Son's first coin show
Rob9874
Posts: 318 ✭✭✭✭
This past Sunday, I took my 9-year-old son @Azjedi to his first coin show. It was a small show held at a local Elk's Club. We had a pretty good time. He was able to get some good deals on some coins he needed for his albums - Indian head cents, Liberty nickels, Buffalo nickels, and Franklin halves. He even got a flattened 1798 cent for $4!
As soon as we got there, Nick spotted a table with a box of Franklins in 2x2's. He picked up the first one at the front the box, a 1948, examined it and put it right back in the same spot he found it. The dealer snapped at him, "Son, you have to put those back in order!" I was right there by him, and wouldn't let him mess up someone's display. We left his table without looking at anything else he had.
All of the other dealers were really nice to us and appreciated Nick's enthusiasm. A few giving Nick great discounts, up to half off, and tons of advice. There's another show in another part of town this Saturday, but I don't think Mom is going to let us go to shows two weekends in a row. 
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How fun! I’m glad he got some deals and only had one relatively grumpy encounter. I’d bring my kids to a PHX area show if we could leave the state. Maybe in the spring.
That's nice!
Very nice, sounds like a fun time.
I almost introduced myself as I recognized your son from his posts here while you both were at the first table to the left of the entrance. Nice to hear that his experience was good for the most part. unfortunately this show was very sparse for both dealers and collectors. You may have noticed all the empty tables at the back of the room, last month all the tables were full and there was twice as much collector traffic. Not sure why but hopefully next month will be better attended.
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I’d bring my kids to a PHX area show if we could leave the state. Maybe in the spring.
Parole violation?
Great trip report! Hope all involved were staying safe and had a good time. Maybe if he promises only to try and sell a couple coins instead of buying you guys will be allowed to go to the other show?
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Thanks for the report... Sorry to hear of the unpleasant dealer.... such experiences can turn a young collector off... However, there are idiots out there in all walks of life... Really glad the other dealers were all nice and encouraging. Cheers, RickO
That would be easier to get around. NM is locked down pretty tight and I'd have to miss work while waiting on negative tests or just isolating if I crossed over. I'm as close to PHX as I am Albuquerque (and much closer to Tucson and El Paso)...So I'm pretty much just stuck at home.
You should have. I wondered if any forum members would be there. Do you know about the Fountain Hills show this Saturday? Is it worth going to, or will it mainly be the same dealers we saw in Chandler?
I did not want to intrude on father son time, next time I will. I have not been to the Fountain Hills show in years, I know you will see many of the same folks there just not sure if there are any additional. It is possible that some who were unable to make the past weekend show will do that one. I have plans with the wife so I'll just wait for the next Camelback show. I'm hoping that the annual Mesa Coin Club show will be a go next year, that show brings in dealers from CA, NM, NV, and a few other close states. And there is a planned ANA show in March of 2021 to look forward to as well.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
Sounds great! I've only been to one show with my dad (and in general) and it was a wonderful experince.
My sons used to make out like bandits when they were young. Dealers were always giving them freebies and great deals. Unfortunately collecting didn't really stick with either of them, but who knows they may go back to it in the future.
A week later and we went to our 2nd show today, in Fountain Hills. Very similar to last week's Chandler show, but we enjoyed it more. It was sponsored by the local coin club we joined recently, and we saw some familiar faces. Everyone was real nice again, giving Nick some great discounts and freebies. One dealer that we knew from the club gave us a great deal on a large cent for Nick's type book, and didn't charge us for 4 Buffalos we were buying too.
We were waiting to pay while one dealer was buying some coins from an older lady and I presume her grandson. He turned down some older Jeffersons she had, and told her she could just spend them as nickels. We approached them before we left and asked if they'd be willing to sell them for 25¢ ea, which she agreed. I didn't have exact change, so we bought her 32 nickels for $10. Nick now has a new series to collect, and a Jefferson album will be arriving tomorrow from Amazon.
Didn't see any PCGS coins on my want list. I think online auctions will be my best bet, or the ANA show here in Phoenix in March.
I love threads like this. Brings back memories with my kids. Great job @Rob9874 . You are building memories that will last a life time. My kids and I still reminisce about trips we took to coin shows 10 years ago and more.
Well besides the jerk, I'm sure he had a great time!
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There's always gonna be that one guy like that glad he didn't get discouraged!!
So cool that your son is sharing the coin love with you. Congrats.