Pittsburgh

[fogie]

A great show (at least for me)! I got to complete my 1895-O set! Years ago I discovered the 1895-O VAM-3A and was not sure the VAM-3 actually existed without the pitting under the eagles chin. Now I know better! I also picked up an 1878-S VAM-66 in AU which I have been looking for for quite a while. I was able to pick up a few 1879-S from B.R. that I need to flesh out my set. That does not even count the 100 or so that I need to figure out yet. All in all it has been a very good time here in Pittsburgh.

[DHalladay]

Sounds like another Hoover show (vacuum up loads of coins)! And sounds like a ton of fun!!

[lewisr2]

78S V66 are hard to find — in AU is makes it better.

[vampicker]

And you got to personally witness "It's not going to work out" at dinner

[messydesk]

There were (and still are) enough coin people stuck at the airport long enough to have a mini-bourse in the terminal.

[alefzero]

There were (and still are) enough coin people stuck at the airport long enough to have a mini-bourse in the terminal.

Yeah. Fogie picked me up to get a little bite to eat. Got back. They put me on a flight tomorrow morning, but bumped me from first class to coach. Meanwhile, those not moved to another flight, got a shuttle ride and free stays at Motel 6 and meal vouchers. Airlines can be major pricks.

Anyone else still in terminal B? I am at B30 (they also changed my gate twice again).

[messydesk]

I got a meal voucher from United after all the places to use it closed.

[vampicker]

Wow, beat the rain driving back. Your airport experiences top the comedy at the restaurant on Thursday by far.

[vampicker]

On the positive side, I picked a a few things for my collection. A 34-S VAM 3, an 82-S VAM 3(great acid treated reverse) along with a couple of 79-S marriages with over polished reverses paired with obverse dies used for the 79-S Rev of 78 issues. The US Mint had the proof Morgan and Peace Dollars for sale - no signing up and waiting. Found a couple of medals too, a Queen Victoria Jubilee issue with the original box and a Daniel Manning medal done by Morgan. Also a couple of French jetons for the late 18th century with coining presses pictured. Looked at the cancelled die in the Heritage sale - interesting hunk of metal.

[alefzero]

Just got home finally. Crashing.

[messydesk]

Just got home finally. Crashing.

Hoping you're describing your need to sleep and not the flight.

[alefzero]

LOL. Yeah, set those pins right up.

[UNCLE BINGO]

sounds like the ordeal was a 7/10 split Happy you all survived !!!!

[UNCLE BINGO]

@vampicker I am a big fan of the jetons ... please share . If not here on A seperate topic ....only one I have ever held made me tremble ...
But that is off topic ....lol

[morganman]

Would love to see JR'S compilation/hoard of misc oddities he has
posted over many yrs / from shows etc Very diverse interest unlike
myself with just Morgans & U S gold coinage, with a real deep collection
of 21/2-$5- $10 indians. Best i have is 2- $5 indians in ms65 worth a
pretty penny, and another raw that im quite sure will go 66, after showing
it around for yrs. I have owned these for some 40 or so yrs.
Now time to PCGS the raw one to finally see how it grades

[vampicker]

I've threatened to do a book or catalog of my collection of pieces with coining presses and the like. Seems like a project for when I retire or semi-retire at this rate.
The jetons are surprisingly affordable for the most part. These two are both originals rather than later restrikes. Both are silver and about the diameter of a half dollar. They both commemorate the moneyers of the mint at Rouen. The Louis XV piece was struck around 1747, while the Louis XVI jeton is dated 1787. I might holder the later piece.

[UNCLE BINGO]

Those are sweet!

[alefzero]

All in all, it was a very good show. From a selling perspective, I didn't get the numbers I had expected. However, a few coins that had been surprisingly difficult sells did find the right buyers finally. I envy the dealers who can predict, with any accuracy, the right coins to bring to each show.

Socially it was really good. 'FUN Light' in a way. Quite a number of VAM folks converged on the show, mostly by Thursday. The social aspect can redeem the worst of shows, which this was not however. Those on the sidelines really should consider going to major shows now and then and mixing with others. FUN and the Summer ANA WFoM are consistently the best for that rewarding part of the hobby.

While not doing so much in VAMs the past several years, I succumbed to the compulsion to pick up that 225A on the last day. Those who were there know the coin to which I refer. I just could not let that beauty get out into the wild to just a regular Morgan collector rather than a VAM enthusiast.

The travel woes for our departures were considerable. It is always better to fly safely though. The airlines could/should have been far more accommodating anyway.

[keilg1]

I've threatened to do a book or catalog of my collection of pieces with coining presses and the like. Seems like a project for when I retire or semi-retire at this rate.
The jetons are surprisingly affordable for the most part. These two are both originals rather than later restrikes. Both are silver and about the diameter of a half dollar. They both commemorate the moneyers of the mint at Rouen. The Louis XV piece was struck around 1747, while the Louis XVI jeton is dated 1787. I might holder the later piece.

Crikey, mate, these are amazing...