Saturday in Philadelphia was a short day. After spending the morning trying get my act together, I went to the show. The table I was working was empty but the literature was left anyway. I sat for an hour before walking the bourse floor again.
After strolling around I came across a currency dealer who was not the friendliest person in the world, but I was able to buy a 3-note sheet of Antarctica $1 commemorative notes with consecutive serial numbers starting with “001.” These are for my wife who likes the weather colder than anything we get in the Washington, DC area. I cannot say I blame her because most summers are humid and unbearable. Sometimes, I would rather be with the penguins that are pictured on those notes.
One of the highlights of the day and the show was meeting David Fanning of Kolbe & Fanning. I have been on their mailing list for a while and tried to participate in a mail bid sale or two, but have not been successful. This time, I found a book titled Paper Money in Maryland 1727-1789 by Kathryn L. Beherens, Ph.D. The book was printed by Johns Hopkins Press in 1923 and even though the cover seems to be falling apart, the pages are still “stuck” together at the top as if the book was never read. I have been carefully going through the book separating the pages because I plan to read it. Then I will go through my own research into Maryland colonial currency and update what I have previously written.
Another highlight is meeting Kurt from SAFE Collecting Supplies, one of the blog advertisers. I passed the SAFE table and noticed they had large-sized currency sleeves that could fit the 1912 very large Russian notes. I have been looking for sometime to hold a few of those notes that used to belong to my late paternal grandfather and these sleeves looked perfect. After talking with Kurt for a few moments, he recognized my name on my show badge and we did the introductions. Aside from being happy to meet an advertiser, I know where to find these and other specialty-sized sleeves in the future.
While there were a few dealers who packed up early, there were quite a few who stayed and welcomed the curiosity buyers who came to the show. In fact, Saturday seemed to be kids day at the show. With a number of moms and dads in tow, kids went around the floor with their Numismatic Passports getting stamps, free coins, and finding different items. I had even taken the opportunity to show a small group some interesting features of foreign currency including a polymer note.
I will have more on this in a future post, but I think the American Numismatic Association is doing itself a disservice keeping the show in one city. You would not have this crowd of Philadelphia-area children and their parents visiting the show if it were in Chicago. The ANA has to figure out a way to balance the needs of the dealers to provide a prime selling venue and what is best for the hobby. But that is a discussion for the future.
I spent a little time at the PAC table, even though others have gone home, and then I left the convention center to head home.
On Arch Street outside of the convention center on the sidewalk next to the Reading Terminal Market was the Pennsylvania Dutch Festival. There was even a small band. When I passed by, they were playing the classic Foggy Mountain Breakdown. If you are interested in seeing my walk-by video that happened to upload upside-down, you can see it on yfrog.
Not only does the ANA put on a good show, but the people of the Philadelphia, including the Red Rose Coin Club who was the sponsoring club, did a great job. Congratulations to all!
I hope I was able to bring those who could not attend along with me. Pictures are still available on Pinterest and hope that it is enticing enough to convince you to attend an ANA show in the future. The next show is the last Fall edition of the National Money Show in Dallas, October 18-20, 2012. You should consider attending!