(Las Vegas, NV) – The first Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) “Dealer’s Deal” show attracted nearly 100 PNG member-dealers and invited guests at the Wynn Las Vegas hotel, December 10 and 11, 2008. Plans now are being considered for expanding the show in 2009.

“This was exactly the kind of small, primarily dealer-to-dealer show we anticipated. It gave PNG members an opportunity to casually conduct business with each other, with some invited non-PNG dealers and some members of the public without the frequent distractions of the typical coin show,” said Robert Brueggeman, PNG Executive Director.

Numismatic Guaranty Corporation provided on-site authentication and grading services.

“I spoke with most of the dealers in attendance, and everyone was very positive about the business they were able to do and they enjoyed the venue. Everyone I spoke to said they were anxious to attend the next event. All in all, it was a successful two days,” said Gary Adkins, PNG President.

“Based on the success of this new concept for us, we’re looking at possible dates to conduct at least two more PNG Dealer’s Deal shows in 2009. We’ll also be actively encouraging participation by other dealers who have an interest in becoming a PNG member and would like a chance to meet and do business with PNG members,” Adkins explained.

For additional information about the Professional Numismatists Guild, call (760) 728-1300, e-mail info@PNGdealers.com, or visit online at www.PNGdealers.com.

The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) will display Sunnywood’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” set of exquisitely toned Morgan silver dollars and PCGS Co-Founder David Hall will participate in an important educational forum at the Florida United Numismatists (FUN) annual convention in Orlando, January 8 – 11, 2009.

Hall will be a featured expert in the FUN seminar, “2009 or 1929? You Can Survive and Thrive During the Economic Crisis,” at 1:15 p.m., Saturday, January 10.

“The Sunnywood’s collection is a 100 percent complete, basic set of circulation strike Morgan dollars (1878 – 1921) with spectacular natural toning. The set is ranked number six in the PCGS Set Registry with a weighted grade point average and set rating of 64.611,” said BJ Searls, Set Registry Manager.

“The collection was assembled by attorney Douglas Kurz who will be on hand at FUN to discuss the composition of the set. One of the main attractions is an 1881-S graded PCGS MS68 with vivid rainbow toning that’s considered by many Morgan dollar enthusiasts to be the ultimate, finest-toned Morgan known.”

Other highlights of the 97-coin set include:

The Eliasberg specimen 1893-S graded PCGS MS65, a coin that is pictured in the popular book, “100 Greatest U.S. Coins.”

The 1882-S dollar, graded PCGS MS67, is pedigreed to the collection of former National Football League linebacker, Gregg “Ironman” Bingham. It is described as “spectacular” and “an exceptionally beautiful and technically superb example of what would otherwise be a common date San Francisco Morgan dollar.”

1880-S, PCGS MS68, described as having an intensely toned blue, pink and gold obverse and a rainbow toned reverse.

1885-CC, PCGS MS66, 100 percent rainbow toned obverse with the weave pattern of the burlap mint bag in which it was stored for decades. (more…)

From RareGoldCoins.com

I went to this the November 2008 Baltimore show with limited expectations. Having spoken with a number of dealers whose opinions I respect, I knew the buzz wasn’t exactly encouraging. I would say that my overall impression of the show was that it was a little better than I expected but had I gone with normal expectations I would have returned disappointed.

You can’t fault Whitman for anything that went wrong as the show was very well run (as usual). But collector attendance was unquestionably lower than what I would have expected for the last major show of the year and many familiar faces were either absent or were speed-walking through the aisles trying not to be tempted by the coins in the cases.

What was most noticeable at the show was dealer uncertainty and a clear dichotomy in market savvy. While most dealers did want to purchase coins, they were extremely cautious with their purchases. If a coin was fairly priced, something out of the ordinary or appeared on a valid want list, it probably sold. If it was priced at summer levels, not especially attractive or rare and not terribly desirable, it might have been used as a Numismatic Frisbee.

I mentioned a “dichotomy” among dealers. What exactly does this mean? There are a number of dealers (currently around 20-30%) who understand that the economy is lousy and that coins are harder to sell and have adjusted their prices accordingly. But there are still many dealers who appear to be in denial and are either not willing to sell old inventory at lower prices (and take losses) or are pricing new coins based on what a comparable piece might have brought at auction earlier this year. These dealers will either learn the hard, cold realities of a new market or, hey, will be supersizing your value meal by the spring.

How much is the market down since the heady days of late spring 2008? I’d say in many cases between 20% and 30% and in some cases a bit more. But not all coins are down. In fact, I think there are areas of the market that are just fine. As an example, I would be happy to purchase as many nice EF40 to AU50 No Motto New Orleans half eagles and eagles as I could find at levels comparable to what I was paying four or five months ago; as long as the coins are choice, attractive and dates that I consider to be desirable. (more…)