Summer FUN Show Report
Barndog
Posts: 20,516 ✭✭✭✭✭
I spent about six hours at the show on both Thursday and Friday. Prior to the Thursday opening, I viewed lots for the Heritage auction. I was disappointed that the coins in the Heritage Signature/non-floor auction (HA.com "live" only) were not available for viewing. I am absolutely certain that not having those coins available reduced prices realized for consignors (Anaconda, for one) and just prevented some from placing bids altogether.
I collect capped bust half dimes by die marriage and was able to purchase one coin for my collection. I had previously arranged with Jim Matthews of Harry Laibstain Rare Coins to view an 1833 LM-6 half dime (rarity-6). That was the first order of business. While I was viewing the coin, Jim convinced me that my bargain-basement loupe had to go...so after purchasing the half dime, I went to Ed Hipps to purchase a Zeiss loupe.
I looked at just about every raw and certified half dime on the bourse floor over the course of two days. Surprisingly, there were very few "collector grade" certified capped bust half dimes (graded XF to MS-63). Most certified CBHD on the floor were MS-64 to MS-67! I did view three certified CBHD: a PCGS AU-55 that was a common die marriage (1829 LM-5), "baggy", and too white for my tastes; an 1829 MS-61 in a new ANACS holder that had nice color to it...the color I suspect was added after the two gouges were discovered on either side of Miss Liberty's cap; and an 1834 in an NGC holder that was fairly original but a very common die marriage. Of all the raw CBHD I viewed, which I figure was at least 30, I saw fewer than four that were problem-free.
I did pick up three "type coins" for my collection. Those are pictured below along with the half dime I purchased. Grade them as you wish, they are what they are
Overall impression (from observation and discussion): Wholesalers were doing great business. Some retailers were doing very well dollar-wise, even if traffic-wise the show was slow or light. I enjoyed the light attendance as it was easy to get a seat at dealer tables and converse with the dealers, wholesalers, and other collectors. It was also no problem finding a seat at the PCGS table. Speaking of, I did see a few coins with the "PCGS GENUINE" label and saw more than a handful of dealers express interest in that service level for some of their higher-dollar coins (e.g. 1916 SLQs).
I attended the Summer FUN show last year and this year. I enjoyed both of them and hope to get the opportunity to go again next year.
The coins I purchased, photographed by yours truly (which is why the photos are barely adequate):
I collect capped bust half dimes by die marriage and was able to purchase one coin for my collection. I had previously arranged with Jim Matthews of Harry Laibstain Rare Coins to view an 1833 LM-6 half dime (rarity-6). That was the first order of business. While I was viewing the coin, Jim convinced me that my bargain-basement loupe had to go...so after purchasing the half dime, I went to Ed Hipps to purchase a Zeiss loupe.
I looked at just about every raw and certified half dime on the bourse floor over the course of two days. Surprisingly, there were very few "collector grade" certified capped bust half dimes (graded XF to MS-63). Most certified CBHD on the floor were MS-64 to MS-67! I did view three certified CBHD: a PCGS AU-55 that was a common die marriage (1829 LM-5), "baggy", and too white for my tastes; an 1829 MS-61 in a new ANACS holder that had nice color to it...the color I suspect was added after the two gouges were discovered on either side of Miss Liberty's cap; and an 1834 in an NGC holder that was fairly original but a very common die marriage. Of all the raw CBHD I viewed, which I figure was at least 30, I saw fewer than four that were problem-free.
I did pick up three "type coins" for my collection. Those are pictured below along with the half dime I purchased. Grade them as you wish, they are what they are
Overall impression (from observation and discussion): Wholesalers were doing great business. Some retailers were doing very well dollar-wise, even if traffic-wise the show was slow or light. I enjoyed the light attendance as it was easy to get a seat at dealer tables and converse with the dealers, wholesalers, and other collectors. It was also no problem finding a seat at the PCGS table. Speaking of, I did see a few coins with the "PCGS GENUINE" label and saw more than a handful of dealers express interest in that service level for some of their higher-dollar coins (e.g. 1916 SLQs).
I attended the Summer FUN show last year and this year. I enjoyed both of them and hope to get the opportunity to go again next year.
The coins I purchased, photographed by yours truly (which is why the photos are barely adequate):
0
Comments
that knows if the are
coming or going.
Camelot
The commem is the only UNC coin in the bunch.
Also, I won't know until this evening how I did in the Heritage auctions...but so far I am two for two
I do like the coins you managed to pickup at the show.
Mike
I viewed the signature and non floor auction lots on Wednesday.....was there a reason they were not there thurs or fri ?? I agree that would have been a major disappointment from a collector and consignor standpoint.
Check out my PQ selection of Morgan & Peace Dollars, and more at:
WWW.PQDOLLARS.COM or WWW.GILBERTCOINS.COM
<< <i>Thanks Barndog. Could you elaborate on the Heritage lot viewing issue. Are you saying that some of the Signature and online auction coins were not available for viewing? I have never heard of such a thing. Heritage certainly used to bring all the online auction coins for viewing in the past. >>
so maybe they were there Wed but not Thursday? Odd. The checklist of available coins did not include the lots in the HA live-only auctions when I was there Thursday. I had wanted to view the 1833 LM-6 (Reiver) in NGC AU-58 (a $2K+ coin), but it was not available and also to view an 1831 half dime that Anaconda had up for auction (plus some classic commems from Anaconda)...all were not available. I think I (and others for whom I promised to view lots for) would have bid on more coins and stronger on others.
<< <i>I looked thru them. They were on a seperate viewing check-off sheet. >>
damn, now that just irks me. Never offered that sheet to me and I never even saw it available. Damn again.
<< <i>How do you like your new loupe? >>
DennisH, I am glad you asked! I meant to write it in my report, but without a doubt, the new loupe is my FAVORITE purchase at the show. Night and day difference between el cheapo and the Zeiss. Great for picking up minor blemishes or problems I was missing before, great field of view with clarity at all spots in the field, fantastic tool, period!
Let me guess... The Commem is in an OGH ?
<< <i>Thanks for the report and your coins look very nice !
Let me guess... The Commem is in an OGH ? >>
good guess