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 Replies: 17 / Views: 3,249 |
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New Member
United States
42 Posts |
My girl and I will be going to our first coin show, the Rochester Area Coin Expo on the 26th. I'm really looking forward to it, and putting aside some extra money. I haven't really decided what I'm looking for yet but I have a few ideas, I need to narrow it down a bit (if I spend too much my girl won't be happy :) ).
Any tips or what I should expect?
Anyone else gonna be there? Edited by Zombieswat
09/14/2010 01:33 am
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
What have you been collecting in the past, and how long have you had an interest in coins?
The reason for answering a question with a question is that it will help in advising the rest of us in the CCF on what direction your collecting interests may lead you.
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New Member
 United States
42 Posts |
I got into coins over the summer, so only a few months, but I've learned so much already and still have so much more to learn. I've been collecting all the modern US denominations, mostly through roll hunting. I've mostly completed all the post '65 dimes and quarters, memorial cents, nickels back to about the 50's and State Quarters. I still need most of the older nickels, and lots of wheats. I really like the nickel series the wheat cents and the new ATB Quarters. I also want to start an uncirculated set of halves but that will be a huge undertaking |
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New Member
United States
42 Posts |
Ok just wanted to elaborate on that: my collection so far is folders that I've been filling up from roll hunting, and upgrading as I find them, cents, nickels, dimes, Wash quarters, State Quarters, pres dollars and wheat cents. They're pretty much all full except for the wheats, silver, and old nickels. My next goal is to start danscos for uncirculated sets: wheat and memorial cents, nickels, dimes, wash state and ATB Quarters, Susan Sacagawea and pres dollars, and Franklin Ike and Kennedy halves. Ambitious, I know. It'll be a much longer and more expensive process then just filling folders with the best circulated examples I can find. But it's a long term goal. I feel like the susies sacagaweas and State Quarters would all be pretty cheap and easy to complete, as well as getting current on the ATB and pres dollars. Like I said I need to prioritize and figure out which I want to work on first Edited by Zombieswat
09/14/2010 02:42 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
As a person that attends about 2 to 4 coin shows a Month, I'll give you some of my suggestions.
1. Pening on how crowded that show will be never have a BACK PACK on your back.
A back pack usually bumps everyone in the aisles and gets a lot of people irritated. Also, at many shows a person with one will be asked to either remove it, take it to your car, or just leave.
A pack pack is a place where someone that wants to track you could easily place something on or in it that you wouldn't notice.
2. Do not take a credit or debit card or check book with you. If you feel you must and you attempt to use one, remember how many people today have camera phones. If you use a personal check, make sure you cover personal information while filling it out.
3. It is a good idea to take along a basic listing of what you may want, need, like, etc. You don't have to stick to it but it's good start for something to look for.
4. At the show always take your time, go up and down all the aisles before making a purchase. If you miss out on something, there is always another day.
5. DO NOT PAY THE ASKING PRICE. Probably 99% of all the dealers there have jaked up their prices knowing full well that most collectors will attempt to chew them down. A coin show is basically a flea market only for coins. Dealers raise their prices and sometimes as much as 20% or more. Usually the first thing they tell you is they will drop all prices by about 10% to 15% because A.They like you. B.You look like a nice person. C.The weather is nice so I'll lower my prices. D.I'm trying to lower my inventory.
And all the many, many other reasons they use
6. If you carry a wallet, keep it in your front pocket. Tell anyone with you to do the same.
7. Talk to any dealer that is willing to talk to you. Getting to know dealers will usually help you in the future.
8. When leaving watch carefully for anyone that may look like they are leaving at the same time. Just to be carefull, go back in to see what they do.
9. In the parking lot also watch to see if anyone is leaving when you do. If so, just go back and park somewhere again. If they do also, go back to the show and look for security personal and report that.
10. On the way home go around a block or two a few times to confuse anyone following you.
Pending on where you live security precautions may well be esential. It always pays to be safe, not sorry.
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New Member
United States
42 Posts |
thanks carl, good info
It didn't occur to me that security and the risk of theft, etc could be such an issue at these thing, and I will keep that in mind
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Valued Member
United States
285 Posts |
That is some great advice from Carl. I would agree with making a list! I bring a list of what I am looking for with approximate prices on what I want to pay. This helps me stay focused, as a large show can be very overwhelming. And as Carl said talk to dealers! I have found that almost all dealers love to talk about coins (whether you are just starting out or an advanced collector) and they are much more helpful if you have a smile and they know what you are looking for.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2448 Posts |
Just Carl is right. Is the coin show in Downtown Rochester? If so, remember that it can be a rough place. Last time I stayed there (I can only remember the hotel as The Flag Ship on what used to be Lake Ave) I was besieged by a number of street folks close to the old War Memorial. I have no idea what they call it now. Keep an eye out! I was going to come up this weekend and attend also but there's one in Richmond, VA I wanted to attend. Incidentally, if its at the War Memorial, there used to be a great BBQ place on Court St. I think its Dino's or Dinosaurs; you guys should check it out. Let us know how you did on you coin purchases and how the ribs were.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19948 Posts |
I like #2....cash is KING. Use cash for the best deals.
Bring a current CDN price list that has the coins you're after. ALL dealers respect CDN. Just be aware that exceptional coins will command prices ABOVE CDN. It's only a guide, not a bible.
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Save money to your budget, and take cash. Make sure your wallet is properly secured. That is much easier to appreciate if you have travelled overseas. Take a 10X magnifying glass, a want list, and a small reference book, to use as a guide for values.
If there is some distance to travel, I take my own bottled water and food with me. You are into a captured market and queues if you buy food and drink at the venue. Best to consume most of the food and drink on the way if possible, so you don't have to worry about it at the show! Consider the roads and parking before you leave, I usually use public transport, the problem with that, is that it can take longer.
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New Member
United States
42 Posts |
Quote:
Is the coin show in Downtown Rochester? If so, remember that it can be a rough place. Ya downtown can be a little shady for sure, fortunately this show is at the Double Tree in Hennretta, a commercial suburb of Rochester. Not the nicest part of town, but far from the worst too. Quote:
the old War Memorial. I have no idea what they call it now. The Blue Cross Arena Quote:
there used to be a great BBQ place on Court St. I think its Dino's or Dinosaurs; you guys should check it out. you just mentioned my favorite place to eat. Ever. The Dinosaur BBQ *drool* |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
Posted Yesterday 10:59 am
It didn't occur to me that security and the risk of theft, etc could be such an issue at these thing, and I will keep that in mind
Very Unfortunately security is becoming critacle at coin shows latelly. Very possibly the poot economy, loss of jobs, easy pray at a place where people normally don't suspect all the possible methods now used for robberies. And it is not just bad neighborhoods that are becoming a risk. Criminals travel too you know. There was one reported incident where a dealer was followed for almost a hundred miles from a coin show. He really was curious as to how this was so easilly done and at a local auto repair place a tracking devise was found under his fender. This is why I said to be carefull of when you leave to see if anyone is following you. A few other tips is: 1. Always keep any cash in several locations so when you pull out cash, you don't display a large amount. Still in front pockets. Really tuff to pick pocket the front ones. 2. Try not to purchase ah expesive coin raw. Way to many fakes out there and some are really good. I knew a dealer with many years of experience that got taken with a fake 1916D Mercury dime. 3. If you do see a slabbed coin that is in a slab from a company you never heard of before, either pass on that one or ask other dealers if they ever heard of that one before. Not only faked coins but faked slabbers too. 4. For your little girl ask her what she is interested in prior to the show. At a coin show there may be many, many things that look appealing to a younger person and they could get carried away from what they really want. 5. Take several plastic Zip Lock bags, pad of paper and a pen with you for your purchases if any. I find it's a good idea to keep track of who you purchased something from with a piece of paper in each bag with the name of the dealer on it. If you later find you got a really good deal, you'll know who to look for at the next coin show. 6. Many coin shows have literature on a table such as listings of other shows. Take some for just in case. Have fun and let us all know how it went. |
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New Member
United States
42 Posts |
Ok I think I will be well prepared now with all this new advice, I appreciate it guys. Quote:
4. For your little girl ask her what she is interested in prior to the show. At a coin show there may be many, many things that look appealing to a younger person and they could get carried away from what they really want. Haha I don't have a daughter, I'm actually bringing my girl friend, but I suppose you could call us younger people: Probably not alot of mid-20-year-olds think of coins in any way deeper than beer money. Edited by Zombieswat
09/15/2010 12:14 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1801 Posts |
All great ideas listed above, let me add a few of my own if I may. I would suggest getting there early and making a point of looking in every dealers case searching out things that you find interesting. This being your first coin show, you will hopefully see lots of coins you have never seen before. Be open to new ideas, many of us collectors started out collecting one thing and then got exposed at a coin show or somewhere to something we had never thought about and became hooked. I had collected US coins for years and then saw a display at a coin show of Spanish Colonial 8 Reales and have been hooked ever since. Another friend collected "everything" for years then one show got into a long discussion with a dealer who specialized in early copper (colonials, Half Cents and large cents) and now that is all she collects. Most of all enjoy the show and enjoy the hobby. Read lots of reference books and learn all you can. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
Haha I don't have a daughter, I'm actually bringing my girlfriend, but I suppose you could call us younger people: Probably not alot of mid-20-year-olds think of coins in any way deeper than beer money.
Oddly enough many dealers at all types of shows full well know what your saying. At almost every coin, gun, knife, etc. type show I go to there is always at least one or more dealers that have jewlery and/or similar items for such individuals. At one gun show there is a lady that has two tables full of jewlery items and according to her, she may well be the most visited table. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2448 Posts |
Its Sunday night. How was your first show? My Richmond show was kind of disappointing. Only about 40 of the 120 tables advertised. Looking forward to the Baltimore and VA Beach shows.
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Replies: 17 / Views: 3,249 |
Posted 09/14/2010 01:52 am
