PICTURES ADDED -> SHOW REPORT: Springfield, IL (March 20, 2005)

[James_OldeTowne]

I did the coin show in Springfield, Illinois on Sunday, March 20 - this past weekend. It is a small show, with 70 "dealers" in attendance, although it's really more like 20 dealers and 50 collectors who enjoy setting up once in a while. Please bear in mind that my very weak results were due to abbreviated attendance. I had to pack up and leave by 1:00pm because my youngest was in the state gymnastics meet (where, by the way, she took first on the uneven bars by a big margin, and second all-around).

 

The best coins sold of note were an 1895 Liberty nickel in MS-63 (NGC), my 1878 rev of 79 Morgan in MS-64 (NGC), and an 1826 Capped bust half in EF-40+. These three coins totalled up about $700, the bulk of my sales, but I also sold in the ballpark of $300 of inexpensive coins.

 

I cherrypicked a very undergraded 1820 Capped Bust dime for $50. The dealer had a grade of VG on the 2x2, and it is actually a super choice F-15 with 100% original patina. All of the rest of this dealer's coins were modens, so I suspect he picked up this coin incidentally, and not having much experience grading them, severely undergraded it. I also cherry-picked an 1831 Capped Bust half (different dealer) in AU-55 - for just $140. It is exceptionally choice, with absolutely no signs of cleaning or abrasion, and no problems, but a ton of luster. Now, this was an experienced dealer, so I have no idea how I ended up getting this coin so cheap, but it's easily a $300 coin.

 

My personal favorite purchase of the day - at a cost of $9 - was for a 1990 Washington quarter which would easily grade MS-66 (it is uncertified). This particular date has been a thorn in my side for months, as every certified example in that grade seems to have those extremely annoying little tiny tics and marks ("chicken scatch") on them that seems indigenous to modern Philly mint quarters. My coin is remarkably free of these annoyances, and displays creamy-smooth almost semi-prooflike surfaces, and an excellent strike. I'm extremely pleased with it. Now, I'm on the lookout for 1994 and 1998.

 

One dealer I visited had at least a dozen counterfeit coins in his case, including those darned "trade dollars". When I told him, he insisted that they were just harshly cleaned coins, but genuine. I feel sorry for anyone who purchases any of his junk, because other coins that I didn't take time to examine looked suspect from a distance, too. He also had several misattributed coins. I don't trust this guy at all, and in speaking to a couple of other friends, he seems to have a questionable reputation.

 

Finally, I picked up five miscellaneous Seated coins for want lists, a 1921 Buffalo nickel in VF (7/8 horn) for my personal collection, a 1915-D Lincoln cent in AU-55 with booming brown luster for my personal collection, and a 1909-VDB cent that I believe is a lock MS-66 shot 7 coin. The only question is whether it would designate full RD, but it is very close. When I get enough coins together for a submission, it will be included. Finally, I picked up several eBay consignment coins from familiar customers. Some of the coins are from a collector of Mexican coins. Such was the extent of my show!

 

Most of the activity picked up around lunch time, but unfortunately, as mentioned, I had to leave soon after, so business probably would have been much stronger given more time. This is a very much above-average small show, and I invite anyone within a 100 mile radius to consider driving in for the next one , which takes place in July.

 

I'll try and post images later.

 

James

[TomB]

Nice show report, and tell your daughter she did well!

[Hoot]

Sounds like a great day for both you and your girl! Congrats to both of you!

 

Hoot

[michael]

 

great report keep them coming!!!!

[GP_]

I had to pack up and leave by 1:00pm because my youngest was in the state gymnastics meet (where, by the way, she took first on the uneven bars by a big margin, and second all-around).

 

 

Awesome! Congrats to her!!

 

 

(good show report as well, but you know, priorities and all that)

[James_OldeTowne]

These are quick not-so-great images - click thumbnails to enlarge. Enjoy!

 

 

James

[cladking]

 

My personal favorite purchase of the day - at a cost of $9 - was for a 1990 Washington quarter which would easily grade MS-66 (it is uncertified). This particular date has been a thorn in my side for months, as every certified example in that grade seems to have those extremely annoying little tiny tics and marks ("chicken scatch") on them that seems indigenous to modern Philly mint quarters. My coin is remarkably free of these annoyances, and displays creamy-smooth almost semi-prooflike surfaces, and an excellent strike. I'm extremely pleased with it. Now, I'm on the lookout for 1994 and 1998.

 

Thanks for the report and congrats for your daughter.

 

The '90-P is probably a mint set coin. PL and semi-PL are relatively common for this date and many of the planchets were apparently burnished. Finding the '90-P without the ubiquitous ticks is much more difficult. The '94 and '98 would be easier except that there are fewer of them to check. The '98 probably won't be especially tough in the long run.

[HaydenTubbs]

Congrats on your purchases,I like this one:

 

if only it was unc