| Author |
 Replies: 7 / Views: 1,012 |
|
|
Valued Member
United States
383 Posts |
I decided to go to my first coin show this past Sunday in Melville, Long Island. I got up early and left the wife in bed. The kids were sleeping over my sister-in-law's.
As we're getting close to completing our Whitman coin folders of the modern coins (cents, nickels, dimes and quarters), the kids and I needed something new to start.
I get there and it's exactly as expected: I was just about the youngest person there at 33.
Not knowing anything at all, I decided to rummage through some dealers' bargain boxes. I saw some V Nickles. I had no idea what they were, so I asked the guy what they were. He said they were Barbers or something likes that. I've never heard of them but he was busy talking with someone else, so I just went with it. At $1 each I figured I can't go wrong. I grabbed 1900, 01, 02, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09 and 10. $8...done.
I stopped at another dealers table and showed him what I got and asked if he had the 03 and 04 that I now needed to complete this mini-run I had. He didn't, but pointed my towards another dealer and said that she would have them.
I went over and explained that I'm a complete newbie and what I had. She had the other 2. $1.50 each. So for $11 I got 10 cool coins.
She spent about 10 minutes talking to me about various things coin related. I couldn't believe how nice everyone was and how helpful.
She told me to bring the kids with me next time and bring my list of what I need to finish our folders. She said she's got a bargain box that she'll bring next time for the kids to root through with cool stuff that will catch their eye.
Very positive experience and I think the kids will have a blast when I take them.
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1882 Posts |
Edited by steve199
12/16/2008 1:56 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1882 Posts |
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Coin shows are really a great place to learn. One thing you should look into is purchasing a thing called the Red Book. It is by Whitman Publishing and it is full of information. Largest selling coin book in the world. Next thing is you mentioned coin folders. I would suggest you also look into the purchasing of coin albums. A folder is one where you can only see the front of coins. Coins are pushed into slots. An album is where you can see both sides of coins. This has been discussed many times in the past here so if you do a little searching, you'ld find out much more about those items. Your statement about being the youngest at the show is rather true unfortunately. Mostly due to kids have much more important things to do than play around with a bunch of round metal things. Like playing computer games or watching TV. I go to about 2 to 4 coin shows a month and I too say that about 90% of everyone there as customers is well into the elderly class. Dealers as a rule are middle aged. Probably 90% or more are men. Few, very few women either as dealers or collectors. Keep going and try to get friends of your age to go also. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1840 Posts |
Glad to here that you had a successful outing. I always bring my 6 year-old to coin shows. He automatically gets at least a 10% discount and lot of dealers just give him stuff for free. Bringing more than one child may be asking for trouble though. I'm constantly having to remind my son not to lean on the display cases and to keep coins that he hasn't bought on the table.
|
|
Moderator
 United States
187702 Posts |
I agree with JC on the Red Book and the albums v. folders! Folders are fine to start with; I did, but I eventually moved to albums because the reverse deserves respect as well!  Having a Red Book with you at the coin shows is a great idea. I always take mine with me. Even though I take previously researched notes on what I am specifically looking for, I never know when something else will catch my eye and I need to do some more research! |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1151 Posts |
Quote:
Few, very few women either as dealers or collectors.
This is very true. I recently went to a large show, 200+ dealers, and I think the busiest table was the one with the attractive blonde female dealer behind it. |
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1554 Posts |
 I envie you, my lifetime goal is to go to a major coin show. I'v never been to one but spend many hours of the day dreaming of what it would be like!  Glenn |
| |
Replies: 7 / Views: 1,012 |
|
Posted 12/16/2008 2:06 pm
