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Charmy's PCGS LAS VEGAS Show Report (w/pics)!

ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
Well, what could be better than a coin show IN LAS VEGAS! Wow, I'm in HEAVEN! I usually drive to Las Vegas since it's only about a 4-hour drive but since I didn't have to haul my coins (I was only walking this show), I decided to check out flights and found one for $109 roundtrip on Delta! That was less than what it would have cost in gas to drive. And on top of that, I have free rooms at any Harrah's casino so I'm staying at Paris casino for free! All this savings on expenses meant I had more money to buy pretty coins and/or play poker with!

I arrived here on Wednesday evening and took some photos from my plane as we were descending. You can see Highway 15 and some of the outskirts of Las Vegas and then some of the famous casinos just before we land.

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After I checked in, I grabbed a bite to eat then went downtown to play some poker at Binions. I prefer limit games and the only one they had was 2/4. The table eventually decided to make it a "kill" game (meaning if someone wins two pots in a row, the betting is doubled for the next hand). It helps make the game more interesting and creates bigger pots. By the end of the night when I finally cashed in, I was down $9 - not bad for several hours of play!

These were taken from my room at night.

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And the view from my room in the morning - the weather here has been fantastic!
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In the morning I took a cab over to the Venetian where the show was. It is one of the most beautiful casinos, with gorgeous marble, statues, murals, etc.

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In case you haven't been to a PCGS show here in Las Vegas, it is very intimate, casual, and low key. It's a show where you can browse easily and spend time with each dealer. Also, PCGS has a couple people (usually Don Willis and David Hall) who give interesting and informative talks each day. Oh, and I almost forgot, they also set out a nice food and beverage spread for all attendees.

Here are some pics of the show.
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Diana at PCGS
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And here are some pretty newps I bought!
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After the show yesterday, Greg, Rick and I played in a poker tournament at the Venecian. There were over 100 participants, and after playing for about 5 hours and going all-in and winning against 5-6 people, I finally lost all my chips. The top 13 players were paid, but when it got to 14 players with Greg being No. 14, they all agreed to split the pot evenly so Greg actually got paid as well. I then played in a 4/8 limit game for a while but ended up back at the Paris casino playing 3 card poker where I got a 3 of a kind, as well as half a dozen straights, so now I'm quite a bit ahead gamblig-wise - so that will certainly help pay for my pretty newps!

I'm headed back to the show in a little while, then I'll flying home this evening. More later....
Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®

Comments

  • ChrisRxChrisRx Posts: 5,619 ✭✭✭✭
    I need to make a trip to Vegas again one of these days.
    image
  • etexmikeetexmike Posts: 6,794 ✭✭✭
    I look forward to every one of your show reports.

    As always, thanks for taking the time to post and I really enjoy the pics.

    Keep them coming. image


    Mike
  • llafoellafoe Posts: 7,220 ✭✭
    Charmy, I know you thought you were in HEAVEN, but this is actually just an airplane! image

    image
    WANTED: Cincinnati Reds TEAM Cards
  • relicsncoinsrelicsncoins Posts: 7,833 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice report. I like 3 card poker. It's kind of addicting.
    Need a Barber Half with ANACS photo certificate. If you have one for sale please PM me. Current Ebay auctions
  • YogiBerraFanYogiBerraFan Posts: 2,390 ✭✭
    Sounds like you had a great time. Thanks for sharing.
  • UNLVinoUNLVino Posts: 416
    I wanted to swing by but couldn't get out of the office. Also I try to avoid the strip as it gets crazy. I'll have to visit my B&M to see what he picked up! For those visiting Sahara Coins has a large selection, American Coin Express has good deals and Fantastick indoor swap meet has a couple locals with neat stuff.
  • mustanggtmustanggt Posts: 2,621 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Looks like a good time....
  • Dave99BDave99B Posts: 8,331 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Dang, I'm green with envy.

    Gambling, sun, and rare coins. For a guy from Seattle, that's nirvana.....

    Dave
    Always looking for original, better date VF20-VF35 Barber quarters and halves, and a quality beer.
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great pictures and interesting show... Any good wines this trip??? image Cheers, RickO
  • WTCGWTCG Posts: 8,940 ✭✭✭
    I was there Wednesday myself. Too bad I missed Charmy.
    Follow me on Twitter @wtcgroup
    Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
  • goldengolden Posts: 9,017 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Are the bourse aisles really as small as they look?
  • WTCGWTCG Posts: 8,940 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Are the bourse aisles really as small as they look? >>



    That isn't an aisle. That's the space between the front and backup tables. There are no aisles at these events.
    Follow me on Twitter @wtcgroup
    Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
  • DorkGirlDorkGirl Posts: 9,994 ✭✭✭
    Thanks for sharing!!
    Becky
  • SanctionIISanctionII Posts: 11,660 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Sounds like you are having a lot of fun Charmy. Congrats to you. Must be nice to not haul the usual stuff you haul to shows and sit behind a table.

    The last time I was in Vegas was when the Excalibur was newly opened [in the early 1990's, almost 20 years ago]. I flew into town, spent the night and the next morning drove to St. George, Utah to attend and take a deposition in a lawsuit I was handling. I did win some money the evening I was in Vegas. My trips to Nevada for fun and gambling are to Reno-Tahoe since that is much closer to home than Sin City.
  • EagleEyeEagleEye Posts: 7,676 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Ran into Coinguy1 at the show and he said if you want to be famous, just follow Charmy around.

    here are some of my pics.

    #1 I stayed the Luxor staring at the Sphinx's butt.

    image

    #2 I shot this going up the escalator. It looked like the escalator to heaven!

    image

    #3 This is my card holder.

    image


    No pics of people or purchases. Sorry Coinguy1.
    Rick Snow, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, Inc.Check out my new web site:
  • dizzyfoxxdizzyfoxx Posts: 9,823 ✭✭✭
    Diana at PCGS is a beautiful gal! image
    image...There's always time for coin collecting. image
  • lusterloverlusterlover Posts: 1,256 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>
    And here are some pretty newps I bought!
    image >>



    Love to see some closer pics of the 24-S. One of the more underrated dates in the series and hard to find with luster, color and a good strike. You rarely see these in higher grades in someone's inventory.
  • ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Well, I just got back home, it was a fun weekend, and the PCGS show seemed like a huge success, at least it was worthwhile for me. And it was nice to see Mark/CoinGuy at the show, as well as several other familiar dealer faces. Besides dealers, I didn't see very many forum members, but like I said, it's an intimate show and I was only around for a couple hours.

    Any way, here are some photos I took at the airport - McCarren has a couple interesting "exhibits" that I have walked by many times and this time for some reason they caught my eye, so I stopped and looked a little more closely.

    image

    image

    And of course, here's me at the airport bar having my customary pre-flight beverage (this time it was a refreshing margarita)!
    image

    In response to some of the comments:

    Dave, you are right, gambling in Las Vegas + Coin Show with pretty copper + beautiful sunny weather = nirvana!

    Ricko, I had some wine, but nothing to speak of really because at the gaming tables you have to take whatever kind of house wine they have and I prefer to wait for better quality wine, so I was mostly drinking Guinness.

    Wei, sorry I missed you - but I'll see you in a couple weeks in Long Beach. Hope you were able to pick up some good coins too.

    Golden, as Wei said, there really aren't aisles, there are tables of dealers along the two outer side walls and then a group of dealers in the middle, maybe about 20 dealers in all, but there is certainly plenty of room between the middle section and the dealers along the walls. There is also a group of round tables and chairs at the back of the room where I was taking photos. In spite of how it may appear in the photos, there is no crowding probably whatsoever.

    Dizzy, I agree Diana at PCGS is a beautiful, sweet, personable, and very helpful young lady, that's for sure.

    Lusterlover, you are not alone in inquiring about the 1924-S - I've received some pm's about that coin and yes I agree it is a very tough coin to find in high grades, probably even harder than the 1924-D, and I'm very pleased to have found this one. I will have Todd take photos of it when I see him in Long Beach.
    Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®
  • AuroraBorealisAuroraBorealis Posts: 3,591 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Cool report PL...Thanks

    ABimage
  • ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    So the next PCGS show will be in July - I'm planning on going, hope some of you can make it too. Here are the details:

    Show Details:
    When - Wednesday-Saturday, July 20-23, 2011
    Where - The Venetian, Lido Room # 3105
    Attendees - PCGS Collectors Club Members & PCGS Authorized Dealers
    If you are not a current Collectors Club Member, you can join prior to or at the show to gain access.

    Show Hours -
    Wednesday, July 20: PCGS and Dealer Setup - Starts at 9 a.m.
    Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, July 20 - 22: Doors open to Collectors Club Members from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
    Saturday, July 23: Doors open for pickup only (no new submissions) 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

    Submissions - PCGS will be offering on-site grading for all show attendees. Take-home submissions will also be accepted.

    Special Guest Speakers: Lido Room #3103 (Subject to change)
    Thursday, July 21 at 2 p.m.
    David Hall: Market Thoughts & Observations
    Friday, July 22 at 2 p.m.
    Don Willis: PCGS's Website: Demonstration & Discussion

    Members Only Show Grading Specials:
    Show Walkthrough (both Standard and Secure Plus services) will be 20% off the regular price.

    Breakfast and lunch will be served Thursday and Friday.

    Hotel Accommodations:
    The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino
    3325 Las Vegas Blvd. South
    Las Vegas, NV 89109
    (866) 659-9659
    Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®
  • WaterSportWaterSport Posts: 6,696 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Charmy, you going to the Van Nuys show Tomorrow (Sunday 5/22) ???

    WS
    Proud recipient of the coveted PCGS Forum "You Suck" Award Thursday July 19, 2007 11:33 PM and December 30th, 2011 at 8:50 PM.
  • ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Charmy, you going to the Van Nuys show Tomorrow (Sunday 5/22) ???

    WS >>



    Sorry, no I won't be there. I'm pooped, and now I have a lot of work to do loading a zillion of Todd's photos onto my website (Todd was a busy beaver these past few days!).
    Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®
  • EagleEyeEagleEye Posts: 7,676 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great report. Thanks for posting.
    Rick Snow, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, Inc.Check out my new web site:
  • 123cents123cents Posts: 7,178 ✭✭✭
    Great report and love the photos!
    image
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks for the update Charmy.... better luck next time on the red wine. (Try some Opus, 2000).....Cheers, RickO
  • ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Thanks for the update Charmy.... better luck next time on the red wine. (Try some Opus, 2000).....Cheers, RickO >>



    Thanks Ricko, that Opus would put a large dent in my coin AND gambling funds - but it just may be worth it!

    And thanks Rick, how did you do in that last tournament?
    Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®
  • coindudeonebaycoindudeonebay Posts: 1,735 ✭✭✭
    Charmy, you always have the best show reports. But... you neglected your ATS fans! image
  • UNLVinoUNLVino Posts: 416


    << <i>Thanks for the update Charmy.... better luck next time on the red wine. (Try some Opus, 2000).....Cheers, RickO >>



    That's good stuff! Got me a nice bottle of 74 Heirs Cellar bottle 743 of 52,125 made. It's prime age and I'm busting it open on my anniversary!
  • UNLVinoUNLVino Posts: 416
    HEITZ Cellar darn autocorrect!
  • ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Charmy, you always have the best show reports. But... you neglected your ATS fans! image >>



    I know I haven't been posting ATS lately and I actually started to post this report there yesterday but then I thought it was a little "inappropriate" to post a PCGS show report on an NGC forum. image I promise to post my next Long Beach show report over there.

    UNLvino, I haven't heard of or tried any Heitz cellar but it sounds very special - and a anniversary is a perfect time to open such a treat. Be sure to let us know how it tastes!
    Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®
  • COALPORTERCOALPORTER Posts: 2,900 ✭✭
    "I promise to post my next Long Beach show report over there."

    Isn't that kind of a PCGS show too? (at least CLCT) image

  • CoinJunkieCoinJunkie Posts: 8,772 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>"I promise to post my next Long Beach show report over there."

    Isn't that kind of a PCGS show too? (at least CLCT) image >>


    At least NGC sets up there...
  • ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>"I promise to post my next Long Beach show report over there."

    Isn't that kind of a PCGS show too? (at least CLCT) image >>


    At least NGC sets up there... >>



    But the Long Beach show is not a PCGS/Collectors Universe "Members Only" show.
    Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®
  • coindudeonebaycoindudeonebay Posts: 1,735 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I know I haven't been posting ATS lately and I actually started to post this report there yesterday but then I thought it was a little "inappropriate" to post a PCGS show report on an NGC forum. image I promise to post my next Long Beach show report over there.

    UNLvino, I haven't heard of or tried any Heitz cellar but it sounds very special - and a anniversary is a perfect time to open such a treat. Be sure to let us know how it tastes! >>

    Honestly, I'm sure no one would have minded.
  • ColoradoCoinGuyColoradoCoinGuy Posts: 172 ✭✭✭
    Charmy,

    Thanks for the Vegas report and also for the reports from EAC in Portland.

    Thanks again for the three Indians I picked up from you in Portland,
    and see you again at Summer Seminar!

    Member of LSCC, EAC, Fly-In Club, BCCS
    Life member of ANA
  • WTCGWTCG Posts: 8,940 ✭✭✭


    << <i>UNLvino, I haven't heard of or tried any Heitz cellar but it sounds very special - and a anniversary is a perfect time to open such a treat. Be sure to let us know how it tastes! >>



    Heitz Cellars is very well known (they were a participant in the 1976 Judgement of Paris) and on the whole their reds are fairly good. Just say so and I'll bring you a (recent vintage) bottle sometime during Long Beach.
    Follow me on Twitter @wtcgroup
    Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
  • thisnamztakenthisnamztaken Posts: 4,101 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks for sharing...great patina on that fountain sculpture! image
    I never thought that growing old would happen so fast.
    - Jim
  • ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>UNLvino, I haven't heard of or tried any Heitz cellar but it sounds very special - and a anniversary is a perfect time to open such a treat. Be sure to let us know how it tastes! >>



    Heitz Cellars is very well known (they were a participant in the 1976 Judgement of Paris) and on the whole their reds are fairly good. Just say so and I'll bring you a (recent vintage) bottle sometime during Long Beach. >>



    Wei: "SO"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®

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