RYK Show Report: CoinX St. Louis, MO, 11/6/26
RYK
Posts: 35,804 ✭✭✭✭✭
Today, I attended the CoinX coin show in St. Louis, Missouri. This is an annual coin show which is
usually held at the Saint Charles Convention Center but this year it was held at the St. Louis
Airport Marriott. I was told that this will return to its normal location next year. That is a good
thing because parking was difficult, the room was dark, and the aisles were very tight. It was not
a very comfortable show from that perspective.
An objective for attending this year is that I am trying to reignite my interest in coin collecting. which has
been mostly dormant over the last 5-10 years. There were a few specific things that I was looking
to purchase. Obviously, a nice piece of dirty gold, a DOG, PCGS/CAC/OGH, would have been
highest priority. Additionally, I would’ve liked to have purchased a nice 1903 liberty quarter eagle or any
interesting 1861 coinage. Finally, I was hoping to make some sort of purchase whatsoever, if the
above failed, just to walk out with something. To cut to the chase, I did not buy anything.
About the show. I thought the room was fairly full, but given the small size and cramped
quarters, I am not sure if the attendance was more or less than previous years. On a Friday
morning, I felt that at age 61, I was probably in the lowest 25% or so in age. I was
also probably among the lowest 5% in BMI. The atmosphere was friendly. There were groups of
2-3 people chatting amongst themselves.
I was surprised/not surprised to see Tom Osborne there with his primarily early copper
inventory. I had heard that he was retiring years ago, but apparently not. I have noticed that his
inventory has evolved over the last 25 years from all raw early copper on yellow envelopes to
about a 50-50 mix of 1) early copper on yellow envelopes and 2) early copper in slab/type coins in
slabs. I overheard a couple people say his name as I walked through the aisles. I also heard the
F bomb dropped three times, and I heard someone referred to as “probably a Democrat“.
A new dealer that I had not seen before was Duke Numismatics. He had a very high-end
inventory of gold and type coins. There was a slabbed/impaired 1792 half disme, perhaps the
highlight of the inventory on display. The dealer with probably the second best inventory was
former PCGS for member David Johnson. I do not remember his ID here, maybe Tennessee
Dave. He had a nice display of type coins and gold coins, many with CAC stickers. There was
an 1848 – C half eagle in 45 PCGS/CAC that was slightly tempting. Dave and I talked coins for a little while.
Most of the rest of the dealers had the normal coin show schlock on display.
In retrospect, this is probably not the best way to reignite my interest in coin collecting.
I almost asked for the price of a Rolex Submariner Hulk, however.
As for grading companies, ANACS was there taking submissions, but no other grading services
were present. I probably saw as many ICG slabs as I did CAC slabs. The ICG slabs caught me
off guard, I had not previously seen the newest iteration. NGC slabs outnumbered PCGS slabs, but not by a lot.
There is a Scotsman auction. I looked at the catalog to see if there would be anything of
interest, and there really was not, so I did not look at the individual lots.
My overall impression is that the coin market is alive and well. It just does not appeal much to me
at this time, but I am hoping to reengage at some point down the road.
Comments
So you're saying a bunch of old overweight nice people that you hung out with today? I guess it could have been worse.
How badly impaired was the half disme? They can't be easy to come by even impaired.
Happy your back and thanks for the great report!
Nice report - to the point to. Corey (Duke) is a good guy. He often will not be at his table
as he is out trying to make 'a deal' or two. He attends most all of the major shows. Agree David Johnson generally has mostly nice inventory. It sounds like this show or the show I am thinking it replaced years ago has shrunk some from many years ago (I am thinking of the old Silver dollar show and a little after that). If you can make it up to the CSNS show outside of Chicago area (drivable) in late April 2027, then it sounds like it might fit your interest better.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=OwZlYz2V4AM Sophie Lloyd, guitar shred cover Paranoid (Black Sabbath)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=fbEW8BrNctI Haley Reinhart, Don't Know How To Love You Live (direct to record)
RLJ 1958 - 2023
Nice report, thank you!
chopmarkedtradedollars.com
Interesting observations….Thank You.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Good report. It makes me slightly less disappointed that I missed it. And I'm glad to hear it's moving back to St. Charles next year. You should go to the next show there if you still have any spark of numismatic interest left by then. It's a much nicer facility for a show, of course, and I always enjoy them.
It's hard to lose weight; if anyone can figure that out less us all know.
Too bad you weren't able to find coins that were tempting enough. With Baltimore coming up we're sure to see more good reports.
I met you briefly once at Baltimore many years ago and you would be in best 5 percentBMI in most crowds, unless your running days are behind you and you've packed on a few lbs.
I can relate to your show experience.I have been to FUN the last few years and to a Batimore show or two recently and have purchased nothing. My collecting interests have changed but I like to go to coin shows. Maybe it's nostalgia.
Thanks for the report. Also thanks for locating Longacre - always enjoyed posts from both of you.
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
Great Report. I think you mean Tom Reynolds(?) for the early copper?
Best, DM
The show was at the same place as it was last year and it was very, very difficult to move down the aisles last year. I have been to this show for a number of years. I have been to over 300 coin shows. My experience last year at this show was so bad that I did not attend this year. If they go back to the Saint Charles Convention Center next year, I will probably attend. Thanks for your report
thanks for the report, RYK. Good to hear from you.
It's hard to lose weight; if anyone can figure that out less us all know.
Mounjaro
Good,bad, or ugly always enjoy any show recaps. Like to hear about the pulse of the hobby.
Tom Reynolds, was just at a Denver Show with large cents, a few weeks ago. That brother gets around.
Sold this to Brian Greer, some time ago. One I should have kept for me …. Or you.
How does your BMI compare to other marathoners??
good to hear from you. you have positively influenced my collecting over the years. thank you.
It’s hard to stay disciplined to lose weight. Also, they did figure it out: GLP-1s.
Superb collections are built more by omission than by addition.
I saw this thread and expected it to be a resurrected zombie thread. Alas, a new sighting! Welcome back even if you decide not to stay.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Nice report, thank you for posting. I hope you have better luck at your next show.
Complete Set of Chopmarked Trade Dollars
Carson City Silver Dollars Complete 1870-1893http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase.aspx?sc=2722"
Thanks, and nice to see you posting again!
The dealer with probably the second best inventory was
former PCGS for member David Johnson. I do not remember his ID here, maybe Tennessee
Dave.
Actually he went by 1798Collector years ago on the forum. He was primarily an EAC dealer and used to set up with Reynolds back in the day. He has since branched out into many series, with a focus on higher end slabbed material. Great guy, and he still likes to “talk copper” given the opportunity.
I chatted with David at the SCNA show last week. Nice guy. His inventory was extremely well curated, all higher end PCGS+CAC, and very neatly displayed. His table did seem a bit like a museum though, with all of the slabs wrapped in thick plastic, and prices on the few coins I inquired about being on the way high end.
Superb collections are built more by omission than by addition.
@RYK Glad to see your toe in the water again. Maybe you should attend a larger show to see if the fire is rekindled. What about the upcoming FUN show? If you attend, I'd like to say hello.
I know I've said this many times, but the appreciation I have for you selling that A&R half 15 years ago was a watershed moment in time for my eventual pursuit of my series collection. I also have good friends who were inspired by the DOG trend you helped establish!
"She comes out of the sun in a silk dress,
running like a water color in the rain...."
Are you able to post pictures without going to much trouble? That coin sounds familiar.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Mark, it should since it was in your inventory and I was the one behind RYK, who snagged it from your early bird listing before I could.
Here's your pic:
"She comes out of the sun in a silk dress,
running like a water color in the rain...."
Thank you. I had a feeling that was the coin you were talking about.
Based on the excellent picture, I must not have shot it. 😀
“… was a watershed moment in time for my eventual pursuit of my series collection.” Yikes, it sounds like I was indirectly responsible for costing you a lot of money in pursuing your collection.😬
😉
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.