Long Beach Expo opens Feb. 7

A diverse, multi-million dollar display of collectibles in Southern California history is planned for the Long Beach Coin, Stamp & Sports Collectible Expo Feb. 7 - 9 in the Long Beach, Calif., Convention Center.

A thorough update of the most-trusted consumer protection handbook to buying and selling rare and valuable coins.

Exhibits will include the famous Walton 1913 Liberty Head nickel; the finest current set of United States large cents; a $5 million display of high-denomination 19th century U.S. bank notes; and rare 1909-era T206 Honus Wagner baseball cards, the most valuable cards in the world.

A limited quantity of 5-ounce silver Panda medals specially struck for the Long Beach Expo by an official mint of the People’s Bank of China will be available at the show.

Also, autograph guests are returning to the Long Beach Expo for the first time in a decade with appearances scheduled by Basketball Hall of Fame stars Magic Johnson and Jerry West and famous jockey Laffit Pincay, Jr., according to Long Beach Expo President Cassi East.

Heritage, the official auctioneer of the Long Beach Expo, will conduct a public auction of $10 million of U.S. and world coins.
The Shen Zhen Guobao Mint, an official mint under the People’s Bank of China, has struck .999 fine silver 5-ounce commemorative Panda medals in conjunction with the show.

The mintage is only 2,500, and they will be offered for sale in specially-produced holders while quantities last. A drawing also will be held each day of the show to give away a medal to a lucky, registered visitor.

More than 130 superb-quality U.S. large cents from the High Desert Collection will be publicly exhibited.

“The High Desert set is 100 percent complete and includes three dozen large cents that are the finest-known or tied for finest-known in the PCGS Population Report. The set has a weighted grade point average of 61.650,” said BJ Searls, PCGS Set Registry program manager.

Three of the most valuable United States bank notes with a combined value of $5 million or more will be displayed on behalf of an anonymous collector by Miami dealer Sergio Sanchez.

Visitors to the show can have their coins examined by PCGS Co-Founder David Hall during Meet the Expert times at the PCGS booth (#807) on Thursday and Friday.

PCGS also will offer a new five-hour “Coin Grading 101” class on Saturday morning and afternoon led by Mike Sherman and other members of the PCGS team. Lunch is included in the program. Advance registration is required by contacting PCGS customer service at 800-447-8848.

The expo will be open to the public Thursday and Friday, Feb. 7 and 8, , from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Public admission is $8 (good for all three days). Admission discount information and a Schedule of Events are available online at www.LongBeachExpo.com.