Long Beach Show Experiences

One man's exerience:

Wasn't sure I was going to make it, but work cleared up earlier than
expected yesterday, and I staked a claim for some time on Saturday to
attend. Made it just after opening time, 10AM. For some reason,
there was a traffic jam from in front of the convention center into
the traffic light up the hill. Think they had filled, and were
closing, the convention center parking, and there were a bunch of lost
people blocking things up. I made a few educated guess turns, and
successfully found the parking structure near the new shopping center
without getting stuck in the intersection.

It seemed a little less crowded than previous shows. Someone
mentioned that it may be because it was held too soon after the ANA
convention. Given the miles of separation, I find it hard to believe
it would make a difference...then again, maybe there are more
"traveling collectors" than I know of? I've never personally traveled
specifically for a show, but maybe it's a common thing. Maybe
canceling Sunday hours has made Saturday the least attended day? I
hope not. I'd hate to see Saturday turn into a ghost day.

While walking the first aisle, I was stopped and asked by Donald Kagin
if I was an ANA member. I admitted that I had let my membership
lapse, so he thrust an application, and one of his 2-cent tokens into
my hands. Since I had planned to re-up anyway, I filled it out.
Later, after I studied the 2-cent token, I think I understand his
motive. Quote "Knowledge, Experience, Integrity. Donald H. Kagin for
ANA Governor." Guess it makes sense now! And I thought he just liked
my pretty face.

Then I got the nickel-tour of the planned numismatic museum at the old
San Francisco mint he is apparently connected with. They have some
big plans. I hope it works out since it would give me a good excuse
to drive up the coast to San Fran. I've only lived in CA for 18
years, so maybe it's time to see the northern half. Anyone know if
the ANA is, or may be, involved in the project?

As for my "shopping", I didn't have any big plans. But since I
usually have more success WITH a plan, I decided to seek out a nice
common date AU Barber Half for my type set. The plan didn't
stick....Didn't see a Barber Half all day that jumped out at me.
Maybe because I don't particularly LIKE Barber Halves?

First coin that DID jump out at me was a raw target toned 1892 Barber
Quarter. (Note: to me, the Barber design looks better on a quarter).
From arms length, the thing was GORGEOUS! Problem was, looking closer
you could see significant "slide marks" or scratches on Liberty's
cheek. Best grade I would give it would be AU-58 maybe MS-60, and the
dealer wanted MS-63 money. Still might have been worth it, but I
passed after writing the table number down....just in case I had a
change of heart.

But not too far down the aisle, a coin finally screamed, "Buy me!" It
was a really sharp looking PCGS XF-45 1837 Seated Half Dime, no stars,
small date. Since I'm TRYING to focus on my type set, I've found that
some of the 'one year only' coins are tough to find in the right
grade. This one seemed perfectly in the right grade, (for my wallet),
and damn good looking for the grade as well. It's generally a light
brown, with a hint of gold in the fields giving it a nice look of
having an aura. Not the target toning of the Barber quarter, but hey,
you can't have EVERYthing. I'm going to have to study the grading
guides....My first impression is AU-50 for this little cutie.

My only concern was the possibility that it was priced outside my
limit being a half grade over where my notes stopped (damn short
sighted notes!). I didn't have to worry. Actually bought it for $10
under what XF-40 is listed at in CoinWorld Trends, (i.e. CoinValues).
The trip was officially worth it. Love this little coin. I was also
glad to buy it from a dealer I see just about every month at the local
Anaheim show. Always friendly, cheerful, and helpful, and has a nice
selection of type coins....about 3 grades over what I'm looking for!
It was nice to actually be able to buy something from him.

A few aisles down the road, you get into the foreign/ancient area
where my pace usually picks up. But the case of one foreign coin
dealer caught my eye since it was filled with nice certified
high-AU/low-MS U.S. gold type coins. He had a string of AU-58 $5 Gold
Liberty's that I had to stop and look at. Nothing better than being
able to compare coins side-by-side! Between the two of us, we pulled
out 3 AU-58's for me to ogle at. My choice, all the same price.
Numismatic Shopper's Heaven. The best of the lot was a 1903S with
that "arms length MS" look that I really like in my AU-58's. (Hell,
that's my definition of AU-58!). Still lots of *flash* on the coin.
I couldn't say no, and bought it.

With my coin budget (over)spent, I wandered over to the book/supplies
sellers. There's a couple books advertised recently that I thought I
could use. The NGC grading guide was a disappointment. I didn't
realize it was a Modern only guide. Since I'm not all that interested
in modern coinage, I passed. And I couldn't find a copy of the "type
coin" version of the new Redbook series. Maybe it hasn't actually
been released, or made it into the retail sellers hands yet? I'm
interested in what tips it has for me, but I guess I'll have to wait.

By now it was 1:30, and I was hungry and tired, so called it a day.
Compared to other LB shows, I spent quite a bit less time on the
bourse, but spent quite a bit more money. I'm not sure if that's
good, or bad.

Tom

Tom Kindschi wrote in
:

One man's exerience:







As for my "shopping", I didn't have any big plans. But since I
usually have more success WITH a plan, I decided to seek out a nice
common date AU Barber Half for my type set. The plan didn't
stick....Didn't see a Barber Half all day that jumped out at me.
Maybe because I don't particularly LIKE Barber Halves?




It's hell when you have to buy a coin you don't like. Keep looking.


First coin that DID jump out at me was a raw target toned 1892 Barber
Quarter. (Note: to me, the Barber design looks better on a quarter).
From arms length, the thing was GORGEOUS! Problem was, looking closer
you could see significant "slide marks" or scratches on Liberty's
cheek. Best grade I would give it would be AU-58 maybe MS-60, and the
dealer wanted MS-63 money. Still might have been worth it, but I
passed after writing the table number down....just in case I had a
change of heart.

I like the BArber quarter better than the half also.

But not too far down the aisle, a coin finally screamed, "Buy me!" It
was a really sharp looking PCGS XF-45 1837 Seated Half Dime, no stars,
small date. Since I'm TRYING to focus on my type set, I've found that
some of the 'one year only' coins are tough to find in the right
grade. This one seemed perfectly in the right grade, (for my wallet),
and damn good looking for the grade as well. It's generally a light
brown, with a hint of gold in the fields giving it a nice look of
having an aura. Not the target toning of the Barber quarter, but hey,
you can't have EVERYthing. I'm going to have to study the grading
guides....My first impression is AU-50 for this little cutie.

Good choice.


My only concern was the possibility that it was priced outside my
limit being a half grade over where my notes stopped (damn short
sighted notes!). I didn't have to worry. Actually bought it for $10
under what XF-40 is listed at in CoinWorld Trends, (i.e. CoinValues).
The trip was officially worth it. Love this little coin. I was also
glad to buy it from a dealer I see just about every month at the local
Anaheim show. Always friendly, cheerful, and helpful, and has a nice
selection of type coins....about 3 grades over what I'm looking for!
It was nice to actually be able to buy something from him.

A few aisles down the road, you get into the foreign/ancient area
where my pace usually picks up. But the case of one foreign coin
dealer caught my eye since it was filled with nice certified
high-AU/low-MS U.S. gold type coins. He had a string of AU-58 $5 Gold
Liberty's that I had to stop and look at. Nothing better than being
able to compare coins side-by-side! Between the two of us, we pulled
out 3 AU-58's for me to ogle at. My choice, all the same price.
Numismatic Shopper's Heaven. The best of the lot was a 1903S with
that "arms length MS" look that I really like in my AU-58's. (Hell,
that's my definition of AU-58!). Still lots of *flash* on the coin.
I couldn't say no, and bought it.

And I couldn't find a copy of the "type
coin" version of the new Redbook series. Maybe it hasn't actually
been released, or made it into the retail sellers hands yet? I'm
interested in what tips it has for me, but I guess I'll have to wait.

I saw 2 or 3 of these guides at a show last week, I think one of them was
for Morgans, can't remember the other titles.

By now it was 1:30, and I was hungry and tired, so called it a day.
Compared to other LB shows, I spent quite a bit less time on the
bourse, but spent quite a bit more money. I'm not sure if that's
good, or bad.

Tom


Good show, good report.

--
Joecoin

Copper is as copper does.

On Sat, 11 Sep 2004 18:19:54 -0700, Tom Kindschi wrote
(in article ):

Then I got the nickel-tour of the planned numismatic museum at the old
San Francisco mint he is apparently connected with. They have some
big plans. I hope it works out since it would give me a good excuse
to drive up the coast to San Fran. I've only lived in CA for 18
years, so maybe it's time to see the northern half. Anyone know if
the ANA is, or may be, involved in the project?

well, it's all still way up in the air ... not too long ago the city finally
approved the project and i think it's going to be more retail than museum ...
i'm not sure i'd expect much, and i don't think the ANA has anything to do
with it (the thing sat idle for years and the ANA didn't seem to have much to
do with it then--why should they start now?)