The Reeded Edge Heads to Charlotte for The NCNA Coin Show

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cabarrus arenaThe coin market has been both healthy and steady, a very good sign going into the fall season. Collectors seem to be active in most series, with few if any exceptions. Coming off of a productive VNA Coin Show in Fredericksburg, VA, we are cautiously optimistic that this momentum will continue. This Thursday, the guys will be southbound to Concord, NC for the annual NCNA Coin Show & Convention. This is a nice, mid-size regional coin show with an extremely high-quality and diverse group of dealers. The Reeded Edge will be located at their same front-and-center table as last year. Rob and Robbie will have many new coins with them, perhaps their largest certified coin inventory of the year. New purchases include everything from copper through gold, so stop by their booth with your want lists and take a look-we think that you will be pleasantly surprised. Of course the guys will also be in their usual acquisition mode, as evidenced by the giant BUYING, BUYING, BUYING sign marking their booth and visible from all vantage points in the convention center. Whether you have one interesting coin or an entire collection for sale, please consider making The Reeded Edge your go-to dealer. Concord (which is a suburb of Charlotte, and famous for The Charlotte Speedway) is an absolutely beautiful part of the country, and this time of year, the weather seldom gets better. If you’re considering a visit to this part of the country, please consider stopping by the coin show. We would love to see you there, and perhaps, even do a little business!

VNA Delivers!

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Coming off of a week with 2 sub-par coins shows, we were really hoping to breath some new life into our month. Happily, VNA did just that, and then some. From the show’s outset, you could feel a buzz absent from both Gettysburg and PAN the previous week. Dealer activity was both fast and furious, and our purchases Thursday on dealer trading day more than justified our presence. But Friday through Sunday offered an equally vibrant level of activity with two way business transacted throughout. It’s always encouraging to see the efforts of a successful coin club translate to a great convention, and the Virgina Numismatic Association in that regard, is always one of the best. Our hat goes off to Richard Shornak, the new VNA bourse chairman, for a job well done. We only wish each and every coin show were run with this level of success and dedication. Kudos to the whole VNA organization!

We hate to close on a somber note, but our friend and long-time colleague Barry Ciaciaola is very ill. The CDHCD Facebook group has taken up a collection to assist with his finances. If any of you that know Barry would like to help, please click HERE. As holds true for our many other dealer friends, we consider him an important member of our extended numismatic family. Barry, you are in our thoughts and prayers.

The Reeded Edge Returns from a Lackluster PAN Show and Heads to Fredericksburg for VNA

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Fredericksburg Convention CenterUsually PAN is one of our favorite coin shows. Pittsburgh is almost in our backyard, and few coin clubs are run better than PAN. What then could possibly go wrong? Well, this time around-just about everything! Due to a scheduling conflict with the Whitman Baltimore Coin Show (which was NO fault of PAN’s), PAN realized that they stood to lose over 20 of their marquis dealers, and consequently changed their show date. This had several consequences: Most notably, the PAN regular attendees are used to the show being held the last weekend in October, and usually plan their trips accordingly. Secondly, what alleviated one conflict, created another. PAN fell squarely on the same weekend as The Battlefield Coin Show in Gettysburg, PA. Rob and Robbie were forced to split inventory and resources and attend two shows rather than combining forces for one. With a less than stellar crowd at either show, we feel both shows suffered from this debacle. Since we hold both Mike Dixon (from Gettysburg) and the entire PAN staff in the highest regard, we certainly hope that this is a scenario that never replays itself. There were no winners last weekend, including The Reeded Edge. But as they say, that’s water under the bridge. This weekend, Rob and Robbie will be heading south to the always-robust Virginia Numismatic Association’s annual convention in Fredericksburg, VA. This has developed into one of the better regional shows in the mid-Atlantic, and it’s one the guys always look forward to. You will find The Reeded Edge’s prominent island-style booth located front and center in the bourse hall. They will have hundreds of new certified coins in tow, including the beginning of a million dollar plus collection that they are currently working through. If you haven’y perused the guys inventory lately, please stop by their booth this weekend. We think that you will be pleasantly surprised. Equally as important, if you have anything interesting for sale, The Reeded Edge will have their open-checkbook policy in full effect. Few buyers are more aggressive than The Reeded Edge, and this holds especially true for fresh and rare numismatic material. The weather forecast for the weekend is looking great for a change, and the Civil War history in this Virginia region is simply unbeatable. We sincerely hope that Fredericksburg is in your plans, as the guys would really love to see you at the show.

Ohio State Coin Show Demonstrates Once Again Why They are The Best Run Show in The Country!

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This is a strong statement, and it’s not to be taken lightly. The Ohio State Coin Show on Labor Day Weekend in Dublin, Ohio proved once again why it is the single best run coin show in the country! How many show promoters would try to hold their venue on one of the most traveled weekends of the year? Furthermore, who would even fathom holding a show in Columbus during Ohio State football’s (probably the most popular college football program in the country) season opener? The combination seems like a sure recipe for disaster. Suffice to say, only a really fine-tuned coin show run by an equally committed organization could pull this off. We are pleased to say, that once again, The Central Ohio Numismatic Association with their host of green hat support staff put on a first class venue, defying the odds and making firm believers out of us. When we hear that coin shows are a dying breed, we always allude back to this venue. They advertise and market, they prove year-in and year-out that they have a contingent of collectors and members that remain loyal to the show, and perhaps most importantly, they make their dealers feel welcome. Rob and Robbie reported a stellar day of trading on Friday, followed by a solid day of selling on football Saturday. Only three days back from this year’s show, and their attention has already turned to next year’s anniversary show-which they have been told, is really going to be something special! Hats off to Patty Cass and her wonderful staff for a job well done. If only every coin show were run like this…..well, we can dream, can’t we??

The Reeded Edge Heads to Dublin for The Ohio State Coin Show

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Dublin ClarionThis weekend, we will be launching our end-of-Summer, early-Fall coin show tour starting with one of our perennial favorites. Rob and Robbie will be heading to Dublin, Ohio for The Central Ohio Numismatic Association’s Annual Ohio State Coin Show. This 50+ table show hosts one of the best mixes of dealers and collectors found throughout the region. Throw into the mix the diligence and friendliness of the Green Hats (the derby-wearing club members that run and manage this venue), and you have a coin show that always seems to be a success. This is our 5th year setting up at this show, and we have made it a staple on our regular schedule. We will have quite a bit of new material, most noticeably all of our new purchases and grading returns from the recent blockbuster ANA’s World Fair of Money in Philadelphia. But don’t think that an abundance of new coins translates into a buying hiatus, because that is the furthest thing from the truth. The guys will have their usual open checkbook policy in full effect, as their insatiable appetite for fresh coins remains ongoing. The Reeded Edge has been buying coins at a frenzied pace, and our hope is to continue that pattern in Dublin. Perhaps, you have some special coins that you were waiting for the right opportunity to sell. Then, be sure to give Rob and Robbie a chance to tender their aggressive offer. Just look for the large wall table in the right front corner of the main bourse hall, and The Reeded Edge’s giant (and dare we say, borderline obnoxious) BUYING, BUYING, BUYING sign, and the guys should not be far behind. The show opens to the public at The Dublin Clarion on Friday, August 31 at 10:00 AM and runs through Sunday. We can’t think of a better way to spend Labor Day weekend, and we hope that you are in agreement. We would love to see you in beautiful Dublin!

The Reeded Edge Returns from a Terrific Philadelphia A.N.A.!

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Independence-Hall-autumn-C-Smyth-1200VPThe A.N.A.’s Worlds Fair of Money is now in the history books. As we have mentioned previously, this is the biggest coin show of the year, so build-up and expectations both ran high. We are happy to report that the show delivered in all aspects. We suspected that Philadelphia both geographically and demographically would be an ideal location for this venue. After all, 40% of the country’s population is within a 500 mile radius. It also neighbors some of the country’s most affluent areas. On paper, The City of Brotherly Love seemed to be the perfect location. We have not seen the final attendance tallies, but the room appeared full most of the show. This was a stark contrast to Denver and Anaheim, the two previous A.N.A. locations. Equally as important, the attendees transacted business, and lots of it! In all, The Reeded Edge wrote over 100 show invoices, and sold almost 400 certified coins. Results are the ultimate measure for any coin show, and it’s hard to argue that bottom-line numbers should encourage the A.N.A. to favor other mid-Atlantic locations moving forward. Not to over-politicize this Market Report, but with the exception of a few proven mid-western locations like Chicago and Indianapolis, this show should stay anchored on the east coast. News Flash: Trade shows are the lifeblood for sustaining the A.N.A.’s existence. With a declining and aging membership core, these shows and the dealers that support them, provide the money that the organization so desperately needs. We realize that some members may cry foul, but if the A.N.A. dealers that purchase bourse tables can’t make enough money to justify attending these venues, then the A.N.A. will die. In this dealer’s humble opinion, there is no need for the A.N.A. to EVER consider cities like Anaheim, Los Angeles, Denver, Portland, Detroit or Kansas City for their marquis show again. Baltimore, Philadelphia and Chicago are proven winners, so let’s keep the show in those locations.

The Reeded Edge had a full staff on hand for most of the show. Veteran support staff like Miguel Lopez and Rory Shelby combined with first-timer Ron Iliffe assisted Rob and Robbie in the many tasks associated with an A.N.A. Buying and selling represented a good portion of the day’s activities, and in both areas, we remained busy throughout. But it was the behind-the-scenes work that really kept the guys in high gear. This was our first show that we implemented a new, fully automated, point of sale system that was directly tied into our inventory data base. This allowed us to simultaneously remove coins from our web store, Collector’s Corner, eBay and any other online venues where they were listed. There were admittedly a few speed bumps with our new roll-out, but for the most part, the process went pretty well and saved us a lot of potential back-end headaches. There was also the challenge of continually submitting coins to PCGS for on-site grading. This is one of the truly great resources at larger shows like the A.N.A. and allows for a constant influx of fresh, new coins during and immediately after the show. Part of the logistical challenge for us at any coin show is to continually rotate inventory. Our customers expect new coins on a regular basis, and it is our job to make sure that they are not disappointed.

In retrospect, the A.N.A. was a great coin show, and certainly one of our best of the year. It proved, in no uncertain terms, that the coin market and coin hobby are both still very healthy. People seemed willing to open their wallets and checkbooks, an indicator of an economic uptick. An interesting side note is that all of this spending activity took place during a terrible week for precious metals. The fact that this show still persevered is indicative of underlying strength in the numismatic market, and perhaps more importantly, economic stability. The last week was a near-perfect storm, and we feel confident that the momentum should continue into the fall season.

In the next week, there will be hundreds of new coins appearing on our web store, eBay and Collector’s Corner. Also, for those of you that subscribe to Coin World and Numismatic News, be sure to check out our ads there, as well. Plenty of material is still out at PCGS and CAC for grading, so expect to see those returns filtering into inventory in the very near future. Provided coin shows moving forward reinforce what we got a dose of last week, there is reason for continued optimism. Next up for The Reeded Edge will be The Ohio State Coin Show in Columbus, Ohio on Labor Day weekend. We will have further details about this popular venue forthcoming in next week’s Market Report.

ANA Active-Details Forthcoming

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The ANA Show in Philadelphia has been VERY busy, so much so that we haven’t even had a chance to do a thorough update. But rest assured, it is forthcoming in the very near future. Stay tuned!

The Reeded Edge Heads to Philadelphia for The A.N.A. World’s Fair of Money

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PA_Convention_Center_1993_HighsmithIt’s hard to believe that it’s that time of year again for the granddaddy of coin shows. It seems like just yesterday that we were across the country in Denver, and viola, that same show is upon us again. Fortunately, this year’s venue is conveniently located in Philadelphia, which translates to a driving show for us. Of course the show we allude to is The A.N.A. World’s Fair of Money at the Philadelphia Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia. A consortium of dealers from all around the world will converge on Philadelphia for five full days of numismatic trading. The show kicks off on Tuesday morning for dealers and then opens to the public at 1:00 PM. The Reeded Edge will have all hands on deck. In addition to Rob and Robbie, our booth will be staffed by several other competent and recognizable numismatists, including Miguel Lopez, Rory Shelby and Ron Iliffe. Just look for The Reeded Edge’s large BUYING, BUYING, BUYING sign, located front-right and center from the main entrance, and visible from most vantage points on the bourse floor. Our booth is a forward-facing, end cap, tables #333 and #432. We will have thousands of numismatic and related items available for sale, including many pieces never seen before. The A.N.A. is a special show, and so is the mix of coins and collectibles that we bring to it. We strongly urge a stop at The Reeded Edge booth to take it all in. Monday, you will find The Reeded Edge trading at the PNG Pre-Show (at the same location). Although considered more of a wholesale trading day, this venue is still open to the public and serves as a great opportunity to get a little of our time and attention before things get crazy at the main event. The guys will be aggressively buying throughout both shows, and their usual open checkbook policy will be in full force. IMPORTANT: If you need to get hold of Rob or Robbie during next week’s show, you may call either on their cell phones; Rob’s number is (240) 422-0118 and Robbie’s number is (301) 876-1332.

The Reeded Edge Heads to Vienna, VA for our Last Pre-ANA Coin Show

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vienna va community centerIt sounds really strange to be discussing the A.N.A.’s World’s Fair of Money again. It seems like just yesterday that we were heading to Denver for our annual pilgrimage. Thank goodness this year is in Philly. The obvious advantage for us is that this is a driving show. But more importantly, Philadelphia is right in the heart of the mid-Atlantic, home to 40% of the country’s population and probably the greatest concentration of coin collectors in any one geographic area. Logistically, Philadelphia makes sense, so we are excited about all that The City of Brotherly Love has to offer. But, not so fast! First, we have a great little weekend show in an equally good location to serve as the precursor for the big event. The Vienna Quarterly Coin and Stamp Show, located at the Vienna Community Center in the heart of Northern Virginia will be held this weekend. We really couldn’t think of a better warm-up than this robust show. As one of the oldest local shows in not just our area, but the entire country, there is a reason why Vienna works. Like Philly, location is the key. Fairfax County is the second wealthiest county in the United States, surpassed only by its neighboring county to the north, Montgomery County, MD. A great number of collectors that have grown the Whitman Baltimore Show into one of the best national coin venues, are also based in these two counties. Consequently, we never know what is going to walk into Vienna. Over the years, there have been some very significant numismatic properties that have shown up at this little show, much to the attending dealers’ delights. We hope that this summer’s venue offers that same prospect. Both Rob and Robbie will be on hand to represent The Reeded Edge, and they will have many new certified coins in tow. For those of you that want to get an early jump on previewing The Reeded Edge’s A.N.A. inventory, we suggest that you make plans to attend Vienna. If for no other reason than attending an intimate little show with a great mix of dealers, it’s worth putting Vienna on your calendar. There is a good reason that many first-time attendees turn into Vienna regulars, and that this show has such a loyal following. If the D.C. metropolitan area is in your plans for this weekend (and quite honestly, it should be – D.C. is a GREAT city in the summer), try to incorporate The Vienna Coin and Stamp Show into your itinerary. We think that you’ll be glad that you did!

July Feels a Bit Strange Despite Steady Sales

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Have you ever had that feeling that something just isn’t right? Perhaps it was in school; you had the answer, and despite checking and double checking the problem, something about it just didn’t look correct. Logic said that everything was in order, but your gut was telling you otherwise. That in a nutshell describes the July coin market. Our sales figures are historically on target for a July with both dealers and collectors. The Annandale Coin Show, which was our only show of the month, was solid if not even robust. Collector demand has been especially good for this time of year. Our price lists, online listings and print ads have also been good. So what then is the problem? Just like school, we are not exactly sure there is one. Just call it a feeling.

Reports and observations from coin dealers indicate two distinct markets. The dealers who exclusively rely on supplying other dealers are complaining about stagnant inventory and cash flow concerns. There is also a noticeable increase in fraudulent activity, another possible sign of underlying market challenges. Precious metals have been in a prolonged bearish cycle, which we contend, has a direct and negative impact on the numismatic sector of the marketplace. Nowhere has this aspect been felt more than at the coin shop level. Shop owners, who play a vital role in the supply chain of coins in the marketplace, have really been crying about the lack of fresh material coming in through their doors. This is something we never heard during the periods when metals rallied. Strong metals prices spur numismatic activity-there is absolutely NO doubt about that symbiotic relationship.

So, we are back to the chicken and egg argument. If retail sales are solid, and the coin shows we have been attending are equally good, is there really a problem? Do we simply turn a blind eye to the aforementioned challenges with the attitude that they don’t really affect us, therefore they are a nonstarter? Irrespective of how we interpret our situation or the coin market as a whole, there is no denying the funny feeling that we just are not firing on all cylinders. We have one more small show in Vienna, VA next week before heading to the all-important American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia. Any uncertainties of the true state of the market or where it’s heading into the fall should be resolved there. If nothing else, we should have a solid read on market condition as a whole, and not just in our little bubble.