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 Replies: 10 / Views: 2,253 |
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Valued Member
United States
424 Posts |
I've been itchin' to go to a coin show for a while now and was thinking about going to Long beach in a few weeks. I found a local monthly show that will be held two weeks before Long Beach and was thinking maybe I should go to one or two of the smaller shows then go to Long Beach for the September show.
I'm afraid that if I go to Long Beach first I'll be overwhelmed by the size of it, but if I go to the local show I'll spend my money there and won't have much in case I find something I just have to have in LB.
I live about 15 miles from both shows, so travel won't be a problem.
What would you do if you were in my place?
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
I'd save the money for Long Beach. It'll be a MUCH better show by far
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Even I know of the Long Beach Coin Show, and I live in Sydney! Much more to look at, but you will need more time.
You may have to limit yourself to a budget. I use cash only to achieve that. Leave my debit card at home, never ever had a credit card.
Good if you can get there and home in a day, to avoid accommodation costs.
I have honestly thought about Long Beach, but the return air fare discourages me somewhat. I would make a three day trip out of it otherwise! 24 (return) hours in the air, but I know how to sleep on an aircraft.
I always leave my car at home for major coin shows, and use public transport; saves parking and fuel costs. With my Seniors Public Transport Card, it costs me a maximum of $2.50 per day, making public transport a 'no brainer'. Card works within the outer urban areas of most Australian cities.
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Quote:
. I would make a three day trip out of it otherwise! 24 (return) hours in the air, but I know how to sleep on an aircraft. The air time is much shorter. The time zone change makes it about that long. I've done the Sydney to LA flight a few times. If you like Sydney I think you'd really enjoy LA |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1316 Posts |
If your collection is heavy on Morgan's with a dabbling of other Classic US stuff, I'm sure you will find some fun at the local shows. If you need a larger volume of variety to hunt for your collection, focus your budget on getting to Long Beach.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
I've said this many times. The larger the show, the more you'll pay for coins. Usually smaller shows are free to get in and usually parking is free. At one by me there is usually coffee and donuts but kind of a donation of some sorts is needed for that. For Mother's day, coffee and donuts were free. Smaller shows are usually with local dealers so you can get to know them. At large shows dealers come from all over so they know they will never see you again so why give you a break in prices. Stick to the smaller shows.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
I am much better off at the largest shows, because my collecting interests cover virtually the whole of numismatics. The wider your collecting interests, the more bargain opportunities you are likely to find. To support this approach however, decades of experience is the most valuable asset you can have. Nevertheless, I always get to feel like a kid in a candy shop.  |
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
What would I do? Sell my car and go to ALL of them  Bigger shows, bigger coins, bigger budget. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3184 Posts |
Go to both and take some pictures and post it here!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1801 Posts |
I vote go to both. Smaller shows are more intimate in the sense of more opportunity to talk to the dealers but will be a much smaller selection of coins. I disagree with Just Carl about paying more at larger shows, I go to small local shows a couple times a year and I go to a major show (Long Beach, Fun Show or ANA World of Money) once a year and some of my best buys have been at the big shows. By all means go to the Long Beach Show, you will get to see amazing coins. When I went to my first Long Beach Show many years ago (like 40 or so) it was an eye opening experience. I learned a few interesting things I never would have known if I just stuck to small shows. The two things that still stick out from that first big show were 1. Gold coins are expensive but not necessarily rare (there were dealers with hundreds of 5, 10 and 20 dollar US coins stacked up in their display cases) and 2. silver dollars as a whole were really common (dealers there were selling uncirculated rolls of them). Of course this all predated the TPG craze so everything was raw except for the Redfield Dollars and GSA CC Dollars which were in their respective plastic containers. The hobby has changed dramatically since then but I still get surprised by something new every time I go to a really large show. On a side note, if dealer "Tom Reynolds" is there, be sure to go view his display cases of Early Copper but take a towel so you don't drool all over the glass. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2910 Posts |
I'd do both just to get a feel for it. I've been to the Long Beach show a few times, and it was VERY overwhelming for me the first time.
CRH Nickeloholic. 1,600,000 nickels searched in eight years! Have found FOUR complete Jefferson sets!
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Replies: 10 / Views: 2,253 |
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Posted 05/20/2018 03:36 am
