Denver ANA: The Show in Review
CIVITAS
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I finally today just finished entering all of our invoices and finishing up the accounting for last week's ANA, so I think I can offer some thoughts on the show now. 
Overall, I would have to say it was a good show. We had a table in the budget section this time. Normally we try to stick by the World and Ancient section, but plenty of people make it through the budget area. Plus this allowed us to get a corner table for about the same as a single table in the regular section. We also realize that most of our customers aren't looking for $10,000 coins like alot of those guys carry. We probably only have a dozen coins at most priced more than $1000.00, so why pay the extra to be in the regular section?
Our strategy worked out quite well. Business was VERY steady the whole way through the show. I can't think of a single point when I just sat around twiddling my thumbs for more than 10 minutes. There were always people coming by and looking, and more importantly, buying.
Nearly every dealer we spoke to was very happy with the business they transacted at this show. Due to flight scheduling, we had to leave the show around 3:30 PM on Saturday, but that seemed like exactly the right time as it started to get a bit sparse in the hall at that time. People were still buying stuff from us while we were packing up our merchandise though.
Visits were made by a number of forums members. I can recall at least wybrit, cladking, barndog, messydesk and MadMarty (although we see him just about every month, so does he really count?). Apparently other forums members came through and didn't introduce themselves (DorkGirl, I'm looking at you 
). I don't think I've forgotten anyone, but I apologize if I did. I heard rumor that MadMarty and the rubber chicken were separated at one point during the show. Sounds quite traumatic. 
The market as a whole seems quite healthy, but there were some areas that seemed to be quite popular. There was the usual contingency looking for Russian coins of course. World gold was also a hot seller, as it frequently seems to be. A lot of people were seeking Philippines coinage minted under the U.S. administration. I wish we had had more with us because we sold all we had save for one piece. (I was even asked for salvage coins from Manilla Bay.) Canadian was a popular wholesale seller but not many collectors asked for it. (Our 1948 dollar lasted a bit longer than I thought it would, but eventually sold). The same goes for British coins. Solid pre-1900 Norwegian coins were selling well in excess of Krause prices. Early 20th Century Australian silver in high grade seemed popular as well. 1700s and 1800s German States sold quite readily, as it always does. In all of these cases, quality and problem free coins were selling quite readily, but off quality merchandise was being passed over.
Demand for Ancient and Medieval coins was pretty soft. The collectors and dealers interested in this kind of material were looking for very specialized stuff. No one seemed to have any interest in generic material, even in nice grades. However, I also think a lot of ancient collectors visit specific tables (such as CNG, Harlan J Berk, Tom Cederlind, etc.) and don't do too much table hopping. A few of our regular ancients customers did come by and pick out a few things.
Prices must be moving up, as we heard a number of dealers mention they were having difficulty buying material, especially high quality coins. We managed to pick up a few things, but did notice a lot of dealers clinging to their merchandise a little harder. With the fall and winter seasons coming, I guess I'm not too surprised.
All things considered, definitely a good show. I would be curious to hear the thoughts of others as well.
Overall, I would have to say it was a good show. We had a table in the budget section this time. Normally we try to stick by the World and Ancient section, but plenty of people make it through the budget area. Plus this allowed us to get a corner table for about the same as a single table in the regular section. We also realize that most of our customers aren't looking for $10,000 coins like alot of those guys carry. We probably only have a dozen coins at most priced more than $1000.00, so why pay the extra to be in the regular section?
Our strategy worked out quite well. Business was VERY steady the whole way through the show. I can't think of a single point when I just sat around twiddling my thumbs for more than 10 minutes. There were always people coming by and looking, and more importantly, buying.
Nearly every dealer we spoke to was very happy with the business they transacted at this show. Due to flight scheduling, we had to leave the show around 3:30 PM on Saturday, but that seemed like exactly the right time as it started to get a bit sparse in the hall at that time. People were still buying stuff from us while we were packing up our merchandise though.Visits were made by a number of forums members. I can recall at least wybrit, cladking, barndog, messydesk and MadMarty (although we see him just about every month, so does he really count?).
Apparently other forums members came through and didn't introduce themselves (DorkGirl, I'm looking at you ). I don't think I've forgotten anyone, but I apologize if I did. I heard rumor that MadMarty and the rubber chicken were separated at one point during the show. Sounds quite traumatic. The market as a whole seems quite healthy, but there were some areas that seemed to be quite popular. There was the usual contingency looking for Russian coins of course. World gold was also a hot seller, as it frequently seems to be. A lot of people were seeking Philippines coinage minted under the U.S. administration. I wish we had had more with us because we sold all we had save for one piece. (I was even asked for salvage coins from Manilla Bay.) Canadian was a popular wholesale seller but not many collectors asked for it. (Our 1948 dollar lasted a bit longer than I thought it would, but eventually sold). The same goes for British coins. Solid pre-1900 Norwegian coins were selling well in excess of Krause prices. Early 20th Century Australian silver in high grade seemed popular as well. 1700s and 1800s German States sold quite readily, as it always does. In all of these cases, quality and problem free coins were selling quite readily, but off quality merchandise was being passed over.
Demand for Ancient and Medieval coins was pretty soft. The collectors and dealers interested in this kind of material were looking for very specialized stuff. No one seemed to have any interest in generic material, even in nice grades. However, I also think a lot of ancient collectors visit specific tables (such as CNG, Harlan J Berk, Tom Cederlind, etc.) and don't do too much table hopping. A few of our regular ancients customers did come by and pick out a few things.
Prices must be moving up, as we heard a number of dealers mention they were having difficulty buying material, especially high quality coins. We managed to pick up a few things, but did notice a lot of dealers clinging to their merchandise a little harder. With the fall and winter seasons coming, I guess I'm not too surprised.
All things considered, definitely a good show. I would be curious to hear the thoughts of others as well.
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Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
I wanted a chance to meet you and Dan Sedwick, who was also at the show. I've worked with him for a couple years.
It would have been a good opportunity, but the only day I could have even tried to make was Saturday, and I was afraid everyone would be packing up to go home.
Thanks for the review. Glad it went well!
Actually, I think your decision to setup in the budget section was an EXCELLENT BUSINESS DECISION.
You guys always look out for the collector and work some magnificent deals, and this worked well for you.
I'm guessing your volume was higher and wouldn't have been as good in the regular section.
Again. Thanks Josh for the report.
-JZ
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
Err....no ZAR ? no Eliasberg ?
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