Going To Your First Coin Convention
Collectors and other hobbyists have long enjoyed the tradition of going to conventions. Conventions are organized events catering to particular interests. Dolls, teddy bears, vinyl records, comic books, antiques, books, and baseball cards are just a few of the collectable items that might be featured at a collectors' convention. While some collectors' conventions are highly focused and might have only two or three types of related items, other conventions are very eclectic and welcome dealers of all kinds.
Coin collectors looking to learn more about their hobby, expand their collection, and meet new people in their hobby should consider going to a coin convention. These day-long and weekend events are perfect for new collectors as well as numismatists looking for very specific items. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of the time you spend at a convention.
Before You Go
The general guideline for attending conventions of any kind is the farther away they are, the more advance planning you'll have to do. That is, if you want to attend a coin convention several states away, you'll have to start planning your trip several months in advance. Don't put off planning your attendance at local conventions, either. Large regional cons can have hefty registration fees and sell out quickly. Plan meals, travel, parking, transportation, and lodging before you leave home. Most conventions have an official website with lots of helpful information. Spend a little time online looking at the con's site to get a feel for the event and where it takes place.
What You Can Expect
Conventions usually consist of educational programming, social events, and a dealer's room. Programming might include lectures, workshops, and presentations by other people that share your interest; they might be professionals in some capacity or interested amateurs like yourself. Social events include hospitality suites, group dinners, and meet-and-greet brunches. These events are relaxed and fairly informal; this is the perfect chance to learn where to buy silver coins and get to know the people who live in your area.
The dealer's room is often the highlight of the convention. This is where you'll find rows of dealers selling all kinds of items related to coin collecting. Some dealers sell coins exclusively while others sell numismatic supplies, such as storage folders and guidebooks. Dealers often have particular areas of interest, such as American coins, European coins, antique forms of currency, or high end collectables.
When You Arrive
Once you finish registering, you'll be given a convention packet with a programming guide and map of the convention center. This will help you plan your day and get around. Look through the guide and see what presentations you're interested in attending. Highlight those and locate which room each will be held in. If possible, arrive early; presentation rooms can fill up quickly and may have a limited number of seats available. You'll also want to set aside plenty of time to spend in the dealer's room.
There's no question that you'll find some desirable items for sale at a coin convention. If there is a particular item you're looking for, you can help yourself out by doing a little research before you arrive. Get an idea of the quality of the item you're looking for and what you can expect to pay for it. This will help you plan your spending. Many dealers are not able to take credit or debit cards as payment so bring cash or plan to look for an ATM.
With a little planning and forethought, you'll have a wonderful time at your first coin convention!
About the Author
If you're trying to find out where to buy silver coins, look no further than the wide variety at http://www.greatsoutherncoins.com.
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