Why it's important to go to the shows - Part Deux
2ndCharter
Posts: 1,691 ✭✭✭✭✭
Last August, I ran a thread on the Paper Money side about how I managed to acquire a very rare National Bank Note because I was at the ANA show in Chicago and in the right place at the right time - something that would have never happened if I was not attending the show.
Now. lightning has struck again - this time on the coin side. While my main collecting focus is National Bank Notes from New York State, my "sideline" is error coins - specifically, South Carolina Statehood Quarter Errors and Liberty Head Nickel errors. At that same Chicago ANA, I struck up a conversation with a major long-time error collector. We continued that discussion in the Exhibit area at the FUN Show in early January and got on the subject of Liberty Head Nickel errors. He asked if I would be at the ANA show in Atlanta and I told him I would be exhibiting my South Carolina error quarters there. He then offered to bring a few of his Liberty Head Nickel errors to show me in Atlanta. Last Thursday, he pulls out the coins and, after an enjoyable conversation, he states that one of the errors would be available if I was interested. Rather than sell it to a dealer, he wanted it to go to a good home with a collector and here it is:
Unfortunately, these are the best pictures I could take with my scanner. In hand, the lustre is quick striking and the rainbow toning is wonderful. I'm going to have to have a professional, like Todd in California, to take some "real" pictures. Any Liberty Head Nickel Die Cap Error is very rare and to find one on a Cent Planchet, well, how many of those are around? Needless to say, this is now the highlight of my budding group of Liberty Head Nickel errors.
The morale of the story is this - if you want the real blockbusters for your collection, you've got to get out to the shows, meet people, and establish relationships. Sure, you can sit at your laptop or play with your phone and buy all the widgets you want, but getting the "good stuff", well, that takes some time and effort. So, get out there!
Member ANA, SPMC, SCNA, FUN, CONECA
Comments
That's a gorgeous coin!
It's also a great story. I have had similar experiences in the past, as well. Congratulations!
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Wow, what an amazing coin, Congratulations
And beyond the hidden deals, sometimes a show just gives you the chance to pick something up if it becomes available right when you’re at the table. I remember back in 2004 (I think) @TomB ’s table mate got a gorgeous blue merc in an NGC fatty holder. Tom would have gotten it, but he was away from the table that moment and I was there waiting for him, so now I own the coin
I must admit I've never had an RB "nickel".
In life, it’s limiting to have your boat lashed to the dock forever out of fear and safety, rather sail it out in the waters and let the wind blow you around to maximize learning and opportunities.
Congratulations on your good fortune. Nice looking coin in the pic, and if you say its better in hand, it must be gorgeous
I strongly agree that going to shows is important. Newer collectors get an opportunity to look at lots of coins in hand and pick up I formation and advice. Experienced collectors get the chance to network and find special pieces like you did. And just about everybody has the opportunity to learn something new.
While sitting at home and searching the net for coins can be the most efficient use of your time, there is a benefit to getting out of the house, IMO
Wow and wow
A great coin but not compared to your South Carolina State Quarter Error display. It was my second favorite display after the Slave Badge Makers display. t's hard enough to find a single State Quarter major error never mind that many from one state. Congratulations sir.
it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide
I’ve never seen an off metal die cap, let alone one in an obsolete series. Really cool!
...my "sideline" is error coins - specifically, South Carolina Statehood Quarter Errors..
I'm just really amazed at your specialized sideline. I mean not just a one year type but 1/5 of a year- and errors to boot!
That's an amazing coin! Glad you shared it with us! Enjoy!
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
A stroke of good luck happened for me while attending last years' spring Whitman in Baltimore. I told a dealer about one of my wish list coins. Later the same day, he tracked me down with an example of the coin. He had mentioned the coin to another dealer, and lo and behold, the other dealer had the coin. If I was not attending the show, there would still be a "hole" in my set.
End Systemic Elitism - It Takes All of Us
ANA LM, LSCC, EAC, FUN
Beautiful . . . .and I totally agree with your premise. Observing coins, whenever . . .wherever . . .is the key to the "killer purchase".
Drunner
Reaffirms my belief that our collecting is a highly social part of a full life. Peace Roy
BST: endeavor1967, synchr, kliao, Outhaul, Donttellthewife, U1Chicago, ajaan, mCarney1173, SurfinHi, MWallace, Sandman70gt, mustanggt, Pittstate03, Lazybones, Walkerguy21D, coinandcurrency242 , thebigeng, Collectorcoins, JimTyler, USMarine6, Elkevvo, Coll3ctor, Yorkshireman, CUKevin, ranshdow, CoinHunter4, bennybravo, Centsearcher, braddick, Windycity, ZoidMeister, mirabela, JJM, RichURich, Bullsitter, jmski52, LukeMarshall, coinsarefun, MichaelDixon, NickPatton, ProfLiz, Twobitcollector,Jesbroken oih82w8, DCW
If you are not going to shows you are missing a lot!
Congrats! That's an awesome error:
It definitely helps to be known for what you collect.
Shazam!
Agree 100%.
Shows are infinitely more enjoyable than searching the internet.
a real beauty
BHNC #203
It's perhaps blindingly obvious to a lot of people, but I can be rather dense sometimes ... People are also more liable to buy from dealers they know and have met ... or from whom they at least know something about from online interactions. And I certainly enjoy meeting new and repeat customers at the shows to put a face with a name!
Kind regards,
George
That is a unique and certainly rare error....may be the only one...and I totally agree about coin shows... I sure miss them. Sure, I could travel to some shows, but I have some other interests that are also demanding of time and funds. When I lived in the PNW, there were many shows and easy access. I do see some coins at gun shows here... actually got an AH Kennedy in a mint set at one...
for a great price. Cheers, RickO
PMD
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
Fabulous off metal coin! If i had the means, I would attend more shows. Unfortunately, I have not been able to attend a "big show", FUN or Long Beach...yet...one of these years.
BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
Well said. Face-to-face conversations go a long ways, in all areas of life. It’s all about trust, frankly.
Well done!
Dave
Thanks for all the nice comments, everyone! Now, to answer some questions:
that's awesome! is that like a $100,000 coin or a $10,000 coin?
The price did break the five-figure mark (but just a little bit). Considering what other die caps from Obsolete series have sold for, I thought the price was more than fair. Of course, it's hard to quantify how much of a difference it makes that it's an off-metal Die Cap but I was very comfortable with the price. The coin's not going anywhere for a long, long time so I'm not going to worry about it.
I'm just really amazed at your specialized sideline. I mean not just a one year type but 1/5 of a year- and errors to boot!
As I mentioned, my real specialty is National Bank Notes from New York State which I've been chasing for decades. However, like many of you, I grew up as a Whitman hole-plugger and the tug of the "first love" is always strong. So, to satisfy the craving, I picked out a couple of very narrow areas - South Carolina Statehood Quarter errors (because I live in SC) and Liberty Head Nickel errors (because those Nickels bring back a very fond childhood memory). I went with the errors because, let's face it, regular Statehood Quarters and Liberty Nickels don't present much of a challenge so I had to spice it up a bit.
Of course, I'm always tempted to expand beyond those areas so I have to smack myself in the head once in a while to stay focused. Granted, if I can afford five-figure error coins, I'm not poor but I definitely don't have the resources of your typical Laura-Legend customer so I have to avoid spreading myself too thin.
Member ANA, SPMC, SCNA, FUN, CONECA