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 Replies: 27 / Views: 3,313 |
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Valued Member
United States
337 Posts |
I'm attending my first coin show this weekend. I learned about it last month but by the time I arrived it was closing up.
There were maybe a dozen people with albums and boxes of coins that I saw.
Now, I'm planning on going at the opening this month.
What should I expect at a coin show? Do you spend a long time flipping through all their inventory or do you come prepared with a want list?
Do you bring your loupe/magnifier to look at the coins?
Any sage advice is appreciated!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3193 Posts |
I went to my first one last month. It was at a show with 220 dealers. I was amazed, confused, overwhelmed... But it was so cool! I said to my wife afterwards that the next show I go to I'll have a list of what I'm looking for. There was so much to look at and the experience was truly amazing. The dealers were all friendly and accomodating and most importantly, patient with me as I had a boat load of questions. The one thing I made sure was that I always held my hands above the table so they could see what I was doing and how I was looking at the coin. I didn't have a bag or anything that might have made them nervous and I really believed it put them more at ease which also facilitated the answering of my questions easier. Having a list the next time will allow me to focus in on what I really want most and allow me to spend my money wisely on the items that would mean the most to me. At this show I walked out with two BU Morgans, and 1858 Flying Eagle cent and an unopened 1960 proof set. A really great time was had, even my wife, who doesn't collect, had a good time as the dealers were very friendly. Most important note, have a good time! Good luck on finding those items you want most. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Take cash only, to the limit that you would like to spend.
I find that is the best way to put the lid on my budget.
If you find a coin that is over your original budget take the dealer's card, and make contact with him in the following days after the show.
I always take a loupe, and a pair of cheap 3X glasses. it can be useful to look at a coin with both eyes.
Keep an open mind and visit every table, and look at all of the stock you may be interested in. If they want to offer an irresistible bargain, just say the truth:
"I have a budget, and I need to have a good look around the whole show". That way, you get to see everything you may be interested in.
Then sit down and have a cup of coffee. Think about the coins you have been interested in, and consider how they will fit into your budget, and into your collection.
Go back to those coins you are interested in, and start negotiating.
Do you take a want list or look through a whole inventory? I do both! A lot of time can be saved by not visiting those dealers that deal in an area of numismatics you are not interested in.
This strategy has worked very well for me for 40 years.
BONUS: You could make new friends at the show, or catch up with friends you have already. Cups of coffee are much better in this situation!
Edited by sel_69l
03/15/2013 10:38 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2543 Posts |
There is an ettiqutte, look through cases and boxes. If the dealer is waiting on someone, be patient, don't interupt. If the dealer asks to show you something in the case. You can look at what you want, but never ask to look at a coin that is out for someone else. And never try to deal for a coin someone else is looking at.It's just bad form.
Other than that, look examine all you want, make offers , deal, and buy. And have fin
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5208 Posts |
Expect to see prices higher than you would find on ebay. But also expect to see some in real life great coins. I was able to gaze upon a 1916 MS65 SLQ at a show and I didn't even bother to ask the price. There is a plus to being able to see the coin in hand vs looking at doctored / enhanced pictres of coins on ebay. |
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Best piece of advice is to just set a budget and stick to it.
Whether you specially search for something or just browse and see whats there is really just a personal choice theres no right way to do it.
Personally I like to take a lap around just to see who has what and check a few prices, if theres a dealer there I've had good experiences in the past Ill spend more time there
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2180 Posts |
Quote:
Do you bring your loupe/magnifier to look at the coins? Definitely. Last time I forgot mine I asked dealers to use theirs and the ones they gave me were not every good. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1200 Posts |
I go to my monthly local show (55 vendors on 85 tables) without fail. I get there early and camp out by the door so I'm one of the first few attendees to get in. My show doesn't have prices higher than ebay -- the show prices are definitely better. If show prices were worse than ebay (which I think might well be impossible), I wouldn't waste my time going to the show. And (on a happy note) -- the only tungsten at the show is openly declared as being such, so the forgery/counterfeit/knockoff collecting community can do some shopping too. My biggest problem at the show is that my eyes and wants are bigger than my wallet. I fight that battle every month. I agree with the suggestion above to shop with cash only and to bring with you only the cash that it'd be prudent to spend. In my book, that's mandatory show-going practice. I suspect you'll be surprised by the speed with which your cash disappears. The speed always amazes me, despite my being a prudent, restrained buyer. If the show you're attending is a decent one, look forward to seeing fantasy-quality stuff that you may never be able to afford, or at least will have to save up for a LONG time before buying. Look forward to temptations that will make you ache with the desire to buy, Buy, BUY, BUY and then buy some more. Good luck... |
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Valued Member
United States
331 Posts |
I have a coin show bag that I put together. Then before a show I print out my standard list and make sure the bag has it all. My current list is: glasses, loupe, magnifier, phone, money, business cards (my own), lists of what I already have, want list with price ranges, price guides, pen, paper, and reference material/books. I then add anything that I think I might need for that particular show. I like using my I-pad for some of this stuff but a lot of times paper is quicker.
When looking, you can usually get a quick idea of a dealers specialty or style. Depending on what you collect, that allows you to identify dealers that probably won't have what you are looking for and you can move on. I usually make a pass around to all the tables and make a note when I see something I'm interested in. Then I go back through and if a table is busy I can go to the next on my list and come back. Some shows are so large that it takes a lot of time but for most it works. I also give preference to tables that have prices already marked. I buy a lot of obscure items that may not have much price guidance and I also provide the raffle prizes for my local club so it helps if I know me and the dealer are even in the same ballpark or if he has any noticeable bargains before I take the time to stop, examine a piece, and then haggle a price. What I may think is just a cool thing to have may be a priceless treasure to the dealer.
If you buy something get the dealers card. Before the next show see if there is a website table list of attending dealers and you can highlight the dealers you like and their table location. This will also help if a dealer had something you wanted before but couldn't afford. Also a lot of dealers have the inventory on their website so you can look to see if they have what you want before you see them at the show.
As you can tell, I spend a lot of time looking in glass cases. I much prefer a good show to E-bay. Happy Hunting!
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Valued Member
 United States
337 Posts |
Great advice everyone. Thank you for sharing your experiences. I have cash and I'm ready to find some treasure!
I'll post anything I pick up.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1109 Posts |
Definitely take a loupe. The dealers usually have one and are accomodating, but I hate to be a burden to them and take their tools from them. I find when you are being an inconvenience on them, they are not as likely to make a deal with you. In my experience, coin show prices are better than you'd find nearly anywhere else. I remember one show I went to, this one dealer sold me a BU 1909 VDB cent, a BU 1970-S small date cent, and a couple Susan B. Anthony dollars. When he put it all together, he told me to give him $45 for everything. His original prices were great, but they make deals at checkout! I had the 1970-S small date appraised after the show at $65.00. Just go, don't exactly EXPECT a heart-stopping bargain, but know you can get a good buy if you meet the right dealer with the right inventory and the right attitude. Shop around, get the best coin for the money, learn from the experience, and ENJOY IT! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
I go to about 2 to 4 coin shows a Month. Some are fairly large and some small. No need to get carried away with what to bring. Here are somethings to always think about and remember. 1. No need for anything except a decent, 3X to 6X or even a 7X Magnifyer. Best to get one that you can see the entire coin not one that makes it so you see one tiny number at a time 2. Bring cash. If you absolutely want to take a check or credit card, IF and when using, make sure no one can read what is on them from behind you. Watch out for camera phones. 3. Keep any money in your front pocket. Try not to keep it all in a large bundle so when you pull it out it appears like you have millions. 4. Have a list of what you think you want or need. Pre make that list with approximate prices. 5. NEVER PAY FULL PRICE FOR ANYTHING AT A COIN SHOW. A coin show is basically a flea market for coins. All prices should be and usually are flexible. 6. ALWAYS ask a dealer if that is your lowest price. 7. If it's a decent show, you will find prices are cheaper than any on line place, ebay, coin store, etc. 8. ALWAYS check to see who is leaving when you do. If anyone is leaving when you do, go back inside for a while. 9. Do not take a Red Book with you. At every coin show I've ever been to I think I've only seen a few with those and you can see dealers looking at them as if you have to be kidding. 10. Always go to a coin show to have fun, learn, meet other people, find a few coins for a decent price. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
I agree with all the excellent advice given and I would add -- in addition to a short 'want' list, I think it's fun to have a more frivolous collection going.
My husband and I like coins with trains or critters on them. So if we see something we like and it's cheap, we get it just for fun and it goes into the 'just for fun' notebook.
Anyway, if I'm unable to get any of the coins on my 'want list' I still have fun hunting for a coin with a bird or a train or something.
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Valued Member
United States
337 Posts |
UPDATE on the Coin Show: My children & I woke up early and arrived at the coin show 10 minutes before the show began. The excitement built as we watched several vendors wheel in their cases of treasures. The doors open and we enter to see dealer-to-dealer bargaining already underway.  Do we simply start at the first table & work our way around? Should we look at all the coins to get a feel for what's available in case we find a lost treasure? So many choices it's almost paralyzing.  One table has coins from all non-U.S. countries and U.S. currency. He didn't have any $500 or $1000 bills. Too bad. I want to see one in person. But, my kids each pick up a bag of 25 international coins for a few dollars. The dealer was nice enough to trade me dollar-for-silver dollar so I could teach my kids about its history. Lots of American Silver Eagles, Buffalo nickels, Proof Sets, Morgans, 1/2 cent, large pennies, Presidential dollars, etc. After scanning the tables I returned to one that had a few really nice Braided Hair Large Cents at reasonable prices. After carefully examining each, I decided on one to add to my collection. It was difficult not to buy more but I wanted to be sure I only picked up nice quality coins. That is why I stopped at one. I figured I got lucky. And here is the one I picked up for myself:   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1109 Posts |
Way nicer than either two I own! Nice job!
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Valued Member
United States
337 Posts |
Thank you SkyShark. Like I said, I believe I got lucky. :)
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Replies: 27 / Views: 3,313 |
Posted 03/15/2013 10:31 pm
