CICF offers larger bourse, sale

This article was originally printed in Numismatic News.
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A larger bourse floor, more dealers and a larger auction await attendees of the 36th annual Chicago International Coin Fair April 14-17 at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare in Rosemont, Ill.

“CICF has something for everyone involved in collecting, selling or studying world coins,” said CICF chairman Scott Tappa. “Our bourse floor features about 10 percent more table-holders than last year’s show, with more than 100 table-holders occupying 130 tables. They represent 25 states and seven countries – truly a diverse selling crowd.

“On the auction front, we are happy to welcome back Heritage Auction Galleries for their second year as official CICF auctioneer,” Tappa said. “In addition to the diverse, high-value materials they always present, Heritage is partnering with Gemini Numismatic Auctions for an ancients session that promises to add a new dimension to CICF.”

CICF opens for dealer set-up at 10 a.m Thursday, April 14, and to the public for professional preview viewing at 2 p.m. that day ($50 admission). General public attendance runs from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, April 15, and Saturday, April 16, and from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, April 17.

In addition to the ancients session with Gemini, Heritage will feature an impressive Chinese section as well as South African, Russian, Australian, British, German, Portuguese and Polish coins. The Dana Roberts Collection of Latin America will feature an impressive selection of minors from virtually every country of the region.

The auction will start Thursday, April 14, at 6 p.m. with the Heritage-Gemini catalog of ancients, featuring more than 550 lots. Visit www.ha.com/3011 for more details.

Four additional sessions will follow: Friday, April 15 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., Saturday, April 16 at 1 p.m., and Monday, April 18 at 10 a.m. (Internet bidding only). Friday and Saturday sessions will include between 600-700 lots, and the Internet session will have about 2,000. Lot viewing will begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 13, except for the Heritage-Gemini portion, which will begin April 7 at Harlan Berk’s office at 31 North Clark St., Chicago.

As usual, CICF will feature a lineup of club meetings and interesting speakers. Speakers and topics are still taking shape, but among the organizations holding meetings are the American Numismatic Society, Bermanian Guild of Numismatists, Everycountry Collectors Group, Ancient Coin Club of Chicago, Chicago Coin Club, and International Primitive Money Society.

Krause Publications’ world coin editors and experts will be in attendance at CICF, including World Coin News executive editor Dave Harper, editor Maggie Stigsell and Standard Catalog of World Coins market analyst Tom Michael. Door prizes will also be given out periodically throughout the show.

A block of rooms at the Crowne Plaza has been reserved for CICF attendees – to reserve a room call (888) 233-9527 and mention rate code “Chicago Coin Show 2011” to receive the show rate. The Crowne Plaza has completed a wholesale renovation and now features updated rooms and new eating establishments. The hotel is located a short shuttle or taxi ride from O’Hare International Airport.

For more information on CICF, visit www.cicfshow.com. Bourse inquiries may be directed to Scott Tappa at scott.tappa@fwmedia.com, or (800) 726-9966, ext. 13428.