My First Coin Show This Sunday!

17 vendors sounds like a pretty small show. Take your time looking at coins, chat with as many dealers as you can, don't jump on the first things you see, there will be more I promise (there always is). Have you read Coin Show etiquette? Read through these threads:

https://goccf.com/t/132743

https://goccf.com/t/154903


Don't forget a loupe or magnifier! Jot down a small list of stuff you are interested in, a coin show can get overwhelming to some first timers. Also jot down the grades and prices you might be willing to pay for each piece. Take a few coins of your own that you might want to trade or sell, or even just to show off or get opinions from dealers as to grade, authenticity, etc. Most importantly Have FUN!

A fun thing to look for is old coins in junk bins, like anything below. I found one from 1723 for 10 or 20 cents (old for me is anything below the 1920s).

westcoin nailed most of the things necessary for a 'good' visit to a show.

I would add that you should make sure you budget enough time into your visit. Don't expect to find everything you're looking for in 15-20 minutes; prepare to spend at least an hour or more for a good search. Sometimes you can get better deals towards the end of a show if a dealer hasn't done well so far, but there will also be dealers who have made their money by then and don't need to 'deal'.

Also, though it sounds contradictory, make your want list as concise as possible with the most information as possible. DON'T bring a 3-ring binder with 20 pages of lists to go through. A small notebook (4" x 6" or so) will work out much better as normally there will not be much room for you to 'lay out' your lists.

I bring a small satchel that I wear off my shoulder to keep coins I buy in. If you need to buy any bulk items (books, albums, pages, etc.), save buying those for last or take them out to your car and come back in to the show. Carrying around large bags can be annoying for both the dealers and you.

Lastly (actually this should be first on the list), be polite. Being gruff will not get you better treatment from dealers. Things like "please", thank-you", and "would you mind.." go a long way to make transactions better. Also, though most dealers are friendly and helpful and willing to chat if they are not busy, there might be one or two having a bad day who might put you off. Don't escalate it; just move on.

And as said before, HAVE FUN! Even if you don't find a thing you're looking for the things you learn will come in handy down the road. Sometimes I look at things I have no intention of buying, like paper money or foreign coins, just for the knowledge value.

- Have fun.
- Take your time.
- develop a plan and stick to it, but I usually throw out my plan after I see the first shiny object.
- Have a budget and don't spend more than you can afford
- Be polite and cheerful.
- I like to rummage through the junk bins (this would not be on my plan)
- Get to know the dealers. If it is a small show, chances are you will be seeing them again.

Let us know how it goes.

Don't be afraid to dicker with them on prices, that's half the fun !

If you do not know the prices on things, may I suggest getting a Red Book while you are at the show. Be sure to bring a loupe a magnifying glass ( I use a a 5X and it works great). Be sure to haggle with the dealers about the price (this is my favorite part) and hit as many dealers as you can (my coin shows have about 100+ dealers so this is impossible for me) As mentioned before have fun!

I didn't have a book, and my internet wasn't working on my phone. I used it as mostly a learning experience and made some good friends. I bought a few items, and 1980 proof set for $5, and a 1990 proof set for $5. I also got a 1942 1 reichphenning coin for a buck and some change, 100 coin flips for $3


BUT!

The best deal of all Is the coin a won from the raffle! I'll get a video and some pics up soon. :)
(yeah, you can handle the suspense :P)