PAN show report (long)
kranky
Posts: 8,709 ✭✭✭
PAN wrapped up their 3-day show on Saturday and I was there helping out at PTVETTER's table. The best part is getting to chat with fellow board members. Saw mar427, shortgapbob, jfoot13, verno. vam44, CoinZip and met walkerfan for the first time - a nice guy to talk to (he had his own thread about the show).
A couple things that stood out. Attendance was the largest in the last three years, and the bourse floor was a sell-out! One of the first-time PAN dealers was Dalton Gold and Silver from Georgia - they had the most Dahlonega and Charlotte gold I've ever seen at this show, plus a great selection of Morgans. I also noticed the nearly complete absence of third-tier slabbed coins; in fact I think I saw more hobo nickels than the combined number of no-name slabs. Also many more medals and Civil War tokens than in the past.
Some things seen on the floor I ran across included a controversial 1936/29-S Merc in 65, many, many of the gold Merc, SLQ and Walker commems (these seem to have been a flash in the pan, with little interest), and even a framed dinosaur tooth. PAN does a good job of bringing in dealers with a wide range of items - low to high end coins, currency, foreign, exonumia, plus a full-line supply dealer.
Competitive exhibits featured a Carnegie Hero medal - I did not know these did not get engraved after striking with the awardee information but the text of the recipient's name and why they won was actually part of the die, making them truly unique. Other exhibits included US Coins that feature a bison, National Currency, Coal Miner Scrip (tokens and paper), Early European large silver coins from the 1400-1500's, and a massive collection of large medals from various makers and artists. I enjoy the exhibits as I know I'm going to learn something by viewing - this time it was that certain US currency "star notes" did not have the star as part of the overprint - in some cases the star was engraved almost in microscopic size on the printing plate, hidden in a very inconspicuous place in the design.
I'm sure I've raised this issue before but why don't show attendees want to say what they are looking for? One person was browsing the table holding a list, and I asked what I could show him. He was "just looking". I mention we had plenty more material behind the table. He nodded. Minutes go by as he peers through 6 cases of coins. Eventually he mentions he's looking for a lower-cost Unc Morgan, any date. Yes, we have some behind the table, he finds one he likes and buys it. I understand that many people aren't looking for anything specific (I've sometimes been that person) but if you are looking for something specific, why would you not say so? Probably half the dealers have items not on display.
PAN also puts a lot of resources into their Saturday Kids program and they get a great turnout. Kids get to fill Lincoln Whitman folders from donated cents, plus they get free "money" to use in the kids-only auction, which is also stocked with donated items.
And something I think is a great idea is the John H. Burns Memorial Library that is set up at PAN shows. Many of you knew the late numismatic literature dealer John Burns and a large number of reference books is available for consulting at PAN in his memory. If you knew John, you know lots of people treated his for-sale items as a reference library during shows anyway. But most times John could tell you what you wanted to know without having to find it in a book.
Some anecdotes from the floor:
- A man who has been collecting for 70 years shared a story about being in college in the 1950's and trading his Unc Indian Head Cent collection... for a new Corvette. It was a 3-way deal brokered by the dealer who bought the coins and happened to know the owner of the local Chevrolet dealer.
- I saw the most meticulously created inventory sheet/want list I've ever seen. A collector had a 3-ring binder. Each page was for a different series, in a plastic sheet protector. The page was sectioned off into roughly 1 inch squares. Each square had a date/mint filled in at the top. If the coin was owned, there was a red dot in the square with the grade and price paid. At the top of each page was printed the name of the series and the years the series was made in very large letters. The letters were shaded to create a 3D effect. And the whole page was done by hand in pen and markers- no computer involved. Impressive.
- Not one person stopped at the table to offer 90% silver - a first.
- But there was one person who asked if we had any damaged gold coins for sale at melt.
- As a public service to an attendee who could not walk very well, the registration desk made an announcement through the PA system "Attention dealers... if you have a 1796 bust dollar available for sale, please raise your hand." Probably saved that attendee a lot of steps. Rob from Reeded Edge had his hand up, which almost touched the ceiling (he's a tall guy) and that's where the collector went.
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
Comments
A very nice report. Wish I could get to that show.
nice report as usual. you mentioned Exonumia, did you notice any US Mint medals and/or So-Called Dollars?? also, was Bill aka njcoincrank there?? he usually has some interesting items and can be fun to talk with.
Excellent report, thanks.
Nice report Thanks.
- Jim
Thank you for the informative show report.
Great report! I enjoyed meeting you guys!
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Very well written and informative - thanks for taking the time to share it with us!
keets, I don't recall seeing any US Mint medals or SCDs but if anyone did it was probably Richard Gross - he had a lot of medals, CWTs, 19th century tokens, etc. Alas, Bill doesn't come to PAN and I agree he is a great guy to talk coins with.
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
@kranky:
I lived in Pittsburgh for 3 years and have always regretted that I never went to a PAN show. But my wife and I were just establishing ourselves, our family, our habits, and so forth. Moreover, we did not have money for coins. Plus who wants to let their new wife know what a huge coin nerd she married?? Anyway, that's a long, roundabout way of saying thanks for the report. I read it and my regrets about never attending intensify but it sure is fun to read about the show. Thanks a lot!
great report
Richard gross has some insane medals. And not only does he have them but is extremely knowledgeable about them
HAPPY COLLECTING
Great report Kranky... Thanks for the details.... I have always made it a point to ask for stuff that may be 'behind the table'...and many times it has resulted in success. Cheers, RickO
Thanks
I always enjoy the way PAN does some cool stuff for kids, this also reflects the numbers of kids with their families walking
around the show with their parents and grandparents, many of which were carrying their albums, showing their interest
in collecting, not just being dragged along.
Saw Alan (coinzip) there, who was doing a great job running his auction.
Saw a big variety of coins for sale, tons of silver, bullion, bars, 90% silver coins, ....., also some nice coins, a good variety of
Morgans, and most other series.
It s great working with Kranky.
The show had everything from junk to high end unc .