CICF - first impressions and NEWPs! (image of 1816 added)

TwoKopeiki · April 16, 2011 4:19AM

After a sleepless night of canceled and delayed flights, I finally made it to Chicago in time for the opening. This is my first Darkside show and it didn't disappoint. It was great to see Josh (Civitas) again and finally make Andy Lustig's (MrEureka) acquaintance, as well as meet folks from NEN in-person.

I brought a few odds and ends to get rid of (1913 Rouble, 1809 Mexico Real in MS62, Chilean Copiapo Peso, etc...) and ended-up selling most of them for a very reasonable price. I also wanted to sell a nice PCGS XF40 1811 Guadeloupe 20 sous, but after being brutally lowballed by a couple of dealers I ended-up consigning the piece to Northeast Numismatics instead.

Two new acquaintances that I'm very excited about are Jorge Ortiz from Puerto Rico and Mike Dunigan. Jorge is a collector of War of Independence coinage, selling off some duplicates and odds and ends. I've picked-up a gorgeous Vargas 8 Reales from him (pictures once I'm back in Toronto tomorrow) and talked at length about coins of that period. He had a nice 1813 Guadalajara (with 1812 square-and-flower edge), but it looked a bit cleaned to me.

Mike Dunigan was amazing. Let's start with the fact that I bought a gorgeous 1821 Chihuahua 8 Reales from him and since I didn't bring my checkbook, he agreed to let me have the coin and send him the check once I'm back in Toronto. Granted, he had to get a nod from Andy Lustig that I'm a trustworthy guy, but to a Russian trust is a pretty big thing that takes often years to gain. Andy - thank you again for vouching for me. That check will be in the mail first thing monday morning. What followed was an about 20 minute conversation with Mike about different War of Independence and early Republic coins. What a knowledgeable guy! He had an 1812 Guadalajara 8 Reales in his case that was for sale ($18000, i believe) that I got a chance to examine and learn about the different edge used in that mint in 1812 and early 1813 (square and flower, instead of the usual square and circle colonial edge design). I also got a chance to hold in my hands the 1860 Chihuahua cap and ray and talk to him about my 1842 Type I Zacatecas piece. He also examined my mystery (date obliterated) Guadalajara 8 Reales and confirmed that it's an 1813.

Overall, I'm leaving with 3 NEWPS:

1812 Sombrerete de Vargas 8 Reales from Jorge Ortiz

I just did an arbitrary google search and it looks like he bought it from Heritage in 2004. What he paid 7 years ago vs what he charged me today just further supports my assessment of him. Great guy!

My images:

1821 Chihuahua 8 Reales from Mike Dunigan

Strong strike, almost completely obliterating the underlying early Chihuahua 8 reales that was overstruck. You can only see a hint of the counterstamps on the original.

1863 Oaxaca 8 Reales from Josh (Civitas) in ANACS 62. I have no doubt about it crossing into NGC plastic.

Overall - exciting morning! Definitely going to try and make it out to the next CICF and NYINC.

TwoKopeiki · April 16, 2011 5:08AM

Whoops, double-post.

WWW · April 16, 2011 5:16AM

You made some top-notch acquaintances. If only I could have been there to help offset that.

I look forward to seeing images of the NEWPs.

TwoKopeiki · April 16, 2011 8:30AM

<< You made some top-notch acquaintances. If only I could have been there to help offset that.

I look forward to seeing images of the NEWPs. >>

It would've been great to meet you in person, Bill. There's always other shows, though

So, update #2:

Went back inside and as I was walking by Mike Dunigan's table, something caught my eye. It was an absolutely gorgeous 1777 FF 8 Reales. The surfaces are simply pristine!!! Great strike and the fact that it was FF assayer made it all so much sweeter. I had to have it, so now I have another coin to image as I return to Toronto tomorrow.

Updated with the image:

As I was doing another walk-through of the bourse floor, I stopped by a table of a dealer (who turned out to not be a dealer, but a collector) with quite a few nice slabbed coins. One in particular stood out for me and the price was right, so in addition to all the other I am now a proud owner of an 1816 Mexico 8 Reales in PCGS63 holder. It will be tough to photograph, but the toning on this piece is superb!!! I think both of us knew I got it for a fantastic price, because I ended-up saying "If it makes you feel better, this coin will find a good home in my 8 Reales collection". Thinking it would be only fair to share the collection with him, I asked if he posted on the NGC forums (since that's where you can see all of my pieces). He said, 'No, but I do post on PCGS forums".... It was Dan (bidask)! So, I ended-up meeting yet another Darksider and his wonderful wife Jenn.

As we sat and shot the breeze with Dan, one of his clients heard us talking about PCGS forums and mentioned that he's a long-time lurker here and an active registry participant when it comes to Switzerland sets. Greg is the proud owner of The Sheffield Collection and hopefully will come out of his lurking and says HI!

So... yeah.... Awesome show! I'll try to meet up with Andy Lustig and Co for dinner after the bourse floor closes, so there might even be an update #3

Zohar · April 16, 2011 9:00AM

Sounds like great fun.

Nice to get out of the cyberworld ! Wish we had more of these venues.

ormandh · April 16, 2011 10:56AM

TPOTD! Fun to read. Congrats on the Newps! -Dan

EVillageProwler · April 16, 2011 11:30AM

Last year was my first CICF show, and it was great. I got back today from Chicago (one-day trip), and again I had a great time looking at so many lovelies. I'm not such the social butterfly I once was. I didn't really meet any new people. I was only there to have dinner with GregM (bammed from here a long time ago and now a regular ATS) and buy some really nice stuff from two German dealers I know. I did get some wine, so that was nice. I also got a free dealer badge.

The weather was unpleasant. Cold and wet. The show was hot. That is, the coins were amazing. One person had on display at his table a 4T, 5T and a 10-Taler. They were amazing to behold. Oddly, I saw one female dealer (Catherine Bullowa?) with a table of US coins, including one 1840 $1 in PF and two in Mint State. Yes, 1840-dated Seated Dollars slabbed by a reputable TPG. That was a pleasant surprise.

One of my German dealer contacts had a 95-O 25c in pleasing VF-ish grade. Another pleasant surprise in a day filled with ogling at too many wonderful dark side material...

EVP

TwoKopeiki · April 17, 2011 4:53AM

Couple of images added. I'm going to do the slabbed toners tomorrow when the sun is out.

Silvereagle82 · April 17, 2011 5:06AM

TK,
Sounds like you had a great time bought buying and visiting. Thanks for the pics ... I really like the 1777 8 reales.

Zohar · April 17, 2011 6:38AM

How many of these 8's do you have?

TwoKopeiki · April 17, 2011 6:47AM

<< How many of these 8's do you have? >>

About 45-50 altogether. 36 of those slabbed. I'm due for some housekeeping, though.

Zohar · April 17, 2011 8:12AM

That's impressive!

TwoKopeiki · April 18, 2011 12:43AM

<< That's impressive! >>

Hehe, there's a bit of obsessive compulsive in there, as well. After I clean it up - it will be impressive

JCMhouston · April 18, 2011 1:38AM

Very nice report, sounds like a great time was had by all.

3Mark · April 18, 2011 11:58PM

<< Last year was my first CICF show, and it was great. I got back today from Chicago (one-day trip), and again I had a great time looking at so many lovelies. I'm not such the social butterfly I once was. I didn't really meet any new people. I was only there to have dinner with GregM (bammed from here a long time ago and now a regular ATS) and buy some really nice stuff from two German dealers I know. I did get some wine, so that was nice. I also got a free dealer badge.

The weather was unpleasant. Cold and wet. The show was hot. That is, the coins were amazing. One person had on display at his table a 4T, 5T and a 10-Taler. They were amazing to behold. Oddly, I saw one female dealer (Catherine Bullowa?) with a table of US coins, including one 1840 $1 in PF and two in Mint State. Yes, 1840-dated Seated Dollars slabbed by a reputable TPG. That was a pleasant surprise.

One of my German dealer contacts had a 95-O 25c in pleasing VF-ish grade. Another pleasant surprise in a day filled with ogling at too many wonderful dark side material...

EVP >>

Good to see you again Steve

and since I was at the table with the multiple talers, I got to see and hold them a lot

Since I never make pictures, you will not see any from me

but I saw a bunch posted on facebook and they included Preussen, Bidask, Andy Lustig, Condor101 (former CU member) and I am sure others. The pics are here

3Mark

TwoKopeiki · April 19, 2011 12:19AM

I think for the next NYINC or CICF we should have a PCGS forum member luncheon. I wouldn't have even known I was talking to bidask if I didn't ask him about it.

WWW · April 19, 2011 1:24AM

I think for the next NYINC or CICF we should have a PCGS forum member luncheon
Sign me up for next year's CICF. I haven't been back to Chicago since my A-School days in the US Navy.

lincoln · April 19, 2011 8:14AM

we had a great show and sold aload of coins. the crowds were much better i think than in years before. the nnew crew running the show have done a great job.we are looking forward to next year. don fisher currency unlmited

canadacolornut · April 19, 2011 8:36AM

I used to live near Chicago; bought some very nice coins at CICF in the early to mid eighties.

Some great stories, too

TwoKopeiki · April 20, 2011 3:03AM

Looks like the 8 Reales Bidask sold me was already previously imaged by PCGS. I was able to look it up on coinfacts. I saw the small one (see below), but I didn't find the medium-sized image, so will resize this ENORMOUS one myself.

WWW · April 20, 2011 3:36AM

Wow! Very nice, Roman.

TwoKopeiki · April 20, 2011 3:53AM

<< Wow! Very nice, Roman. >>

Thanks, Bill! You gotta see it in-hand. It looks pretty average until you turn it towards the light, at which point a firestorm appears on the obverse!

CICF - first impressions and NEWPs! (image of 1816 added)

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