Will the FUN Last All Year Long?

Friday, January 1, 1999

        It is that time of the year again, and no I don't mean Christmas, Chanukah, and all the other year-end holidays. Nineteen-ninety-eight is over and now the FUN begins. The annual FUN Show brings with it the hopes and dreams of a zealous numismatic year. The majority of dealers we have spoken with in the last month are brimming with anticipation for 1999. The coin market is very solid and even opportunistic if you believe the coin gurus who predict higher prices. Evaluating all indicators, it looks as if many dealers feel we will continue the same type of trend that was established in late '97 and continued through 1998.

        We are seeing an abundance of new "faces" joining the numismatic hobby. Many are returning collectors who have been out of the hobby for several years. Many of them are bringing new collectors with them. With the multitudes of anxious buyers trying to buy coins valued at $5 to over $100,000, the coin market appears to have established a solid base for the first time in ten years. Now this does not mean that some areas of the market cannot go down; it simply states that there are enough buyers out there to make the industry grow at a more steady pace than anytime in history. As several dealers have pointed out, establishing a foundation for the less expensive collector-based coins will help maintain their confidence in the overall market and encourage them to expand their collections in the future. Confidence in our numismatic product is what will bring more collectors on the scene.

        For those of you who wish to visit your favorite dealer up close, the FUN Show is the first opportunity of the year to do just that. This show attracts thousands of dealers and collectors from all over the country and even some from across the waters. Cindy Grellman and the FUN Show Committee typically put on one heck of a convention. They do their very best to attract as much interest in numismatics as can be done. They have seminars, exhibits, YN programs, and of course, one of the biggest and best bourse shows of the year. In addition, there are two major auction companies presenting sales. Bowers and Merena will conduct the Rarities Sale on January 5th & 6th, composed of over 800 lots; many of these can be described as true rarities of numismatics. The Bust Half-Dollar collector will be fascinated by the number of superb coins being offered; many are certified as the finest graded. The Seated Halves and Dollars also include various important issues, among them is the 1878 S Half, in MS63. This should attract a lot of bidding activity. There is also a group of Walker rarities seldom seen in high grades. In the Morgan Dollar section you will find an 1892 S in MS63 among several other beautiful rarities. We cannot possibly list all the potential highlights here, but that is why they go to so much expense in celebrating these events through the production of catalogues. Make sure you don't miss this event.

        Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc. will present their Signature Sale on January 6th-8th. Their catalogue is over 600 pages filled with quality numismatics. There are nearly 3,500 lots in this spectacular sale, which consists of numerous specialized rarities from famous collections. If you cannot find coins for your collection in this sale, you are not a serious collector. It would not do this sale justice to try and list highlights, since there are so many. Therefore, we will point out some of the series that are highlighted from this very important sale. The North Georgia Collection of Charlotte and Dahlonega Gold will be an area that many dealers will use for pricing information for years to come. The auction results in this section will have an immediate impact on the sales of other C & D Gold coins. Ed Trompeter's Proof Gold Eagles with Motto will also attract some heated bidding. There are also rare Mercury Dimes, Silver Dollars, and Type Coins; just about anything you can imagine. However, make sure you don't leave home without sufficient funds because many of these rarities may just command an extra digit.

        Check with Heritage in Dallas, and Bowers & Merena in Wolfeboro, for catalogues and prices realized.