Charmy's 2017 LONG BEACH EXPO Show Report w/lots of pics!
ThePennyLady
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Considering what happened to my FUN show report thread, even though it received quite a bit more viewings than usual, I am hoping this thread won't be quite as "controversial." Rest assured, however, I will continue posting these reports as usual in spite of those who may not have a "taste" for this style of show report.
Coming off a very successful FUN show, I had high hopes that this Long Beach show would be successful as well and was very much looking forward to the show. I especially enjoy seeing my regular customers, as well as my SoCal dealer friends who don't often travel to the out-of-state shows. (I also enjoy being able to sleep in my own bed at night!)
However, with the heavy rain and high winds predicted right at the same time as the show, I became a little concerned. Wednesday was set up day where I did the majority of my buying, and Thursday was so busy, that I hardly left my table that day. But then the rain and wind hit, so Friday was very light, as was Saturday. Overall, for me, the show averaged out as pretty good, especially buying, as you will see.
As usual, set up began Wednesday at noon. I usually arrive to get in line at the loading dock around 10:30am, but this time they were diverting the cars to a "holding" parking lot area and gave each of us numbers. They originally were going to let just 5 cars up the ramp every half hour because half the loading dock was occupied by Bonnie Raitt's tour buses since she had a concert scheduled at the convention center. That would mean most dealers wouldn't get to unload until later in the afternoon. On top of that, the city is getting ready for the Long Beach Grand Prix so there was lots of construction all around the convention center and especially on the street next to the loading dock.
So I called Taryn, who organizes and runs the Long Beach show. She was unaware that the loading dock people were handling things in this convoluted manner, so she made some phone calls, and things started running a little more smoothly and the loading process sped up. Soon I was inside setting up my booth!
Several vest pocket dealers stopped by my table on Wednesday, and I was able to pick up some nice coins and fill in a lot of holes that were left in my inventory from the FUN show. I also had bought several coins from dealers just before the show who brought them to the show for me. I also had some customers bring several coins they were selling or trading to the show for me. So I had a successful show even before the show began!
This is one of my customers, Victor, who travels all the way from Australia to come to the Long Beach show (and to visit relatives). He was one of my customers who traded some Lincoln cents and bought several higher grade ones. Victor was also very kind to bring me this great bottle of Australian wine!
After set up, we went to our usual Cafe Piccolos for our usual wine tasting dinner. It has a wonderful cafe-style atmosphere, and even more wonderful tasting dishes.
This is my favorite dish on their menu - goatcheese chicken!
I arrived at the show early on Thursday so I could a few photos around the bourse floor, and so I could get some of my new purchases processed and set out.
I ran into my favorite gal pal, Nina, who is now working at Kagin's (that's David McCarthy photobombing in the background)! They are knee deep in preparing for their big auction at the Orlando ANA, which looks to be an amazing sale!
The NGC Team is ready for business!
The US Mint's display
And the Bruce Morelan collection of rare early dollars, including the $10 million coin!
Once the doors opened to the public, the show got crazy busy very quickly. I asked several dealers and they all agreed that Thursday was one of the best Long Beach show days in a long time. Perhaps knowing that Friday and Saturday were going to have such strong rain and winds, the collectors decided to make sure they attended on Thursday instead. I was so busy that I forgot to take photos of how many people were attending the show!
After the show on Thursday, we went to Naples Ribs, the usual Thursday night restaurant that many dealers attend. My hubby loves when I go to this rib place, because I bring home at least half my ribs for him, as well as the ribs my friends can't finish!
As I mentioned, there were terrible weather predictions for Friday so the bourse floor was pretty quiet throughout the day. I was able to finish processing all of my new purchases, including adding them to my website (without Toddy's photos). I had decent sales, but nothing like Thursday.
Here are photos of some of the folks I ran into. I'm sure you all know who this is - David Hall looks great, despite his recent health issues!
I always enjoy chatting with Ron Guth, who is a super wonderful human being and all around great guy!
One of the most friendly and hard working dealers I know - Walt Ankerman!
The best sports memorabilia dealer around, Randy Pollock of London Coin Galleries!
The PCGS folks hard at work, as usual!
This is a young man who is a regular customer of mine. He is a very smart, savvy coin buyer, not to mention very adorable!
While talking with my coin error buddy, Jim Cauley or Errors & More, I noticed several old framed photographs at his table. These were taken right after the San Francisco earthquake in 1906, including the old Mint building.
This is Jim holding an artists rendition of what would become the Telegraph Hilltop Observatory (and that's another one of my favorite dealer friends, James, photobombing our picture)!
John Englehardt of Sierra Gold and Coin had this interesting old penny "slot" machine for sale.
On Friday afternoon, the rain really stated coming down hard and the wind was blowing hard. I stepped outside the back doors to check it out and got soaked just taking this photograph!
There were also a couple of bad rooms leaks inside the convention room. I heard there was a waterfall right over one of the dealer's back tables that they were able to stop. This one had a heavy steady leak above one of the large ceiling lights so they set out a trash can to capture the water.
Since business was pretty slow Friday afternoon, we opened this bottle of Rombauer Zinfandel that I brought a little earlier than usual.
On Friday night we headed over to the King's Fish House up on Pine Street behind the convention center. This is our more "formal" wine tasting dinner and we had some great wines! I have an app that rates wines and shows you where you can find them, and the average price of the wine. I am pleased to say that my Rombauer Fiddletown Zinfandel was rated the highest at 4.7 (out of 5), even though it wasn't the most expensive. I am a club member of Rombauer because I just love their wines, both their zinfandels and cabs. The 2000 Araujo cab rated 4.3 but was the most expensive wine at the table.
The food at King's Fish House is pretty amazing too. My favorite dish on their menu is the macadamia nut crusted halibut. Here are some of the dishes we had.
Saturday was another slow day at the show. There were lots of kids but I didn't see a lot of business going on, especially at my table! It was still rainy outside and a little windy, but nothing like it was on Friday. I did get to chat with these two adorable YN's who showed my what they had acquired so far!
Also on Saturday, Taryn (who I mentioned earlier runs the Long Beach Show) ran into Jason Momoa who plays Khal Drogo on Game of Thrones (husband of the Queen of Dragons)! I would have loved to have met him but didn't know he was at the show. This is a picture Taryn had taken with Mr. Momoa.
Soon, it was once again time to pack up and head home. I always enjoy the Long Beach show and even when it is not a busy show, it seems to fly by. I am very grateful for my booth helper Rich - this should would not be the same without Rich!
We were fortunate that the rain had subsided so we could load without getting drenched. On my way out of the parking structure, we ran into several of the attendees from the Comic convention that was being held next door. They are a site to behold when they dress in their comic costumes!
Soon I was grateful to be home safe and sound and cozy in my jammies and slippers, hanging out with my sleepy little Penny! (My hubby, who is a lineman, was still at work and ended up working through the night due all to the storm damage.)
Next up in March: Orlando ANA, PNNA Tukwila/Seattle, then Baltimore!
Comments
Great report and pictures, Charmy.
Great show report!
Penny the Cat doesn't look happy, possibly due to all of the rain.
The Mysterious Egyptian Magic Coin
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Always a pleasure to read your reports, Charmy.
Thanks for taking the time to prepare them.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Thanks for another great report. I see your detractor appears to be back under another name, but I guess that is what makes life interesting. Will have to wait to see if he/she checks in on this thread.
Grrrreat Report Charmy!
Best, SH
Great report thanks for posting.
That was an amazingly comprehensive report! You made me wish I was there a LOT more. Thanks!
Fan of the Oxford Comma
CCAC Representative of the General Public
2021 Young Numismatist of the Year
Great job!
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
Charmy,
It was good to see you at the show. Nice report, as always. Just keep doing your thing.
Well done, Charmy. Thanks for the report and the pics... I'm especially fond of goatcheese chicken also.
'dude
Looks like you all had a great time! Wish I could have made it. Thanks for the report!
The new HR gold from the US mint looks to be placed crooked in their holders.. weird.
Thanks for sharing for those of us not in attendance
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
Superb show report!
I always leave your threads . . . . . . . hungry.
Still happy about meeting you . . . and treasuring the purchases I made.
Drunner
(Stairway to Heaven)
Totally dig the Liberty gold pic; thanks for posting, Charmy!
Incredible report as usual. Another wonderful 360 degree view! REALLY enjoy these!
Dave
Nice report.
This is now on my office wall:
Thank you everyone, once again, for all your kind comments.
Drunner, I am very glad to have met you too!
Penny was very sleepy and not happy that I was taking her photo!
The Penny Lady®
Thanks for the report!
Oddest exhibit I've seen in a while! What's going on with those capsules? Also, the eagle almost looks like it could be flying upside down!
I think they just placed the coins in oversized airtight holders so the coins were loose and moved around.
The Penny Lady®
I really enjoy every part of your reports!
Thanks again for another wonderful one Charmy.
What an incredible experience! Such a fabulous coin show with an array of knowledgable collectors and dealers in one venue. It was a sincere pleasure and privilege to deal with Charmy. Her stand is always well-stocked and her information in her particular field is second to none. I endeavour to be back to this wonderful show in the coming years.
Cool.
I just noticed the 1794 S$1 has cert number 00001794
Great report! Amazing to see that much rain in SoCal! Glad it was a great show.
Whitman Brands: President/CEO (www.greysheet.com; www.whitman.com)
PNG: Executive Director (www.pngdealers.org)
Marvelous report Charmy... always a pleasure to read these.... That Australian Cab is very good.. I have had it before....The Araujo Cab is also very, very nice. Seems the business at shows is very good lately... in spite of what many see as a slow market. Cheers, RickO
Wonderful show report, Charmy.
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
Nice write-up Charmy, thank you for bringing the show to us who were not able to attend.
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, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
Thank you for a fine show report. I particularly enjoyed seeing both the 1794 silver dollar and the YN's with their enthusiasm for coins. It's good to see your enjoyment of the hobby and the people that you interact with!
Great fun. Thanks!
Here's a warning parable for coin collectors...
Great report as usual Charm. The rain sure was crazy on Friday. Hope you liked the unusual earrings
I was totally offended by - the goat cheese chicken!!! I almost lost it but managed to control myself without a puke pail nearby. The gist of it is I don't like goat cheese!
Other than that, great report! That weather looked dreadful but the long term effects from all that rain should be good.
10-4,
My Instagram picturesErik
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Great report as usual. I liked the Naples Ribs shot. I'll have to try it since Naples is my last name and I might qualify for the "Naples discount".
As usual, a great job Charmy! Thank you for taking the time and effort to produce this. It is most appreciated!
Larry L.
Thanks for another great report Chramy. Your photos are very insightful and I always take note of your wine recommendations.
Another great report - love the San Francisco photo's!
Always a fun read! Hopefully one day I'll be at one of these shows and I'll stop by your table.
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Thanks for the report, Charmy.
@AusLincolns Welcome to the forum!
Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association
Great report! Long Beach is just too far for me to attend.
Chris, yes the earrings are adorable - thank you again. I apologize for not including them in my report, but here they are:
The Penny Lady®
Thanks for the report, I'll probably never have a chance to attend that show, so your reports (and others') provide vicarious enjoyment.
Thanks for the report, Charmy. It is always great.
I saw you at your table on Thursday and would have stopped to say hello, but you were busy with 3 or 4 people already, so Hello.