Another Long Beach Report

Elcontador · February 1, 2019 9:59PM

Hadn't been there in two years due to other priorities with funds, and more importantly, life in general. Will not miss a vacation for a coin show.

I came to see who and what was there. I had no intention to buy or sell anything. Many of the people in the business with whom I have established relationships over the years are older, like I am, and I don't know how much longer they'll be doing this, so I wanted to catch up with them.

Took the metro-rail as usual. Do not recommend this now. They are re-doing the Blue Line, so it took an additional 20 to 30 minutes each way (by bus). They said it should be done by late May. Normally, it takes me about the same amount of time to get there from Green Line station near my home, when you include the hassle of parking. Not today.

Got there at 10:30. Big line at the PCGS table. Someone at the end of the 400s row had $15, $20 and $25 buckets of large Cents. For $25 I saw an 1852 that would grade VF 25 or VF 30. Neat to be able to buy a decent looking coin nearly 170 years old for $25. This may be a good way to kindle the interest of a YN.

I caught up with Tom Reynolds. He probably knows more about old copper than anyone else there, but is very humble about it. He helped me out a number of years ago when an expensive old copper I had went bad in holder, and I've never forgotten it.

I didn't see Todd, but I did see his father. We both like to travel and talked about our upcoming trips. I'm doing a trip of a lifetime later this year, and that's why I'm not spending anything on coins.

Did not see Andy Lustig or Katy Duncan. Laura and George were already gone when I got to the Legend Table. My Long Beach experience is never complete without the scowl I always get from her. I also missed Ian Russell.

I caught up with John Agre (Coin Rarities Online). He sold me the cherry Matron Head Large Cent in MS 65 RB four or five years ago. I was looking for one of them for years, had given up, and stumbled onto this one. He told me he has not seen another one like that since. He also showed me an archived image of the nicest CBH he ever owned. It blew me away. Looked better than some MS 66s I've seen.

I also caught up with David McCarthy. This is one incredibly smart, down to earth guy. We talked about the business, and I saw an amazing 1904 S Barber Half at his table. One reason I go to shows, even when not intending to buy anything, is that I can hold in my hand some truly amazing coins, many of which I'll never be able to afford to own.

I showed four coins I brought with me for possible regrade / upgrade to David and to my Heritage contact, who my lifeline in this business. They both had similar comments about the coins. We are sending them in with reconsideration service. He seems to think I'll get something out of it. He said a plus on any of these coins is worth the grading fees, the trip back to CAC, and then some. I'm hoping for one of them to upgrade a point, but I'm not counting on it to happen. I can see a few pluses, though.

In terms of what was at the show, there was a nice run of high end circulated Capped Bust Halves at Eye Appealing Coins and at Sheridan Downey's table. Bill Shamhart always had amazing coins to view. Someone, I forget whom, had a nice run of circulated Bust $s. Saw very little old copper. Between Rick Snow and Charmy Harker, there were plenty of nice IHCs. Saw very little in Draped Bust Quarters, Halves, or Small Eagle Dollars (saw two or three of them).

Unknown · February 1, 2019 10:13PM

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Swampboy · February 1, 2019 11:53PM

Great report

I just missed a coin show while on vacation at a coin show
Very confusing

Best of luck on your reconsiderations @Elcontador

Hemispherical · February 2, 2019 3:26AM

Thanks @Elcontador for your report.

Walkerguy21D · February 2, 2019 5:09AM

Nice report, thanks for sharing.

Saw very little old copper.

Interesting comment - testimony to how scarce this stuff is. The corroded stuff is around of course, but the nicer coins seem either off the market, or in the hands of just a few specialist EAC dealers, like Tom that you mentioned.

bidask · February 2, 2019 6:09AM

Great report @Elcontador . You certainly know a lot of good dealers . I was there Thursday and Friday .... first time at Long Beach show for me in 35 years.

Good to be picky at this stage of our collecting careers.

kaz · February 2, 2019 6:30AM

Thanks for the report, good luck on the potential upgrades.

dpoole · February 2, 2019 6:38AM

Thanks for the nice report.

Where are you going for your "trip of a lifetime?"

EagleEye · February 2, 2019 9:48AM

Thanks for coming to the show!

EVillageProwler · February 2, 2019 10:17AM

@Elcontador said:

Someone, I forget whom, had a nice run of circulated Bust $s.

Jefe - was it Dave Perkins (WFP)?

ranshdow · February 2, 2019 1:08PM

Yeah, David definitely has the goods, and he's very approachable as well. The $10 crossover special seemed to be generating some buzz- I consigned a coin to a dealer who offered to submit it for crossing before auction, and I overheard at least two other people speculating on the merits of trying to cross this or that coin.