Dan769 Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Just back from a 2 1/2 hour drive from Tampa and this is what I observed over the last 2 days there. Fisrt off the Hyatt about 2 blocks from the convention center, is a great hotel. Nicely appointed rooms, reasonable rates and great, attentive staff. That said Tampa was a tough spot for it, I found traffic jams around the center on Sat for parking, as it is in the heart of downtown Tampa. The Convention center itself seemed nice, I noticed lots of security, more so than in previous visits to FUN in Orlando. Could be I just was more awre than in past years. Friday was much slower people wise than Saturday, the action was pretty heavy this afternoon. This is the first year they set up a "Budget Section". An area just for dealers with modestly priced coins that held about 30+ tables and was constantly busy with customers. Paper currency seemed to be in abundance, with many dealers now carrying currency as well as coins in inventory. That said, i'm getting an itch i may have to scratch, As the more i saw of some nice examples of American currency the more I may get into that field. This collecting never ends!! As usual Morgans were everywhere, it did seem to be that CC Morgans were in abundance, as I saw most years of CC's across the spectrum of grades, availible. Lots of early copper also, digging the Half Cents, my new favorite series. SadlyI missed the exhibits, though I was there for 2 days!! I was on a mission this year and not to be distracted. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. I did see the off metal set of wheat Cents put togethr by some very deep pocketed collector. It garnered lots of looks. I had a friend with me who is starting an 2 1/2 Dollar Indian head set, so i spent a few hours with his endevour and I have to say that is a funky little coin I would like more of. I do have 1, 5 dollar indian. My scores this year were for my type set. I picked up an 1853 Half cent in AU53, I also bought an 1849 Cent in XF40 which I am ashamed to admit, thought it was a Half cent, and when i got back to the hotel on Friday and checked my list of needs, I realized I have this coin. So on Saturday I went back and picked up the 1853 Half Cent. Idiot, this is the second time I did this at a FUN show. Did this with a 1836 Bust half I think 2 years ago. My favorite coin bought was a coin I have been searching for for 3 years. An Half Dime in AU, but in a particular better date 1871-S. This little beauty came at full retail, but a nice strike and some subtle rainbow color makes up for any wallet discomfort. I also grabbed a couple of Indian Head Cents and Barber Quarters to put in my friends antique store to try and garner a small profit. And offbeat purchase this year was a 1 pound bar of pure copper. It was $13. I have no reason for this purchase, just one of those "looks cool, gimme one" moments. My "Oh crap what did I do moment?" was, I did a show submission To PCGS of my 1889-CC Morgan Dollar in an old ICG F-12 holder. I dont play the trying upgrade game. i was just trying to get this coin in a more accepted holder incase I have to sell in the futre. I'm no genius, but thought this coin should cross so i gambled $100 in grading fees. The people at PCGS are really friendly, and did stand by their 24 hour turnaround time which was nice. Even nicer was when i opened that blue case they give you, the coin was residing in a shiny new PCGS F-12 holder. I did though have confirmation about an ANACS holdered 1879-CC in XF-40. Mark at NGC and 4 dealers I showed it to, all agreed it is at best VF-35, I also agree it's not a XF-40, so i took some solice in that my grading skills are still there. I am now tired and broke, but would like to thank the blackjack tables at the Hard Rock Casinos for paying for the grading fees. Next time offer free alcohol like every other casino. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Dan, Nice report. Glad you got to go and that you had fun. Sounds like you made some nice purchases. Good crossover on the 89CC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan769 Posted January 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Thanks Art, Were you able to make it this year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Thanks Art, Were you able to make it this year? No. I'm saving myself for the Ocala Coin Show at the end of the month. (Actually first weekend in Feb). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedeadpoint Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Love the report! When can we see pics? I can't wait for the next show for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just carl Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Glad yoo had a great time. How much do they charge to get in? How much was the parking? I keep away from those large shows since the prices of all coins are way up there since dealers have to make up for thier expenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan769 Posted January 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 Glad yoo had a great time. How much do they charge to get in? How much was the parking? I keep away from those large shows since the prices of all coins are way up there since dealers have to make up for thier expenses. The shows are free to get into, parking is usually about $10 at most of the big city big shows. I probably dropped over $200 for hotel, food, parking, gas etc. over the 2 1/2 days while I was there. To attend the largest coin show in the U.S. it is worth it. Fairly safe to say, if you were looking for a U.S. coin it was probabaly there and for sale. Also the exhibits are worth it also, tho I missed this years, the past ones were spectacular. I disagree about large coin show prices, there are some great buys to be had. Gotta look and know your stuff, but you can find them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedeadpoint Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 The shows are free to get into, parking is usually about $10 at most of the big city big shows. I probably dropped over $200 for hotel, food, parking, gas etc. over the 2 1/2 days while I was there. To attend the largest coin show in the U.S. it is worth it. Fairly safe to say, if you were looking for a U.S. coin it was probabaly there and for sale. Also the exhibits are worth it also, tho I missed this years, the past ones were spectacular. I disagree about large coin show prices, there are some great buys to be had. Gotta look and know your stuff, but you can find them. Agree on all points (though JustCarl gets credit because he gets wonderful Chicagoland shows... we can't all be that lucky!). I recently paid about $200 to go to the baltimore show (200 tables prob) for only 3 hours... $60 for train tickets and then $140 for a last minute rental car when a train derailed only 30 miles from the show.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccg Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Great report! Happy to hear that things were pretty good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just carl Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 Agree on all points (though JustCarl gets credit because he gets wonderful Chicagoland shows... we can't all be that lucky!). I recently paid about $200 to go to the baltimore show (200 tables prob) for only 3 hours... $60 for train tickets and then $140 for a last minute rental car when a train derailed only 30 miles from the show.... True I do get that advantage of having coin shows 4 times a Month, all year long and sometimes even more. Almost all of them are free admittance and free parking. They range from about 30 dealers to several hundred dealers. Since many of them are repeditive dealers a customer gets to know them. A few already told me they would be at that FUN show due to they can maake way more on every coin there. And yes they have to in order to make up for thier transportation, lodging, food, etc. Then too some have either assistants or a family member with them and that oost money too and it's all from the sale of coins. At such large shows a customer most likely will never see the same dealer the rest of his life whereas small shows in my area if you don't like what you purchsed, just take it to the next show and tell him. Unfortuately so many people can not get here for all this real FUN. If I had the money I'd pay all of you to come here for all our shows. We also have gun shows, camera shows, computer shows, sporting card shows, knife and sword shows and on and on and on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan769 Posted January 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 Good points Carl. There is a monthly show near my house in Melbourne, Florida. It is nice when the same dealers recognize you when your there, and tell you about a new purchase you may be interested in as they know what your looking for. The one minor down side is that I dont find what I am looking for 80% of the time. As I stated I was looking for a 1871-S Half dime in XF-AU for about 3 years till I finally found one I liked at the F.U.N show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just carl Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 And that is just one more advantage to constant shows with many of the same dealers. As you get to know them you could actually ask them to look out for certain coins for you. Many of them travel all over the country to go to other shows and could acquire what you need or want at those places. An example is I went around telling every dealer at all of these shows I wanted a 1983 Reverse sided double die Lincoln Cent but for a real decent price. It only took a few Months but one dealer came through with one for me. I've done that many times and it really pays off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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