What do you bring to coin shows?

It seems that is has been a while since this question has been asked/answered (or I missed more recent threads), so maybe some priorities have changed. I haven't been to a coin show in over 40 years, and hope to go to some.....eventually. To be honest, it's kinda intimidating. But, the thought of going to a coin show is also exciting!

For my first one, or few, I will probably not bring much of anything - just some cash.......in case I find something I "need". I plan to use the first one or two as a learning experience, more than anything. I'll wander, observe, listen, chat and learn.....and look at some coins and just maybe buy myself a present.

I had some thoughts on what I might want to bring with me, but then a number of questions also popped into my head:

1. Cash / credit card / check book.

• I'm assuming Cash is still king. Yes?
• Where do you keep your cash? Hidden fanny pack?
• Do Dealers often take other forms of payment?
• Are there any unwritten rules regarding payment (e.g. no credit card under $100)?

2. Cell phone and charger cable.

• I have apps for PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle, in case I don't have enough cash and Dealers would take those forms of payment.
• I could also have my entire coin list and Want List on my phone.
• Are there usually charging stations or available outlets (for the public to charge a phone)?
• Do people bring cell phone charging bricks (heavy)?

3. Comfortable shoes!
4. Clothes with lots of pockets?
5. Messenger bag (sling over shoulder).

• I'm thinking this would be better/safer than a backpack, where you have to take it off (and could accidentally leave it somewhere), or might not notice someone behind you, unzipping and stealing. Thoughts?

6. 5x lighted magnifier???

• Do I even need a 5x magnifier (I have a Carson MiniBrite)? Or, do people just use the Magnifier app on their phones, now? Or, just take a quick picture with their cell phone and zoom in?
• Do Dealers frown upon people taking pics of their coins?

7. 10x B&L loupe (for details)???

• Again, is this even needed w/ a cell phone?

8. My Want List (w/ approx. prices for different grades, price bumps between grades, maybe mintages, key and semi-key dates). I already know this will be a futile exercise for me - see my sig line, below! I'm 90% sure I would go into a show with a nicely thought out Want List, and leave with absolutely NOTHING from that list!!!

• Anything else you have in your Want List that is crucial?
• Do people show their Want List to Dealers? (or maybe have a separate list, only indicating the coins they want w/o prices, etc.?)
• I could just have pics on my cell phone of my Dansco 7070 album showing the empty slots. That would be a Want List of sorts that I could show a Dealer.

9. Some coins I'd like to sell/trade?

• How do you carry the coins you'd like to sell/trade? Raw coins? Slabbed coins?
• Also, how do you carry (and keep separate from sell/trade coins) the coins you've purchased?
• How do you approach the subject of selling/trading with a Dealer? Something I think I'm gonna have to witness a few times before being comfortable with that.

10. Greysheet, or other price guide?

• Is it bad form to bring out a Greysheet at a table?

11. Book: Redbook, or ANA Grading Standards, or PCGS Grading Standards. Not for pricing - more for grading.

• Which one? More than one?
• Seems like this might be a no-no - like Dealers will KNOW you're a newb to be taken advantage of. Yes? No?
• I feel that, for the most part, I'm fairly ok at grading, but could always use help if debating a coin's grade with someone.

12. Book: Top 100 VAM Keys. Not sure if this would be worth it.
13. Books: Cherrypicker's Guide Vol. 1 and 2.

• Do Dealers get turned off or annoyed if you pull out these books?
• Kinda heavy to carry around all day.

14. Notepad and pens.

• Or, I could just type notes on my phone.

15. A couple energy bars and a bottle of water.

• Is this allowed at shows?

16. Laptop.

• Do people bring laptops? I'm thinking not necessary. Although, I would have my coin software there, so my Have List and my Want List would be easily accessible. Also, I could just look up grading standards online. Also, could look up VAMs, or other coin varieties/errors. Also, could look up Greysheet and eBay completed auction pricing. Is there WiFi at shows? That would get rid of a number of the above items.

Ok, that's what I thought of for now. Whew! That list got way longer than I thought it would! As I was typing, I apparently started overthinking this whole thing! LOL!

What say you? What do you bring to coin shows?

What do you think of my list?

What is mandatory, and what is frivolous?

What am I missing?

Can you come and go during a coin show (e.g. to get something for lunch)? Or, is there always food for sale there?

Any unwritten (or written) rules or etiquette protocols I should be aware of?

And, yes, I know the #1 piece of advice should be to HAVE FUN!!!

TIA for any advice!

 

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Cash is still king. Most dealers don't advertise that they take anything other than cash. You should ask that before making an offer on something. You probably won't get as big of a discount off the marked price if you don't pay cash.

I've seen people bring everything that you mentioned and some don't bring anything expect the clothes on their back.....and cash.

As you mentioned, just have fun.

 

Some shows don’t allow pictures

 

red and or blue book

 

As a dealer and customer at past shows, I always bring cash, a calculator, a greysheet, a magnifying glass , a suitcase/ duffel bag to put purchased coins in, and a big smile! Small talk also always is key for getting a good price on a coin in my opinion. (ALSO) blue books and red books are helpful however I prefer the greysheet because it gives a more accurate and up date price on coins.

 

Magnet

 

You forgot a pair of clean underwear incase you see something that makes you soil your britches. Hey, it can happen.

 

I LOVE that @Mountain Man said "britches"!!! Fitting!

 

Your list is well thought out. But it's perhaps too inclusive. I prepare for a show by taking the following:

Messenger bag. In my case it's a laptop bag minus the laptop. Holds everything I need comfortably. Better for security than a backpack (hate 'em anyway).
Cash is king but every dealer I know that I've done business with before will take my check. I always ask first if I want to pay by check. Anecdote: At the last FUN Show I was negotiating a price on a high-end half dime with a dealer new to me and when we'd agreed, I mentioned I was paying cash. The dealer asked if that was the only means I had of paying (of course not) but he wound up taking my cash. Never had that happen before.
Two or three checks or more depending on the show.
Certain and sure knowledge of how much money you have in your checking account and/or the ability to transfer between accounts on-line. You don't want to pass up a buy because of uncertainty and you surely don't want to pass a bad check - that gets around the dealer network FAST!
Wallet has credit and debit and ATM cards so don't even have to think about those.
Greysheet, CDN CAC Price Guide, CDN Retail Price Guide.
Whatever book/attribution guide is appropriate for what I'm collecting and/or looking for. Seldom more than one. But I do always carry two very small spiral attribution guides for half cents and capped bust dimes. If I could find small ones for other series, I'd carry them also.
I carry several loupes ranging from 3X to 10X.
Notepad and pen.
Cellphone. Never needed to recharge my phone at a show but I am perhaps not as reliant on the phone as some.
My Excel collection lists. These are categorized by series and each series list every coin in the series. If it's a hole to fill, that line is color-coded yellow. It it's a candidate for upgrade, that line is colored blue. If I have a duplicate, the less-desireable coin of the pair is colored green. (You'll think that's odd, maybe but I sometimes collect by die state and for that you need multiples of the same die marriage. Color-coding, however it's done and with whatever logic should support your quick and sure reference to what you need and why.
I have not had any problems with dealers objecting to me attributing coins at their table so long as I'm not interfering with other customers. Some will even ask me what the attribution is and make a note of it and the rarity.
I have not had a dealer openly object to me openly referencing a price guide but some have applied the side-eye and some have said Greysheet doesn't mean anything. Whatever, that's just their own take on setting things up to their own advantage. You should feel free to use whatever you want. If they don't like it, tough. That said, these price guides only have limited utility. I really only use them when I am not at all familiar with the coin values for what I'm considering. And when I'm that ignorant, I usually make a note of coin and dealer (pen and notepad) and go away to do some research (Guides and Internet) and then come back if I still have an interest.

Smaller shows don't normally have a food venue but there are exceptions. Big shows usually do but it's expensive and usually mediocre. Shows with free admission you can come and go as you please but parking fees may be another matter. Shows with admission fees you should ask about readmission.

Selling coins? Never done it but in the last year I often have to fend off dealers who want me to sell them something. In the current environment I can't imagine a dealer being put off by you offering to sell. That doesn't mean you'll make a deal but you shouldn't be shy. Just ask if they're interested in looking at material you have for offer. See it all the time at shows: Guy walks up with a blue PCGS box and ask if the dealer's interested. Answer: Yes, No or maybe - show me what you've got.

Make a point of getting acquainted with the dealers. You don't need to become best buds but it's helpful to leave a good impression and you'd be amazed how many dealers will remember you in the future for both good and ill. Leave a good impression and it can pay dividends in the future. It has for me.

Along the same line, always say hi to dealers you know even if it's only in passing by and you're not buying what they're selling but be polite-don't interrupt a sale to shoot the breeze. These dealers are a resource for you at shows. You can ask them if they've seen such-and-such a coin and chances are they will point you to another dealer in the show that has that or something similar.

Finally, maybe remember that your entire coin collecting satisfaction is not riding on beating the dealer out of every possible penny of his profit. Deal firm and fair but if you want to do business with him again, it may be to your benefit to leave a bit on the table. I've had dealers (rarely) voluntarily give me more off than I'd asked for the same purpose but from the opposite angle.

Sorry for the length of the response, got carried away. Shows are great, the people are great and while exhausting are a lot of fun.

 

Cash is definitely the most accepted form of monetary exchange, bring plenty of cash. Comfortable shoes are a must. I like to wear cargo pants so I can have belongings sorted by pocket. I keep much of my cash in one front pocket, any want lists/"have lists" (lists of what I already have so I don't duplicate)/other info in another, and I keep one pocket just to store coins that I've purchased.

An unwritten rule I try to observe: If you're going to sit down and sort through a bunch of a dealer's stock, try to sit at the edge of the table and position the stuff you're checking so you don't block the dealer's main cases and he is free to interact with other customers while you look through his stock.

 

Thank you for your post! Just the kind of info I was hoping for!

 

I bring my brain (sometimes I forget this), a bank bag to hold my small note book (3"x4" or so, with my wish list and notes in it), a pencil, and a magnifying glass. My phone with the kindle app so I can look at my e-Redbook if needed, and a browser link to the Numismedia site. Wallet with the stuff that is usually in a wallet (you know, cash, cards, hard candies, etc.).

Bank bag...


If I am bringing silver to sell/trade or if I plan on buying a lot of supplies, I'll substitute a messenger bag for the bank bag.

 

Yes. Bring lots of common courtesy! Also, when you are looking at coins out on the table (dealer has taken them out of the case), keep your hands above the table. If you need to reach down into your bag for something, set the coin(s) down and turn your palms (both of them) up so the all-seeing cameras can see that you aren't palming a coin down into your bag.

 

Can't forget the loupe. Gotta have one of those.
The knowledge should be stored in one of those brain cells.

 

Holy over preparedness Batman! What else are you prepared for? Lol

Good questions, extensive list. Leaning a liiiiittle OCD but that's ok here.

Been to a lot of shows. Bigger shows seem to accept cards while the smaller shows almost everybody exclusively only takes cash and/or trade. It seems a lot of dealers don't pay for the wireless card machine service and dont want to lose the fees which is kind of understandable but they'd probably also sell more if they did. Your experiences may vary.

I bring a loupe, cash and sometimes bullion or other coins I may want to trade in on something else I need. Bullion is usually accepted as cash but don't expect the premiums you had to pay for on Ebay back in trade in value.

Cell phone has everything else I need. I use Apple's "Notes app" and keep my lists in there in three different folders. Can get same thing on Androids. This way, you always have your phone with you so you always have your lists with you. No paper to get damaged,lost, or forget some place and lose. Easy to edit and read. One folder has 48 lists in it right now. Everything from password lists to measurements for projects, grocery lists, coin show list, work notes, hobby lists, etc. Each list being in one long, clickable, labeled list. Can back out and go to a different folder if I want. When you get a new phone it all automatically transfers over.
If your cell phone runs out of power there.... it's time to go home. lmao!

Recently I made a list of Morgans I may be on the look out for at a show. I just listed the years followed by the grades and approximate values Id actually target. That way I'm not waiting for hit or miss cell service to load up price guides and scrolling and searching. Also keeps me on track looking for specifics instead of getting mentally overwhelmed by it all. A lot of times I end up getting something I had no intention of looking for but something was too nice in my eyes to leave there. A little less of that nowadays as my US type set has gotten widdled down.

If you have a Grey Sheet just bring it. Nobody cares. Most of the time if you ask for their best price on a coin, they'll go look it up in their own Grey sheet anyway and shoot you an offer.

As someone else stated, just be mindful of your hands. I try to be concious of keeping stuff in sight and try to keep my hands out of my pockets. Be careful not to lean on the glass too hard or drop stuff on the glass. You'd hate to blow your budget re-imbursing them for a new case.

For our local one, I have a feel for who will be where and where I need to focus most of my attention. It saves a lot of time. I still like to paruse everything just in case but I am mainly looking for specifics nowadays and can leave a show without buying anything. Some lower mintages may not be found at a show at all. For the average collector, if you want a liberty seated dime, there's thousands to pick from all over the place.
If you want a 1838-1840 No Drapery dime, there may be one or no examples. You may not like what's there or could be way out of your price range, so just be prepared for that situation too. Common stuff is common. Rare stuff is rare. Sometimes when a rare piece is sitting there a lot of people don't realize how scace it is. I nabbed an AU graded 20 cent piece one time when I had no intention of purchasing one that day. Was too nice to leave and there wasn't a second one there.

You'll find in person prices are fantastic compared to ebay. Sometimes hundreds less. It's really shocking at times. Take advantage and don't regret leaving something if you really want it.

 

Most people seem to use magnifier and/or loupe.

Does anyone use their cell phone?
* Just use the camera feature to view/enlarge, or take a pic then view/enlarge?
* Or, use Magnifier Plus app to view/turn light on/enlarge/take pic.

I did a cursory check this evening, and it seems like the cell phone (mine is a Samsung S9) might work equally as well as a magnifier (I have a 5x Carson MiniBrite LED Lighted (PO-55) and my 10x loupes are Anco and B&L). I'd have to do a little better review of some coins, though.

Just wondering if anyone tried the cell phone at a coin show. If so, why or why do you not use the cell phone?

 

Cash and pants. Everything else can be finessed...

 

Cash and pants. Everything else can be finessed...

 

Open mind, stingy wallet, and a dim view of dealers. Consider yourself well armed....

 

A loupe is just quicker. You only have two hands and lighting can vary. You won't have a photobox set up there to use the phone in. Extreme magnification isn't all that critical. Supposedly professional graders only use a 5x loupe max and only occasionally when grading.
The more magnification you use the more defects you'll find. I mainly stick to graded, slabbed stuff. I'd say a majority of raw coins I see have been messed with in some way and would not grade. A lot of issues to look out for. Some just aren't worth grading of course. But when you get into say Trade dollars... There's graded, damaged and cleaned. If it's gradable, they pretty much are sent in. Too much value to leave on the table not to.
Have to realize, there was a period of time in coin collecting when cleaning was not frowned upon and was actually encouraged. I don't know how long it lasted but when sellers were trying to get top dollar during those times, much of what's available today did not make it through that time unscathed.