FUN show report: Coins and crazy forum members...all in one day!
TheLiberator
Posts: 1,028 ✭✭✭
So some of you may remember the post I made the other day about selling my first coin at a show. It went really well! It was a common date Indian and I tried Rick Snow first. As I figured, he passed because of a splotch on the reverse. (That is why I was getting rid of it too. I bought it form heritage a few years ago and the pics were crap.) So, I tried heritage and they offered me less than I wanted. I ended up selling it to David Lawrence for a bit more than I figured I would get with a profit of a about 100 bucks. Not too bad at all! 
The show was sprawling as usual. Heritage had one of the largest gold nuggets in the world on display. It was valued at a few million....WOW! BTW, they are about to start auctioning off natural history pieces like full saber tooth tiger skeletons, giant crystals etc. They had a printed flyer for it that looked REALLY cool. (Ahh...to be rich. It must be nice!)
I met up with several forum members for lunch and we had a great time! I met:
Dpoole
st. Guru
Barndog
Tootawl (boy...is he!)
and
Peetscorner
St guru is a NUT BTW!
They were all my kinda' folks and it was great to finally meet everyone in person.
Albanese rare coins' table had some AMAZING early gold: ms65 pieces with one of them being worth $990,000. GULP! He had some BIG dude at his table with all gold teeth and two big hoop earnings. I assumed he was the dealer's muscle in case someone got greedy. (Eh...it might just be a business partner though. I dunno!)
The Bureau of printing and engraving was there with some cool plates and sheets of 10,000 bills.
One guy had a case with coins plus artifacts in it. He had a bowl of Siberian cave bear teeth from the last ice age! I shoulda bought one but I forgot...
I saw a few interesting "deals" at adjoining tables when I was browsing. One buyer was looking through circulated 2x2's of something or other and saying to the dealer in a rather rude way "NONE of these are graded or priced!" The dealer shot back (even louder) "Well, I haven't gotten around to it! I didn't have to f uc kin bring them now did I!" It was...tense to say the least.
There was a surf expo in the hall at the same time so towards the end of the show, a bunch of surfer types wandered in and their jaws were on the floor at the prices for the coins. I couldn't tell if they were really impressed, really taken aback or just REALLY high...
At any rate, it was another cool show for me and I learned a lot.
The main thing I learned is I NEED TO FOCUS more on what I want to buy. (I'm a type guy with a LOT of series holes to fill.) I am too all over the place with my likes and desires and because I am cautious enough not to buy what I don't know, my collection stagnates because I am not concentrating enough on where it needs to be. So next time, I will have a better game plan of what I am hunting for before going in.
I learn something new every time I go!
The show was sprawling as usual. Heritage had one of the largest gold nuggets in the world on display. It was valued at a few million....WOW! BTW, they are about to start auctioning off natural history pieces like full saber tooth tiger skeletons, giant crystals etc. They had a printed flyer for it that looked REALLY cool. (Ahh...to be rich. It must be nice!)
I met up with several forum members for lunch and we had a great time! I met:
Dpoole
st. Guru
Barndog
Tootawl (boy...is he!)
and
Peetscorner
St guru is a NUT BTW!
They were all my kinda' folks and it was great to finally meet everyone in person. Albanese rare coins' table had some AMAZING early gold: ms65 pieces with one of them being worth $990,000. GULP! He had some BIG dude at his table with all gold teeth and two big hoop earnings. I assumed he was the dealer's muscle in case someone got greedy. (Eh...it might just be a business partner though. I dunno!)
The Bureau of printing and engraving was there with some cool plates and sheets of 10,000 bills.
One guy had a case with coins plus artifacts in it. He had a bowl of Siberian cave bear teeth from the last ice age! I shoulda bought one but I forgot...
I saw a few interesting "deals" at adjoining tables when I was browsing. One buyer was looking through circulated 2x2's of something or other and saying to the dealer in a rather rude way "NONE of these are graded or priced!" The dealer shot back (even louder) "Well, I haven't gotten around to it! I didn't have to f uc kin bring them now did I!" It was...tense to say the least.
There was a surf expo in the hall at the same time so towards the end of the show, a bunch of surfer types wandered in and their jaws were on the floor at the prices for the coins. I couldn't tell if they were really impressed, really taken aback or just REALLY high...
At any rate, it was another cool show for me and I learned a lot.
The main thing I learned is I NEED TO FOCUS more on what I want to buy. (I'm a type guy with a LOT of series holes to fill.) I am too all over the place with my likes and desires and because I am cautious enough not to buy what I don't know, my collection stagnates because I am not concentrating enough on where it needs to be. So next time, I will have a better game plan of what I am hunting for before going in.
I learn something new every time I go!
0
Comments
Camelot
<< <i>Great report. Was the Mad One and his rubber chicken there? >>
You know, I did not see him! He may have been there though. I also saw Brandon (poorguy), and IdahoGal. (She is at Wayne Herndon now.)
<< <i>Tell me more about Heritage's gold nugget! >>
dude, it was FREAKING HUGE! It was 389 ounces of gold!
Here is a scan from another flyer. It was about 1.5 FEET high! WOW!!!
<< <i>Great report. Was the Mad One and his rubber chicken there? >>
I'm not there...but based on a rumor I heard (from a probably reliable source
Apparently there was an "incident" between SaintGuru and the chicken...
No details were given...not sure I want to hear them either...
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
<< <i>So some of you may remember the post I made the other day about selling my first coin at a show. It went really well! It was a common date Indian and I tried Rick Snow first. As I figured, he passed because of a splotch on the reverse. (That is why I was getting rid of it too. I bought it form heritage a few years ago and the pics were crap.) So, I tried heritage and they offered me less than I wanted. I ended up selling it to David Lawrence for a bit more than I figured I would get with a profit of a about 100 bucks. Not too bad at all!
Great report! It was what many of us had been waiting for. Earlier we were talking specific prices for your coin. I know this is personal but it would be a great education for us collectors to get details.
What did you get for the coin?
I don't remember if you stated what you had it in, but how much?
How long had you held it.
What did Heritage offer you for it?
Did you ask a price or just let them tell you what you would give?
I know these are a lot of questions, and I would understand if your answer would be embarrassing, but the education would be a benefit to all.
Thanks.
Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1
Thank you,
Rob
"Those guys weren't Fathers they were...Mothers."
<< <i>
Great report! It was what many of us had been waiting for. Earlier we were talking specific prices for your coin. I know this is personal but it would be a great education for us collectors to get details.
What did you get for the coin?
I don't remember if you stated what you had it in, but how much?
How long had you held it.
What did Heritage offer you for it?
Did you ask a price or just let them tell you what you would give?
I know these are a lot of questions, and I would understand if your answer would be embarrassing, but the education would be a benefit to all.
Thanks. >>
No problem!
I bought the coin in 2005 off a heritage pickup sale for 309 with juice. It was a 1906 65-red indian. (I thought at the time, "man, that was a pretty good deal!") Got the coin in hand I figured out why it didn't sell originally: there was a dark spot on the reverse that I SHOULD HAVE seen in the pics. It was not a BAD coin, and it was properly graded in my opinion, but I'm sure there are plenty of 65 reds with much prettier reverses. It did not bother me too much at the time but you know how it goes when you see a flaw on a coin....!
SO...these go for 430-450 on heritage these days and I decided I was going to ask 400 for it at the show. (I know dealers have to make money so I was not about to ask retail for it.)
I decided to show Rick snow because he is a specialist in this series. I figured if he didn't want it, my hunch about the reverse's effect on eye appeal to the general viewer would be solidified. (He wrote the book on these guys and sells only high quality pieces.)
I asked him if he was buying and he said "Whatcha got?" I showed him the coin and he said "I think I'll pass" after he looked at the reverse. I MUST admit this was done in a COMPLETELY professional manner with no badmouthing of the coin at all. He didn't even say "The reverse has a splotch on it" though I'm SURE he was thinking it. Hats off to him!
So after that I said to him "Yeah, that reverse isn't the best" and then we chatted about it for a bit: when I got it, how I got it, how I wouldn't buy it today etc. He said I might be able to get 400 out of it and to try it back with heritage. (That was going to be my next move anyway since I did not know any other Indian head specialists at the show.)
So..I went to heritage, sat down at a table with a young gent and showed him the coin. I told him I was looking to get 410 out of it and he typed some things in a computer and said "How about 385? I can write you a check right now." I said "Thank you very much, but I'd really like to think about it." I also asked, "Does the offer still stand if I come back?" He said "Sure...why not."
So, then I went to David Lawrence next. (I figured they are a big outfit and move a lot of coins so I would see what they would say.)
I once again said hello, sat down with another nice young gentleman and showed him the coin. Once again I said "I'd like 410 out of it" He looks it over, types some stuff in the computer and says "You drive a hard bargain. Sure! We'll do it." Within 30 seconds, he had a new coin to sell and I had my check!
It was actually a really good experience all the way around. I went back and said to Rick that I was able to sell the coin he said "Congratulations!"
So, I am glad I did it. The only reason it went well though is because I knew what I wanted for the the coin and I went to dealers who buy such material. I was asked each time what I wanted for the coin. (Except by Rick who passed on it of course.)
So I am no longer a virgin when it comes to selling a coin at shows. yay! Just know your coin, know your price and go to folks that can help you.
Special thanks to Rick, Heritage and of COURSE, David Lawrence!
Personally I have always found that coins are much easier to buy than to sell, except for bullion.
Except for the spot on the back your coin must have been a great example.
<< <i>That is a great story. The detail is very appreciated. Congratulations on doing so well.
Personally I have always found that coins are much easier to buy than to sell, except for bullion.
Except for the spot on the back your coin must have been a great example. >>
Well, truth is, I just think I got lucky and bought it fairly cheaply in the first place.
K
Was Mark Feld there?
Thanks for taking the time to post.
-------------
etexmike
Complete Set of Chopmarked Trade Dollars
Carson City Silver Dollars Complete 1870-1893http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase.aspx?sc=2722"
The boot of cortez is fairly well known and it is one heck of a chunk of gold. I think i remember a post about it a while ago on here and a cool story that went along with it.
<< <i>Great report.
Was Mark Feld there? >>
He was, but I missed him. I have bought from him but never met him before! I ALWAYS miss him when I am there.
Mark Feld was there, I spoke with him briefly wed night.
Had the pleasure of speaking with mercury dime and showed him some Franklins... foodude as well.
And roadrunner, great guy I finally got to meet.
If any of you guys are still around on Sunday, stop by table #316 and say hi... I'll be on the floor most of Saturday...
John
Russ, NCNE
John Albanese's table had some AMAZING early gold: ms65 pieces with one of them being worth $990,000. GULP! He had some BIG dude at his table with all gold teeth and two big hoop earnings. I assumed he was John's muscle in case someone got greedy. (Eh...it might just be a business partner though. I dunno!)
Are you sure that this was not at the Albanese Rare Coin table, an operation that has nothing to do with John Albanese, but one that is known to travel with some, er..., muscle?
<< <i>Nice report.
John Albanese's table had some AMAZING early gold: ms65 pieces with one of them being worth $990,000. GULP! He had some BIG dude at his table with all gold teeth and two big hoop earnings. I assumed he was John's muscle in case someone got greedy. (Eh...it might just be a business partner though. I dunno!)
Are you sure that this was not at the Albanese Rare Coin table, an operation that has nothing to do with John Albanese, but one that is known to travel with some, er..., muscle? >>
OOPS! Umm...not sure. Crap. I think you are right!! Can someone else verify who was at the show?
EDIT: YEP. It was Albanese rare coins. Dang. I KNEW I would do that one day! I shoulda known better.
<< <i>Excellent report, and I'm glad to hear that there was some surfer dude eye candy there for you.
Russ, NCNE >>
WELLL...not really. Mostly dumpy surf company marketing executives. Haha
HOWEVER, there was some eye-candy for YOU: there were a bunch of surfer-girl "booth babes."
no... I didnt bother to ask
and no I have not encounterd them as of yet
Go BIG or GO HOME. ©Bill
Great report.
It may have been because this was my first Thursday there. Last year I did Friday and the years before Saturday (shudder.) There really WAS a difference in the material being offered for sure.
Oh man,you're making me nervous.The last two years,I was able to do Thursday and Friday,but
this year due to
.The main thing I learned is I NEED TO FOCUS more on what I want to buy.
It is very easy to get overwhelmed at a show that enormous,so I try to formulate a game plan
before I go,and make notes in a small notebook to keep me on track.
The FUN show is next door or at least held at the same time as the surf show every year.
Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
That would have been a hoot at the local ER.
U.S. Type Set
I had several other enjoyable outings with handfuls of board members, also dealers etc.
Sunnywood's Rainbow-Toned Morgans (Retired)
Sunnywood's Barber Quarters (Retired)
<< <i>It was an "interesting" lunch. We had a hell of a time trying to get Guru from talking to the waiter. We were hungry and he wanted to rag on the guy. >>
The waiter was a Cubs fan. He wasn't gonna get off easy with that with me. Ya gotta be from Chicago to really get that.
<< <i>
<< <i>It was an "interesting" lunch. We had a hell of a time trying to get Guru from talking to the waiter. We were hungry and he wanted to rag on the guy. >>
The waiter was a Cubs fan. He wasn't gonna get off easy with that with me. Ya gotta be from Chicago to really get that. >>
It's dangerous to harass the guy who is going to be handling your food.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire