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Summer FUN, Day 1, a Half Dime Collector's Report
Barndog
Posts: 20,538 ✭✭✭✭✭
if you read this forum with any regularity, you know I collect Capped Bust Half Dimes by die marriage and remarriage (and likely that I am looking for an 1837 example graded MS65 by PCGS). Anyway, I went to day one of the "first annual" Summer FUN Show in Florida today. I was there for the opening ceremony along with maybe 60 other collecting members of the public. I was surprised that there were so few people in the lobby awaiting the ribbon-cutting and admission to the bourse floor. I am accustomed to seeing hundreds of people lined up prior to the opening of an ANA or January FUN Show. I went to every table that sold US Coins and inquired about Capped Bust Half Dimes. I saw some nice coins in holders ranging from AU to an NGC MS66. I expressed mild interest in just one (an 1832 LM-12, which is a common R-2 die marriage) in a PCGS MS-63 holder. Greysheet price is out of touch with reality, in that MS63s are typically selling for $700-$800. The dealer wanted $950, so I thanked him for his time. I saw a number of raw half dimes with various claims of grade on the holders (not surprisingly, few mentioned problems like "gouged" or "cleaned" or "scratched" and the like). The one coin I considered was an 1835 LM-1 that the dealer claimed was AU-50 (really a 40-45 coin). I decided it was not better than my current example (an AU-50), so I passed. I purchased just one coin all day -- and it was a half dime for another collector's want list, not mine 
Some random thoughts:
1. If you are seeking a lowball registry set and need a PO-1 bust dollar you need to call Anaconda RC NOW! They have a PO-1 1799 or 1798 (I forget which) for $700. It's in a PCGS holder.
2. I didn't see too many dealers roaming the floor trying to buy. I think much of that already happened during dealer set-up. I'm sure a dealer or two will be able to dispel or verify this assessment.
3. The lack of on-site grading likely hurt the show. NGC and PCGS had tables and were accepting submissions, so you could save the postage, but that's about it.
4. I met David Lange and showed him the 1833 LM-4.2 I cherried a couple weeks ago. He agreed with me that NGC misattributed the coin the first time as an LM-4.1, so I gave him the coin and he will get it fixed. He gave free verbal opinions to many people during the show -- a very helpful service.
5. The ladies working at the PCGS table were very helpful and Sonia is a hottie
My brother and I did get a free PCGS pen. I know, you are all envious of us now...
6. I got a verbal opinion from Randy Campbell at ANACS about an 1835 half cent that someone suggested to me might be a "Bay Area" counterfeit. Mr. Campbell confirmed to me that it was genuine, so back into my Dansco 7070 type set it goes!
7. I met forum member GregHansen as he was sipping coffee and reviewing the Heritage catalog prior to examing auction lots. I showed him the 1798 bust dollar that he agreed to buy from my BST "for sale" thread and we both walked away happy with the deal.
8. At one table, a dealer whom I frequent told me the show was going badly for him as his sales were not going to cover his expenses (so far). Right next to him, another dealer was telling a customer that he had great, wonderful, and amazing success during dealer set-up. So I can't draw any conclusion from that.
9. I will return to the show on Friday, but likely not Saturday. I saw all the half dimes on the floor, so will just go to see if any NEWPS show up in some cases.
Some random thoughts:
1. If you are seeking a lowball registry set and need a PO-1 bust dollar you need to call Anaconda RC NOW! They have a PO-1 1799 or 1798 (I forget which) for $700. It's in a PCGS holder.
2. I didn't see too many dealers roaming the floor trying to buy. I think much of that already happened during dealer set-up. I'm sure a dealer or two will be able to dispel or verify this assessment.
3. The lack of on-site grading likely hurt the show. NGC and PCGS had tables and were accepting submissions, so you could save the postage, but that's about it.
4. I met David Lange and showed him the 1833 LM-4.2 I cherried a couple weeks ago. He agreed with me that NGC misattributed the coin the first time as an LM-4.1, so I gave him the coin and he will get it fixed. He gave free verbal opinions to many people during the show -- a very helpful service.
5. The ladies working at the PCGS table were very helpful and Sonia is a hottie
My brother and I did get a free PCGS pen. I know, you are all envious of us now...6. I got a verbal opinion from Randy Campbell at ANACS about an 1835 half cent that someone suggested to me might be a "Bay Area" counterfeit. Mr. Campbell confirmed to me that it was genuine, so back into my Dansco 7070 type set it goes!
7. I met forum member GregHansen as he was sipping coffee and reviewing the Heritage catalog prior to examing auction lots. I showed him the 1798 bust dollar that he agreed to buy from my BST "for sale" thread and we both walked away happy with the deal.
8. At one table, a dealer whom I frequent told me the show was going badly for him as his sales were not going to cover his expenses (so far). Right next to him, another dealer was telling a customer that he had great, wonderful, and amazing success during dealer set-up. So I can't draw any conclusion from that.
9. I will return to the show on Friday, but likely not Saturday. I saw all the half dimes on the floor, so will just go to see if any NEWPS show up in some cases.
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I just thought that it had to be a slow first day. I'm sorry to hear that it was a reality. Better luck tomorrow, and great report.
Capped Bust Half Series
Capped Bust Half Dime Series
<< <i>As I was watching the Heritage Auction prices for most of their coins, from the comfort of my home internet, I saw relatively little bidding wars on items, and prices for many of the coins looked like steals. >>
There were probably not more than a dozen people in the auction room. Most must have been bidding by phone or internet.
<< <i> The ladies working at the PCGS table were very helpful and Sonia is a hottie My brother and I did get a free PCGS pen. I know, you are all envious of us now... >>
I had the pleasure of meeting her today too. Note to the PCGS Gods: Please make sure Sonia attends all the shows.
Great report. jws
"Every man of greatness discovers finally, he cannot live in the world; but this is a discovery of no great moment. What is important is where he decides to go from there". CHUANG-TZU.
At Cybercoins?
Unless it was someone else, I was standing next to you looking at a Crown and a Thaler.
Greg Hansen, Melbourne, FL Click here for any current EBAY auctions Multiple "Circle of Trust" transactions over 14 years on forum
<< <i> a half dime for another collector's want list, not mine
At Cybercoins?
Unless it was someone else, I was standing next to you looking at a Crown and a Thaler. >>
that was me! Brad and Blaine are a couple of good guys (Brad was here today, not Blaine). It was the first time I actually bought from them, usually we talk about football (I'm a Patriots fan and they are Steelers fans). Mercury10C was at Cybercoins too.
Now that the "collector" has that coin that you found for him all we need to do is get him to buy a cell phone and digital camera!
<< <i>Good report BD. From someone that wishes he could be there, but can't...thank you. You mention seeing some nice AU half dimes, makes my mouth water just thinking about it!
Now that the "collector" has that coin that you found for him all we need to do is get him to buy a cell phone and digital camera!
that collector won't get to see his coin (1832 LM-8.2) until August at ANA...along with an EDS 1834 LM-2 and 1832 LM-10.3. Good luck finding even ONE example of any of those three coins in the next 12 months if you want a challenge!!!
<< <i>
<< <i>Good report BD. From someone that wishes he could be there, but can't...thank you. You mention seeing some nice AU half dimes, makes my mouth water just thinking about it!
Now that the "collector" has that coin that you found for him all we need to do is get him to buy a cell phone and digital camera!
that collector won't get to see his coin (1832 LM-8.2) until August at ANA...along with an EDS 1834 LM-2 and 1832 LM-10.3. Good luck finding even ONE example of any of those three coins in the next 12 months if you want a challenge!!! >>
Wha? There is a little thing called the US Post Office ya know? Although, if recent history is any indicator I'd probably prefer to wait for them than take a chance LOL.
Since you're in the area are you going to get a chance to spend some time with our good friend (albeit somewhat absent good friend) Georgie?
If you happen to run into our other good friend from Ohio, the one in the impecible suit, do me a favor and see if he's got a line on a half dime edge mirror yet?
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.