The Reeded Edge Returns from Gettysburg and a Robust Battlefield Coin Show

We have suspected from the time that coin shows reemerged from the COVID lock-down, that there was a lot of bottled-up potential business just ready to explode. Coming on the heels of successful Dalton and Columbus venues, Gettysburg proved yet again that both dealers and collectors are ready to resume attending coin shows. More importantly, there is an obvious desire from both groups to do business. Gold and silver have provided a strong foundation for the continued health of the hobby. Attendance at Gettysburg was strong with the room full, but not overcrowded. With each further show that we attend (this is our third since the shut-down in March), it is obvious that people in general are less afraid and more anxious to resume some sense of normalcy. For the numismatist, the coin show serves just that purpose. We should mention that coin shows transcend just business; they are just as importantly social functions where like-minded collectors can interact with one and other as well as the attending dealer contingent. It was refreshing to witness such a positive atmosphere coming on the backside, of what can only be labeled, an otherwise dark summer.

Rob and Robbie both came away from Gettysburg with a similar opinion of what they also witnessed in Dalton and Columbus. Collector demand seems to be across-the-board with widespread demand. Predictably, dollars and gold are leading the way. In general, there were very few tire kickers at Gettysburg. Most who made the pilgrimage seemed determined to do business. A gun show held on the same property had the Eisenhower hotel’s parking area overflowing. Make no mistake, this was a good problem to have, and one that we hope follows us around the circuit throughout the fall.

We were disappointed to receive word from Whitman this week that the relocated Baltimore show has now officially been cancelled. Unfortunately, they just could not get a consensus for a new city agreeable to all of their dealers. Also, booking a large venue on short notice is a very tricky proposition. So, we will look forward to the spring when the show returns to its homebase with COVID hopefully in the rearview mirror. The PAN show in Pittsburgh and the North Carolina Numismatic Association’s show in Concord both will be moving forward, and we are looking forward to attending both.

With 3 coin shows under our belts, we are flush with new coins again. We implore you to look throughout the store where you will see new purchases from all series represented. It was a strange 5 months for us with an absence of coin shows. It’s hard to get a handle on how many coins get sourced through shows until they don’t exist. Like many of our associates, we kept the faith throughout this ordeal, realizing that at some point, coin shows would resume. We never did buy into the term the new normal, and we are hoping that the old normal is on the not-too-distant horizon. We now have good reason to believe that to be the case.