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I have decided to start running my own coin shows.

Greetings Everyone,

After some research and planning, I am in the process of becoming a coin show promoter. You heard me right - a coin show promoter, though not on the level of Kevin Foley (of Chicago Paper Money Expo and Mid America Coin Show fame). But my first show will not be until mid-April. Now you're wondering what got me to do this. Well, I ran some coin shows for a couple of coin clubs in Illinois years ago, and it was my plan at some point was to organize coin shows in areas of Illinois where there are no local shows. For those who are not familiar with coin shows in Illinois, there are 3 different monthly shows in Chicago and the local clubs (in northern and central Illinois) have at least one or more coin shows. Southern Illinois is different - outside of a few shows in the Illinois suburbs of St. Louis and one show in the fall in a town called Fairfield, there are no shows in that region. I am looking to change that. Sunday, April 13, 2008, there will be one in Mount Vernon, Illinois, in the center of southern Illinois. For those who do not know where Mount Vernon is at, it is a city of 17,000 people where I-57 and I-64 meet. Mt. Vernon is located 70 miles east of St. Louis, 75 miles west of Evansville, Indiana.

I will have more information on the show soon.

Regards, Michael Doran (dorancoins)
DORAN COINS - On Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), & www.dorancoins.net - UPCOMING SHOWS (tentative dates)- 2/26/2026 - Joliet, IL

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    dorancoinsdorancoins Posts: 2,095 ✭✭✭
    imageimageimage ........
    DORAN COINS - On Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), & www.dorancoins.net - UPCOMING SHOWS (tentative dates)- 2/26/2026 - Joliet, IL
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    mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    I'm hopping in the car now. I'll be there in 4 days.
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
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    LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
    Congratulations on the new endeavor. I don't know a lot about running coin shows, but it seems that if you get a good critical mass of dealers, they almost take on a life of their own and generate their own publicity.
    Always took candy from strangers
    Didn't wanna get me no trade
    Never want to be like papa
    Working for the boss every night and day
    --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
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    dorancoinsdorancoins Posts: 2,095 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I'm hopping in the car now. I'll be there in 4 days. >>



    Whoa there.....the show won't be until April 13, 2008 - the Sunday before the Central States show in Chicago.
    DORAN COINS - On Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), & www.dorancoins.net - UPCOMING SHOWS (tentative dates)- 2/26/2026 - Joliet, IL
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    dorancoinsdorancoins Posts: 2,095 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>I'm hopping in the car now. I'll be there in 4 days. >>



    Will you pick me up on the way? I know how to get to Mount Vernon. >>



    Now now, Dirty Gold Man - the show is over 6 months away. image
    DORAN COINS - On Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), & www.dorancoins.net - UPCOMING SHOWS (tentative dates)- 2/26/2026 - Joliet, IL
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    RYKRYK Posts: 35,801 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I'm hopping in the car now. I'll be there in 4 days. >>



    Will you pick me up on the way? I know how to get to Mount Vernon.
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    mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    Sounds like we'll be early. Get all of the good deals.
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
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    dorancoinsdorancoins Posts: 2,095 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Congratulations on the new endeavor. I don't know a lot about running coin shows, but it seems that if you get a good critical mass of dealers, they almost take on a life of their own and generate their own publicity. >>



    The whole idea of setting up my own coin shows was something that I thought long and hard, realizing the costs and time involved. As of right now I have electrical stuff (extension cords, surge protectors) that once belonged to one of the coin clubs that I was a member of before they disbanded 10 years ago. Kept it in dry conditions and make sure that everything works. Slightly used, never abused. And I have a COIN SHOW banner and some signs that I made up using green colored coroplast (plastic cardboard). Thinking about going to Sam's Club and getting an all-weather banner made up that I can use over and over. I have a master copy of the show flyer finished and also the application.

    Now, as I was saying in my first post - the show in Mount Vernon will be held on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building, 800 S. 27th St., in Mount Vernon, IL. Show hours are 9am to 3:30pm. Table applications will be available after the ILNA Show (9/6-9/9/2007) for those interested in setting up. There will be 35 tables, each table 8 feet in length. For those interested, please feel free to send an e-mail at coinshows@doranofillinois.com or PM me.
    DORAN COINS - On Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), & www.dorancoins.net - UPCOMING SHOWS (tentative dates)- 2/26/2026 - Joliet, IL
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    BECOKABECOKA Posts: 16,961 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    Now now, Dirty Gold Man - the show is over 6 months away. image >>



    I Thought RYK was the dirty gold man. image
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    dorancoinsdorancoins Posts: 2,095 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    Now now, Dirty Gold Man - the show is over 6 months away. image >>



    I Thought RYK was the dirty gold man. image >>



    Last I checked, he is.
    DORAN COINS - On Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), & www.dorancoins.net - UPCOMING SHOWS (tentative dates)- 2/26/2026 - Joliet, IL
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    WHAT!!!! Tell me it ain't so-- Mikey Doran running a commercial show! You always said commercial shows were the scourge of the hobby.image
    USAF RET. 1963-1984

    Successful BSTs with: Grote15, MadMarty, Segoja,cucamongacoin,metalsman.
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    dorancoinsdorancoins Posts: 2,095 ✭✭✭


    << <i>WHAT!!!! Tell me it ain't so-- Mikey Doran running a commercial show! You always said commercial shows were the scourge of the hobby.image >>



    Hey Bill.....ITS TRUE!!!!!!! I have softened my views on commercial shows a bit since I made that comment (many, many moons ago it seems). If runned by the right person, then these shows are as much a benefit to the hobby as the club shows. And who knows - the Kankakee show could be revived soon if things go well. image
    DORAN COINS - On Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), & www.dorancoins.net - UPCOMING SHOWS (tentative dates)- 2/26/2026 - Joliet, IL
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    ScarsdaleCoinScarsdaleCoin Posts: 5,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    35 tables really doesnt give you enough money to cover all the costs unless the show is going to be a monthly..... good luck, feel free to pm me if you want any advice....
    Jon Lerner - Scarsdale Coin - www.CoinHelp.com
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    I wish you good luck in your endeavor, Michael. All you'll need is go get one or two major TPG to set up at your show, along with some national dealers and the U.S. Mint, arrange to have some great displays such as 1913 Liberty nickels, 1933 saints, or the King of Siam proof set, and you'll be ready to go! I'm sorry to say that I will not be able to make it to your first show since I'm on the West coast.


    Bob
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    CgbCgb Posts: 710
    I assume you will plan your next show in the New York area?

    please? image
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    telephoto1telephoto1 Posts: 4,966 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Mike: Good luck with the show, but there's a good reason why Southern IL doesn't have many shows... no one comes, at least not locals anyway. 3 or 4 guys have tried over the years, and the only ones that have ever been successful are Collinsville & Fairview Hgts, and the reason why is close proximity to St. Louis. Also suggest reconsidering the weekend before Central States; everyone will save their $ for the bigger show.

    RIP Mom- 1932-2012
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    coinkatcoinkat Posts: 24,440 ✭✭✭✭✭
    best of luck

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

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    dorancoinsdorancoins Posts: 2,095 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Mike: Good luck with the show, but there's a good reason why Southern IL doesn't have many shows... no one comes, at least not locals anyway. 3 or 4 guys have tried over the years, and the only ones that have ever been successful are Collinsville & Fairview Hgts, and the reason why is close proximity to St. Louis. >>



    Do you live in Illinois? Not everyone in southern Illinois will go to any of the local shows in Collinsville or Fairview Heights or even St Louis. Mount Vernon was chosen due to its central location. Marion (40 miles south) was also considered but the cost of renting a hall was very prohibitive. When it comes to how a coin show will do, advertising the show is what determines success or failure. If you advertise a lot, you will get the dealers and the buying public in. Advertise little and it becomes a recipe for failure. A good show needs to be established. The shows in Collinsville and Fairview Heights did not become successful overnight. It will take time for Mount Vernon to be successful too.



    << <i>Also suggest reconsidering the weekend before Central States; everyone will save their $ for the bigger show. >>



    For 2008, Central States will be in Chicago - at least 300 miles away, is the weekend AFTER my show, and I highly doubt that it would have any and all impact on my show.
    DORAN COINS - On Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), & www.dorancoins.net - UPCOMING SHOWS (tentative dates)- 2/26/2026 - Joliet, IL
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    dorancoinsdorancoins Posts: 2,095 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I assume you will plan your next show in the New York area?

    please? image >>



    Illinois only.
    DORAN COINS - On Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), & www.dorancoins.net - UPCOMING SHOWS (tentative dates)- 2/26/2026 - Joliet, IL
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    tightbudgettightbudget Posts: 7,299 ✭✭✭
    Good luck...you got a tough road ahead of ya...

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