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 Coins shows are the best way to buy or sell coins. Well before the show, you should take some time to get organized. Know what you’ve got, what you need and what you’d like to sell. This is something that a surprising number of collectors don’t do. The best way to always be prepared is to keep a running inventory list. Do your homework beforehand, so you know what you want to purchase and have a good understanding of its fair market value. Of course, always leave room in your budget for that spur of the moment purchase, but don’t let yourself be overwhelmed by all the choices available.

It pays to prepare yourself before heading to a coin show. The rows of vendors and buyers can be overwhelming if you go in without a plan. The most important thing to bring to a coin show is a list of the coins you have and the ones you need. Learn what prices are considered reasonable for the coins you need and think about how much you’re willing to spend on them. Educate yourself on the correct names of your coins and the ones you desire and learn what features to look for in collectible coins.

Be sure to bring cash with you because many dealers will not accept checks or credit cards. A loupe or magnifying glass will help you in choosing which coins to purchase. It’s a good idea to carry a notebook and pen so you can take notes while you comparison shop. Visit as many dealers as possible and take notes on who has what, what the prices are and what conditions the coins are in and go back to get the best deals. Don’t make the mistake of purchasing the first available coin you find. And don’t feel obligated to purchase anything.

It may be a good idea to attend a show or two without buying any buying. This will give you the opportunity to get the feel of how they’re set up, what’s available and which vendors are the friendliest and most knowledgeable without any pressure. When there’s a lull in business, many vendors are happy to answer questions about grading, clean versus natural coins and the latest trends in coin collecting.

Some of the premier shows in North America included:

ANA’s World’s Fair of Money and the National Money Show are billed as the largest coin shows in the States. Sponsored by the American Numismatic Association (ANA), the show features a wide range of certified coin dealers, representatives from US and international mints, and a number of other vendors. These are held twice yearly at locations around the country. For current info, visit the ANA site at www.money.org.

The Las Vegas Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Show, also sponsored by the ANA, includes a series of educational seminars. You can find more information about this event, as well as links on where to stay when attending, at the ANA website at www.money.org.

Chicago International Coin Fair is sponsored by Collect.com and Krasue Publications. Generally held each year in the spring, the event is hugely popular with collectors and dealers from around the world. Find more info at www.collect.com.

To find shows near you, check out these online directories of upcoming events:

www.coinshows.com – includes a director of coin shows organized by state. Event sponsors can submit information on their own events; many smaller, local events can be found here.

www.coinworld.com – features paid advertisements of show, which can be searched by location. Fairly comprehensive listing of most of the mid-size shows.

www.coinshowdates.com – offers lots of local and regional event information organized by state. Readers are welcome to submit their own information on events as well.