A sold-out bourse of 150 tables greeted attendees of the Charlotte, N.C. Coin Club’s 43rd Annual Coin Show Feb. 8-10, at the Metrolina Tradeshow Expo Center.
Among the attractions were two grading services taking submissions, a raffle giveaway every hour, a Treasure Hunt for children and over 25 club volunteers to help.
The public turned out in a big way with record attendance. The aisles were packed with an enthusiastic public from the start.
Charlotte Coin Club President Jerry Sajbel said, at the end of the show, that he was deliriously happy about the public turnout.
From when the doors opened at 10 a.m. on Saturday until after 5 p.m., the show was a wall of people.
Even on Sunday, the public showed up in force, he said. With many shows having a difficult time retaining dealers at their shows on Sundays, only a few dealers were not in attendance on Sunday, some of those due to travel.
Dealer Ken Byrd, of KBCC, said that there was “great steady traffic all weekend and the collectors were here.”
John Kraljevich, one of the nation’s leaders in early American coins, medals and paper money, had a table exhibited for the first time at the Charlotte show and said that there was a “good healthy community for colonial copper and world coins.”
Dan Lewis of Black Mountain Coins said that the show was OK, but not great, a lot of traffic, with some buying, but a lot better than other recent shows. He has seen a lot of interest in world currency over the past few months compared to U.S. currency.
Overall, he was happy with the show.
Randy Campbell, senior grader for ICG, said it was the best show in North Carolina, with good foot traffic.
Campbell noted there was a lot of counterfeit gold at all shows and wanted to remind people that just because coins have been in the family for years, that is no guarantee that they are real. Also, that the counterfeit coins coming out of China were a major problem from gold to 1911-D Lincoln cents.
ANACS Regional Representative Matt Adams, setting up at the Charlotte Show for the first time, was pleased with the public’s reception and said ANACS would return. Adams stated that both Friday and Saturday he was busy accepting coin submissions for grading. The public was enthusiastic and there was a good vibe to the show.
The Treasure Hunt for the kids concentrated on presidents on coins and paper money that also included a word search to take home. Each youth who completed the Treasure Hunt received coins and supplies worth over $15. Items, such as supplies, books, etc., donated by members of the Charlotte Coin Club and the local Charlotte coin stores, were free to the kids. Adults could also make selections from the donated items for a donation to the Charlotte Coin Club Young Numismatist Program. Over $500 was raised.
North Carolina Numismatic Association Vice President Mike Griffin reported that plans were well under way for the state show in Greensboro Oct 4-6. It will be the first time in Greensboro and they expect a sold-out bourse of 140 tables.
The Charlotte Coin Club’s next meeting is Thursday, March 28, at 7 p.m. at South Charlotte Banquet Center, Charlotte, N.C. For directions, go to charlottecoinclub.com or contact club President Jerry Sajbel, 704-641-2959, or YN Coordinator Bob Pedolsky, 704-408-8511.
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