Coin Show Stories

I take cash, and a wantlist.

Definitely scout to see what you need first.

In a previous thread, a CCF member or members suggested making sure you could find the dealer again if he or she had something you were interested in.

There are a lot of shows in northern IL.

There's the West Suburban Coin and Collectible show the second Sunday of every month in Countryside.

Then, beginning August 11 -- The Worlds Fair of Money in Rosemont -- but there is stuff to do there for several days before the convention starts.


Oh yeah, bring cash.

The first show I went to was maybe 5 years ago or something like that. I went with my elementary age son who had just become interested. He was 10 or 11. I seemed like we stopped at every booth, talked to every person and spent the entire day there. My son would be sure to tell everyone it was his first show and that he was just getting started. He spent all his cash, I spent all my cash, people gave him coins. It was such a good experience that I'm afraid to go back to a show again. I know it won't be as good next time.

Go with a shopping list. It's a little overwhelmning the stuff you see that you'll want.

Conder. well spoken. We did this at ANA Chicago 2013.

Hello There
I'm still planning on going to the Palatine show tomorrow.

I hope we get a chance to say 'Hello'/

Not like I will get back that way any time soon, but this is good to know.

Before I moved from suburban Chicago I used to go to the Palatine, Itasca and Countryside shows regularly. Palatine was very small, Itasca was pretty good and Countryside was almost always the best. Palatine could have some great deals however. I bought out an entire "Foreign Coins" junk box for $40 and ended up with a dozen or so small silver coins from Europe and as many silver dimes and quarters from Canada. Altogether there were about 500 or 600 coins, mostly junk of course but several dozen good picks.

Now I am in Arizona and I have gone to the Tempe show a couple times and found some good buys. I suspect it will get busier this winter, everything here slows down for the summer.

I bring only the amount of cash I want to spend, this helps me stop from getting carried away and keeps the wife happy. There are a few dealers here and there that accept credit cards at shows but don't expect much in the way of discounts when they do since they have to pay fees. Some individual sellers have Square devices and will accept plastic as well.

I don't like asking dealers to hold coins for me, since they never know if you will return for it. If they know you as a regular and you just need to hit the ATM that is one thing, but don't ask otherwise.

Know what you want, know how much it is worth to you and don't be afraid to make an offer. Be reasonable and pleasant. The dealers will start to recognize and appreciate your business and start discounting prices without asking. You will have a blast.