First Major Coin Show- World's Fair Of Money- Updated!

When I went to the midamerica coin expo last month, I was also in search of Trade dollars. I don't know how it will be in Milwaukee, but it might be similar since Milwaukee is about 2-3 hours away from Rosemont. They had a lot of high priced Trade dollars going in the $2000+. They had some lower grade ones going for $650-$1000, but in my opinion they weren't worth the price because they lacked eye appeal. A lot of dealers told me that a lot of people were looking for them, so maybe some got bought before I got there? That being said, I would go as early as possible in order to find something that's descent in looks and eye appeal. Good Luck!

This convention is supposed to have some really cool exhibits, enough to almost get me to buy a plane ticket. You can get yourself some $100,000 gold certificates, or maybe pick up the $1,000,000 face value, 100 kg Canadian gold coin. There are many private collections on display, and exhibits from the Smithsonian, and the mints of several countries. https://www.money.org

I like to get there right when they open, then go around to all the tables and make notes of the ones I want to return to to take a closer look. Some items go really quick, so if there is something I really wanted that is marked close to what I wanted to pay I will stop and take a look. I did get to a show late once and every time I told them what I was looking for they would tell me they had them but sold early.

Thanks to all for the tips! I'll take pics of whatever I pick up and share them here. I need to check my type set to see what I am missing, but I am always looking for early large cents. I'm a big fan of Walkers, too. My father-in-law said he'll be looking for Trade dollars, and maybe some gold.

I didn't see anyone saying one important fact about going to shows.

Ask, "Did you buy anything today that I could look at?"

One time at an antique show a dealer pulled out a whole box full of various stuff he had recently bought.

"Haven't had time to go through it, interested in anything?"
A man picked out Morgan, paid $50 for it.
After the man walked away the dealer quietly said, "I guess I got the rest of these for free."

Awhile later I caught up with the buyer who explained to me what an important Morgan it was. Sorry, can't remember the date but he said that wasn't what was important. It was then explained to me for the first time what a VAM was.

I've never been to that coin show but I do go to about 2 to 4 coin shows a month. Here is my suggestions which is pretty much the same as already posted.
Make sure you have a preferred list of what you want.
Check prices of what you would like with as many sources as possible. Examples are ebay, PCGS web site, Red Book, Grey Sheet, etc. Make a list with the highest and lowest price per coin.
Only take the amount of money you can REALLY afford to spend. Do not take credit cards or a check book unless you don't leave home without them anyway.
Always walk around the place prior to buying anything. Nothing hurts more than buying a coin for XXXX and then finding it a few tables over for XXX.
Remember this. The larger the coin show, the more out of town dealers will be there. They have to usually stay at a hotel or motel. They eat out for most meals. They had to pay for transportation to get there. All these expenses are tagged on to the coin prices. Then such larger shows have entrance fees and parking fees which is one more expense for you. Example was the MidAmerica Show here with $5 to get in and $11 to park each day.
Someday you'll have to try the many free entrance, free parking coin shows in the Illinois area.

August 8-12

Midwest Airlines Center
400 West Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53203