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Official Portland, Maine (Gorham Coin Club) coin show report
MrHalfDime
Posts: 3,440 ✭✭✭✭
I just returned from the Portland, Maine coin show, which ended at 4:00 PM EDT on Sunday. From all reports, business was good, with collectors buying and not just looking.
I arrived at the show at 6:30 AM to coordinate the dealer set-up for the one day show, ably assisted by several club members including our own IGWT. The 42 dealer tables were quickly filled, and the typical dealer-to-dealer activity began early, well before the publicised 9:00 AM bourse opening, between the dealers with tables and several vest pocket dealers as well as a few 'early birds'. Because we do not charge admission to the public, we also do not rigidly enforce the bourse opening time, so by 9:00 AM the bourse floor was already quite busy.
CU Forum member Staircoins quickly informed me that Wi-Fi was available on the bourse, provided by the host hotel, and early in the morning he was providing live show reports from the floor, although I have not had time to search for them yet.
As the show chairman, I did not have much time to peruse the bourse floor in search of elusive half dime die marriages, but I did manage to walk the floor for a few minutes, enough time to locate several interesting (make that spectacular) coins worthy of mention. These included an 1837 Liberty Seated No Stars Small Date half dime in a PCGS MS-62 holder with gorgeous toning, a truly spectacular PCGS MS-66 1843 half dime that truly looked like it was struck withing the last hour, and circulated grade examples of the 1795 LM-8/V5, 1796 LM-1/V1, 1797 LM-1/V2 15 stars, and 1805 LM-1/V1 half dimes. Although I did not pull the trigger on any of these coins, I must confess that I was tempted on a few. Another spectacular coin that was worthy of mention, although it was not a half dime, was a 1795 Flowing Hair $1 in PCGS AU-58. Where would you ever see another coin like that? It was beautiful to behold.
There was the usual banter about the floor regarding the UHR AGE's, First Strikes, and disappointment with the US Mint, but I quite honestly have become so mind numbed by the endless threads and discussions on that modern 'crap' on this forum that I purposely avoided even listening to any such discussion. I am afraid that I will not be the one to make any reports on that subject.
As a collector, and not a dealer, I was not in a good position to accurately feel the pulse of the buying and selling activity on the floor, but as the show chairman I did canvas many dealers about their observations on buying activity. Every dealer with whom I conversed reported having a satisfactory show, and many indicated what we all seem to know and often hear - that good collector coins and better dates continue to be in demand and sold without problem. Problem coins, raw coins in general, and many modern mint offerings did not sell well. IGWT reported to me that there were no significant Shield Nickels on the floor, which came as a complete shock to me given the widespread popularity of that series
.
One of the great bonuses of having gained some recognition within the numismatic fraternity for my particular specialty, I really do not need to scour the bourse floors looking for interesting half dimes. Numerous half dimes are literally delivered to me by the dealers, neatly packaged in small manilla envelopes with my name written on them, for my perusal. I left the show tonight with two such packages on approval, and I fully intend to spend an enjoyable evening, at my leisure, with some half dimes, my stereo microscope and a glass of scotch, enjoying my hobby to the fullest.
Board member SeatedDimes, known to many Liberty Seated Dime enthusiasts as the author and webmaster of the spectacular Seated Dime website (www.seateddimes.com) made an early appearance on the floor, and delighted us with a recent acquisition - a PCGS MS-62? (I cannot honestly recall the grade on the insert, but I definitely remember the coin - an old habit - I look at the coin and not the holder) 1875-CC dime with a spectacularly shattered reverse die. Gerry related many interesting dime stories before leaving to catch a plane to China.
Overall a great show, great conversation with many like minded collectors, a palatable meal, and the opportunity to look at some nice coins. Although I did not make any new purchases at this show, that was pretty much expected, and I would say that it was a very successful, although as show chairman I may have a slight bias. It was coin collecting at its best.
I arrived at the show at 6:30 AM to coordinate the dealer set-up for the one day show, ably assisted by several club members including our own IGWT. The 42 dealer tables were quickly filled, and the typical dealer-to-dealer activity began early, well before the publicised 9:00 AM bourse opening, between the dealers with tables and several vest pocket dealers as well as a few 'early birds'. Because we do not charge admission to the public, we also do not rigidly enforce the bourse opening time, so by 9:00 AM the bourse floor was already quite busy.
CU Forum member Staircoins quickly informed me that Wi-Fi was available on the bourse, provided by the host hotel, and early in the morning he was providing live show reports from the floor, although I have not had time to search for them yet.
As the show chairman, I did not have much time to peruse the bourse floor in search of elusive half dime die marriages, but I did manage to walk the floor for a few minutes, enough time to locate several interesting (make that spectacular) coins worthy of mention. These included an 1837 Liberty Seated No Stars Small Date half dime in a PCGS MS-62 holder with gorgeous toning, a truly spectacular PCGS MS-66 1843 half dime that truly looked like it was struck withing the last hour, and circulated grade examples of the 1795 LM-8/V5, 1796 LM-1/V1, 1797 LM-1/V2 15 stars, and 1805 LM-1/V1 half dimes. Although I did not pull the trigger on any of these coins, I must confess that I was tempted on a few. Another spectacular coin that was worthy of mention, although it was not a half dime, was a 1795 Flowing Hair $1 in PCGS AU-58. Where would you ever see another coin like that? It was beautiful to behold.
There was the usual banter about the floor regarding the UHR AGE's, First Strikes, and disappointment with the US Mint, but I quite honestly have become so mind numbed by the endless threads and discussions on that modern 'crap' on this forum that I purposely avoided even listening to any such discussion. I am afraid that I will not be the one to make any reports on that subject.
As a collector, and not a dealer, I was not in a good position to accurately feel the pulse of the buying and selling activity on the floor, but as the show chairman I did canvas many dealers about their observations on buying activity. Every dealer with whom I conversed reported having a satisfactory show, and many indicated what we all seem to know and often hear - that good collector coins and better dates continue to be in demand and sold without problem. Problem coins, raw coins in general, and many modern mint offerings did not sell well. IGWT reported to me that there were no significant Shield Nickels on the floor, which came as a complete shock to me given the widespread popularity of that series
. One of the great bonuses of having gained some recognition within the numismatic fraternity for my particular specialty, I really do not need to scour the bourse floors looking for interesting half dimes. Numerous half dimes are literally delivered to me by the dealers, neatly packaged in small manilla envelopes with my name written on them, for my perusal. I left the show tonight with two such packages on approval, and I fully intend to spend an enjoyable evening, at my leisure, with some half dimes, my stereo microscope and a glass of scotch, enjoying my hobby to the fullest.
Board member SeatedDimes, known to many Liberty Seated Dime enthusiasts as the author and webmaster of the spectacular Seated Dime website (www.seateddimes.com) made an early appearance on the floor, and delighted us with a recent acquisition - a PCGS MS-62? (I cannot honestly recall the grade on the insert, but I definitely remember the coin - an old habit - I look at the coin and not the holder) 1875-CC dime with a spectacularly shattered reverse die. Gerry related many interesting dime stories before leaving to catch a plane to China.
Overall a great show, great conversation with many like minded collectors, a palatable meal, and the opportunity to look at some nice coins. Although I did not make any new purchases at this show, that was pretty much expected, and I would say that it was a very successful, although as show chairman I may have a slight bias. It was coin collecting at its best.
They that can give up essential Liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither Liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin
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Comments
You must put on a fabulous show for someone to fly in all the way from China!
An excellent report, MrHalfDime. I'll append mine, rather than creating an additional thread.
The club is to be commended for hosting the show in a facility with free wireless internet access for the dealers. It was much welcome, and sets the standard for other shows to come!
In addition to the spectacular 1795 Dollar in PCGS AU-58 (B-5, Pop 2/1!) that MrHalfDime mentioned, other gorgeous coins on the floor included a breathtakingly original 1795 $10 Eagle (13 Leaves) in PCGS AU-53, and for the southern gold fans, a gorgeous 1848 D over D $5 Half Eagle, also in PCGS AU-53.
Classic coins were not the only beauties present, as there were plenty of modern coins available also, including several UHR's available on the bourse. Sealed, unsealed, and 'First Strike' slabbed specimens were all available, and a number changed hands.
Activity at my table was steady most all of the day, with more retail business than wholesale (always a welcome sign). I deal in both coins and currency, and it seemed that paper was slightly stronger than coins today - for me at least. Other dealers reported satisfactory results as well, and it seemed that the other Portland show scheduled for this weekend
All in all, the Gorham Coin Club did an excellent job as usual! Great show, guys!
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
Ouch!
Great report. If I may ask, in what condition was the 1795 FH half dime. Someone I know happens to be looking for one.
Thank You.