My Very Unscientific Coin Show Observations

Hi MikeF
I have similar experience with shows. I am primarily a seller and initially went to shows to find merch to sell. I found that not to be viable (save for the occasional cherry pick), but I still go occasionally to stay up on things and make my self better known in the circles of dealers.

I somewhat agree with the OP, in general shows are not the greatest place to buy. The atmosphere is usually kind of cold, it helps to make a little small talk that is not coin related. The advantage is that there are a lot of dealers, if you don't like one, go to the next. It helps to break the ice by doing something simple, like buying a Red Book, or asking what they charge for common Morgan dollars. It is usually easier to talk with the dealers who specialize in things that interest you, be it proof sets, Lincoln cents, whatever. I have had a little luck such as getting some nice Franklin halves for junk silver prices, but I generally just sell any scrap silver or gold I get from estate sales or Craigslist, say a quick hello to dealers I know, and then leave. I sometimes like taking along a few odd coins to try to sell- Shopping around to SELL coins I no longer want etc. They can't lowball you too much, because you can easily just take it to the next dealer.

MikeF....I am right there with you. I am also a collector under the age of 40 and I could care less about a coin show. I don't like haggling over price, I feel pressured to make a quick decision (which I don' like), and from a numismatic point of view there usually isn't a big selection of what I like (Capped Bust coinage) available at the shows I have been to. What I do see there is so over priced I just keep walking as I don't want to insult the seller.

When purchasing online the pressure is not there. I think my generation really enjoys this. That is why 90% of my collection has came from ebay, GC, Heritage, and other CCF members here. I usually go to the few local small shows just to buy a little silver and be nosey.

I believe coin collecting as a hobby is alive and well. Its just not in your face as much as it use to be years to go. I would expect declining numbers at shows to continue but I would not translate that into a declining number of collectors a all.

I agree. I much prefer the shows. Having a coin in hand makes purchase decisions much easier.

To those of you who are concerned about making an in person offer on a coin, my advise is do it. The seller may or may not accept your offer but they will explain why the didn't if they don't. You'll know right away why your bid was declined if the seller says no which gives you the chance to either walk away or sweeten your offer. Losing an auction on-line always leaves you wondering why.

I don't go to many shows, but I actually like haggling. The coins shows are one of the only retail environments I can go and negotiate a price. I enjoy watching Pawn Stars and American Pickers and I think watching those has made me more comfortable with the idea of negotiating a price.

Also I should note that in no way was I implying that the coin collecting business is dying. Far from it. It was held at an American legion post in Independence Mo. I thought is was busy but I don't have much to compare it to. I would say the parking lot was about 60% full and it was a good-sized parking lot. As far as the crowd was concerned the most notable takeaway was the volume difference between the tables. Some tables were so busy that I couldn't find an opportunity to knife in and ask questions. Others like I said were a ghost town. I now wish I would have been more assertive on the busy tables and found out what they were selling that was in such high demand.