While attendance was down during the Nov. 4-6 International Coin, Stamp and Collectibles Show in Tucson, Ariz., the Tucson Coin Club’s pre-show event and youth events made the show successful.
Rainy weather, the University of Arizona Wildcats homecoming and TCC member Albert Dreher’s first art exhibition all contributed to lighter attendance.
The show began with a pre-show kickoff event, an open house collector reception on Thursday afternoon at Eagle Eye Rare Coins. It was hosted by local dealer Rick Snow, a Flying Eagle and Indian cent expert, at his newly remodeled coin shop.
The free pre-show event attracted a large number of local collectors, local club members and even a couple of nationally known hobby leaders such as notgeld and German Nazi era specialist Tony Tumonis and American Numismatic Association Vice President Walt Ostromecki.
“Traffic was a lot lighter this time around than in previous years,” said Tumonis, show organizer. “Sales for many of the 45 dealers in attendance were also down. However, our free hobby outreach educational program and youth treasure hunt did bring in a lot of new youngsters and families. Over 50 kids and an equal number parents participated in the educational Treasure Hunt learning experience on the Lincoln cent.”
The show also gave convention attendees an opportunity to obtain one of the new 2011 America the Beautiful quarters for free by bringing in a canned food donation. This show feature, now in its 12th year, has been coordinated by Brett Sadovnick, owner of Tucson Coin & Autograph. During its 11 previous years, the public has brought in more than 10 tons of food.
The next Tucson International Show is slated for Jan. 20-21, 2012.
For more information, contact Tumonis at (520) 323-8811, or atumonis@aol.com.
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