ANA Show Report
golden
Posts: 9,963 ✭✭✭✭✭
This year was my 49th consecutive ANA show ( 1970-date ).
Monday
I took a direct flight on Monday morning to Phl. It had been raining before I arrived. At the airport I took the hotel shuttle to my hotel. When I got out of the van ,I slipped on the second step of the van which was wet. I twisted my right knee. I was in a lot of pain as I pulled my suitcase to the registration desk. I had planned to drop my suitcase and head to the PNG show. I knew that was not going to happen. I went to my room to rest. I turned in early but it took me hours to find a comfortable position to fall asleep.
Tuesday
My knee felt far.far better that I was expecting this morning. The show was to open at 12:30. I took the hotel shuttle to the airport where I got a ticket ($ 6.75 ) for the train to downtown. The track from the airport to the 30th Street Station was down for 2 weeks of repairs. They had a shuttle bus to the 30th Street Station. At the station I took the train to Jefferson station ( 2 stops ).
I first went across the street to Reading Market. Where I had a chicken tender box with fries ( so much food ) for $9.50. I then walked to the show. I arrived at 12:15 just as opening ceremonies started. The speeches went over the scheduled time and the ribbon was not cut until 12:45. There was a very large crowd waiting to enter the show. I first went to see David Kahn. He did not have anything for me. I decided to try something different this year. I decided to first go only to the dealers in the Ultra Premium ( high rent district ) section. After a short time I found a coin that I was on my want list. The price was fair and after a short thought process ,I pulled the trigger. Continuing, I found another cool coin. It was priced far above average price guides but this was not your average coin.I quickly purchased it. By this time I had finished the Ultra Premium section and started touring the rest of the floor. After a short time I found another coin. The price was under price guides ,but more than what average coins of this type have been priced recently. This coin was not average. I bought it also. Today I said hello to Dave Wnuck, Julian Leidman, Kenneth Goldman, Lyn Knight among others.
The day was getting late. I had covered the entire show except for the Foreign and Ancient section. I called it a day and took the train / shuttle bus / hotel van back to my hotel.
Wednesday
This morning I got up and had the hotel breakfast. It was awful. I headed back to the show. I checked out the Foreign and Ancient section. Nothing there that interested me. I next looked at the exhibits. I voted for the exhibit titled " Theodore Roosevelt : His Life & His Influence on Numismatics " for the People's Choice Exhibit Award. My second choice was " The 1918 Two Dollar Battleship Note".
I headed to aisle 100 to start another round of the bourse floor. On the way, I saw that Rick Harrison from the TV show Pawn Stars was meeting people at a booth. I got to meet and talk to him for a short time and also picked up a free autographed post card.
I spend the rest of the day walking the floor. I did not find anything to purchase today. I went over to Reading Market where I had a very good roast beef sandwich. After that I went back to my hotel.
Thursday
I checked out of my hotel and went back to the show for the last time this year. I took some coins over to Messy Desk to get imaged. I walked around and talked to a few dealers while I waited. Everyone said that they had a good show. I picked up my coins and went to the airport. After an uneventful flight I got home about an hour before dark.
I know that some people were concerned about riding the train in Philly. I rode it six times and never had a concern.
There were some great coins at the show. I saw a $5 1900 S in PCGS 69 in an OGH with a CAC sticker! There were a very large number of gold coins from the S.S. Central America, both from the original dive and from the most recent one. There were also several gold bars from that ship.There were several $50 Pan Pac coins and one complete set with the original box. I saw at least 2 1794 $1 and at least 2 1792 Half Dismes. There were 2 1796 Quarters in PCGS 1 and one with a CAC sticker. If you wanted to do it you could have assembled a roll of $20 High Reliefs. DLH had his set of Seated Dollars on display. Awesome! I did see an 1802 Half Dime in PCGS 10 in an OGH. What about it DLH?
I thoroughly enjoyed myself at the show this year. I can't wait till next year. On to Chicago!
Comments
@golden I now have a smile on my face and it's because I just read your report. Thanks so much--for me, who cannot attend, it's a great deal of fun to read reports such as your's because it helps me at least semi-enjoy the show!
That Roosevelt exhibit was great! I put it in second place after the Byzantine gold. It was a tough choice. Going by the number of show reports it looks like I missed out on seeing 90% of the forum members. Maybe next year we can put a blue dot on our name tags or something. It would be nice to see you at your 50th show!
Great show report golden! I agree with Mark, you captured the ambiance of the show well. Hope you knee is better!
Best, SH
@golden congrats on your streak and a stellar report to boot
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Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Thanks for sharing a great report with us - looking forward to seeing your 50th ANA show report next year!
Thank you for the report. How's the knee?
Will you share some pics of your purchases?
The knee is ok. It only bothers me when I first get up after sitting. I don't have a phone or camera to take pictures.
Geez, 49 in a row! Most impressive. It would be fun for you to catalog your purchases by year and comment on your memories. I would enjoy learning more of your experiences.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
I second @Catbert 's good idea. @golden it would be a lot of fun to hear your memories of the conventions!
Thanks for the report
That is quite the streak! Congrats on making the show and acquiring your NEWPS.
Loved the Reading Station - the sausage, egg, cheese pretzel is an amazing breakfast!
Thanks for the report!
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Did you consider that Rick Harrison may now consider you one of his "buddies" and call you in to appraise a coin?
@golden....Congratulations... 49 consecutive ANA shows... Fantastic. Glad to hear your knee is healing well. Were the coins you had imaged the new one's? You could post those...Thank you for an excellent show report. Cheers, RickO
Thanks for the report.
By the way the Byzantine gold exhibit took BEST of Show. And glad you liked the Battleship note exhibit that was mind. The people choice winner was the one with all of the Assay medals.
I'll add my thanks for a great report
As to the suggestion that you report on past shows you've attended that would be great to see and should only take up about an hour or so a week for the next 50 weeks.
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
Glad your knee is OK, that could have been very bad!
Another ANA report I enjoyed....Thank you for telling it as if you were wearing the GoPro
Enjoyed your report. Hope both of your knees will be in good shape next year so you can attend your "Golden Anniv." 50th consecutive ANA show.
The knee is good. I plan on being in Chicago next year even if my wife has to push me on a stretcher.
Thanks for the report... it was very enjoyable.
Other than the knee thing... it sounds like you had a good time.
Great report, thanks for posting.
it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide