January FUN is Back
After being cancelled in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hobby’s bellwether show is back in 2022. The Florida United Numismatists’ 67th Annual FUN Convention will kick off the…
After being cancelled in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hobby’s bellwether show is back in 2022. The Florida United Numismatists’ 67th Annual FUN Convention will kick off the new year Jan. 6-9 at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center.
The show boasts more than 1,500 dealers, a six-day U.S. coin auction event, educational seminars, club meetings, competitive exhibits, a Young Numismatist program and booth, and an expected attendance of more than 10,000 members of the public. Sandy Pearl is the convention chairman
This year’s show theme is the 100th Anniversary of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. FUN will offer collectible memorabilia celebrating the Lincoln Memorial including the group’s signature brass medallions. Dennis Boggs will be appearing as Abraham Lincoln and perform the Gettysburg Address as he cuts the ribbon during the opening ceremony at 9:45 a.m. on Jan. 6.
Heritage Auctions is the official auction firm of the FUN convention, set to deliver its U.S. Coins Signature Auction sessions over Jan. 5-10. For a sneak peek at some incredible gold pieces and other eye-catching rarities, see the story on Pages 24-25 of this issue.
Educational opportunities abound at the show. The American Numismatic Association will host a two-day course on “Intermediate Grading of U.S. Coins” Jan. 4-5. Following, on Jan. 6, educational seminars continue with “Lincoln Cents 1950-2000” by Mark Trout, “My Favorite Underrated Barber Coins of All Time” by John Frost, “Surviving our Hobby’s Latest Threats – How To Protect Yourself from Fake Slabs” by Tom Walker and “My Top 10 U.S. Coins Gold Recommendations for 2022” by Robert McDonald. On tap for Jan. 7 are “My Top 10 Predictions for 2022” by former Numismatic News Editor David Harper, “Silver Dollar Investors Forum” by Randy Campbell, “Lincoln, Thou Art the Man, Elected President in 1860” by William T. Jones, “My Top 12 VAMs for 2022” by John Roberts and “Annual VAM Thing” by the Society of Silver Dollar Collectors. The seminar lineup is rounded out on Jan. 8 with “Coin Show Etiquette” by Bill Lane, “An Overview of Liberty Seated Coinage: My Favorite Issues” by Gerry Fortin and “Post-COVID Update on Die Variety Collecting” by Dr. David Close.
For the Scouts in attendance, Boy and Girl Scout Coin Collecting Merit Badge programs will be held on Jan. 8
There are a multitude of club meetings scheduled throughout the duration of the show. On Jan. 5, the Professional Numismatists Guild will hold a membership meeting and luncheon. On Jan. 6, the Souvenir Card Collectors Society will meet. Scheduled to convene on Jan. 7 are John Reich Collectors Society, Liberty Seated Collectors Club, Bust Half Nut Club, Currency Club of Long Island, Sunken Treasure Coin and Book Society, Flying Eagle & Indian Cent (Fly-In) Club, Love Token Society and Barber Coin Collectors Society. Another busy day on Jan. 8 includes meetings of Women In Numismatics, Society of Paper Money, Early American Coppers, Original Hobo Nickel Society, International Bank Note Society, Military Payment Certificates, FUN Member Club, International Association of Silver Art Collectors and International Association of Silver Art Collectors. FUN will hold its annual membership meeting on Jan. 9.
The Orange County Convention Center is located at 9899 International Dr. in Orlando. Dealer set-up is 2-8 p.m. on Jan. 5. Early Birds are admitted at 2 p.m.
Public hours for the show are 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 6-7, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 8 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 9. Admission is free.
Click here for complete details and schedule of events.
