Today's San Antonio Coin Show 08/28/10
richardshipp
Posts: 5,647 ✭✭✭
The event today was held in the "big room"... though I'm not sure why. While there were quite a few dealers set up, there were also quite a few empty tables. Sometimes in the past the parking has been difficult, but today the lot was only a little more than half full when I arrived around 10am. I presented my invitation card, paid my 2 bucks and headed in with the only goal of selling off some duplicates and stuff to raise some cash and reduce the collection. Most everything I took to sell was slabbed stuff.
During the first quick run through the tables I actually noticed the front of the tables for a change... usually all I see is someones back. Anyway pretty much went straight to a local dealers table to see what they'd give me for some stuff. They bought up mostly the bullion stuff from me. After that I kind of wandered around looking for tables that had items similar to what I wanted to sell and actually did ok selling at 4 other tables. Mind you, nobody pays "top dollar" even though some of them whined like they were
. Everyone was gracious and I enjoyed getting the chance to talk coins.
I had a couple VAM's but didn't know where to try to sell them but one guy overheard me ask and pointed out a guy across the room and said... "that's Gene, he's the VAM guy". He wasn't at a table but looked like he maybe was on a cherrypick hunt. I introduced myself and ended up selling him one coin. He was very nice to talk to and seemed very knowledgable about VAMS. I didn't want to tell him at the time but he might as well have been speaking martian to me as I know very little about the subject.
So after about an hour and a half I'd sold off most of the stuff I'd brought and had a nice pocket full of cash so I thought I'd check out some of the new faces tables. There was a guy there named Rick or Ricky or something like that and I don't remember seeing him before but maybe. Anyway he had a very nice selection of everything from early cents through morgans. Some of it was very nice looking stuff and certainly not the "normal stuff" that I'm used to seeing at these shows.
I felt the cash in my pocket start heating up as I was drooling over a couple of his draped bust copper pieces... maybe even a sweat broke out on my brow. There was only one thing to do... I politely excused myself and raced for the door making my escape good before that money burned a hole in my pocket.
I didn't buy anything but did consider it a good show as I sold most of what I wanted, made a few new friends, and learned more about VAMS than I knew yesterday.
That's All Folks.
During the first quick run through the tables I actually noticed the front of the tables for a change... usually all I see is someones back. Anyway pretty much went straight to a local dealers table to see what they'd give me for some stuff. They bought up mostly the bullion stuff from me. After that I kind of wandered around looking for tables that had items similar to what I wanted to sell and actually did ok selling at 4 other tables. Mind you, nobody pays "top dollar" even though some of them whined like they were
. Everyone was gracious and I enjoyed getting the chance to talk coins.I had a couple VAM's but didn't know where to try to sell them but one guy overheard me ask and pointed out a guy across the room and said... "that's Gene, he's the VAM guy". He wasn't at a table but looked like he maybe was on a cherrypick hunt. I introduced myself and ended up selling him one coin. He was very nice to talk to and seemed very knowledgable about VAMS. I didn't want to tell him at the time but he might as well have been speaking martian to me as I know very little about the subject.
So after about an hour and a half I'd sold off most of the stuff I'd brought and had a nice pocket full of cash so I thought I'd check out some of the new faces tables. There was a guy there named Rick or Ricky or something like that and I don't remember seeing him before but maybe. Anyway he had a very nice selection of everything from early cents through morgans. Some of it was very nice looking stuff and certainly not the "normal stuff" that I'm used to seeing at these shows.
I felt the cash in my pocket start heating up as I was drooling over a couple of his draped bust copper pieces... maybe even a sweat broke out on my brow. There was only one thing to do... I politely excused myself and raced for the door making my escape good before that money burned a hole in my pocket.
I didn't buy anything but did consider it a good show as I sold most of what I wanted, made a few new friends, and learned more about VAMS than I knew yesterday.
That's All Folks.
0
Comments
<< <i>So after about an hour and a half I'd sold off most of the stuff I'd brought and had a nice pocket full of cash so I thought I'd check out some of the new faces tables. There was a guy there named Rick or Ricky or something like that and I don't remember seeing him before but maybe. Anyway he had a very nice selection of everything from early cents through morgans. Some of it was very nice looking stuff and certainly not the "normal stuff" that I'm used to seeing at these shows. >>
my guess is that you ran into Rick Beale. Rick recently left his job as a chemical engineer (IIRC) to do coins full time. He and his wife are great people and really enthusiastic about coins and serving collectors. They just started a web site too: http://www.900fine.com/
I don't think Rick has all of the attribution books yet (hint, hint), but he does have the books for half dimes and dimes.
Thanks for the report. I miss going to that show.
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
By chance, were Ed and Lance Hipps at this show? They are among my favorite dealers, and was hoping to get news on them, since they didn't come to Summer FUN.
<< <i>Nice report - thanks for sharing, and thanks for not joining the competition buying up early large cents!
By chance, were Ed and Lance Hipps at this show? They are among my favorite dealers, and was hoping to get news on them, since they didn't come to Summer FUN. >>
I don't know most of the dealers by name, I just recognize familiar faces so I'm not sure if they were there or not. Perhaps someone else that posts here was at the show and would know?
My wife and grandson also attended with me, and the grandson picked up a nice Roman arrowhead from Rick Beale (mentioned below) and a nice 1925 Lebanese coin. He also spent quite a bit of time next door at the bird and reptile show playing snake handler. After awhile, those squawking birds really get on your nerves!
I came to this show just to pick up any eye apealing coins, and preferably cheap too since Long Beach is less than a month away. I'm also working on wrapping up a major purchase on one of my dream coins (will be posted when it gets here), thus the cheap part. As usual, there was a lot of 'dreck', which to me means scrubbed lifeless coins in 2x2s being sold at least 2 grades too high. I did run into Rick Beale, who did have a very nice selection of eye-appealing coins, head and shoulders above most of the other coins that were there. The 1826 PCGS EF-45 Bustie was calling my name, but I had to pass. I also showed him pictures of my upcoming 'dream coin' and he really liked it.
There was another dealer there (name escapes me) who had a run of toned 1963 proof coins in the entire case. Nothing but '63's, which was unusual. There were a few eye grabbers in there, but I didn't really want to pull the trigger on some of those prices. Finally ended up at Jackie's Coins (yes, high prices on the slabbed stuff, but decent prices on the raw inventory) and ended up with the below for $25 total:
1961 Frankie, very clean surfaces, no FBL, nice bit of rim toning. Could make a 65, but not worth sending in IMHO.
2001-S Silver proof 25c, has very nice rim toning, hard to capture in the photo:
These shows are always fun to go to; at least the San Antonio area gets several coin shows a year. If you enjoy the hobby, you can have a good time at any of them.
10-4,
My Instagram picturesErik
My registry sets
<< <i>
<< <i>Nice report - thanks for sharing, and thanks for not joining the competition buying up early large cents!
By chance, were Ed and Lance Hipps at this show? They are among my favorite dealers, and was hoping to get news on them, since they didn't come to Summer FUN. >>
I don't know most of the dealers by name, I just recognize familiar faces so I'm not sure if they were there or not. Perhaps someone else that posts here was at the show and would know? >>
if the Hipps had a table, you would have written about one table that was far superior to even Rick Beale's stuff. They have a great variety of type coins wherever they set up.
10-4,
My Instagram picturesErik
My registry sets
lol, that would be me, I finally pulled the trigger to grab a table at the show, as i just got in my 1963 PCGS graded 63 proofs. As discussed on these boards recently, I had a bunch of these sets and they have some monster toned coins in them--so i figured what the heck. I also had some variety coins, error coins, and presidential dollars in the case next to the 63s. I gotta tell ya, it was a very interesting day.
Some of my customers:
One gentleman saw I had 25$ rolls of the 2010 native American and some 2007 John Adams. He was very interested in buying the 2010s...for $25. I declined his offer.
One lady asked me to hold a gorgeous double sided orange toned dime for her while she found her significant other, I gave her a nice price and also tossed in a toned nickel to sweeten the deal--it was her birth year--she never came back.
Another gentleman offered $30 a set for 2 sets, and asked me to hold them while he checked out some other items...never saw him again. I really do not like feeling as if i have to withhold coins because someone is "coming back"
None of my toned coins were priced--since i have seen many priced at $300-$900 online, and Ebay, i figured i would price accordingly when approached--I had no idea that at $20 or more some folks just shriveled up--learning experience.
I did manage to pay for my table, and i have to also share that I was next to Harry--of Harry's coins--and a more fair, nice and easy individual i haven't met. Harry actually has a few of the local forum guys work in his shop from time to time, and I enjoy being around them all--nice guys.
<< <i>and i have to also share that I was next to Harry--of Harry's coins--and a more fair, nice and easy individual i haven't met. Harry actually has a few of the local forum guys work in his shop from time to time, and I enjoy being around them all--nice guys. >>
Ummm... Thanks for that completely unscripted plug!
Steve
In memory of the USAF Security Forces lost: A1C Elizabeth N. Jacobson, 9/28/05; SSgt Brian McElroy, 1/22/06; TSgt Jason Norton, 1/22/06; A1C Lee Chavis, 10/14/06; SSgt John Self, 5/14/07; A1C Jason Nathan, 6/23/07; SSgt Travis Griffin, 4/3/08; 1Lt Joseph Helton, 9/8/09; SrA Nicholas J. Alden, 3/3/2011. God Bless them and all those who have lost loved ones in this war. I will never forget their loss.
I like when the show is in a bigger room. The smaller rooms become a challenge to move and leave little space for casual conversation and a place to mull over coin flip purchases.