Funniest things at coin shows

Dentuck · August 20, 2009 9:38PM

What's the funniest thing that's ever happened to you, or that you've witnessed, at a coin show?

Longacre · August 20, 2009 9:55PM

Seeing a BIG corporate publishing titan wearing a suit on a bourse, when all others were in mustard-stained shirts and unwashed trousers.

RyGuy · August 20, 2009 9:56PM

A very well-known dealer that I won't disclose, had a 1902 IHC NGC MS66BN with great colors. I inquired as to what was the best price he could do for the coin. He told me that he couldn't go any lower than $725 because finding another Indian like this one would be impossible.

Current PCGS price guide value lists it around $260...which is for PCGS holdered coins, which generally carry a larger premium than NGC. I still reference these values for all 3 TPGs however, as they are generally close in most cases unless buying from eBay. I quoted the price guide and again, he said the colors alone were worth more than that or any number close to it. I passed on the coin as it wasn't worth that much to me at his price and he rejected what I thought was a very strong offer.

Less than a week later, a different dealer's inventory I check on a weekly basis had the exact same coin, matching serial number, etc. listed as a NEWP. It was priced at $325 with room to negotiate.

I offered the original seller of the coin $500.

PerryHall · August 20, 2009 10:38PM

At a major show, a dealer had another dealers check prominently displayed in one of his cases with "BAD CHECK" written on the check with a magic marker. Of course, everyone who stopped by this dealer's table had look into his case to see who wrote this bad check. It didn't take long for the dealer who wrote the bad check to run up to buy his check back.

SeaEagleCoins · August 20, 2009 11:06PM

Witnessing crowds of seemingly sane people... all trading green pieces of paper for little round pieces of copper, nickel, silver and gold (along with a few other metals) with designs on them...while others were trading large amounts of green paper for other pieces of green paper... it was quite humorous... humans are such fascinating creatures...

291fifth · August 20, 2009 11:17PM

At the Fall, 1990 Michigan State Numismatic Society show in Dearborn one of the uniformed security guards was carrying a loaded shotgun, which he proceeded to unload while it was pointed directly at several of the attendees, myself included. (My club was a co-host that year and we were helping take down the show on Sunday.)

I immediately went up to the room where the MSNS President was holding court and informed him of the security guard's actions. The President brushed me off and went back to what he had been doing.

Pretty funny, isn't it?

highbidder1970 · August 20, 2009 11:18PM

While set up at show awhile back, I witnessed a guy buying about $1200 worth of top tier TPG slabs from a dealer at a table next to me. About 20 minutes later (I believe this is a case of buyers remorse as the dealer is a retailer vs a wholesaler) the buyer brought the material back wanting a refund. The dealer firmly held his ground saying "all sight seen transactions are final." There was a heated exchange which attracted security and the buyer facing being ejected from the show quietly left. This was witnessed by several of us and we all made a mental note not to do business with that customer (who we named the the Flim Flam Guy) if he happened to come by our tables at future shows. For awhile at future shows sometimes someone would ask "Anyone seen the Flim Flam Guy.?"

kryptonitecomics · August 21, 2009 12:58AM

I posted this back in 2007 so here is a copy paste job....

So there I was waiting for the FUN show to open to the public when I ran into dpoole aka David Poole doing the same. He told me he wanted to go look at some Heritage lots in the viewing room and since he had a bidders ID I decided to tag along with him. This was not my first time attending a viewing but I must admit that there certainly was an air of complete distrust in the room when David and I sat down and while I understand the sheer magnitude of the $$$$ sitting in the room......I felt like all eye were on us and it was an awkward feeling to say the least.....now on to the story...

David had asked to see a box that contained a pretty amazing assortment of Flowing Hair half dollars and also some really nice seated material including proofs. Heritage made it clear that we could not both view coins out of the same box and since we hadn't selected another one at that point I decided to bide my time while he went through it. I am more of a 1 coin out of the box and then back in before I go onto the next coin......David is a grab as many coins as he can fit in his had at one time kinda guy....

So at this point we had already drawn the eyes of several employees along with the women assigned to assist us so I would guess we had 3 people standing their watching us and I guess it made David a little nervous so as he went to put the coins back in the case he squeezed the slabs together so tightly that they squirted out of his hand, over and to the right of his shoulder and onto the floor and in his lap

Now remember we are talking about like 5 or more 1795 Flowing Hair Half dollars probably worth at least $5,000 to $10,000 each, probably more and here they are flying everywhere..........I think we both just about died and all I could do was lean to the left away from David and keep my hands firmly planted on the table as we were swarmed by security and additional Heritage employees. David handle everything in stride as he picked them up off the floor like an old pro and there was a nervous tention around us as I waited for ther Tasers and batons to start appearing

I must admit that I almost shat myself when it happened but it sure makes for one heck of a story looking back.........needless to say that was the last box we looked through and we quickly mad an exit from the room

PerryHall · August 21, 2009 1:20AM

<< At the Fall, 1990 Michigan State Numismatic Society show in Dearborn one of the uniformed security guards was carrying a loaded shotgun, which he proceeded to unload while it was pointed directly at several of the attendees, myself included. (My club was a co-host that year and we were helping take down the show on Sunday.)

I immediately went up to the room where the MSNS President was holding court and informed him of the security guard's actions. The President brushed me off and went back to what he had been doing.

Pretty funny, isn't it? >>

Not at all funny. Who was the president of MSNS when this happened?

RichieURich · August 21, 2009 1:38AM

I was about 14 and was at a coin show. An adult had asked a dealer about a 20th century type set that was for sale. It was a nice set in a plastic holder, with the Barber coins being XF, and most of the others being uncirculated. Both the Morgan and Peace dollars were uncirculated. The dealer showed him the set, he asked how much, the dealer said "five and a quarter", whereupon the customer pulled out a $5 and a $1 bill and confidently said "wrap it up"! The dealer eventually explained that the set was priced at $525.00 and not $5.25. (In fact, the face value of the set was over $5.25). The customer argued, but somehow the dealer wasn't going to sell the set for $5.25.

Dentuck · August 21, 2009 1:40AM

LOL!!!! Daniel, I love the image of all those Flowing Hair half dollars flying in the air.

<< wearing a suit on a bourse, when all others were in mustard-stained shirts >>

Why do you think I wear a jacket? To cover the mustard stains.

PerryHall · August 21, 2009 1:45AM

<< I was about 14 and was at a coin show. An adult had asked a dealer about a 20th century type set that was for sale. It was a nice set in a plastic holder, with the Barber coins being XF, and most of the others being uncirculated. Both the Morgan and Peace dollars were uncirculated. The dealer showed him the set, he asked how much, the dealer said "five and a quarter", whereupon the customer pulled out a $5 and a $1 bill and confidently said "wrap it up"! The dealer eventually explained that the set was priced at $525.00 and not $5.25. (In fact, the face value of the set was over $5.25). The customer argued, but somehow the dealer wasn't going to sell the set for $5.25. >>

The buyer was obviously a new collector and had no idea what coins are worth. I've heard many similar stories. Are dealers so lazy that they can't just say "five hundred twenty five dollars"?

SeaEagleCoins · August 21, 2009 1:54AM

<< 

<< I was about 14 and was at a coin show. An adult had asked a dealer about a 20th century type set that was for sale. It was a nice set in a plastic holder, with the Barber coins being XF, and most of the others being uncirculated. Both the Morgan and Peace dollars were uncirculated. The dealer showed him the set, he asked how much, the dealer said "five and a quarter", whereupon the customer pulled out a $5 and a $1 bill and confidently said "wrap it up"! The dealer eventually explained that the set was priced at $525.00 and not $5.25. (In fact, the face value of the set was over $5.25). The customer argued, but somehow the dealer wasn't going to sell the set for $5.25. >>

The buyer was obviously a new collector and had no idea what coins are worth. I've heard many similar stories. Are dealers so lazy that they can't just say "five hundred twenty five dollars"? >>

yep...that was definately the dealer's fault...

Brings to mind one day, I was set up at a local Sunday show. I had a 2001 Bank wrapped roll of Sacs I had gotten back when they first were released. Had a couple with some kids stop at my table as the father got excited when he saw the roll. He immediately said "I'll take it" as he pulled out a $20 and a $5 ... I looked at him and explained that it would cost him more than $25... he got upset and said "But it says $25 right on the side of the roll"...

It actually took a few minutes to explain to him that all the Sac rolls say $25 on the side as that is how much there is in each roll... and no, I am not a branch of the local bank (said in a friendly joking way...and not to worry folks, I had put my hot dog down for this conversation

)...

People are a trip, that's all I gotta say...

Justacommeman · August 21, 2009 2:31AM

I've seen security guards at coin shows that I swear were no longer with us......As in, I question if they were alive or dead. MJ

RWB · August 21, 2009 5:35AM

"Funniest things at coin shows" --- Walter Breen

BillJones · August 21, 2009 5:55AM

It was funny in a way but also sad.

Back in the '70s I was at a major New York City coin show at the Park Sheraton hotel. The bourse was held in the basement which had limited access and exit. I was looking coins at table when all at once there was commotion on the other side of the room. A guy grabbed something from a table and tried to run up the stairs with it. The dealer who had the table and couple of other guys ran after him and tackled him on the stairs before he could get out of the hall. The guy, who looked like a real knit wit, was caught and taken into custody.

As it turned out he was trying to snatch and run with a 40% silver Proof Ike dollar that was worth less than $10.

DoubleEagle59 · August 21, 2009 6:06AM

About twenty years ago, a Canadian 1908 specimen set was being auctioned off.

But each coin was sold as a separate lot.

Well, after the third coin it was obvious one buyer was buying every coin.

He did quite well until the final item of the lot - the CASE!

A few other bidders that evening had 'fun' with him by bidding up this case to an extremely high value.

Everyone was laughing because we all knew what was going on.

The lone buyer of all the 1908 coins eventually won the case (at a very high price).

Bear · August 21, 2009 6:42AM

The guards were neither alive or dead,

they were cardboard cutouts

rented for the show

ricko · August 21, 2009 6:46AM

At a show near Seattle, I was making my rounds when I noticed a slightly distraught table holder. The 'gentleman' seated on the buyers side of the table, looking at coins, had fallen asleep - and possibly was a narcoleptic. He was not waking up when gently prodded. He had his head on the table and was snoring quite audibly. Security came and shook him (less than gently) awake, and, quite indignantly, he left. Cheers, RickO

stevereecy · August 21, 2009 6:51AM

I remember going to a small show as a teenager and I had a few coins in cardboard holders in my shirt pocket. I was looking through some circulated wheat cents (also in cardboard holders), when all of the sudden, the dealer reached over and grabbed my shirtpocket to start squeezing at the outline of the holders. "Hey! You've got some of my coins!" He then emptied the pocket before I could grab his hand. I tried to take it in stride, even though it was God-awful insulting. It took him a little bit, and then he goes: "Wait, these aren't my coins". I just said, "Ya think?" and left. it wasn't funny until later. I think the guy was paranoid about teenagers or something.

Steve

MrEureka · August 21, 2009 7:02AM

Maybe four years ago at a FUN show, while working for Smythe, I found and bought for a solid four figure price the "lump-o-crap" pictured below. When I brought it back to the table, I showed it off to my boss, Steve Goldsmith. Steve had never attended a show with me before. He's more of a behind-the-scenes type of guy. Anyway, his reaction was less than favorable, and he begged me to tell him I was joking about the cost. Meanwhile, unbeknown to me, Boiler78 had watched me buy the thing and followed me back to the table. As soon as Steve finished with me, Mark asked for a price and cut me a check for something like a $500 profit. Steve rolled his eyes and walked away. I think that was the last time he worked a show with me.

a039 · August 21, 2009 7:17AM

Laura was nice to me.

SaorAlba · August 21, 2009 7:26AM

<< "Funniest things at coin shows" --- Walter Breen >>

Yeah, if you think personal hygiene deprived individuals are funny. I used to see him at the CSNS shows on the West Coast and he smelled horrible.

DoubleEagle59 · August 21, 2009 7:32AM

<< 

<< "Funniest things at coin shows" --- Walter Breen >>

Yeah, if you think personal hygiene deprived individuals are funny. I used to see him at the CSNS shows on the West Coast and he smelled horrible. >>

Why is this 'personal hygiene deprived individuals' theme an all too common occurrence at coin shows??

MrEureka · August 21, 2009 7:34AM

Why is this 'personal hygiene deprived individuals' theme an all too common occurrence at coin shows??

Why deplete one's coin funds to buy soap?

Halfhunter06 · August 21, 2009 7:45AM

Seeing some dealers price their coins at laughable levels and watch the coins just sit there each day at major shows.

morganbarber · August 21, 2009 7:49AM

This won't sound funny, but one time I walked by a guy trying to sell a coin to a dealer. The dealer said it had been cleaned, the guy responded not cleaned, but dipped. They proceeded to argue back and forth. Again, I know it doesn't sound funny, but it was priceless.

PerryHall · August 21, 2009 8:20AM

<< About twenty years ago, a Canadian 1908 specimen set was being auctioned off.

But each coin was sold as a separate lot.

Well, after the third coin it was obvious one buyer was buying every coin.

He did quite well until the final item of the lot - the CASE!

A few other bidders that evening had 'fun' with him by bidding up this case to an extremely high value.

Everyone was laughing because we all knew what was going on.

The lone buyer of all the 1908 coins eventually won the case (at a very high price). >>

He should have let one of the clowns bidding him up buy the empty case. Then the clown would eventually have to offer it to the owner of the coins who would then offer him one ten what he paid for it. Now that would have been funny.

shirohniichan · August 21, 2009 9:10AM

<< At a major show, a dealer had another dealers check prominently displayed in one of his cases with "BAD CHECK" written on the check with a magic marker. Of course, everyone who stopped by this dealer's table had look into his case to see who wrote this bad check. It didn't take long for the dealer who wrote the bad check to run up to buy his check back. >>

That's funny!

<< At the Fall, 1990 Michigan State Numismatic Society show in Dearborn one of the uniformed security guards was carrying a loaded shotgun, which he proceeded to unload while it was pointed directly at several of the attendees, myself included. >>

That would have pissed me off. Not funny in the least!

dcarr · August 21, 2009 9:31AM

I know a guy named "Jim".

Jim likes to drink beer.

A lot of beer.

All the time.

Jim is a coin collector. He came to a coin show where I had a table. He and his like-minded friend Doug walked the show floor.
They were looking for a few types of coins. Their budget was maybe $50 per coin, and maybe $200 tops for the whole show.
At every table they would carry on in a very boisterous (semi-drunk) fashion. I know Jim is not one to ever steal any coins
from a dealer. And he can come across as somewhat antagonistic, even though I know he is a "good-natured" drunk.

Some dealers were suspicious and they reported Jim's and Doug's behavior to the show promoter, who then put the security
guards on their tail (from a distance). Pretty soon Jim and Doug went to the snack bar where they consumed a few (more)
beers, while being watched secretly from a distance by security guards.

At some point, a dare was laid down and duly accepted. Doug was going to see how many "free" snack bar condiments he
could fit in his pants. So he began stuffing in his trousers ketchup bottles, mustard packages, salt shakers, and anything else
within reach and small enough to fit in pants. The security guards noted this behavior and made the association that, if they
were stealing condiments, they must surely also be stealing coins. The guards followed Jim and Doug when they went out to
their car to unload the condiment booty.

When the guards confronted Jim and Doug in the parking lot, the pair practically froze in their tracks. But while standing there
motionless, a ketchup bottle slid down the inside of Doug's pant leg and fell out onto the ground in full view of the guards.

Jim and Doug were taken into "custody" and searched. Among the condiments were several coins. Jim and Doug were taken
back into the show and paraded around to various dealers. At each table the dealer was asked if the coin(s) in Jim's and Doug's
possession were stolen. In every case, the answer was "no". The guards were getting more frustrated, certain that they had
felony perpetrators in their custody, but lacking actual proof.

Eventually, the entourage reached my table. The guard showed me a handful of loose coins and the conversation went something like this:

Security Guard: "This person said they got these coins from you. Did you sell these gold coins to this person ?" (showing handful of coins).
Me: "Those coins aren't gold."
Security Guard: "Whatever. Did you sell these gold coins ?"
Me: "I haven't sold any gold coins."
Security Guard: "So these coins are stolen, then ?"
Me: "No, not stolen, not gold."
Security Guard: "What ? So these are not gold, but did you sell them ?"
Me: "No."
Security Guard: "So they ARE stolen !?"
Me: "No. I gave them out as change for a purchase. They're Sacagawea dollars."
Security Guard [rolling eyes]: "Saca-what dollars ? Are those like tokens or something ?"
Me: "Yes."

Doug was kicked out of the show and banned from all future shows conducted by this promoter.
Jim was also banned by association.

SaorAlba · August 21, 2009 10:10AM

<< 

Why is this 'personal hygiene deprived individuals' theme an all too common occurrence at coin shows?? >>

Trying to repel thieves kind of like skunks do apparently.

BAJJERFAN · August 21, 2009 10:21AM

I heard one dealer talk of a show where Larry Shepperd was parading around in one of his fancy white suits and there happened to be one of those ketchup packets on the floor which somebody stepped on and of course squirted that red crap all over his suit. I guess he was fit to be tied.

coindeuce · August 21, 2009 11:11AM

I walked up to a dealer's table in Baltimore a few years ago and while scanning his inventory for possible purchases, I noticed a flurry of activity at a back corner of the dealers table, where he was sitting, facing the side aisle of his corner table. My attention was diverted by a slapping sound which seemed out of place for the setting. As I glanced over, the dealer was furiously patting putty onto a Saint while exclaiming that "we gotta get these done!" He caught me watching him and with that he gave me the thousand yard stare and asked "You didn't see anything, right?" I replied simply, "see what?" and walked away. I distinctly remember seeing him in the general area of the PCGS table at a subsequent show, where he was yelling at everyone and anyone about his displeasure with his submission results.

Mission16 · August 21, 2009 3:41PM

I like kryptonite's best.

Stupid · August 21, 2009 4:24PM

<< Maybe four years ago at a FUN show, while working for Smythe, I found and bought for a solid four figure price the "lump-o-crap" pictured below. When I brought it back to the table, I showed it off to my boss, Steve Goldsmith. Steve had never attended a show with me before. He's more of a behind-the-scenes type of guy. Anyway, his reaction was less than favorable, and he begged me to tell him I was joking about the cost. Meanwhile, unbeknown to me, Boiler78 had watched me buy the thing and followed me back to the table. As soon as Steve finished with me, Mark asked for a price and cut me a check for something like a $500 profit. Steve rolled his eyes and walked away. I think that was the last time he worked a show with me.

>>

So, all that orange stuff in the wad of crap--Is that what was worth so much?

krueger · August 21, 2009 5:01PM

A couple of lesbians standing and making out in the very center of the aisles at the long beach coin show about 20 years ago.
They wanted everyone to see them, and we did!

Krueger

seatedcollector · August 21, 2009 5:32PM

would that not be a lesbian couple rather than a couple lesbians ? lol

boiler78 · August 21, 2009 9:43PM

I don't see anything funny about my beloved "lump o crap" I have it displayed proudly in a glass case in my living room along with a copy of the Ponterio catalog where it is featured on the cover and a 300 year old flintlock pistol of the same caliber as the musket balls.

I will admit the look on Steves face was kinda funny!

One of the funniest things I've heard at a coin show happened 5-6 years ago I believe at the ANA show when someone paged Walter Breen to the young numismatists table!!

PerryHall · August 21, 2009 10:07PM

<< "Funniest things at coin shows" --- Walter Breen >>

I remember seeing him at shows with his ledenhosen pants, tie-died shirt, hippy sandals, long dirty hair and long full beard. What a freak.

ProofArtworkonCircs · August 22, 2009 12:18AM

<<<< "Funniest things at coin shows" --- Walter Breen >>

I remember seeing him at shows with his ledenhosen pants, tie-died shirt, hippy sandals, long dirty hair and long full beard. What a freak.>>

Very, very interesting fellow. I was sort of enviousw initially. I wish I had the nerve to show up at an ANA convention in shorts and a full beard. He did not suffer fools gladly, but was very willing to converse with you if you knew what you were talking about. I was very impressed by how receptive he was to talking to YN (of either sex). It was years before I found out that was a very bad sign, indeed.

Funniest things at coin shows

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