Art

Another nice train.

Internet image looks off. The surety strip holograms look dull vs. reflective.

Terrific coins.

Great additions.

Nice finds. Jeffersons always make a good find.

Great $2.

Beautiful notes everyone.

No. I may eavesdrop a bit. I don't like to waste the dealers' time until I'm ready to purchase.

FUN is huge. Lots of tables and lots of people. The aisles are crowded and it's hard to get the dealers' attention much of the time. I usually cover the whole floor just checking case content before I even think about purchasing. I make notes and then go back to the tables that have promise. Ocala show is way way too crowded for me. I do not like to be hurried and squeezed into a line of people viewing coins at a table. Most of my purchases there are from folks who know me and know what I'm looking for. Most of my purchases take place out of the show at the coffee bar or sitting behind the entrance table. There are no dealers in this area. At least none that I do business with. A few in the next towns over but they are more jewelry stores than coin shops. Nice folks and I have purchased a few things from them but only proof sets or mint sets or such.

I usually have a good idea of the value before I start the purchase process. I'm happy if I can "ballpark" the price. Something specific, I'll have looked over auctions from ebay and checked the prices on a few online shops that I trust. CoinValues and such only come into play as very rough guides. On IHCs for example, I'm willing to pay about 30% more than the average ebay price if the coin is really outstanding. BUT that usually puts me at about 85%-90% of CoinValues. I usually just tell the dealer that I'm a buyer not a browser and that I'd like the best price right up front. If the price is too high I just say "Sorry" and that's the end of it.

Nice additions to your collection. The gold coin is very nice but the train is extra special.

Maybe even a LEM. <a href=" title="B016 INTERPEX - show cancelled by UGotaHaveArt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4567051922_07aeebd794_z.jpg" width="640" height="513" alt="B016 INTERPEX - show cancelled" /></a>

Great notes. How's about a Zepplin. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ugotahaveart/4723786541/" title="B014 National Postage Stamp Show 1971 by UGotaHaveArt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1407/4723786541_e08f26f0d8_z.jpg" width="640" height="512" alt="B014 National Postage Stamp Show 1971" /></a>

I'm still with you on the photography forum thing. In fact one of my goals when I get my new digital camera is to learn to get super photos of my coins. Even if there isn't a forum I plan to start a nice "I'm learning come along for the ride" thread. I'm glad you were able to find such nice additions for your collection. I have no patience with "grumpy" dealers. I'm still a solid believer in customer service. (By the way, I do not haggle. I'm right up front with the dealers when I ask for a price. Then it's take it or leave it.) Your notes and nickels are beauties. Enjoy them.

Great notes.

Here's an ANA Short Snorter from my collection. Note the fine old car on this one. <a href=" title="ANA Short Snorter - 1984 obv by UGotaHaveArt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3652/3614250958_b095152296_z.jpg?zz=1" width="640" height="278" alt="ANA Short Snorter - 1984 obv" /></a>

Here's my 2010 CoinPeople Short Snorter note. Nice buffalo on this one. <a href=" title="Art CP2010 back by UGotaHaveArt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/5061309470_5cb7acf575.jpg" width="500" height="297" alt="Art CP2010 back" /></a>

Here's one of my CoinPeople Short Snorter notes with a nice group of animals on it. <a href=" title="Art rev by UGotaHaveArt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1140/1332110733_f78ba65ef2_z.jpg?zz=1" width="640" height="294" alt="Art rev" /></a>

I don't have the note (way too expensive for me) but here's one of my favorites on a BEP Souvenir Card. <a href=" title="B047 IPMS 1980 $10 Series 1901 by UGotaHaveArt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4274687873_2fd42528d1.jpg" width="500" height="482" alt="B047 IPMS 1980 $10 Series 1901" /></a>

Souvenir card for the US Series of 1915 $20 note. <a href=" title="B061 ANA 1983 $20 Series 1915 by UGotaHaveArt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2595/4463320735_288296a142_z.jpg?zz=1" width="640" height="507" alt="B061 ANA 1983 $20 Series 1915" /></a>

Here's a Notgeld that fits the theme. <a href=" title="Berlin Germany 2 Marks 1Mar1922 rev by UGotaHaveArt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3608657465_09d3ac96a0.jpg" width="468" height="305" alt="Berlin Germany 2 Marks 1Mar1922 rev" /></a>

This guy has a transportation theme. <a href=" title="US Series 681 5 cents by UGotaHaveArt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4438935293_e76a13884a.jpg" width="460" height="495" alt="US Series 681 5 cents" /></a>

Totally forgot the link but mine works ok. Thanks GX...

I have a few. I'll check for images in the morning.

Looking forward to it.