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Spring PNNA Show report

2windy2fish2windy2fish Posts: 1,048 ✭✭✭✭✭

Been quite a while since i have had a stress free, nearly slow down free drive from my home north of Seattle to Portland but the trip down Friday was easy. I left at 1130 thinking it would take me 6 hours and got to the venue in 4-1/2. Had to kill a couple hours before they would actually let us in to set up ( I “mistakenly “ walked right in and unloaded at my tables before being told to get lost) so i helped Lisa and Scott Loos (Scott is the bourse chair) unload their van full of coins and supplies. Then passed the time with everyone else piling up at the entrance for the short 6-9PM set up. At 6 the flood gates opened and everyone poured in. Literally within 15 minutes of starting setup MBRC was at my table buying. Michael ended up buying a worthy pile of slabs from me and a couple from Bellingham coin shop’s inventory as well. I volunteered to take a case worth down for RB as they are too busy at home with a new family addition to leave . I needed every minute of the 3 hours to set up and finish the deals with MBRC, Highland and WCC before heading up to the room to get settled in.
Saturday was extremely busy from 8 AM until it slowed a little bit around 4. Quite literally had 3 to 6 or 7 people at my 2 tables the entire time.
Sales were great! Mostly raw Type and some better PCGS coins, i also managed to move a bunch of bulk lots of wheats, world coins, tokens etc. I usually sell a fair amount of economy US Type and this show nearly wiped me out!
I rarely sell bullion so i can’t really say how well it was selling but i did have folks asking for it and also several folks we’re trying to sell bullion. My World coin sales were quite disappointing, only perhaps 5-600$
This show ended up being in the top 5 all time for me and nearly equaled what i sold at FUN this January.


Todd @pursuitofliberty hung out for a while and shared some killer/scarce CB halves and lots of stories! Truly enjoyed his company and he was kind enough to play security guard for a couple minutes while i ran to the bathroom. @Meltdown volunteered at the show for set up and also came by the table several times to chat/buy/ and also make Todd and extremely jealous of this:

He had apparently been working on this guy for 10 years to let go of this coin! Brian wanted my and Todd’s opinion on the coin and i told him if he didn’t buy it i would! I’ll let Todd chime in with his thoughts…
I sold @Meltdown the 1893 IHC that he posted earlier today. Not sure if i shared with him that i had submitted that coin last fall to PCGS and they said QC …so i resubmitted at FUN and had just got it back last week 😂
Brian graciously offered me. nicely toned PCGS65 BTW Gold CAC that was a no brainer purchase and it sold very quickly, next time we get together @Meltdown Ill buy the beer!

Had a quick chat with Charmy @ThePennyLady when she came by to check out my inventory and told her i was gonna come over and get a pic with her but i couldn’t ever get away….😢

Here’s some random pics of stuff from my cases and BCS



I think the highlight of the show for me was meeting this young man. (i asked his father if it was ok to post the photo) He is 12 years old and a very sharp Numismatist! He bought the 2 OGH/CAC coins from me in the pic after asking me very politely what my bottom line was. He was able to make a quick decision and clearly knew how to deal with me in a very professional manner. He returned on Sunday and bought a couple more and his dad showed up mid deal… it was extremely entertaining to listen to them banter back and forth about coins in my inventory they were considering. His dad would say “What do you think about this one?” the son quickly said i kinda like the look but it looks like it has retoned a long time ago, it’s a pass for me..He could size up a coin and make a decision in very short order! He was hustling all over the bourse making deals. They bickered back and forth over several slabs and ended up buying 6 total , Dad only winning one debate!

Anyone that does shows knows that Sundays can be a real crapshoot, this one was great!
I try to stay as long as i can on Sunday but the long drive home can make it very tempting to leave early, not so this year i stayed until 330 as my sales were steady all day!

Comments

  • coinkatcoinkat Posts: 24,235 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I suspect the Bellingham, WA $20 national is fairly difficult…

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,512 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 13, 2026 3:38PM

    It was great to see you, and I agree this new PNNA (ex Tukwila, now Portland) show was very busy and successful! I too couldn't get away much on Saturday. I like having the show in the hotel, and the room is much larger than Tukwila, not to mention it has a killer view of the Columbia River! I also saw that young man and have seen him at the Sacramento show, and yes he is very savvy, not to mention adorable!

    I look forward to the next one in November!

    Charmy Harker
    The Penny Lady®
  • 2windy2fish2windy2fish Posts: 1,048 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ThePennyLady Agreed!
    Love the venue, and i much prefer this part of the city…and so nice to be able to walk a short distance to my hotel room.

  • goldengolden Posts: 10,398 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Looks like you had a very varied selection of coins and currency. I am sure that really helped your sales. Thanks for a very good report!

  • MeltdownMeltdown Posts: 9,184 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 13, 2026 5:40PM

    It was a great show. Washington's tax burden has turned into Portland's benefit. The show has grown already and our local club is excited to keep it going.


    This is only half the room. The left side is just as nuts.

  • 2windy2fish2windy2fish Posts: 1,048 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @coinkat Yes, i’m not sure of the population but it’s kinda cool that the owner of Bellingham Coin shop has that note.
    Just behind my table was a shop owner from North Idaho that had the only known note from Sandpoint Idaho

  • U1chicagoU1chicago Posts: 6,848 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Great report; thanks for sharing!

  • Coin FinderCoin Finder Posts: 7,674 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Great report!! Thanks!

  • Dave99BDave99B Posts: 8,890 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks for the wonderful report. I'll definitely be there next year!

    Dave

    Always looking for original, better date VF20-VF35 Barber quarters and halves, and a quality beer.
  • orevilleoreville Posts: 12,280 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Maybe JA should interview this young man as the new ambassador for CAC/CACG?

    A Collectors Universe poster since 1997!
  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 31,443 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Love the looks of the currency as well. Good stuff

  • pcgscacgoldpcgscacgold Posts: 3,733 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Great report. Thanks for taking the time to write it up.

  • thebeavthebeav Posts: 4,088 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Sounds like a fabulous show !

  • BLUEJAYWAYBLUEJAYWAY Posts: 11,318 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A very complete accounting. Thanks for taking the time to report. Always nice to hear a show is successful.

    Successful transactions:Tookybandit. "Everyone is equal, some are more equal than others".
  • SwampboySwampboy Posts: 13,216 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Delightful thread.
    I'm so glad it went so well for everyone.

    "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso

  • MeltdownMeltdown Posts: 9,184 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Swampboy said:
    Delightful thread.
    I'm so glad it went so well for everyone.

    We missed you & @SeattleSlammer - Next show is Nov. 15 & 16th. Attendance will be mandatory. :D

  • 2windy2fish2windy2fish Posts: 1,048 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Meltdown Agreed..
    The show would have been better if…
    @Swampboy
    @Bochiman
    @Lakesammman
    @SeattleSlammer
    @airplanenut
    would have made appearances….such is life, perhaps this fall!

  • MEJ7070MEJ7070 Posts: 820 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Awesome report! Thanks for sharing. Congrats on a great show.

  • jtlee321jtlee321 Posts: 2,367 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Great report!! It's making me home sick. I really loved those shows.

  • airplanenutairplanenut Posts: 22,645 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @2windy2fish said:
    @Meltdown Agreed..
    The show would have been better if…
    @Swampboy
    @Bochiman
    @Lakesammman
    @SeattleSlammer
    @airplanenut
    would have made appearances….such is life, perhaps this fall!

    You must not know me well if you think my presence improves things...

    No promises because of weather, but depending on when the fall show is, there's a chance I could offer to fly a few folks down...

    JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
  • Eldorado9Eldorado9 Posts: 2,731 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @oreville said:
    Maybe JA should interview this young man as the new ambassador for CAC/CACG?

    I met that young man and his Dad at the San Fran coin club meeting last month, and he is incredibly sharp, highly intelligent about all facets of US coins, and a shark of a business man. Seriously, this kid is going places fast!

  • TPringTPring Posts: 372 ✭✭✭

    Based on the pics, that location does seem to be much nicer [and roomier] and being able to stay at the site would be a bonus.

  • SeattleSlammerSeattleSlammer Posts: 10,111 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 21, 2026 2:43PM

    Nice report! That CBH looks gorgeous. I just can’t stomach the drive to and from Portland. RIP to The Thrilla In Tukwila….but that venue is indeed miles nicer than the old gymnasium.

  • Clackamas1Clackamas1 Posts: 1,689 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The new venue is so much better.

  • nwcoastnwcoast Posts: 2,898 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Great report and it looks like a fine venue.
    I wish I could have pulled it off to attend.
    Thank you for the summary and photos!

    Happy, humble, honored and proud recipient of the “You Suck” award 10/22/2014

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