere that is second to none.......and 80 degree weather doesn't hurt either!!

tradedollarnut · January 5, 2017 7:51PM

breakdown · January 5, 2017 7:51PM

Thanks for posting these reports. The counter stamped bust quarters are an interesting phenomenon and if I recall, no one really knows what they stand for although Breen had some ideas of course.
Enjoy yourself. I haven't been to a big show in awhile and miss it.

Coinosaurus · January 5, 2017 8:22PM

Arrived in Ft. Laurderdale. Getting Starbucks on 17th St first thing in the morning. I can't plan any further ahead than coffee

ricko · January 6, 2017 5:19AM

Keep the reports coming..... these daily reports are great, better than waiting until it is over... Cheers, RickO

Desert Moon · January 6, 2017 6:36AM

Good Morning Folks,
Good news, the tents are gone this morning from the apts across the marina. Just before I walked out of my room yesterday I inspected them again and noted that there were two locations where multiple thick electric cables were coming out and connected to what looked like a main cable. So yes it appears it was a debugging and seems all is good now. That must take alot of juice to heat up a large row of tents like that over the apts....
On to the show. So first thing I did is went and lot viewed again until the bourse opened at 10 am to the 'public'. Once in I noticed the buzz right away. My first visit was to my main dealer to see if he had picked up anything I wanted. Nope. Then to the PCGS booth to submit a coin for reholder before sending off to CAC next week. As shown in the image above by TDN, his collection was on display and lookin' like, well, the best set of early dollars one could ever put together (thumbs up). But there we no lights so one could really not see it. I passed by later in the day and that problem was corrected and holy begosh, what a site to see - all that luster booming out! Kudos to our host for always having something nice to display.
After leaving the PCGS booth I went back upstairs to collect my win from the last nite auction of HA. Lot pick up is always fun - everyone in line is in a great mood as after all we just scored on some nice pieces. I can't tell you how many good acquaintances I have made over the years just by standing in line for lot viewing........
Finally around 11 back to the bourse where I did some searching for bust quarters at the usual dealer tables - Rich Uhrich, Eye Appealing, HLRC, CRO, David Kahn, etc. Not a single one that either blew me away that I had to have, or a die marriage I wanted/needed that met my standards. I spent a good 4 hours yesterday on the bourse and not a single coin identified. At 1:30 I was still empty on the bourse and went to the educational seminar on Collecting Barber Series by John Frost. John is always a good gig and I enjoy his presentations - I am exploring whether I want to get involved in Barbers so this was a good intro.
Then back to the bourse at 3 pm-ish still looking. During this time, had great conversations with Dave Wnuck, John Agre, Charmy, Todd Pollock and many others. Had some wine at Charmy's table, she usually brings out a bottle in the afternoon and that starts a great social gathering at her table. Both of us were missing Gary Groll, our Conder dealer, who did not make it this year as he is going next week to NYINC instead.
By about 5:30 I had scanned the bourse to no avail, going back to tables to see if anything has been added, and generally discussing some deals going around the room with some of the dealers. Then I ran into David Sunshine (Ultra High Relief) who I wanted to hook up with to view his inventory. We left the bourse and got to buisness - he had a couple bust pieces on his website but I needed to see them in hand. These were coins he had imaged by Todd so I knew they were PQ as Todd's images don't lie, but still need to see them surfaces in hand. I am happy to report that they were both great, both R4's that I did not have and Dave and I closed the deal. Thanks David!
Finally 6:30, I went off to the Capital Grille with Larry (ldhair) and Bill Jones. We have been doing this for several years now, a high end restaurant with some of the folks ATS. We were the only 3 this year, some of the usual suspects did not show. But we had a great dinner with lots of meat and fluids and showed around our new pickups. Larry and Bill both have amazing eyes for coins so I learn so much from both. We got back to the hotel at 11 pm and ran right into Charmy and her group. We then stood in the lobby for a good hour and chatted. Charmy said the bourse was superactive for her today, so all that buzz I heard all day was not for nothing.

I will end there as I need to get over the the CC for the JRCS meeting this morning, more anon.

Best, SH

Boosibri · January 6, 2017 6:49AM

Great report!

Yorkshireman · January 6, 2017 7:50AM

Nice report. I wish I could have made it this year.

asheland · January 6, 2017 8:24AM

It's nice to see David Hall recovered and back at it!
Great report!

grip · January 6, 2017 8:30AM

Was thinking the same. He looks healthy.

BustCuds · January 6, 2017 9:04AM

Thank you for the daily reports, great reading.

Desert Moon · January 7, 2017 6:26AM

Hi Folks,
Here is my last on site comment. Yesterday - what a day! We had unfortunate drama at the airport leaving most of us concerned about our flights and watching with sadness out in the hallway watching the TV as the events unfold and worried for everyone involved. Today all of the flights except Delta, that come out of the terminal where it happened are operating. If one is on Delta, it looks like it is not happening today. We had two emergency vehicle visits to the show, I saw one unfortunate gentleman in bad shape and being taking out in the ambulance. This was happening about the same time as the events were unfolding at the airport so I hope the local hospital was able to take care of him quickly when he got there as they were receiving victims from the airport at that time in the emergency room.
I started the day with the JRCS club meeting, David Finklestein gave a great presentation on the early mint. Then I hit the bourse.
And after a day of no Newps with the exception the two from David Sunshine while the bourse was closing on Thurs, BANG! One of my areas of collecting is pre-civil war branch mint everything. I had at least one in just about every denomination. But nary an O-mint seated dollar. When the bourse opened I started browsing my regular dealer tables and first with the Eye Appealing Coins. They were just putting out two newps they got from a collector. One was an 1831 CBQ in P58 CAC that I immediately asked them to inspect. Gorgeous coin, but alas I had the die marriage already and mine was luckily just as nice. Then Ray asked me - have a look at the other one from this collector. It was a 1859-O P58 CAC seated dollar with gorgeous multicolored toning. When I have been searching in the past for O-mint seated dollars the problem has been that low MS coins are super heavily bag marked and mostly hairlined, you have to get up to 64 to get out of that and I don't want to put all of my money into one coin. So I have been looking for XF-AU, but most of these seem scrubbed and lifeless. This 59-O had minor hairlines, touch of rub, no bagmarks and that toning is again, gorgeous. So finally I had it, an O-mint seated dollar!
I then went to Dave Perkins table, he was so busy the day before I never got to see what he had. Turns out he had a new consignment of, you guessed it, seated dollars, that had been off the market for decades. These were XF-AU coins in old P holders and none of them scrubbed and instead with natural meaty toning. There was a 46-O and a 60-O but no 50-O. The 46-O was to die for - P55, golden brown to blue toning on the edges grading into natural smoky gray in the centers, no major hits (1 small hit below eagle beak on reverse is all..), and still rich in luster. The 60-O in P55 was dove gray with no problems and almost as gorgeous. Dave and I talked prices, and they were mine. I could not believe it, years of searching and 3 of the 4 dates in less than 1 hour!
So there was some good kharma going around. I next went to US Coin, and there was a real nice P15 CAC 1800 dollar with dripping originality. I have wanted also to add one of these to the collection and this one was again, the perfect coin for me. Finally I hit CRO to see if John had anything new I would like since yesterday since I came up null at his table so far. Low and behold, a 1842 P45 CAC seated collar never been messed with stunner was freshly out in one of his cases. Yes it also become part of the spacehayduke collection and is gives me the perfect XF Seated Dollar coin so that I know what to look for if I continue down this path. So in a matter of 1.5 hours, I went from no pre-civil war silver dollars to 5 and all of them just spiffy to boot. Total craziness.
So then it was time for the PCGS luncheon and I was looking forward to camaraderie, good food, and a new sample slab. Walked up and was handed the sample slab and it was, an Ike Dollar! What is going on here? Dollar heaven for spacehayduke today.
Finally in the afternoon, went to the Fly-In Club meeting, Chris Pilliod gave a nice presentation on an interesting and unique piece. During this meeting Charmy saw on her phone what was happening at the airport. So not much of anything after that for anyone at the bourse because we were all worried for the people there.
So those are some of the highlights of yesterday. I will post images as soon as I can and there are a few wrap ups I will do at the show today then back to the airport where hopefully things are getting back to normal.

AT FUN.......... Images added

Comments

Leave a Comment