Kid’s Korner activities were again a popular feature of the Whitman Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention held Nov. 20-22.
While the kids were enthusiastically pursuing coins at 10 a.m. Nov. 21 and again on Nov. 22, adults were a little apprehensive about making commitments in the market as the stock market showed extreme weakness as the show opened, according to Coin Market editor Harry Miller.
“Other than the national economy, all is fine,” Q. David Bowers of Stack’s wrote in the daily newsletter put out at the show by David Crenshaw, manager of the event.
“That is, of course, a big ‘other than that.’ We are all lucky to be in numismatics. While an ailing economy benefits no one at all, the fact remains that people still enjoy collecting coins, tokens, medals and paper money. Around the Whitman show, collectors and dealers have been enjoying themselves.”
Miller said the show got stronger as the show went on and the stock market recovered some strength.
The National Federation of the Blind had a booth at the convention to promote the Louis Braille commemorative silver dollar that will be issued in 2009. There also were Braille reading demonstrations.
“Most of the sales were in the $1,000 to $5,000 range,” Jeff Garrett of Mid-America Rare Galleries wrote of the experiences at his table in his market report for the daily dealer news bulletin. “Profits were a bit less, as discounting was the order of the day.”
Bowers and Merena Auctions conducted the show auction and the sale realized approximately $6.2 million.
A Stack’s auction conducted prior to the show realized about $7.5 million, according to Q. David Bowers.
Anthony Swiatek deliver the Professional Numismatists Guild “Share the Knowledge” talk at noon on Nov. 21.
For more information on Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention activities, visit WhitmanExpo.com.
