Better in Baltimore

The Whitman Coin and Collectibles Expo opens today at the Baltimore Convention Center and runs through Sunday.

Like the travel postcard, I wish I was there.

It is an important show.

National trends become evident on its bourse floor.

I enjoy attending shows and meeting my fellow attendees.

Even the U.S. Mint will be there with a raft of its currently available products.

Shows like this have become part of my hobby DNA.

Unfortunately, my travel budget is not unlimited.

In that regard, most collectors can identify with the restriction.

Airfares and hotels are not cheap.

Those who live within driving distance have another option.

I recommend they use it.

Driving in, spending a day and then driving home cuts travel expenses enormously.

That is one reason why the show was located in Baltimore in the first place.

A large percentage of the American population lives within driving distance.

If you are one of those who live nearby, take advantage of the great road conditions to go there and enjoy an even better show experience.

Whitman knows how to make everyone comfortable in their show experiences.

In the future, I will return to take it all in, but not for this particularly event.

There are three shows each year.

My best wishes go out to everyone attending. More importantly, I wish them success – in their buying, their selling and in taking in the educational events.

Baltimore is an anchor numismatic event and I hope it will remain so for many years to come.

Buzz blogger Dave Harper has twice won the Numismatic Literary Guild Award for Best Blog and is editor of the weekly newspaper "Numismatic News."