Jun 28, 2012 | apps, Baltimore, coins, news, shows, technology, web
Although I usually do not post press releases verbatim, timing and relevance to the Whitman Baltimore Coin & Currency Expo this weekend makes this an exception. Besides, it is about technology and I am for any personal tech that will improve numismatics. I will be attending the show on Friday and will provide a full review thereafter.
Find Coins Fast With Collectors Corner CoinSearch™, m.collectorscorner.com, at June 2012 Baltimore Expo
(Baltimore, Maryland) – The first mobile application of its kind for collectibles, Collectors Corner CoinSearch™, will be available free during the upcoming Whitman Baltimore Coin & Collectibles Expo. The unprecedented mobile app will let collectors instantly locate specific coins they’re looking for at the show, June 28 – July 1, 2012.
The free Coin Collectors Corner CoinSearch™ mobile app lets users see photos and information about specific coins available at the Baltimore Expo.
Collectors and dealers can use the free Collectors Corner CoinSearch™ mobile app to instantly locate Baltimore Expo dealers who have specific coins in inventory.
“The app was successfully beta tested with great results at the recent Long Beach Expo, and we’re now offering it for collectors and dealers at the Baltimore show,” said Cassi East, President of CCE, a division of Collectors Universe, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLCT).
“Coin buyers will be able to use their smart phones, iPads or other mobile tablet devices to find the exact coins they’re seeking during the Baltimore Expo, and even prior to the show. They»ll also be able to immediately pinpoint the exact bourse floor locations of the dealers who have those specific coins in their inventory.”
Before the show, dealers can list coins in their Collectors Corner inventories that they’ll have at their Baltimore tables. Collectors and other dealers then can use the Collectors Corner CoinSearch mobile app to easily locate any coins they’re seeking.
The ability to post Collectors Corner listings in the Baltimore Expo CoinSearch data base at m.collectorscorner.com will be available for all CCE member dealers at no additional charge as part of their CCE membership.
“CCE members can call us at (800) 733-6623, and we’ll walk you through the easy download mechanics,” explained East.
“This is an incredible, free service for collectors to locate exactly what they’re looking for. Everyone can use it,” said David Hall, President of Collectors Universe. “Mobile apps are the future, and this is a great collaboration between dealers, collectors and show promoters to bring together buyers and sellers.”
Additional information about the Whitman Baltimore Expo is available at www.whitman.com/expos.
Additional information about the Collectors Corner CoinSearch app m.collectorscorner.com is available by calling Collectors Corner at (888) 469-2646 or by visiting www.collectorscorner.com/marketnews/?name=CoinSearch.
Images courtesy of Collectors Universe, Inc.
Jun 27, 2012 | Baltimore, currency, shows
MSNA 2012 Distinguished Lecturer Series Presents
Dr. Donald Kagin
Our Nation’s First Circulating Currency
The Treasury Notes of the War of 1812
Friday, June 29, 2012 2:00 PM
at The Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo
Baltimore Convention Center
Room 301 (2 floors above the bourse)
The fourth speaker in the Maryland State Numismatic Association (MSNA) annual Distinguished Lecturer series will be Dr. Donald Kagin, one of the country’s leading numismatists and numismatic researchers. Don was raised in a numismatic household. His father, Art Kagin, was also a respected numismatist. Numismatic education has been a top priority for both Don and his father throughout their careers.
Don is widely recognized as the country’s leading authority on pioneer gold coins. He also has an exceptional numismatic education Don was awarded the first ever Bachelor of Arts degree in numismatics, this from Northwestern University, and holds the first (and only) Ph.D. in numismatics in the country which he earned at the Union Institute and University in Ohio. His Ph.D. major studies resulted in the book Private Gold Coins and Patterns of the United States, which won the Numismatic Literary Guild’s (NLG) Best Book of the Year award, and which remains the definitive reference on pioneer gold. His Ph.D. minor studies were on early American currency, and his chapter on the early notes of 1812, included in Friedberg’s authoritative study of American currency, is also still the definitive work in this area.
Don contributes to the Official Guide to United States Coins and the Coin and Currency Dealer Newsletter, which he founded. He regularly publishes articles in a number of leading periodicals including Money magazine, U.S. News and World Report, Barron’s, The Wall Street Journal, and The Numismatist. He has made several radio and television appearances. He received the American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) Heath Literary Award for several of his articles. As chairman of the American Money and Gold Rush Museum, he strongly contributed to the passage of a Congressional bill for the San Francisco Mint commemorative coins, the proceeds from which will go for the renovation of the historic old San Francisco Mint. Don served two terms on the ANA Board of Governors. He is also an expert numismatic investment advisor having written the book Donald Kagin’s Personal Guide to Rare Coin Investments, which won the NLG’s Best Investment Book of the Year award.
Don’s lecture is entitled “Our Nation’s First Circulating Currency: The Treasury Notes of the War of 1812.” It will be presented at 2:00 PM on Friday, June 29, 2012 in Room 301 of the Baltimore Convention Center during The Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo. Don will also bring examples of the Treasury Notes from the time of the War of 1812.
May 23, 2012 | ANA, shows
During the National Money Show in Denver two weeks ago, the American Numismatic Association Board of Governors voted to eliminate the Fall edition of the National Money Show following this fall’s show in Dallas.
The fall show, pursued by former ANA Executive Director Larry Shepherd and accepted by the previously Board of Directors. Unfortunately, it has proven to be too much of an expense for the ANA especially since the Denver show did not have a featured auction, which helps produce revenues for the ANA.
In previous press releases from the ANA, President Tom Hallenbeck has reiterated that the mission of the ANA is education. Do these shows promote their education agenda? One can argue it does because the ANA offers classes and sponsors Numismatic Theater which allows for shorter presentation of various aspects of collecting. But the Board has concluded that the costs of sponsoring the shows does not justify holding them.
There have been other articles saying that the ANA could also end the Spring National Money Show after the 2013 show in New Orleans. This would leave the World’s Fair of Money that is held every summer and for the five years starting in 2013 will be held in Chicago.
Eliminating the National Money Show and limiting the World’s Fair of Money to one city significantly reduces access to the ANA’s education services. Although the ANA does take some courses on the road to regional shows, the only way to be involved with a the broad spectrum of ANA education services is being limited to a show in Chicago and the Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs.
In previous posts, I have come out against holding the ANA premiere show in one location. While I love Chicago and have friends in the Chicagoland area, being able to move the show to different venues allows the ANA to reach more people and include it educational agenda in more places. I would rather see the ANA unbridle itself from Chicago than end the Spring edition of the National Money Show.
If the ANA Board of Governors wants to purse an educational agenda, which is a good idea, then they need to reach out beyond Chicago, Colorado Spring, and the courses held at the F.U.N. show in January.
One idea is for the ANA to work with regional clubs to bring ANA courses to shows in various areas. Even when the show is owned by a commercial entity, clubs can work with those promoters to add value to the show by offering ANA sponsored courses. The ANA can help provide materials, instructors, and training for new instructors to provide a greater educational reach.
Another idea is for the ANA to help by developing a speakers’ bureau to bring special speakers to regional shows. The ANA would help with travel expenses for those who cannot provide long distance travel to bring various numismatic topics to areas of the country that would not be able to hear these speakers.
In fact, the speakers’ bureau would help support coin club speakers. Collector willing to share their stories and industry professionals who want to share their knowledge can register with the speakers’ bureau and make themselves available to local coin clubs in support of their educational programs.
By the way, if anyone in the Mid-Atlantic region is looking for a speaker, I have two presentations ready: one on Maryland Colonial Currency and another on the history of anti-counterfeiting technologies used on currency.
In the mean time, if you have information that you can share with a local club or a regional show, reach out to them and offer yourself to help in their educational programs. It can go along way to help the hobby.
May 16, 2012 | gold, history, rareties, shows
I continue to be amazed with the stories some coins garner. Last week, I received a note announcing that one of the only two known 1907 rolled edge Indian Head $10 Eagle Proof gold coins will be exhibited at the up coming Long Beach Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo.
The coin is own by Monaco Rare Coins of Newport Beach, California and has been graded by Numismatic Guarantee Corporation as Satin PR67.
“This important and monumental rarity was not discovered to be a proof finish until several years ago. It was previously misattributed as mint state. The coin now is insured for $3 million,” said Adam Crum, Vice President of Monaco Rare Coins.
According to Crum, there are some researchers who believe that this coins may have been owned by President Theodore Roosevelt. As part of Roosevelt’s “pet crime,” he worked with prominent sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens to redesign U.S. coinage. Prior to his death, Saint-Gaudens completed the design of the Indian Head $10 gold Eagle and the iconic $20 gold Double Eagle, both introduced in 1907.
“One prominent numismatist told me, ‘After all the research we did, your coin has to be Teddy’s,’” Crum said. “Obviously, more research is required, but that is what being a numismatist is all about, isn’t it? I look forward to more discovery.”
Even if the coin was not owned by Teddy Roosevelt it is still a great story!
If you are in the Long Beach area, the show runs Thursday and Friday, May 31 and June 1, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.., and Saturday, June 2, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drop by and see this historic coin!
May 10, 2012 | ANA, coins, shows
Regular readers know that I am proponent of electronic books and using technology to expand the reach of the hobby. But there is one thing that the hobby cannot make electric and that is the coin show.
This week, the American Numismatic Association National Money Show is being held in Denver. While not as big of a production as the summer’s World’s Fair of Money, it is still a premiere event of the numismatic calendar. Sure, there are other significant shows, but nobody puts on a show like the ANA.
Even if you go to one of the other larger shows or a smaller regional show, there is nothing that can duplicate the atmosphere and energy of a show’s bourse. There is nothing like walking into a room full of tables and seeing coins, currencies, medals, tokens, and other numismatics fill rooms, ballrooms, or convention centers. All for sale!
There is nothing like the dealers and collectors that you meet on the bourse floor. While their personalities are as varied as what they sell or collect, numismatic collectors are intelligent, fun, and engaging. Even those dealers, authors, and researchers who are “famous” in the industry are as approachable as anyone else.
The last time I was able to attend the National Money Show was in 2007 that was held in Charlotte, North Carolina. When I first entered the Civic Center in downtown Charlotte, I was surprised as to how much smaller the show was than the Whitman Baltimore Expo but was even more surprised when the energy surpassed that of the Baltimore shows.
The difference is the ANA—they put on a heck of a show!
Since Whitman took over the Baltimore Expo, they have improved the experience making it more of a destination show—one I hope to attend in June. But the ANA shows are different in that as a membership organization, they have generate a fraternal feeling amongst those who attend the show that cannot be duplicated.
But that does not mean other shows are now worth attending. On the contrary, local and regional shows can be as much fun as the large national shows. Local shows can be destinations to bring local numismatists together. They are also places to meet the local and regional dealers who can help you put together your collection.
If you cannot attend a national show, attend a local show. Get out from behind the computer screen and meet your fellow collectors and the dealers. Experiencing the numismatic community at a show cannot be duplicated in email, on a forum, or through a blog. You have to experience it for yourself.
The Whitman Baltimore Expo starts on Thursday, June 28 and end on Sunday, July 1. Unless something comes up, I plan on attending on Saturday, June 30. The World’s Fair of Money will be August 7-11 in Philadelphia. I will be there for a few days during that show. If you are going to attend either of these shows feel free to stop me and say hello. I would love to meet you!
Feb 2, 2012 | coins, policy, shows
During Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley’s (D) State of the State Address in front of the Maryland General Assembly, he outlined his vision for the state and how it will support its citizens. As a resident, I was interested in what Governor O’Malley said because of some of the rumored policy initiatives.
Like every other state, Maryland needs to raise money in order to fulfill state current state obligations without considering new initiatives. O’Malley, who is in his second term and has not shied away from talk about seeking a federal office, put forward an aggressive agenda that includes “revenue enhancers” to pay for his proposal.
One revenue enhancer is one that was defeated last year: the repeal of the sales tax exemption for coin sales of more than $1,000, bullion, and coin shows. According to the Budget Highlights published by the governor’s office, it is estimated that repealing the exemption will bring in an addition $3 million in revenue.
One difference between the bill introduced in 2011 and this one being proposed by the governor is that last year’s bill was introduced late in the session making it easier for delegates to prevent it from being reported out of committee. This year, the bill will introduced early, possibly this week, giving legislators the entire session to work on its provisions.
I received a note from David Crenshaw, General Manager of Whitman Expos as I did last year talking about this proposal. Once again, Whitman is saying that if the law was repealed they would likely move their shows “to a friendlier state with no sales tax.” This would effect the loss of ancillary taxes at hotels, restaurants, and other establishments in the Inner Harbor that would be generated by show participants.
While the proposed tax change is yet another example of a government not looking at the collateral damage that may be caused by this type of proposal, I do not agree with Crenshaw that now is the time to act. Since the bill has not been introduced in the legislature for consideration, referencing an issue without a bill to associate it with will not make an impact. With the limited time that the legislature is in session (four months), comments need to be concise and germane to the legislative agenda—basically a bill that has been introduced. This was confirmed to me after a conversation with one of my representative to the General Assembly.
I will oppose this bill and some of the other “revenue enhancers” that will have regressive effects on Maryland’s economy. Once the bills are introduced and assigned bill numbers, I will have something specific to tell my representatives my opposition.
Nov 30, 2011 | ANA, commentary, shows
The American Numismatic Association Board of Governors held a teleconference last night. During the telecom, updates were provided on the ANA Twitter account @ANACoins. Here are the highlights with some commentary:
The Chicago Coin Club has been voted as the host for the 2013 World’s Fair of Money.
This is an anticlimactic type of announcement. With so many World’s Fair of Money shows scheduled for Chicago, is there really anyone else who could be the host club? What many people do not know is that if a club is designated as a host club, they automatically earn Life Membership in the ANA. With the shows being concentrated in Chicago and the decision to rotate the spring National Money Show between three cities, the chance for others to not only be part of the experience but earn life membership has diminished.
The board has just voted to hold the 2013 spring National Money Show in New Orleans.
I know where I will be in the spring of 2013! I love visiting New Orleans. There is no place like it in the world. Aside from the French Quarter, there are world class restaurants, the Audubon Zoo, the music, and more. Have you ever been to a Voodoo museum? I have, and it is an interesting sight. Have you ever ridden on a steamboat on the Mississippi? That is a lot of fun, too. Then there’s definition of heaven: sitting at Café Du Monde at the French Market while drinking café au lait and eating beignets, getting powdered sugar on your shirt, and watching the crowds. Try doing this at 2 AM while an event is in town.
The board has voted to reinstate early admittance (aka early birds) at future ANA conventions.
Why did they stop early birds in the first place?
The board OK’d an exhibit award for women in numismatics. An anonymous donor will sponsor the award on a 3-year trial basis.
As I said in a previous post, the hobby has to do better at diversifying. While this announcement is a good start, I think there should be more. What about exhibit awards for minorities? How about something to help the “Lost Demographic” (as I previously discussed)? I realize that this was probably initiated by the anonymous donor, but what about working with those in the donor community to sponsor a program for minorities or the Lost Demographic?
Last update: President Hallenbeck announced that
NGC will continue as ANA’s official grading service for another five years.
As someone who has taken advantage of the self-submission benefit with NGC with much success, I feel this is a good decision.
Someday the ANA will have a better information management and communications policies so that this information is more accessible to the membership in ways other than relying on Twitter. While I appreciate the information appearing on Twitter, too many people cannot handle the level of noise generated on Twitter and how to separate real information from the noise. In fact, if I had not checked Twitter for realtime sports information, I would not have seen the ANA tweets about the Board meeting.
Nov 25, 2011 | Baltimore, coins, currency, shows
For the first time since the 2008 World’s Fair of Money, I went to a coin show. Attending the Whitman Baltimore Expo was timed so that I could be there before the Annual Meeting of the Maryland State Numismatic Association (MSNA), but so not to spend a lot of time on my bad leg. When I arrived after 1:30 PM, there was still nice activity on the bourse floor. Although some dealers had left the show, there was a significant presence. After carefully assessing the landscape, it appears that the folks at Whitman has moved dealers around so that the area near the entrance continues to have active dealers.
Seen on the way to the Whitman Baltimore Expo!
When I arrived I did a quick tour of the bourse floor toward Halls B and C. For this show, I found that the dealers in Hall C were the most active and had the some of the more interesting items. Before going into the Hall C area, I found a dealer in foreign coins to sell some Canadian silver dollars. With that money, I went to Hall C and purchased 2011 silver Panda and Britannia coins.
Time was short, so I went to the third floor to find the meeting room for the MSNA meeting. Since the floors above the bourse were reserved for educational seminars for the American Physical Society, meeting rooms for the Whitman show were reserved more than half-way to the Camden Yards end of the Baltimore Convention Center. If you have not visited the BCC, it is a very large structure and the walk is not easy for someone with a bad leg. But I made it and the MSNA Board accomplished some work.
2012 Maryland State Numismatic Association Officers
On my return to the bourse floor, I noticed more than half the dealers had packed and left the show. For me, this is not a problem since I was more interested in the interesting item from the dealers that were left, primarily at the far end of Hall B and the dealers in Hall C. For the first time, I stopped at the table of a dealer who was selling ancient coins. Although I am not a collector of ancients, I have supported Ancient Coin Collectors Guild (ACCG) and their efforts to prevent import/export restrictions on ancient coins. I spoke with the dealer for a few moments asking questions about the ancient coin market.
I also had the chance to speak with Bob Hall, a numismatic book dealer. Every time I see him at a show, I make sure I stop by his table. Hall has a wide selection of books from the current to the old. He is also a good conversationalist who really knows his stuff. Even though I did find a book I was interested in, it was a bit out of my price range. I will try again in March.
One thing I noticed is that there did not seem to be a currency area. Currency dealers were found in different places and not in one particular area.
At the end, I sat at the table of one dealer in Hall C and went through his “junk bag” of foreign currency. Flipping through those notes gave me an idea for a collection and potential exhibition. If I can find currency with the appropriate characteristics, I will have an exhibit ready for the Whitman Expo in March.
After the show closed for the evening, returned to my car happy to be off of my feet. After a stop for an appropriate beverage, I spent the next hour driving home.
That was a lot of fun, even for a few hours. I will have to look into going to a smaller show before the next Whitman Expo.
Nov 19, 2011 | Baltimore, fun, shows
Today is the Annual Meeting of the Maryland State Numismatic Association (MSNA). The meeting is being held at the Baltimore Convention Center during the Whitman Baltimore Expo. I am looking forward to this meeting because I was nominated as Vice President of MSNA.
The MSNA was founded in 1972 that could function as a central organization for Maryland. From humble beginnings out of John Henry’s vision with nine charter clubs, MSNA now represents 20 Maryland clubs.
Another reason why I am excited is that I have not been to a coin show since the 2008 World’s Fair of Money that was held at the Baltimore Convention Center. A bad knee has prevented me from going to coin shows. Although my knee does not feel better, I am going to the convention center a few hours before the MSNA meeting and visit the bourse. I am going to try to limit my walking, but I look forward to doing this. (And this will allow my wife to stay home read in peace!)
Obviously, I will bring my new iPhone 4S with me which will allow me to tweet about my adventures. Follow @coinsblog on Twitter to read my tweets. Hopefully, I will be able to take pictures and pass them along in real time.
Stay tuned for my show report!
Jun 24, 2010 | ANA, commentary, shows
American Numismatic Association Executive Director Larry Shepherd was interviewed by David Lisot for CoinTelevision.com about the ANA’s decision to base its summer World’s Fair of Money in Chicago.
Shepherd opens his remarks saying that “[this] is not a knee jerk reaction as some publications made it out to be.” He reiterated that this was a well thought process. The problem seems that each one of his arguments have answers that could be addressed with another perspective. Here are counters to two of his main points.
One of the factors Shepherd cites as a reason for Chicago being a good place for a coin show is the lack of other major coin shows in the area. It is interesting that the ANA did not consider the Chicago International Coin Fair (CICF) and Chicago Paper Money Expo (CPMX) major shows. CICF and CPMX have been held in the Rosemont area for a while and is now owned by Krause Publications, founded by Board of Governors member Chet Krause and where President Cliff Mishler was once CEO. In addition to CICF and CPMX, the Mid America Coin Expo was moved the Schaumburg in 2008 and starting next year, the Central States Numismatic Society moved their annual show to Rosemont for 2011 and Schaumburg for the succeeding five years.
Even if you discount the CSNS show because of timing, that is three major shows already in Chicago. Although Shepherd can argue that the World’s Fair of Money is a bigger show, it is probably the biggest coin show in North America, if not the world. So why not share the wealth with other cities?
The other issue that Shepherd brought up is that he said that (paraphrasing) an organization cannot call up a city and say you are bringing the world’s largest coin show to their city in a few years—tell the mayor. After consulting with someone in another industry confirmed what Shepherd said that cities are looking for a financial commitment. They want the organization to guarantee floor space (and associated rent) in the convention center and hotel usage that will represent the potential income from the various taxes governments charge.
Shepherd mentions that meeting the guarantees is becoming difficult because of online travel sites that undercut the prices agreed upon in the contract to use the city facilities. If the organization does not sell the minimum guaranteed rooms, the organization must make up the tax losses to the city. What Shepherd does not tell you is that an organization can negotiate this with the city. What he does say is that this is that this is not an issue in Chicago… except that the location is not in Chicago. The proposed location is in Rosemont, just east of Chicago O’Hare International Airport and 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. It is also a limited access area with a limited number of hotels nearby making guarantees unnecessary since most people going to the show will stay in a nearby hotel.
Rather than trying to negotiate with municipalities to host a show that does millions of dollars of business in addition to a multi-million dollar rare coin auction, Shepherd recommended this enclave outside of Chicago near the second busiest airport in the United States surrounded by suburbs and not exactly a tourist destination.
In the past, Shepherd discussed the scheduling and handling of the ANA shows so as to not lose money. One consideration was to find what he described as “a good bourse city” primarily to make the dealers happy. What he never mentioned is what would make the ANA collectors happy. Rather, Shepherd is saying that it is not enough to use what is probably the world’s largest numismatic show as the destination in different cities as outreach to its members and future members, the ANA, a non-profit organization, is using the show to make a profit and enforce profits for its dealers. I am for dealers making profits, but I am against this profit motive as a driving factor for the placement of the ANA convention.
The Chicagoland area is a wonderful place and Chicago is a great city. But to be the only area that the ANA uses for its premier convention is an insult to cities all over the country capable of hosting a successful show and an indictment on Shepherd’s inability to think creatively.
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