Thread: my first coin show

I will be in Kansas City this weekend to attend my first coin show...


I am very excited. Does anyone have any suggestions to keep me from spending all my money at the first booth?

Dont take any wooden nickels !!

The only sure way I know of is dont go.

Seriously If it is a two day or longer show buy nothing on the first day, but look and make notes
of coins of interest, decide from those which are within your budget that you have allowed to be spent.

Be sure to ask questions to many dealers. Always be aware of customers though. Most importanly, HAVE FUN.

Does anyone have any suggestions to keep me from spending all my money at the first booth?

Start with the second booth !

Originally Posted by GDJMSP

Take a digital camera - even if you can't buy the coins - you can ask permission to photograph them But don't take more money with you than you want to spend or you may end up going home broke

that's the same mindset I use when I go to the casino!

I attended the show on the first day. My stay was approximately 4 hours. I purchased a ticket for the drawing, which were to be held the next day, and took a moment to join the JCNS, so I could receive their monthly newsletters and auction listings. I doubt I will attend many meetings, because it is an hour drive - but if they have a special topic, I will now know ahead of time, and can make plans to attend in the future.

On to the show. I had never been to one of these, and my first instinct said "So many coins, and so little time! (and so little money)". For some reason, I treated my attendence much like a trip to the casino - that is to say, I took just enough cash that I could afford to spend in my pocket.

I asked a few dealers about some of the foreign notes I was looking for, and unfortunately, I did not have much luck, although one dealer mentioned that he thought he had a philipines silver note that he did not take with him, and we exchanged some contact information just in case.

I decided to go in with the idea, spend big, buy small... I wanted to buy key pieces, with what money I had, and not come away with more than a dozen coins to add to my collection.

I found two special pieces, one of which was not very expensive. I came across a GB Trade Dollar from 1900. The dealer had it marked for $45, but when I asked how much he wanted, he gave it to me for $35.00 and I snatched it up. It is absolutely beautiful. I also came across a 20 corona from Austria. That dealer came down in price a little, but it would turn out I paid exactly Krause value. I purchased 6 other misc. coins that were none too expensive. Some of the members of this site would be very proud to hear that I asked, very politely, for a receipt for each of my purchases - and each time one was provided to me with an equal amount of politeness.

I watched the YN auction for a little, and was tickled when a particularly young collector tried to outbid his brother's ten dollar bid with $5.00, which he shouted rather enthusiastically.

So I didn't find exactly what I was looking for, but I certainly enjoyed the experience - I am also greatly looking forward to the ANA spring show, which will also be held in Kansas City in 2005. Maybe I will see some of you there?

Well, I got some leads. He did have a cuban silver certificate, but it was one I already had, which started my interest to begin with. I thought about purchasing it, because his note was in a little better condition than mine, but I decided against it because I didn't feel like upgrading the one note I have at this point.

He helped me browse through his asian notes, because I took your advice and I copied the particular characters I was looking for. No luck there.

On the up side, I got a lead on the philipines note, and I went to the library on sunday and checked out the reference book for world currency. I spent some time last night looking through for examples, because there was a rather awkward conversation between us, when I tried to explain to him what I was looking for.

I purchased some odds and ends from him, when I did not find what I was looking for, specifically.

I will also be in attendence at the ANA spring show. I am glad to hear that you had a positive experience at this show.

What about taking photos at coin auctions/shows of the people? I had some people masking themselves for the shots.