Sharing ANA with friends always a success

The jury is still out as far as the bourse floor business has been concerned at the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia.

Set-up on Monday was good as was the opening day on Tuesday. However, after that the energy level noticeable fell.

Looking at results at the Krause Publications booth, sales of DVDs on Thursday fell by nearly two-thirds from Wednesday’s level and dealer comments mirrored this trend.

I ran into Lisa Loos at the awards ceremony yesterday. She told me the day was dragging for her because business had slowed down so much.

Fortunately for me, the success or failure of a convention is determined by how many people I see, what they tell me and what I can make of it.

I had a couple of interesting conversations. One was with a fellow who was attempting to get modern issues struck from 2006 to date in the top possible Mint State and proof grades. He lamented to me how difficult it was to find such coins on the bourse floor here.

Another fellow, less particular, stopped by and he was merrily acquiring proof nickels from the 1970s. His concern was not acquiring Proof-70 examples and it was clear he was enjoying himself. That, of course, is what conventions of this kind are all about.

You can do your own thing as we used to say when I was young, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you will always be as successful as you would like. The key, whatever yardstick you choose to measure your activities by, is to relish the chase and enjoy the company of all of the other collectors who are on the bourse floor for the same reason you are.

I’m having a great show no matter what the final pronouncement about the state of bourse business happens to be.