My Sarasota, FL coin show report
Barberian
Posts: 4,643 ✭✭✭✭✭
Three weeks ago, I decided to go to the Sarasota show because the website said that PCGS and NGC would be there taking submissions, and I could use up my vouchers. I also wanted to drop off some coins with GFRC who would be in attendance.
I arrived after the 250-mile drive at about 4 PM. PCGS never showed up and GFRC had just left for the day. So, after an outburst of profanity, I hoped back in my car and drove home.
My car started up fine when I left, though, and I didn't have problems with traffic jams or diarrhea, so it was actually better than my Summer FUN show experience.
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Its all the more beautiful when it goes like that 👍
On the positive side, I attended that show and thought it was an excellent local show. There was a very nice selection of coins offered there.
I did notice there were some nice coins there, but I couldn't chill out and just enjoy looking at coins at the show. Were there any seated Liberty halves besides type material? I asked one dealer if they had any SLH and they said none other than an 1853 WA. I then realized that it was unlikely anyone had coins I might purchase except for Gerry Fortin, and he had left the show 5 minutes before I arrived.
I found it all to be funny once I got home. Attending coin shows has been brutal for me this year, and it has nothing to do with the actual shows themselves except for TPG services not showing up as promised by the Sarasota show promoter.
Hi! We're sorry to hear about this. That must have been disappointing. For future purposes, please always refer to pcgs.com/shows for an accurate list of our upcoming shows and services. Our upcoming shows are also available in the announcements on the U.S. Coin Forum.
We'll be at the Winter FUN convention, so hopefully we see you there!
Isa (she/her)
PCGS Marketing
Getting to a show at 4pm is never a good idea
Neither is getting stuck in long traffic jams.
Definitely a glass half full when you don’t have diarrhea
tthere should be dealers that make it to fun and are local to the are that will buy silver. you'd want to double check with them before going and ask how far back of spot do they buy
Ouch! I had a similar story happen about three years ago, although with about half the driving you had. There was a coin & cards show advertised near Gainesville, FL which is about a 130 mile drive or so. I decided to go check it out. It was mostly cards and toys. Only one table had a few coins. I was out of there after about five minutes (including bathroom break) and drove all the way home. In my case, the show should not be allowed to advertise with other coin shows.
Not really looking for much these days but if I were, it might be a toner.
... > @JimTyler said:
I made it to a restroom without any problems, but walking up that last flight of stairs to get to the show was scary. I couldn't find an elevator.
I got a late start to another FUN show because I couldn't remove my SDB from the large frame that holds the boxes. Tellers were whacking it with rubber hammers and prying with large screwdrivers for about 30 minutes before they were able to free it from the frame. I was horrified, but the coins were OK. Thank goodness I didn't collect fine China. But then I got stuck in another long traffic jam or two on the Florida Turnpike. Getting to Orlando hasn't been fast or easy the past few years. It's best to stay overnight.
All I wanted to do at the Sarasota show is drop off coins for grading to use up my vouchers and to consign some coins with GFRC. I figured arriving at the show at around 3 PM would be fine. An hour traffic delay caused me to miss GFRC by just a few minutes. Apparently, the show director posted false information that NGC and PCGS would be present. I didn't see any sign of either TPG company at the show.
I could definitely see ICG and NGC coming to a local west coast Florida dhow because they are local. NGC is located in Sarasota. I could never see PCGS attending a local Florida show from their headquarters in California.
When I was a dealer, I remember submitting coins for grading to NGC at a Sarasota show.
Going to sound dumb, but what is "GFRC" ?
Official PCGS account of:
www.TallahasseeCoinClub.com
Gerry Fortin rare coins.
I believe he’s a specialist in seated coinage.
I have enjoyed his blogs over the years.
https://www.seateddimevarieties.com/DailyBlog.htm
OMG ... My Mother was Right about Everything!
I wake up with a Good Attitude Every Day. Then … Idiots Happen!
I skip the turnpike. Theoretically it is a bit longer, but, there is less completely stalled traffic and no toll fee. I talks the FL-44 exit to Wildwood, follow it to Leesburg, turn right on US-27, and then left on FL-50(Colonial Dr. I think) into Orlando. There are a lot of stoplights, and a lot of traffic, but no stopped cars.
God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.
Correct, although he recently sold the business and new owners will be taking it over. I hope that their first order of business is improving the photography.
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
500 miles for nothing - not a good day.
My only interaction with him was at a FUN show; he had a better grade tough middle date large cent in one of his side cases that I was interested in but on the fence about. He didn’t know me from Adam, but let me walk off with it to show to one of my EAC dealer acquaintances. So he’s Ok in my book.
In my experience he’s a very nice guy, very knowledgeable and helpful, always had an extensive inventory of choice collector coins. That inventory has seemed to tail off a bit as he heads towards retirement, I assume that it’ll pick back up once the new owners take over.
As to the blog, at some point it got too political for me, and too much content regarding his property. I stopped reading it, but to each his own.
I do wish him well in retirement! He seems to have a wonderful family to enjoy and has led a productive life, so kudos to him.
Other passions include golf, Moto Guzzi motorcycles, and Euro motorcycles in general.
Chris