RYK's SLNA Show Report, St. Louis, MO, 2/8/19
RYK
Posts: 35,800 ✭✭✭✭✭
This was my first visit to the SLNA since 2015 (https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/937213/ryks-slna-show-report-2-07-2015.
As I walked in, I ran into St. Louis-based forum member @Jaywalker and we caught up on our respective career and coin pursuits. I was hoping to talk to @Shrub68 . The first time I passed his table, he was working on a deal, and when I came back later, he was not there but had left a container of delicious-looking home made cookies. I was very tempted but was more interested in seeing Jim and was disappointed that I did not. 
There seemed to be a whole lot of activity. Many people were buying and selling coins (though I did hear one dealer, who looked like a wannabe 
, complain that he had not sold a single coin all day). Most of the tables were held by the same dealers, occupying the same position for many years. The regulars all looked a little bit older. Heck, I looked a little bit older, too.
In addition to any eligible DOG, I was searching for three coins for my Dansco 7070, holes that were previously filled, that I inexplicably removed the coins and sold them a few years ago. I do not remember why, but I was now looking for suitable replacement coins in mid-grade circulated condition:
A Barber quarter
A Type I SLQ
A With Motto Seated Half
One would have thought that this would be a simple task, and the first two types were present in great abundance, in various grade level and price points from cull through mid-grade MS. I was surprised to see how few With Motto Seated Haves were on the bourse, in any problem-free condition, slabbed or raw. I quickly realized that I would not be filling this third hole on that day. As for the first two holes, I peeked into each case (though not every binder), and my impression was these coins were overpriced and mostly drecky (if you will pardon the expression). I mean, $50 for a 1917 quarter in VG/F? Really? Even the slick Barber quarters were $10 or $12, and most of the raw ones in cases, in every grade, looked like crap.
Some random observations:
I have a vague recollection of hearing that Tom Reynolds was retiring a few years ago, but I saw him sharing a table with a much reduced inventory of early coppers with his trademark display. I am not sure what his deal is, but I could totally see selling out the inventory, and just keeping enough stuff to justify going out on the coin tour to hang out with my friends of many years. Perhaps this is a typical dealer retirement glidepath.
I had a lot more interest in foreign coins. It is not a secret that foreign travel eats out of the same discretionary budget that once fed my coin collection, and I enjoy combining the two interests, collecting coins from places that I have traveled. To wit, there was a lovely 18th century gold coin from "Naples and Sicily" that I considered taking a closer look, but every time I approached the table, there seemed to be a big ass deal going down with lots of papers and coins strewn about, so I lost my patience and gave up. I have a trip to Sicily coming up this spring, so perhaps I will acquire such a coin there or, more likely, back in the U.S, and maybe even the same coin from the same dealer in 2020!
I was hoping to sell some random silver widgets and dreck, some flotsam and jetsam, and the bullion wholesale buyer, Silvertowne, was unfortunately not in their usual spot. Come to think of it, maybe they have not been here for years...
James Garcia (@JamesEarlyUS) was rumored to have moved away to Florida and was not here. Bill Shamhart (@njcoincrank) was not here, either. Perhaps he stopped coming here, too.
All in all, a minor, but not unexpected, disappointment. I spent $1 for admission and did not buy (or even closely consider) a coin and did not sell the stuff I brought to sell. The highlight of the show was when my wife called me to tell me about her annual bonus! Ka-ching!
Comments
I appreciate your witty observations - thanks!
Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1
enjoyed the report, at least you didn't have to travel far.
Sometime when you come back it takes time to adjust to all the changes. You broke the ice and hopefully your next show will be more fruitful. Thank for the report.
Best place to buy !
Bronze Associate member
RYK, at a coin show. The world is spinning normally again.
Sorry it didn't work out, but days like this make you appreciate the days when it all comes together.
Nice report, thanks.
carolinacollectorcoins.com
Thanks for the report.
Sounds like you didn't fill any of your 3 holes that day?.......
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
No, anyone should feel free to make offers.
Thanks for the report... though it was not a successful day for you. Interesting how so many bemoan the state of the coin market now... and yet.. the prices on offered product do not reflect this, as you noted...Cheers, RickO
@RYK Thank you for posting your show report.
If I had purchased those from you, I would sell 'em back to you so you could get your holes filled.
I know how unfilling it is to not have filled holes
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
@RYK,
You want to see coins from Sicily? Here are three (it's a set of four when complete, minus minor variations; my fourth is not yet imaged, but I acquired the 1785 30 Tarí this year at the NYINC).
EVP
How does one get a hater to stop hating?
I can be reached at evillageprowler@gmail.com
Thanks for the report
Do you know if there were nice coins overlooked while trying to fill 3 holes?
Appreciate the report - nice to see you posting again.
Thanks.
I enjoyed your report.
Sounds like a fun day was had.
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
Nice report, sorry to hear that it did not go so well for you. You mentioned Tom and his inventory, and just to chime in regarding his situation. He has talked about retirement, however his inventory is not reduced by any means. At this show he is limited to what he can bring because most dealers there only have one table. He has to pick and choose what he brings because of the limited space. He did tell me on Saturday afternoon that he had a pretty good show.
I was there for a while Saturday. I managed to find a few things but it seemed like many dealers were packing up around 3:00 even though the schedule was until 7. One in particular had a coin I wanted to come back and look at since he was busy talking to another dealer when I came around to his table. Was an 83 Lincoln DDR in 66rd, I came back to find he had packed up and left already.
Collector, occasional seller
Thanks for the update RYK. Good to know things are still kicking well in STL-Land.
RYK, I'm sorry I missed you. I will be back in July for the Missouri state show. And yes, the cookies were delicious! My wife made them for everyone to enjoy. SLNA turned out to be a very good show for me, as was the FUN show. Gives me hope that the market is making a comeback!
Great to see you back in the game!
Latin American Collection