nice finds at the ANA World's Fair of Money

This journal entry has the potential to turn into a loooong entry so I'm gonna cut to the highlights. I awoke this morning like a kid on Christmas--the reason being that I had planned the past month to attend the ANA World's Fair of Money up the road in Baltimore this weekend.

I awoke early but had to wait to leave until 10AM because my younger daughter needed a ride to her summer job. I've been to numismatic events at the Baltimore Convention Center b4 but this was a cut above. I had an "itinerary" or list of things I wanted to do but that was shot in no time.

I entered the massive area of table after table and looked off to my left to see the US Mint exhibit...primarily I wanted to see the pre-strikes of the 2009 Ultra High Relief Gold American Eagles--absolutely stunning coins with the 3-D design elements and the edge lettering being raised...all I can say is wow. Since they won't be released until later in 2009 I'll have plenty of time to save up for one !!...Also on display was a full set with all denominations of the new Indian/Buffalo gold coin series...I really like the smaller coins, not only are they more easily affordable for me but I think the design looks better on a closer to nickel sized coin. There was also a display case with a stack of gold bars from West Point--each bar worth almost $400,000 each...( did I mention that there were many armed men hanging around too)..

Since it was the "World's" Fair there were also representatives and booths from many mints from all across the globe ( surprising how well reps from the Ukrain and Austria for example speak English-albeit with very strong accents). It was while looking at all of these mints 2008 releases that I happened across my first purchase. I bought a stunningly beautiful 10zy at the Poland table. The reverse has a fabulous rendition of a three mast sailing ship whose reflection is hologrammed into the high relief waves..superb ( not to mention $40 cheaper than my favorite ebay dealer offered me one for).

I looked through many of the US coin tables/dealers--and all I can wonder is if they actually want to sell anything??? Besides some outrageous costs for coins I know are about 1/2 to 1/5th what they were asking--most seemed put upon to answer the slightest question or show you anything.

Not letting these passion-less curmudgeons spoil my day, I went over and viewed the Collectors Exhibits and was amazed at some of the great themes and niches many of the collectors have assembled. The ribbons were already on the winning presentations and before I knew it another hour had gone.

After a cup of coffee and a sit break I headed for the World and Ancient coins section. After a few tables I found my next purchase from another area of the world that can be hard to find coins from--a pearly finished coin from Nicaragua with the sailing ship "La Nautica". I flipped through a few bins and boxes of miscellaneous world coins at other tables and decided to call it a day...on the way out though...

I kept perusing as I headed toward the exit and WHAM !! there was a gorgeously toned 1963 Israeli 5 Lirot coin. I had passed up chances to buy one of these before because $250-300 seemed steep ( even though Krause list is about $300) I stood and looked and then the man at this table lured me in with the words "would you like to see it?"

I was already sold but he didn't know that, when I held the coin and looked at the label on the flip--this coin was of the rarer Proof variety--and only $200 !! I took a breath and sat it down on the glass case, before I spoke again he said" I can offer it to you for $150 if you'd like it". I don't think it took me more than a split second to pull out the old wallet and snake out 3 fifties...and that quickly the deal was done.

When I got home I yanked out my Krause to confirm my prize--yep, the 1963 proof with a mintage of 4,495 it was...

All in all a great coin day--I can't wait until next years event.

Here's a quickie picture of my prizes..notice that the ANA souvenir medal I got for $3 also has the sailing ship the Pride of BaltimoreII on it also...