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Charmy's 2019 CHICAGO ANA WORLD'S FAIR OF MONEY SHOW REPORT w/Tons of Pics!

ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited August 23, 2019 3:03PM in U.S. Coin Forum

I always look forward to the ANA's World's Fair of Money show as there are a lot of events and activities in addiiton to the buying and selling of coins. I had several business and club meetings, a presentation, and some cocktail receptions to attend, so I was doing preparation for this show a few weeks before I left. As is typical for the WFM show, I knew it was going to be a very busy week!

I was very pleased to see that the popular CBS Sunday Morning show even had the WFM show on their upcoming week's calendar!

I left OC on Sunday afternoon, with lots of enthusiasm for the week ahead and, about four hours later we were landing in Chicago.

I stayed at the Hyatt which has a beautiful lobby and interior, however, the rooms are a bit dated and the bathrooms are very small. It does have a walkway from the hotel to the convention center, but boy oh boy is it long and sort of like a mouse maze! However, it is covered and air conditioned!

The Hyatt happened to be having a Beatles festival that weekend and Sunday night was their last event. Since Rick Snow is a big Beatles fan, he and Kenny met me at the hotel for the tribute concert being held that evening by a band called Liverpool. They were very good and played songs from the Abbey Road album.

Monday morning I headed over to the convention center for the PNG preshow where I found quite a few Pretty Pennies for my inventory. This is a pic of most of the coins I bought throughout the show, though several pieces sold before I took the pic.

I even found a couple of very unusual and cool pieces, particularly this 1942 plastic pattern cent!

And this neat Large Cent blank planchet

I also found some very cool errors for my personal collection!

(Scratch is on the holder, not the coin)

And I brought these new pocket mirrors that I recently bought for Todd to photograph

The convention center is pretty lit up at night

Monday night was the PNG banquet held at Gibson's. It's always a very nice enjoyable event, especially since it starts out with a hosted cocktail reception. It provides a great opportunity for me to catch up with many of my dealer friends.

Me and Liz Coggan

Neil Ulrich and Rick Snow

Me and Jennifer Ackerman/ANA

New ANA President Steve Ellsworth

New ANA Governor Lynn Garrett and her husband past ANA President Jeff Garrett

Foreign coin dealers Dan and Conner of Daniel Frank Sedwick auctions

Me and Neil

Others at the reception

During the banquet, the PNG honored Paul Nugget with the PNG 2019 Abe Kosoff Founders Award "for his steadfast dedication to the entire numismatic community and significant contributions to the Guild and the numismatic fraternity in general."

Q. David Bowers, a former PNG President, received the PNG 2019 Significant Contribution Award

The PNG’s ACTF Alan Kreuzer Memorial Award "for combatting numismatic-related fraud and thievery" was presented to Jack Young by Beth Deisher of the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation and PNG Executive Director Robert Brueggeman.

Our table included past ANA President Gary Adkins and his wife, as well as past ANA President Jeff Garrett and new ANA President Steve Ellsworth

Tuesday morning at 8am was set up for the dealers. I arrived a little after 8 so most of the dealers had already entered the bourse floor and the lobby was sparse. But as I was coming down the escalator you could see the ANA was busy setting up the lobby for the opening ceremony later that day.

The bourse floor was huge and sort of L shaped. This was taken from near the furthest back corner of the room during set up.

After I set up my booth, I went over to the ANA Money Museum to check out their displays, in particular, I wanted to see what the Louis Werner's Capped Cents display looked like since I lent them some of my pieces for the display. As I mentioned before, I also was giving a talk on the Capped Cents later that week at our Fly-In Club meeting.

The ANA Money Museum always has some fantastic displays, and this time didn't disappoint! The 1942 pattern cent is amazing, and I always love seeing the 1943 copper cent display!

Once the public was let in, I can tell you that I got slammed - and it was great! I had one of the busiest days at a show that I've ever had, and it lasted most of the afternoon.

Here are some of the folks who stopped by to say hi

Dennis Forgue brought me several pieces of penny exonumia for my collection!

Michael Maretta

Rod Gillis, ANA Education Director

Finally about 4pm things started to slow down, so I finally opened up the bottle of Rumbauer that I had brought.

My neighbor, Greg Krill, who has his own winery, Pellet Estate, surprisingly needed to borrow my wine opener and graciously gave me a cup of his delicious wine as well.

As I mentioned, Tuesday was super busy and I was thrilled with the amount of collectors who were actively seeking pieces for their collections. After the show was over, we stopped at the Five Roses Pub for dinner and drinks before we headed over to the Rivers Casino.

That's my nice little stack of chips to the right! Between this Texas Hold-Um Bonus game and the 2 cent Buffalo Stampede slots, I ended up $600 ahead for the night!

Wednesday morning was the only morning I could sleep in a little as I had 7:30 am meetings the rest of the week. So I took my time, ordered breakfast in my room, then headed over to the show around 9 am. I took that long walkway which, with all its turns back and forth, I estimate to be almost a mile to the convention center - or at least it felt that way! I later learned that if I just went outside and walked to the convention center down the street and around the corner, it was at least half the distance!

Inside the door of the bourse was this handy sign directing collectors to the specific areas on the bourse

And here I am all ready for another busy day at the show!

My table happened to be right across from David Hall's table. So we took a photo together, along with this rare, fantastic, and gorgeous 1886 $20 gold proof coin he just happened to have!

My dear friend Ron Guth stopped by!

More folks stopped by too - this is Mark/DollarAfterDollar

And this is Josh

These are a couple beautiful encasements that I was asked to examine because the owner thought the 1911 might be a Matte Proof Lincoln. The 1911 was not only beautifully toned, it was very sharp and looked like it could be a Matte Proof. However, after careful examination and showing it to a couple other copper experts, it didn't have the proper diagnostics and we determined it was just a very well struck business strike. I was still very interested in purchasing both pieces since they were in pristine condition and would fit nicely in my encasement collection. However, the seller wanted quite a bit of money for the pair and even though I would have loved to haved them, the price was just too high for what I thought they were worth, even taking into consideration the premium for their condition and eye appeal. I later found out that the delaer did get his asking price but I suspect the new owner bought them thinking the 1911 was a Matte Proof or I doubt he would have paid that much. You win some, you lose some!

I was very pleased that Wednesday was again very busy with lots of traffic and sales. After the show ended on Wednesday, a large group of us (mostly Copper Weenies including Greg Hannigan, Chris McCawley, Rick Snow and Dino Koromvokis!) went to Carlucci's for dinner. They weren't too far away, and the food was fantastic!

Me and Ron waiting for the rest of the party

This was a wonderful bottle of wine that Ron chose!

I had the Biztecca di Manzo con Gamberi which included a filet, baked crabmeat stuffed scampi and pasta - it was fantastic!

Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®

Comments

  • HemisphericalHemispherical Posts: 9,370 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 20, 2019 10:49PM

    Fun show report @ThePennyLady thanks for taking the time to post.

    To show a video you’ll need to upload the vid to another site and then post a link to the vid in your post. Most commonly used site is Y-tube.

  • OldIndianNutKaseOldIndianNutKase Posts: 2,700 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Another GREAT report, Charmy. I like that you take me to places that I would not have gone if I had been at the show. I always learn from your show reports, and thank you for that.

    OINK

  • ParadisefoundParadisefound Posts: 8,588 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 20, 2019 11:23PM

    Well done with a class as always my Lady and ON to the next one
    Thank you for the detailed report @ThePennyLady ....... I could almost see myself going.... through your lense :)

    Rom baby Rom

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Outstanding report Charmy.... Thank you so very much for all the pictures and information. Some great wines as well...Cheers, RickO

  • WaterSportWaterSport Posts: 6,696 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Did I miss it somewhere - I assume it was a great show for selling for you also. I know I was impressed with the quality and quantity of coins at this show. I am already planning to be at the ANA show in Pittsburgh next year.

    WS

    Proud recipient of the coveted PCGS Forum "You Suck" Award Thursday July 19, 2007 11:33 PM and December 30th, 2011 at 8:50 PM.
  • WildIdeaWildIdea Posts: 1,872 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I always look forward to your show report. I’ll prob never get to attend this show due the work I take on in August, so it’s nice to see how everyone did. Sounds like a success all around. Thanks for posting, I’m sure it takes a lot of time to build and post a report like this.

  • 1630Boston1630Boston Posts: 13,772 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks @ThePennyLady

    Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb

    Bad transactions with : nobody to date

  • 2ndCharter2ndCharter Posts: 1,640 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nice report as always, Charmy, and I especially thank you for including a couple of pictures of my exhibit including that big purple 2nd Place Best of Show ribbon.

    Member ANA, SPMC, SCNA, FUN, CONECA

  • selling3selling3 Posts: 166 ✭✭✭

    WOW! what a super report. Thank for posting "across the street" I always go there to read your reports. The pics load super fast. When I'm done there I come back here and maybe the first 3 pics have loaded. You were busy when I came by and noticed you had an outstanding inventory of "pennies". Hope the show was a success for you.

  • Dave99BDave99B Posts: 8,332 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Great report and pics, Charmy! I just wish the dang 1943 penny was legit. Looks like a great ANA show.

    Dave

    Always looking for original, better date VF20-VF35 Barber quarters and halves, and a quality beer.
  • gripgrip Posts: 9,962 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Super report and pictures.............as always.:)

  • 3keepSECRETif2rDEAD3keepSECRETif2rDEAD Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Great Report!...that 54-s looks way cooler in her new dress ;)

  • PurfrockPurfrock Posts: 545 ✭✭✭

    Thank you, Charmy. Wonderful report.

    EAC, ANA Member
  • goldengolden Posts: 9,018 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks for taking the time to write your super report.

  • ashelandasheland Posts: 22,612 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Great report! :)

  • cmerlo1cmerlo1 Posts: 7,890 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Great report and photos! I had the opportunity to work the show for ANACS but had to turn it down, so thank you!!

    You Suck! Awarded 6/2008- 1901-O Micro O Morgan, 8/2008- 1878 VAM-123 Morgan, 9/2022 1888-O VAM-1B3 H8 Morgan | Senior Regional Representative- ANACS Coin Grading. Posted opinions on coins are my own, and are not an official ANACS opinion.
  • CoinHuskerCoinHusker Posts: 5,030 ✭✭✭

    Love your reports! I wish our paths crossed more often!

    Collecting coins, medals and currency featuring "The Sower"
  • tommy44tommy44 Posts: 2,190 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Great report as usual, felt like I was there. A great combination of business and pleasure. It is obvious you really enjoy what you do as hard as it may be at times. What are those 7:30 AM Chicago time,5:30 AM California times meetings like?

    If you need someone to carry your suitcase or taste the wine for you I'm available. :D

    it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide

  • EagleEyeEagleEye Posts: 7,676 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Super report. Having Beatlefest at the Hyatt on the Friday and Saturday prior to the show was a treat.
    Here is the Abbey Road zebra crossing last week on the 50th anniversary of the photo shoot for the Beatle's Abbey Road album. From Earth cam.

    Rick Snow, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, Inc.Check out my new web site:
  • divecchiadivecchia Posts: 6,525 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Great show report as always. By the time I'm done reading and looking at all the photos I feel like I was there.

    Thanks very much for taking the time to do these reports.

    Donato

    Hobbyist & Collector (not an investor).
    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)
  • littlebearlittlebear Posts: 1,431 ✭✭✭✭

    Thank you for your report. Excellent, as always!

    Autism Awareness: There is no limit to the good you can do, if you don't care who gets the credit.
  • EXOJUNKIEEXOJUNKIE Posts: 1,609 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks for the show report Charmy. I'm sure it takes a lot of time and effort to put all that together ... it is much appreciated by those of us who weren't able to make it this year. I especially enjoyed seeing all the exhibits. :)

    I'm addicted to exonumia ... it is numismatic crack!

    ANA LM

    USAF Retired — 34 years of active military service! 🇺🇸
  • georgiacop50georgiacop50 Posts: 2,909 ✭✭✭✭

    I'll tell you what! The air quality looks far far better in Chicago than that OC smog!!

  • logger7logger7 Posts: 8,017 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks, Charmy, one of your most educational threads yet. A few years ago I went out to the Lincoln homestead in southern Illinois, a good way to get a handle on the environment of Abe's earlier years.

  • BStrauss3BStrauss3 Posts: 3,108 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Great report, always nice to say hi!

    -----Burton
    ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
  • burfle23burfle23 Posts: 2,177 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Cool report as always Charmy!
    Just one correction, the image you have for the Sol Kaplan Award was actually of me and the ACTF Alan Kreuzer Memorial Award.

  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 27,411 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I love the 1886 $20 liberty gold you got there. wtg on the pic as well

  • logger7logger7 Posts: 8,017 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 6, 2019 12:02PM

    @johnny9434 said:
    I love the 1886 $20 liberty gold you got there. wtg on the pic as well

    It's good to see that our former President landed on his feet with real quality!

  • coinhackcoinhack Posts: 1,131 ✭✭✭✭

    What a fantastic report. You are great for taking the time to do this. It is much appreciated, especially by those of us who were not able to be there. Thanks a lot, Charmy!

  • ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 23, 2019 3:04PM

    Thank you everyone, you're always so generous with your comments! And yes, it does take a lot of time putting these reports together (and having a 2-year old around doesn't make it any easier!), but I truly enjoy showing those of you who can't make it to these shows what it's like being there (at least through the eyes of a dealer).

    I'll never forget this particular forum member who pm'd me a few years ago and told me how much his father loved going to coin shows but due to his poor health, he was no longer able to. He told me what it meant to his father to be able to read my show reports and that it brought such happiness and joy to his father because my reports were the next best thing to his actually attending the show, and that he really looked forward to every report. Reading that message actually made me teary-eyed.

    So during those occasional times when I'm busy at a show and would rather not have to remember to take photos, or when I return home and am really tired and it would be much easier just to skip preparing this report, I simply think about that message and how much joy these reports brought to that elderly gentleman.

    Watersport, I thought it was apparent in my report but yes, it was a great show selling-wise, I had lots of my usual customers as well as quite several new collectors purchase some of my Pretty Pennies for their collections.

    Dave998, I too wish the 1943 bronze cent was real, the couple was not well off and could have really used the money it would have brought.

    Coinhusker, I too wish our paths crossed more often, I always enjoy seeing you - you are an inspiration to me in all ways!

    Tommy44, I absolutely do love what I do and am grateful that I GET to do it. And those 7:30am meetings were a killer for me to attend, but they were necessary so we could get things accomplished without interfering with being at our tables when the show opened.

    Georgiacop, not sure what the point of your smog comment was, but I love Southern California, was born and raised here, and one of the best aspects about living here is the mild and beautiful year-round climate. And living near the coast, we don't get much smog. I can tell there are positives and negatives about every state and even with some things I don't care for about California, I still wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I'm sure you and most people feel that way about whatever state you/they live in.

    2ndCharter and Exo, I believe one of the best parts of attending these large shows is the amazing educational exhibits. There are so many different types of collectors and coins, and those collectors who are talented enough to display their collections in such a way that they tell a story and/or history of those pieces benefits the entire numismatic community and beyond. A big hearty thank you to all of you exhibitors who take the time to participate in competitive exhibiting and sharing your collections and knowledge with the rest of us!

    Burfle23, so sorry about that mistake - it's corrected.

    Again, thank you all for your kindness!

    Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®
  • ldhairldhair Posts: 7,111 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Fun report Charmy. Thanks for putting this together. I love Chicago.

    Larry

  • burfle23burfle23 Posts: 2,177 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks again Charmy- I am actually Jack D. Young!

  • ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Oops, sorry again, it's sometimes hard to tell who is what alt on these message boards! ;-)

    Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®
  • Charmy, It was great meeting you and learning a little about Indians. Completely forgot to bring the book back to have you sign it on Friday :) Love my newps!

    -Dave

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