First Coin Show ever!
Aspie_Rocco
Posts: 3,747 ✭✭✭✭✭
Summary: great show, learning experience, several cherrypicks.
My day started before 7am, the excitement would not allow for much sleep with the anticipation of my very first coin show. 8:30 am sick from anxiety, which was eventually overcome, 10am found me driving over local mountains with nice shadows from the crisp sunshine. The 12 string sounds and voice of El de La Guitarra played as I pulled into a parking space and I had to pace my myself not to break in to a run to arrive faster. I wore my platinum membership Pcgs shirt to the event 
Once inside I made a planned out lap around the room to assess who had what and where. Then I hit my first table. A pleasant and engaging dealer told me about some of his inventory, mostly Pcgs, but I moved on after I recognized prices well above list and recent auction numbers. My first purchase was 2 dark Lincoln wheats for my dansco. Followed by a 40x led loupe, and 2 unlabeled Bugs bunny Franklin varieties. 
I then made another few laps to harness the overwhelming amount of things to see. I found many Jefferson Nickels, however, most were grossly overpriced, condemned to pvc flips and 2x2 cardboard. I sadly passed on a 38 raw nickel proof priced at $450 
It was pr64 possibly 65 and a FS403, for which I buy for $50-70 max ungraded. I am happy I chose a small show as my first. Even with a small room floor there was almost too much to focus on.
Next up I located a 1952 raw proof nickel fs401 Variety and a raw 1954 s/s fs501.
I returned to the loupe dealer’s tables and bought a 47S dime to finish my silver dime dansco and a 1956 raw Bugs bunny cherrypick.
Here an older gentleman was trying to sell high dollar ms65 Morgan Dollars and a pr65 1941 no AW half, and I almost tried for it, the dealer bought it eventually for what I would have paid, but I decided against it.
Then I went completely off script and out of character buying an Ngc ms64 1954 Bugs bunny half unlabeled and a counterfeit trade dollar. 
I took two breaks outside to put coins away and gather my thoughts. At the end of my visit, 140pm I left with a nice group of Franklin halves, only 2 nickels, 2 cents, and a loupe.
I stopped to pick up a 66fbl 1953 D on the way home, which I was sure was a Bugs bunny. I am uncertain now as two expert opinions say it is Not. Plenty of successful cherrypicks softened the blow. Here is a 1959 ms65fbl unattributed Bugs bunny 
I felt it was fitting to drive over the Rancho Conejo Grade (small Camarillo/Newbury Park mountains ) conejo is rabbit in Spanish, and I was out hunting Bugs bunny and Jefferson Varieties. Also I recently heard a Mexican song that has become a new favorite, despite the fact that I do not comprehend most of the lyrics. He sings of driving in California, I get that part, so here was my soundtrack to set the ambiance of this coin filled day 
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=on9qqb3c3PE
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sAV4Ku9nYk8
Comments
Awesome @Aspie_Rocco! Thanks for the report. Sounds like you found some nice coins and had a good time! Congrats!
Good report, thanks for sharing and great job! I wish I was able to get out to more myself.
Jeff
Noice! Thank you
Thank you Jeff, I appreciate the complement.
Indeed! Thank you
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
Looks like you had a good time. Thanks for the report.
it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide
Going to shows are always a thrill, especially when you acquire a coin or two. So glad you made the effort. One day you must go to winter FUN to experience the ultimate show!
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
sounds like a great day--you can now know what to expect for the next one!
Everything is great, especially if you will use that TD for target practice. Can't condone buying it for any other purpose.
bob
Nice report, I could really feel your excitement coming through.
I also enjoyed your music links as they reminded me of working in Mexicali a few years ago.
Nothing beats a day at a coin show.
Glad you had A good time.
I only got it because I cannot convince myself to buy a real Pcgs MS-AU example. And as self education. I could not tell it was a copy other than it looking flat, too nice, and a $3 price. I will probably never buy a trade dollar or any coin of similar value, without a PCGS slab around it. I have a personal rule of $40 max for raw US coins, unless it is a Jefferson. Anything else I consider junk silver or of questionable history. If not for PCGS I would not have the courage to buy anything but Jefferson Nickels.
Anything else but anacs get twisted open or cracked. I twisted this open buy hand after the show for my UNC Variety only dansco. Nothing against other grading companies, I personally just cannot tolerate the appearance of any other holders.
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
I loved your show report as you describe your activity much as I do at a show. Just wondering if you might happen to have a GoPro???? Might be very nice to see the show from your own eyes.
OINK
Did someone mentioned Jefferson nickels
Good write up and Congrats on the first show
Steve
Time well spent. Good report
Thanks for writing it up. Now that you know the ropes, I hope you can get some rest the night before the next show. I used to get restless the night before a big show - thinking about what I might find. But these days I sleep fine because I've been to so many shows..
Good luck cherry picking - there are lots out there to be found and dealers don't seem to have time to find them.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
Attending a really good coin show beats the devil out of surfing the web for coins. It also beats the auctions were the bids usually go to the moon whenever I get involved in them.
Good report.... And some nice acquisitions...Now get some rest
Next, plan a visit to winter FUN...No, better not.. you will not sleep for a week... 
Cheers, RickO
Great show report! Just a word of caution on the 54 Bugs... a lot of the 1954 have a late die state mushy "tooth" like that. In general, PCGS will not attribute those, although there are undoubtedly a few out there. Look for an earlier die-state example and then you can have an EDS and an LDS example for your collection.
The 1956 and 1959 you got are both stellar examples. The 1956 Bugs is very difficult to find with FBL, so keep your eyes open for those!
Nice write-up. I have a question, did you go to the show with either a written or a mental list of what you were looking for with researched prices?
I have /had a mental list of varieties and plan. I did use my phone to look a few things up on CoinFacts like Franklin prices and Walker prices. I was grateful for a cell phone signal.
I am familiar and confident with Jefferson prices, Franklin not so much.
I prefer to buy under Pcgs/ CoinFacts list prices, unless it is something rare or special.
The stage C 54 Bugs (and any stage C) was for my Variety only dansco. Any stage A or B will probably go to Pcgs for attribution.
Thanks again for the tips and info Georgiacop50.
Thank you everyone for the supportive posts
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
Your show perspective is so different from how I perceive the world. Sounds like you have a good grasp of what details you want. I am more about what catches my eye, and sadly for local shows anymore, that’s not much.
My experience is 15% coin hunting and 85% socializing with friends I have made over the years.
Of the coin hunting portion of the experience, I would estimate that 50% is analyzing the inventory, while 50% is reading the mannerisms, expressions and tells from the dealers trying to gauge whether I am going to be able to do a deal. I am sure I read too much into a transaction, but my day job involves negotiating, so it is part of my process.
Indian Head $10 Gold Date Set Album
I just noticed your handle, so ignore my earlier comments about reading people. My boys have similar issues, but make up for it in other areas.
By the way, Jefferson nickels are a great place to start. I got hooked on the hobby by putting together a full set of Jeffersons back in the 70s.
I moved that set to a nice dansco album a decade or two ago when I rediscovered the hobby.
Indian Head $10 Gold Date Set Album
You always remember the first time.
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
A few years from now when you attend your first FUN Show you can say it started here.
Nice coins btw.
@Aspie_Rocco Great show report! It sounds like you enjoyed your first coin show and hopefully you will attend others as I find all shows amazing, even if I don't find anything I need. For me there is nothing like looking at coins in person.
Donato
Donato's Complete US Type Set ---- Donato's Dansco 7070 Modified Type Set ---- Donato's Basic U.S. Coin Design Set
Successful transactions: Shrub68 (Jim), MWallace (Mike)
Nice report and pickups. Wish I could remember my first show. But that was over 40 years ago!
Beautiful pick ups...thanks for the share
Nice report and interesting pickups
I have a large smile on my face from reading your report (and listening to your music). What a fantastic day you had. In fact, my large smile is on my green-with-envy face!!
Thank you. Show reports are always appreciated.
Now that's what I'm talking about!
Having fun at a show.
WTG!!
nice report
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
coin shows can be dangerous, like a kid in a candy store ... soon the appetite is bigger than the wallet