Birmingham Coin show report Sunday update
Yorkshireman
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I spent a few hours today (Saturday) at the Alabama Numismatic Society show. It is held in Bessemer, a suburb just west of Birmingham.
I went mainly to sell a few things to raise funds as I am expecting delivery in the next few days of what could be a killer Bust half for my set. I took a complete circulated set of Washington quarters in a Dansco album and a couple of really nice pieces from the dark side. Knowing the set would be mostly junk 90% prices, I quietly shopped for who would pay the most for that. Thankfully, the dealer who offered the most for that also offered the most for the 1932-D & S. Until that point, I had had no luck selling the wonderful foreign stuff in PCGS holders: a colonial Spanish 8 Reales from Peru and a George III British shilling. I was actually ready to leave the show with those pieces. The dealer I had brought them to show was at the St. Louis show instead. Too bad!
Any way, I mentioned to this dealer that all I had left to sell were a couple of rare foreign pieces. Luckily for me, he asked to see them. He loved the shilling and paid what I asked. He may keep it for his set. I had only bought it in March at the Chicago Coin Expo (of foreign coins). He also liked the 8 Reales, which has amazing toning but admitted he didn't know enough about them. I quess I will keep it until the Dalton show in a month if I don't sell or consign it earlier. Bottom line, I left with enough cash to make a major dent in my new half purchase.
I did almost leave with a new coin from the show. Looking back it was a good thing I didn't, but I tried.
I fell in love with a Peace dollar in MS66. This one had great luster and was CACed. The dealer had way too much in it. (I looked up his auction price.) I found another one that looked almost as good, but wasn't CACed and was in an NGC holder. I'm not good enough to tell if it would cross at 66. So, I went back to the first dealer and offered $100 more than the NGC coin (20%) . He wanted $200 more than the other (40%) and wouldn't do. He said "One day it will be worth what I paid again." I asked him he he was thinking like a dealer or a collector. His response was that the coin was from his collection. Good luck, buddy. You'll have that coin for a while. I had seen this dealer at several other shows. I don't think his inventory turns much. He has the most beautiful Condor token I have ever seen, but he wants several thousand dollars more than the market says it's worth. In my opinion, he has a museum not a coin business. The deal did not happen.
Looking back, I am glad I left with the cash to help pay for the coin coming in the mail next week. I had lots of fun. An old college buddy was there as a dealer. He is now running another local show coming up in the fall. I may take a table there.
I love coin shows!!
Comments
The "one day when it will be worth what I paid again" may be far, far in the future. I hope the dealer was a very young man.
Great report . .
I love doing shows as well . . . . just two a year perhaps, but they are a blast. Of course, the market makes them questionable at times, but if I lower all my coins to 15% less than I bought them for, I do VERY well !!!
Drunner
Nope!
While not "old", he was no kid either. I guess late 50's to 60.
love your show reporr
Enjoyed reading your report, glad you were able to make some sales.
Nice report. How was the attendance? Did it look and feel as though a lot of business was taking place?
Joseph J. Singleton - First Superintendent of the U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega Georgia
Findley Ridge Collection
About Findley Ridge
Thanks for the show report
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
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nice report and a good strategy to pay for an upcoming coin. it is a true treat when collections can pay for themselves!! BTW, did you happen to see or feel the ghost of FC57Coins at the show?? Frank was a Birmingham resident when he passed several years ago.
Nice report... you did well.... wise decision not to take the overpriced items. I will, on rare occasions, overpay for an item I really want... but not by mega-bucks. Cheers, RickO
Thanks for the report. I went to the Saint Charles show. There was not much happening there. I bought nothing.
I don't think his inventory turns much. He has the most beautiful Condor token I have ever seen, but he wants several thousand dollars more than the market says it's worth. In my opinion, he has a museum not a coin business. The deal did not happen.
Great report and keep them coming. Just for correctness sake, I think you mean Conder tokens? Which one does this dealer have? Some are worth a few K.
Best, SH
Thank you for tacking the time for the report, very nice.
Pardon the typo. Yes, that is what I meant.
I don't collect Conder tokens and can't remember the variety. This one was proof like and gorgeous.
I went back today to try to buy the Peace dollar again.
Looks like it will stay in his case.
Nice report - thanks for sharing the experience with us.
This is the 1st time I have missed this show in probably 20 years. This show has been declining for years. The last 2 years were at best break even for me if I factored in my purchases. I gave up my Front Corner because I knew it would be a waste of my time to go. Just got a call from a friend who never has a bad show....Was the absolute worst he had ever seen it. Seems they haven't been advertising the show...along with an economic decline in the area.
YEAP....Glad I didn't waste my time and dollars!
Why sell the coins from CCE so soon? Nice coins? Going in a different direction?
Latin American Collection
I made two purchases at CCE. The shilling was an impulse item and a mistake.
The 8 Reales I am trying to upgrade.
I like colonial Spanish coins in that they have significance to the early U.S. I want to keep working in the area.
I am sure that passing on the Peace Dollar was the best decision that you made at the show.