Intro and Buffalo Spring Convention

StrikeOutXXX · April 16, 2006 12:29PM

Hi All,

Like many new members, been lurking a few months and almost feel like I know quite a few of you already.

My coin collecting is pretty much Whitman holders primarily filled through bank runs and neighborhood change jars as a kid during the 70's & 80's. Add some various accumulated modern crap here and there, my metal detecting finds, and a few mostly sentimental value older coins from passed on relatives add that's the extent of my accumulation.

I just quit smoking and my wife said I could spend what I did on smoking wherever I'd like, so I told her I'd like to get back into coins with my youngest son. Doesn't exactly put me at the same level as 95% of you, but you got to start somewhere. He and I have been working pocket change into his own Whitmans for a few years already. So here comes the main reason for the post.

I live in Western NY, and a 45 minute drive to Buffalo or Erie, PA is as close to civilization as it gets for me. Next weekend is I guess what you'd call our area's big coin show? The Buffalo Numismatic Association's Spring Convention. "Over 75 tables, largest extravaganza in Western NY", etc. etc. The last show I went to was when I was about 13 growing up in Arizona and I remember 2 incidents that made me never go back to one. One dealer got mad that me and a friend spent 20 minutes looking through his box of wheaties looking for what we needed for our albums and his quote was "Come on guys, you're costing me money sitting there, I'll sell you the whole box cheap if you just get up and leave". #2 I was looking through a lot of interesting coins in 2x2's I had never seen before and the dealer stood up and basically yelled at me that I've touched just about everything on his table, if I wanted to buy something, buy it or get away, I was costing him money.

I want to take my son to this show who is the same age as I was then, maybe start him with the typical birth-year set or something, who knows, mostly just want to take him. In the back of my mind I worry about some dealer rubbing him the wrong way if he wants to look at a dozen '93 this or that's or ask a million questions and end up not wanting to go back like I ran into.

So, to wrap up this long intro, I don't think this show is like most of the ones you guys talk about, but is anybody going to be there? Would also like any thoughts on dealers dealing with youth.

Thanks

claychaser · April 16, 2006 1:28PM

Welcome to your 1st post! You are in the right place for info.

One idea is to buy bulk junk (1964 and before) 90% silver coins. You can figure the whgolesale pricing at various websites like tulving.com - there are several. Or, you can take the spot silver price times .7 to get an idea. You will pay slightly more for less than a "bag" ($1000 face value). You and your son can then sort through the stuff to work on a date collection. You will often get Mercury dimes and Walking Liberty half dollars at bulk silver prices. Then you can just sell of the ones you don't want, and buy more. My 10 year old YN collects Mercs, and I have a local coin shop that will often let me pick through the silver and buy what I want. It's hit and miss what he has that day.

I also recommend visiting coin shops where you can and talking to the owner before you take your YN (Young Numismatist) in. If he's the owner is a jerk, move on. But often they will have a soft spot for a well behaved youth supervised by date for the proper do's and don'ts of coin stores. Courtesy and common sense go a long way here. You seem to be in a remote area, but you probably go to larger cities for shopping, etc.

Shows can be tough - I have not been to one in several years, but that will change as my YN's get more experience.

Hope this helps.

StrikeOutXXX · April 17, 2006 3:10AM

Thanks claychaser, remote is a good description - they're changing our village stop light for a stop sign, and that is big news. But, believe it or not, we have a Super Wal-Mart here

. The good thing about this Village is it is old, so my metal detecting hobby gets interesting from time to time. Also good that when we do our bank roll change runs, we can still find interesting older pieces now and then (Haven't tried the bulk/bag size yet though).

Closest coin shop is 45 minutes away. I just wanted to take him somewhere that has more than my little collection and see if he notices something that strikes his interest on his own. He likes coins in general and looks at my magazines and books, but he hasn't seen many in person, and hasn't stated a desire to focus on anything. I wouldn't mind if he likes Mercs like your son, I can afford that for awhile. Knowing my luck, he'll see cleavage (he's 13) and think bust coinage is what he wants to collect.

claychaser · April 17, 2006 3:35AM

Or T-1 Standing Liberty Quarters! Get out your wallet . . . . .

kranky · April 17, 2006 4:35AM

Welcome to the boards!

Some dealers just don't appreciate people spending a lot of time at their tables, others won't mind. The kicker is you don't know ahead of time which is which.

Unfortunately there is theft at shows and that's one reason dealers can get testy if people spend a lot of time looking at stuff and not buying anything. I'm sure you wouldn't steal anything, nor would your son, but the dealers don't know you so some of them will feel obligated to watch closely - and that could mean not serving other customers as they would like to.

What you can do to minimize any potential aggravation is to not block other people from seeing the dealer's material. If things get crowded at the table, and your son wants to look through albums or junk boxes, you might tell the dealer you'll come back when it's less busy. For the dealers, their time is money and as long as you respect the dealer's time many of them will cheerfully answer questions if they aren't busy.

Don't be discouraged if some dealers aren't overly helpful - just move on to someone else.

On the upside, if you find something for your own collection, you might find that dealer will give your son a good deal on something he wants.

StrikeOutXXX · April 18, 2006 3:45AM

As luck would have it, we were antique shopping for his mother today and this antique store had some coins in one of the cases (150 or so). My son didn't see standing liberty's, but the shop has 1989 and 1995 American Eagles for $14.00 each. I remember another thread saying they are usless unless you get them at spot, so being close I bought him a few and a couple of other things.

When I was checking out, the owner was pricing a few raw coins he took in with his *2002* Redbook. He had a lot more Eagles, a lot of Morgans, mercs, barbers, and misc other silver and a few buffalo heads and seated things. I wrote some stuff down to check when I got home, and think I'm going back to buy at least all the stuff that is cheaper than melt at this point.

I was wondering if he would pick up a specific interest seeing coins in person this weekend, looks like he likes just about everything. It was neat watching my son interact with the owner, I definately found a pleasant person to deal with.

paulheep · April 18, 2006 4:11AM

Sounds like you are going to trade one addiction for another. I also got back into coin collecting as a way to stay off the cigaretts. I now spend way more on coins than I did on cigaretts. I say collect Buffalo Nickels, your son will love them.

Paul

Intro and Buffalo Spring Convention

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