My first coin show...

JasonRox · November 28, 2003 3:33PM

I'm going to my first show tomorrow, or Saturday!

Any tips on browsing or whatever.

Wolf359 · November 28, 2003 3:37PM

Have fun! Talk, look, listen and learn.

Dave99B · November 28, 2003 3:41PM

(1) Don't pay what they are asking. Bargain hard!

(2) Take your time, and cruise the floor, keeping track of what is where (bring paper & a pencil).

(3) Bring a price guide with you.

(4) Bring a magnifer.

(5) If you don't see what you are looking for, ask anyway, they may have it.

(6) Listen to the dealer/collector chatter - you can learn a lot.

(7) Avoid Barber material - it's unattractive, and hard to sell.

(8) Be VERY picky.

(9) Most of all, enjoy youself!

Dave

DRUNNER · November 28, 2003 3:48PM

Just took a newbie to his first show today . . . a little 25 table deal in Provo, Utah. We spent 6 hours looking at Jefferson nickels that topped out at around a $30 total for the day . . . and I don't know when I've ever had so much fun. The thrill of the hunt was as obvious in his looking at a 1960 proof Jeff as it is in my making a 66 or 67 Commemorative. I envy your exciting first day . .

Look at LOTS of coins . . . perhaps buy a few lower end coins you REALLY like . . . then look at LOTS more coins. Cultivate a few relationships with dealers who show some fire and interest, and tape your ankles for battle!!!

merz2 · November 29, 2003 3:04AM

Everyone remembers their first show.You will have a great time wheather it is a big show or a small one.Look at as many coins as possible.Try and learn as much as possible.Have fun!!!

JasonRox · November 29, 2003 4:57AM

I had a blast!

So many good deals.

I only brought $30CDN, but got more than I expected.

Here is the list:
Canadian Cents
1901 - Very Fine
1902 - Choice Very Fine
1903 - Very Fine
1906 - Very Fine
1907 - Good
1909 - Fine
1911 - Fine
1912 - Very Fine
1913 - Extremely Fine
1915 - Fine+
1920 Small Cent - Extremely Fine
1927 - Choice Very Fine
1930 - Fine
1937 - Very Fine
Canadian 5 Cents
1938 - Fine+
1946 - Very Fine
1947 - Fine+
1950 - Fine
1951 - Very Fine
Newfoundland 5 Cents
1941 - Extremely Fine
Roman Coins
3-4th Century A.D. (200-300 A.D.)
I know nothing about Roman Coins, but I got it for $5. I'll get a scan, and you'll see it's condition. You can see the prints, images, and bust on the coin, so it's not a flat bronze.

I bought just about everything below half. They offer 50%, but the older guy taught me to bargain even though your already getting a killer deal. One lady help me find stuff in the junk box. Good times!

I brought my want my -
Wantlist/Needlist
Magnifier
Trend Prices
Red Book
I borrowed pens from dealers.

Next time I'll bring like $100CDN because I got to get about 5 key dates now. I'm missing about 9-11 coins for my set. I'm completing 100 years of Canadian Cents (1900-2000), and most varieties that come with it. I also met a guy who just finished completing the same set I'm working on, and he now moved on to Nickels.

I was also happy with my grading because it was very consistent to what the dealers had, but not all of them. Some we're over graded big time, but I guess it's all good because I noticed it.

PS. I'm Canadian in a U.S. Forum.

Note: I'm going to all the shows within' one hour driving time from hear.

Dollars · November 29, 2003 9:27AM

My first coin show was this year. It was held at a local hotel New Carrollton MD. I had no I idea what to expect. A coin dealer I had talked to said, "look, do what ya want but my advice is to leave you money at home and see who will talk to you". So that is what I did. And ya know, I learned a ton of information, more than I could digest. Met alot of folks from local coin clubs as well as the Pres of MSNA Thomas Palmer. They were as glad to meet me as I was them. Made me happy to be a Numismatist (Yes I had to look it up)

Dave
In Laurel
MD

RiffRaff1967 · December 1, 2003 4:36AM

Went to my first coin show this past weekend - I was not ready for how many coins there were! My biggest mistake was that I was on a time constraint, next time I will not do this to myself. I could have easily spent the entire day, or two days. I did try to look at everything, although many tables were really busy. I will give this list as my observations:

1. Some dealers are really nice, seem honest, and had inventory that was reasonably priced.
2. Some dealers never even said hi, or even acknowledged my hello
3. Some Franklins (set I'm currently collecting) were *way* over-priced
4. The dealer/collector that I met from this forum was super nice, took time out to really talk to me, about my interests, and give me some good pointers - Thanks Workingman!
5. There was no way to see it all!
6. I saw several collectors that sat down and took up the dealers time (2 hours +), and I did not see them buy a thing. I even heard one dealer politely asking one person if they would move to open up for others (the person never did move while I was there).
7. The greeters? and security people were very nice to my wife when she couldn't find me

8. All in all, I had a great time, purchased several coins for my collection, and only wished I had more time to spend.

JasonRox · December 1, 2003 6:09AM

I sit down sometimes, but no more than 20-30 minutes.

Some people block the way, but I never had someone who wouldn't let me in.

I booked the day off from work because that time constraint thing catches me everytime!

nepbrs44 · December 1, 2003 6:56AM

Ask a lot of questions and never.........never pay what they are asking for. The fun is in looking around and listening to what some of the conversations between the dealers.

Enjoy! you will always remember it.

My first coin show...

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