First Coin Show ..... Check Me Here!

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Author	Replies: 16 / Views: 4,062	Page: of 2
nickelsearcher Moderator United States 15394 Posts	Posted 03/04/2010 9:09 pm Fair warning friends ..... this might be a long post! Despite all my nickel searching posts .... I am a newbie to coin shows and will be attending my first ever this weekend .... the Whitman Coin & Collectible show at the Baltimore, MD Convention Center. This appears to be a big show ..... four days with hundreds of dealers. Could be very easy for a newbie to be overwhelmed. Sooooo .... I've paid attention to all the advise I've seen on this great forum ..... and have a 'plan' for the show ...... help me if you will with what I missed: Planning for Success I have written down my purchase goals on a piece of paper. Separated them into three categories; Supplies, New Coins and Trade. Under each category I have specific items identified .... i.e., 20 new square tubes for nickels, 1936-S Bay Bridge PCGS MS65+, 1924 or later SLQ VF20+, etc. My list is very specific ...... I am currently collecting Classic US Silver Commemorative and starting a Standing Liberty quarter (SLQ) collection ..... that is all I plan (hope) to pay attention to. I plan (hope) to make it through the show with a focus on the things I want ..... and not becoming distracted by all the other lovely wonderful things I might wish to have. Resources to Help Me Well ..... you folks at the CCF are the best resource, but I can't take you with me! I will have in my shoulder bag the following: My list of needs mentioned above. Today's (3/04/2010) Numismedia price guides for the coins I am after ..... Classic US Silver Commemorative and Standing Liberty quarters (SLQ) ...... I realize they are only a guide but they do offer a top limit. My Internet photo-grade samples of SLQ grades ..... wish I had better knowledge so I will tread very carefully here. My 2x magnifier Cash, Credit or Trade? I'm a working guy with a .... well .... limited budget to acquire new coins ..... I dumped my change jar today and ended up with some significant cash ..... $1500. I will also have with me two coins that I think should have trade value ... 1920 Pilgrim Half Dollar PCGS MS64. ($130+-) 2001 Chinese Panda 1 oz Gold (Bullion +-) My budget will expire well before my thirst for the coins will ....... but I intend (hope) to maintain some discipline at this first show and come home with a few of my targeted coins/supplies. What do you experts think ...... what am I missing here? Many Thanks David Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art Edited by nickelsearcher 03/04/2010 9:14 pm Report this Post to the Staff

ronpacheco4 New Member United States 41 Posts	Posted 03/04/2010 9:45 pm looks like your well armed.one word of advice.make sure its coins you really want.there ate always other coin shows Report this Post to the Staff
Halfwitty Pillar of the Community United States 1523 Posts	Posted 03/04/2010 9:50 pm Well nickel,you are much more prepared than I ever am.I would hold of on the trade thing unless you really need it as you know you probably won't get a good deal there.You know how dealers are! Hahahaha Report this Post to the Staff
JimR Pillar of the Community United States 1490 Posts	Posted 03/04/2010 10:09 pm I am not sure without looking up what the Bay bridge will cost you but with $1,500.00 I would have a VF-XF 27-S SLQ on my radar. If you don't get what you want out of the trade I may be interested in your Pilgrim Commem. That is one that I want for my Dansco. Report this Post to the Staff
CheetahCats Pillar of the Community United States 731 Posts	Posted 03/04/2010 11:58 pm Good luck NickelSearcher! I may be going too, since I'll already be down in the DC/Balt area for the Alexandria show. Friendly FYI for anyone who's going to the show... Balt Area Tolls: - Coming from eastern shore on Rt.50, $2.50 each way on Chesapeake Bay Bridge towards Baltimore. - Coming from the south, I-95 no tolls. - Coming from the north, I-895 or I-95, either Balt tunnels (BHT or FMT) are 2 bucks each way. - Coming via I-695, FSK bridge is 2 bucks each way. Smaller coin show in NoVA / DC - Alexandria Saturday too. About 50 miles south on I-95 from Balt to just over W-Wilson bridge. Report this Post to the Staff
John1 Moderator United States 56855 Posts	Posted 03/05/2010 07:55 am Well David, The only thing I see that I would change is your magnifier. I think a 2x is not enough. I would use a 5x and a 10x loupe before I buy any coin.IMHO John1 Report this Post to the Staff
Tim Stroud Pillar of the Community United States 2661 Posts	Posted 03/05/2010 08:25 am Get your supplies first. Then start looking at the coins and be sure to shop your trades/sells around as well as the coins you are looking to buy. I went to a show last year where prices varied from dealer to dealer as much as 50%. But most of all have fun! And one more thing......don't forget to hit the bargain bins, they could contain some hidden gems. Report this Post to the Staff
afcop13 Pillar of the Community United States 1409 Posts	Posted 03/05/2010 09:31 am I agree with 1st improving your magnifier before buying any coins. Make sure you have sound guidance/knowledge on the SLQ grades, and buy slabbed if possible. Having $1500 cash and another $1200+ in trade will help you acquire some nice coins. I'd make some notes on what tables have certain coins you are after, and do some good price shopping, don't be afraid to negotiate prices, etc. You'll kick yourself if you buy the first VF 1927S SLQ you find, and then 2 hours later come across it 10% cheaper in the same grade, or the same price in a better grade. Good luck and have fun! Report this Post to the Staff
The_Duke Pillar of the Community United States 1745 Posts	Posted 03/05/2010 09:39 am With all that cash, you can pick up a 10x Triplet at the show and be good to go for many years. Have fun! Report this Post to the Staff
steve199 Pillar of the Community United States 1882 Posts	Posted 03/05/2010 10:25 am I agree on getting a 10x loupe. Having (and sticking to) a wish list is great. However, a show is a great place to look at coins you don't intend to purchase right now. Looking at slabbed coins in a series you aren't familiar with is a great learning experience. If you don't want feel like you are imposing, you can do that at a table where you are going to make a purchase. Report this Post to the Staff
just carl Bedrock of the Community United States 20753 Posts	Posted 03/05/2010 11:36 am I don't agree with the 10X magnifier unless your planning on really sitting in one spot checking every little thing about every coin. You could end up being at the show for the full 4 days. My suggestions are as follows: 1. Keep all money or wallet in a front pocket 2. Do not take a back back. In some places they actually tell people with them to either leave or get rid of the thing. Bumps people in crowded places. 3. If you must carry and/or use a credit/debit card or personal check. Make sure when you produce it, no one is standing behind you with a camera phone. 4. Constantly check your pockets for your wallet and/or money 5. Bring a plastic bag for any coins you purchase so you don't have to put them in a pocket loose. 6. Try to notice if anyone is wandering around you a lot. If you see the same person constantly, try a trip to the washroom. If followed mention it to a security person. 7. Every time your bumped, recheck your money and/or wallet regardless of where it is. Note some are so good they can not only take your wallet, but put a blank one in it's place. 8. Never purchase the coins from the first dealer you look at unless it's the deal of a lifetime. Walk around for a while first. 9. Bring a list of what you want, a separate list of what you rea;;u meed amd one for what you'ld like to have. 10. Make sure you know the approximate values of the coins you plan on purchasing. 11. When leaving that show, double check to see if anyone is leaving the same time as you. If so, step back inside to see if they do the same. 12. When you get to your car, look to see if anyone pulls out when you do and stays with you in their car. If so, try pulling into a gas station to see if they do the same. Have fun and don't buy up everything. Report this Post to the Staff
nickelsearcher Moderator United States 15394 Posts	Posted 03/05/2010 7:47 pm Thanks for all the great words of wisdom! My primary focus is on picking up a few new MS65+ silver commemorative .... but the SLQ series is calling my name so I'll use the opportunity tomorrow to learn a lot more about them by seeing live many examples. I will spend some time just looking at the other coins ...... start to learn the series and see what might be in my future. As far as physical security for my coins/wallet/cash ..... appreciate the good advise but I have that worry whipped. Short story in case it helps anyone else out there .... I travel Internationally on occasion for my job .... and learned long ago about the pickpockets out there. Trust me ..... losing your passport and cash in a foreign country is not recommended. Anyways ..... the absolute safest thing out there is a 'travel safe' .... sort of a safe that you wear around your waste. Mine is made of Kevlar fiber with steel webbing and double locking clasps. It would take a minimum of 30 seconds to break into the thing ..... and there is no way it could be done at all without my noticing. My coins (trade and new), cash and wallet will be inside the 'safe'. Might be a good idea to check one out if you find yourself at public shows with valuable coins/cash in your possession. I'll post a link to mine ...... I'm not advertising for them .... just a good safe feeling to have one like this: http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.ph...etail&id=134 I'll keep you posted on what follows me home. David Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art Report this Post to the Staff
just carl Bedrock of the Community United States 20753 Posts	Posted 03/06/2010 8:10 pm That being followed home is really popular in some areas. I always attempt to find a police station in the area of a coin show. When leaving it I suspect being followed, I head right for that station, pull up, try to find a cop and just ask for directions. This ploy gives me time to see if the possible follower is really following. There have been a few really nasty robberies of coins during stop in a restaurant. Also, some homes too. Report this Post to the Staff
coinundrum Valued Member United States 60 Posts	Posted 03/08/2010 8:47 pm I "third" the 10X loupe suggestion. There are even some out there that have a built in battery powered LED light. I love mine...it really helps in environments where lighting is less than desirable. Report this Post to the Staff
nickelsearcher Moderator United States 15394 Posts	Posted 03/08/2010 8:58 pm OK ..... I went to the show ..... and I purchased ..... well ... A 10x lighted loupe. Also bought "Grading Coins by Photographs" by Q. David Bowers ..... and 20 plastic nickel tubes. Did not purchase a single coin ..... tell the truth .... I was way overwhelmed by the number of dealers and stuff going on at the show. Maybe I need to find a smaller show ..... this was a good experience for me but I was way over my head in terms of knowledge to buy anything. Sooooo .... my money came home with me and I'll try it again when I am ready. Thanks for all the kind advise. David Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 187702 Posts	Posted 03/09/2010 10:52 am Besides some supplies, you came away with the experience. Time well spent in my opinion. Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
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