Coin Show Stories

My first coin show is gonna be longbeach-2 coming up soon and I might make my biggest coin purchase yet there. I may have a budget of up to the high 4 figures to play with with an ephasis on parking the money with a possibility of making it grow or at least not lose value and I'm debating on one "big" coin at the heritage auction or a few lower priced but still top knotch keys or monsters from dealers.

Is anyone going to longbeach that plays the big boy game on the heritage floor?

What show, the one I'm going to?

Yes...definitely milk the ATM. I have only ever used a card at a show and it was for something unexpected and still paid 1/2 cash, 1/2 card. Besides it helps to have a figure in mind that you won't exceed to get a certain amount of cash $'s. My first show was 25 plus years ago. Went to the FUN show this January in Orlando for the first time. Talk about a kid in a candy store! Make a budget...it's easy to buy too much candy for sure. Walk the entire room before you make your first purchase to get a feel of which sellers have the coins that interest you. Have fun!!

Here's a photo of me. https://goccf.com/t/234359

And I'll be with my husband, too. After 33 years of marriage, a coin show is like 'date night' for us. LOL

Can't remember the first coin show I went to, but it was a very long time ago, more than 40 years.

I do remember a coin show I attended in Manchester, U.K., in 1971. On that occasion I bought an 1853 gold dollar, in AU for (would you believe) one Pound 50 P.
I still have it.

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When attending a coin show, I leave my debit card at home, (I don't have a credit card).
Think of a budget limit for yourself, and take enough cash to cover that.
Really, it's a bit like some people who attend a clothing sale, looking for bargains. It's just the thrill of the hunt trying to find those bargains!
Same at a coin show for me!

My standard approach:
Look around the whole of the show, to find what EVERYBODY is offering. Then sit down and have a cup of coffee, perhaps have something to eat, and consider what you have seen.
Go back to those coins which have taken your fancy and negotiate to purchase of those.

Be very friendly with everyone you meet. You have the potential to start some very interesting numismatic friendships!
I live in Sydney. I have even talked to CCF members, visiting from the 'States! You can pick out their accents a mile away, from the standard Aussie accent!
I guess that may have been similar for me, way back in 1971, in the U.K.; I was living and working there for two years.

On second thought:

It's a monthly event, I'll be going there a lot now

Nice show but rather small. Still some good deals there. Second Suday of every Month is the one in Countryside, Il. Then on the third Sunday is Itasca. Country side has been getting smaller lately but still about 60+ dealers. Some dealers will take checks but usually not. Look for a dealer with about 3 tables named Robert Giffiths. Abit expensive but easily chewed down on prices. And you can spend some time talking to him if you want. Shows usually start about 9AM but you'll see people there much earlier. Don't take a Red Book. To much weight and no one sells for the prices listed there. If in doubt about a coin, just go and ask that guy Griffiths. He is expensive but trustworthy. At all of the coin shows the parking is free, admittance is free except Rosemont. That one the parking alone will take all your money.
See you at the show.