What's your general opinion of local coin shows?

SDCollector · September 14, 2003 2:34AM

I know this is a broad question, but what's your general opinion of local small (40 tables or less) coin shows? What do you typically see there? Does the material at small local shows tend to be more overgraded than most other sources?

I've only attended 2 local coin shows (San Diego area). At the first I had a good time searching and buying common date Morgans for my new collection. The second show (yesterday) was disappointing, at least for me. I was looking for better date Morgans and didn't find anything. Maybe I wasn't looking close enough, but everything I saw was common date and often overgraded.

I wonder if I'm being too picky as my collecting skills advance a bit or if this is just an inherent charactistic of small local shows...a lot of common date, ordinary material. And many times overgraded. My guess is that local shows are great for new collectors who are just building a collection, like I was earlier this year. But as your collection needs advance, are local shows generally not a very good source?

nwcs · September 14, 2003 2:38AM

The local coin shows in my area can be classified in several categories:

* state quarter and related
* cheap low end and common stuff
* occassional and not much of better stuff

Generally 95% of all items are <$100. Almost all below $1000. Once a year, there is a special show here that is usually 3x the normal size. Then you see much better stuff overall.

jeffnpcb · September 14, 2003 2:41AM

TOO MANY MORGANS!!!!

KlectorKid · September 14, 2003 2:44AM

I enjoy just walking around testing my buying skills against locals.

mgoodm3 · September 14, 2003 2:59AM

Klectorkid, I bet you've got that young innocent look and they don't even notice it when you take them for all they're worth.

darktone · September 14, 2003 3:05AM

I like going to any coin show but I have learned the small local ones in the Madison Wi. and Rockford IL. area are kind of lower value material. Also most dealers at the smaller shows are not confident or good enough in their grading skills to make realalistic offers on raw coins( I apologize to any forum members that might be dealers that go to these shows but I think you know what I mean). For example- I took some raw ms63-64 liberty $10 gold and was basically offered bullion value by most all dealers and they pretty much all said that I would have to get them certified by PCGS or NGC for them to offer more. By the way I had them all certified as m63-64 by NGC. I usually take something to sell to each show just to test the waters. Also many of these dealers are just collectors that set up a table and ask red book prices for common stuff- nothing wrong with this but it's just not the material I am looking for. These shows are good for the cheaper stuff and or common stuff but to be honest I can find this stuff on ebay much cheaper. mike

ohbaby · September 14, 2003 3:23AM

Local shows are good to buy supplies and books, catch up with fellow collectors and get out of the house. If you are a serious collector the local shows usually have nothing of interest. Most of the material is common, impaired raw, 3rd rate slabs, modern foreign proofs, etc.

There are enough national shows/auctions to keep one busy for the entire year.

That said the local shows are good for people looking to not spend a lot of money to buy coins to fill holes regardless of condition. Also good for kids to get started by buying low priced pieces.

DaveG · September 14, 2003 3:24AM

We have two local shows in my area: one is about 30 tables and the other is about 80 tables. In general, I'd say that the smaller show generally has more common and less expensive material.

But, the smaller show is a great place to develop some local contacts.

I've been going to both shows for about 10 years now. At first, I used to buy coins at the smaller show rather than the larger show, but as my collecting tastes (and budget) have grown and developed, I now buy more coins at the larger show.

However, the smaller show is much less crowded than the larger show, so dealers have a lot more time to talk. Over the years, I've cultivated the more knowledgeable dealers and now I get the bulk of my "market intelligence" from the smaller show. I've also learned that many of my area's larger dealers come to the smaller show to buy coins from the dealers who set up there. I've found that I can learn a lot just by eavesdropping on a dealer-to-dealer transaction.

Also, the dealers there know what I'm looking for, so sometimes they bring coins for me to look at that they wouldn't otherwise bring to the smaller show. And, when I'm lucky, I get "second shot" (after the other coin dealers) at coins the dealers bring to sell at wholesale.

My advice is, as long as the show isn't too long a drive for you, always go to the show, talk to all the dealers and develop some relationships. You never know what might happen!

barberlover · September 14, 2003 3:32AM

I don't go to the small local shows because all I see is usually overgrade circ coins and tons of morgans.

Their are 2 medium sized shows a year in the state of Minnesota that are the largest shows in the state that generally have 75-100 tables that have a good mix of dark side, circ u.s., morgans, slabbed type coins, ancients, something for just about everybody.

No Fun show or Long Beach for sure but the atmosphere is friendly and I know alot of the dealers there.

I'm looking forward to seeing some of you at the M.O.O.N. show at the end of next month [hidden plug]. Then we can talk about coins and also how the vikings opened up a can of whup a$$ on the packers last week [just as I said they would]

Les

Stuart · September 14, 2003 3:32AM

SDCollector: I really enjoy the local coin shows here in the metro Houston area. Since I do not plan to travel to larger shows outside of our local area, the local shows are it for me. I attended a very pleasant show yesterday in El Campo, Texas -- about an hours drive (60 miles) SW of Houston which attracted dealers from Houston & San Antonio. See link to that thread below:

http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=26&threadid=221032&highlight_key=y&keyword1=el campo

We have several local shows per year here (Bellaire & Pasadena Coin Clubs) plus the Annual SW Money Regional Show in January to kick off the New Year.

I enjoy both types of shows, but in different ways. The larger regional shows are a great way for me to make new out-of-state contacts; but they are usually very busy and there's never enough time to thoroughly search through all dealer's inventory -- offering my types of coins.

The local shows are more laid back & relaxing and allow me to spend more time visiting and discussing coins with several local Houston dealers (whose shops I frequent at least once a month) in one place. They also attract dealers from nearby Dallas, San Antonio & Austin.

The more coins I see, the more I learn, and the better I get. For me, it's not just about coins, but also about netwroking with dealer & collector friends -- it's a social thing.

If it happens that I don't buy many coins -- that's OK because I'm sticking with my collecting and investing plan (and saving money). If, however I pick up some PQ coins (like yesterday at El Campo), then I feel like I sifted through thousands of coins to find the 8 that suited me for quality & price.

I'm starting to improve my skills enough (after 35 years of collecting -- on & off) that I can now usually spot certified coins that may be undergraded (PQ for the grade) and can make some really good purchases.

Hope that this anwers your question -- Thanks for asking...

jdimmick · September 14, 2003 3:59AM

I live in a smaller town in NC so our local show is more of a place to socialize with local fellow collectors than to try to buy anything of importance. Most of the stuff that is there is State quarter related, proof/mint set material 1961-up, lots of raw items, very few slabbed coins and if so mostly off brand. There might be a few select key-date coins, but they will be lower grade and marginal quality. Ex:
1914-d Lincoln in F/VF
09-s VDB vg-f
16-d dime Ag to g

32-d s quarters in cir grades etc

stuff like that.

Our local show is now down to a one day SAT show and only twice per year. Very few dealers other than those with-in 75 miles even come anymore. Its about a 16 table show at best. Local people from here just dont buy better priced material at this show.

When I was younger, 17 years ago+ , the local show was a lot better, I remember it was a full two days with 40 tables and we would have lots more nationaly recognized dealers. Even then, dealers like David Lawrence would set up here. Course back then I purchase from the people I knew, cause I would have to have saved all summer to buy a 200.00 coin.

Our next local show is on Nov 1, and I am thinking about getting a table just to BS some, maybe pick up a few cheaper items just have something to sell.

keets · September 14, 2003 4:19AM

local shows or any shows can be as good/bad as you want. if nothing else, i just focus on looking at coins, coins and more coins. study up on the series that you like and when you can't find anything on the first trip or two around the floor, start looking at that average-common-worn-worthless-over graded-crap. look for die varieties, nicely toned coins or whatever.

if you've been attending ANY shows without much luck, you might want to slow down and refine what you're looking for.

al h.

paigowjohnny · September 14, 2003 5:21AM

SD...I see the same thing you do. I only picked up a few items at the Oceanside show yesterday. What I do like is that, as someone who's in several of the SD area clubs, it's nice to catch up with some folks I only see once a month. Plus..the dealers that do the local shows...particularly Ted...get to know your face if you go back to them more and more...and often they'll cut you a deal or steer you toward something you want.

Plus ...it's good practice. The more coins you can look at and test your grading eye..the better.

drainbamage · September 14, 2003 5:51AM

I have been to small shows where they leave their best at home and bring everything else. I still do not quite understand why they do such a thing sometimes. As far as overgrades go, if I do not agree with the dealer on the grade then I do not have to buy it.

Some sweet coin shows are often mixed shows. You will find them thrown in with the gun dealers and knife dealers. I like to turn over every rock to find a coin. Even if most were destroyed, the number of coins minted compared to the number graded shows that only a drop has ever found their way into slabs. There is Ammo boxes full of rolls of coins to sort through and will be long after we are all dead and in the ground.

segoja · September 14, 2003 5:52AM

I find the local small shows hit or miss.

On the hit side, I find them great places to "cherry pick" nice coins.

Was up I St Augustine last weekend, bought many neat coins for bid levels.

A few examples: Nice toned 58 mint set - bid, two origianl boxed 54 proof sets - bid, several nice toned Ikes - bid, a small lot of morgans (severely ungraded by PCI!!!) at bid +10% (most will upgrade one grade), and a run of nice 69 proof sets with cameo halves - bid, and run of 71 proof sets with cameo cents - bid.

They are all what you make of it, as when I pulled up to the hotel (it was a dump), I thought taht I had wasted a 4 1/2 hour drive.

291fifth · September 14, 2003 7:49AM

Local shows in my area tend to have a large percentage of VERY stale merchandise. If anything fresh and problem-free does appear it usually sells immediately. The raw coins are usually overgraded/problem coins. There are plenty of slabbed Morgans.

It is not unusual for me to be unable to find anything of interest. While the shows usually run about 30 tables I find myself dealing with the same dealers time after time. There are some of these dealers who, in more than 20 years, I have never dealt with.

nickel · September 14, 2003 7:59AM

it's probably the same in your area , but living in new england , there is a show just about every week within a two hour drive from my central connecticut location . Hartford , danbury and west haven in conn ; albany and new york city and westchester in new york ; nashua in new hampshire ; chelmsford , auburn , boston , west springfield , fall river /new bedford , and mansfield in massachussetts . these are all 15 > 50 + table shows . Many dealers are set up at half of the list above .

some of them do ana , baltimore , fun or other large shows. if a dealer is overgraded at a local show , then he is overgraded at the larger show , as it's the same material .

you may be familiar with the saying : same stuff , different day . (show )

its' true . i set up in hartford , ( 3-4 times a year )and the same dealers with same coins always appear . many are part timers , retirees etc . the morgan is one of the most commonly available coin in raw or slab form .

today i was at the auburn mass show . i saw 4 1913 s type two buffalos in vg and fine . a proof seated quarter , 1 full case of raw $1 thru $20 gold , exonumia dealers , wholesalers that do not cater to public , about 8-10 dealers walking the floor , a modern stuff and silver/gold bullion table , an all paper table , new wanna be dealer tables , error coins , rows and boxes of crud , etc .

the gems i spotted were an 1857 eagle cent in ms 64 , and a $5 gold capped bust heraldic eagle in a 60 holder at $4900 .
will these be at the next show ? probably not . can you find them in long beach or fun ? probably yes .

less local dealers travel far , more big names travel far .
just the amount of slabbed morgans increases at big shows , cause the locals there bring the same tired material .

moral of story : not every show , but good or different stuff can be found at any show.

itsnotjustme · September 14, 2003 8:07AM

I've picked up a few nice pieces at local shows.

San Antonio TX:
1804 Half Cent AU53 $375
1951 Washington PR67 $50 (Very reasonable for a 67)

Biloxi MS:
Seated Dime MS64 nice tone $325

Galveston TX:
1929-S SLQ MS65 $330

Flash · September 14, 2003 8:31AM

I also went to the show in Oceanside yesterday and, as usual, was not overly impressed. The only show in the San Diego area that I feel are worth attending is the one held annually at the Scottish Rite Center in Mission Valley. Otherwise, you need to drive further North to the monthly show in Anaheim, the Golden State show in Arcadia, or the shows in Buena Park and Long Beach. Other than those shows, you might as well stay home (at least, thats the way it is for me).

Baley · September 14, 2003 8:45AM

for my main interest, mid to high grade early type, forget it. If I do find a piece it will be exhorbitantly priced.

I still scan for it and other things that might be interesting, and have sets of modern (1857-1940)pennies, Mercury dimes, and Bu or toned silver Washingtons and Roosies, so I usually find something

yesterday's purchases:

Still need to figure out how to identify CU forum members at a show, didn't see a one

lordmarcovan · September 14, 2003 11:27AM

<< <i>What's your general opinion of local coin shows? >>

Umm... I wish we had them more than once a decade?

SDCollector · September 14, 2003 12:08PM

Great comments.

I think the best thing I've gotten out of the shows I've attended so far is the opportunity to look at a lot of coins in one place. It has definitely improved my grading skills. For example I almost bought a 1893-P Morgan, but it just didn't look right to me. I asked the dealer what he thought of it and he admitted that it had *probably* been cleaned. He didn't take nearly enough off the price for me. So I passed on it. Earlier this year I probably would have bought that coin.

I'm definitely going to keep going to shows as much as possible, but I'm going to change my expectations at small shows and not try and fill every item on my want list. Instead I'll use the small shows to practice my grading and maybe try cherrypicking desirable varieties.

Bulldog · September 14, 2003 12:45PM

Local for me is about 60 miles away. Impression, too small, too few vendors, same old stuff month after month. No real deals to be had unless you are willing to buy their junk as well and try and peddle it on Ebay.

Bulldog

Robgetty · September 14, 2003 4:28PM

Most of the local shows I have been to have smaller inventories of
the things I want (if anything), but they are still fun to browse through.
I moved to the Shenendoah Valley region of Virginia a few months ago,
and they had a local show the next month: it was useful to find out what
dealers were in the area, and what they carried. (Sad answer: not much)

On the other hand, I went to the ANA show in Baltimore; first time at a national
level show. I was in sensory overload, and needed a day and a half to cover
the floor. I guess my ideal would be somewhere in the middle.

Coppernicus · September 14, 2003 5:11PM

I use the smaller, local shows to talk to some knowledgable dealers and learn. Sometimes (rarely) you can find some nice material but generally, they're heavy with "commodity" coins.

MIke

1956Quarter · September 14, 2003 9:11PM

What local coin shows?? We have 1 maybe 2 a year. Yet crappy little towns a hundred miles away get one every other month.

jhar · September 14, 2003 9:25PM

I'm with Lord M. I wish that we would have more than one show a year around here. There is not a very strong club base where I live. We used to have a small show in a town not far from me, but the last couple of years it hasn't been held. I am planning to go to a small show (20 tables) in a couple of weeks, but if the the family wasn't going on vacation too, I wouldn't be going. It's a two hour drive for us, but were we are going on vacation is only a very short drive from the show. It is even harder to plan a long trip to a big show with limited resources, and 3 small children!

Sure, I've got Ebay and other auctions as well has a couple of really good online dealers to go to, but there is nothing like looking at and holding a coin in your hand before you buy it. I'll go to any small show I can get to. I'll make it to a large show one day, but not today!

Geoman · September 15, 2003 12:40AM

Actaully, I like going to the local shows. I know there are complaints here about not much new material, and some of these shows also do not have high-end, rare coins. But you got to remember, that most people here in this forum and "die-hard" collectors, and they look for those types of coins. However, the general public, and me included, still find a lot of material that fits into our collections. I have never gone home from the local show, without finding more than I can afford to buy.

Maybe someday I will have most of all I want to collect, and become more selective about the coins I buy. But right now, I need so many coins, and can find more than enough to keep me happy.

comp124 · September 15, 2003 12:55AM

Where can you find a listing of shows in your area?
I live in Roswell, Georgia and never see them posted.
I don't read the Atlanta Urinal and Consitipation newspaper, so I don't know if there listed in there or not.
Are there any other periodicals that would list the dates?
Thanks

Outhaul · September 15, 2003 12:57AM

Local shows = same stuff, same prices, and WAYYYYYYY too many Morgans!

Although, I sometimes (rarely) find something I'm looking for.

Cheers,

Bob

Nysoto · September 15, 2003 2:05AM

Local coins shows can be a good place to cherry pick unattributed scarce varieties, but this won't happen very often. They still are fun to attend, you never know what coins will turn up.

barberlover · September 15, 2003 6:02AM

Geoman, Does that mean your not gonna show up for breakfast or the M.O.O.N. show at the end of next month ?

Les

Geoman · September 15, 2003 6:19AM

Les,

I do plan on going to the show in late Oct. at the Earle Brown Heritage Center down in Brooklyn Center. (I was just pointing out that I also enjoy the smaller shows as well.) To me, I consider the M.O.O.N. show and the Northest Coin Show "bigger" shows, as they both have around 75 tables.

However, my wife works that weekend, so I need to do some arranging to have my 2 kids watched. So even though I am still planning on going, I do not want to commit 100% yet that I will be there for breakfast. I hope so.

jhar · September 15, 2003 11:02AM

Here ya go comp124.
link

What's your general opinion of local coin shows?

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