If you're anywhere within a couple of hundred miles of Orlando, Florida late this week, make it a point to stop by the Orange County Convention Center to check out the FUN Coin Show. FUN stands for Florida United Numismatists, which is one of the largest and most well-organized coin clubs in America. Since 1955, they have sponsored an annual winter coin convention in Florida, and that show has grown to one of the largest in the nation. This year's show, which opens to the public on Thursday (Jan. 7), will feature a bourse floor with more 600 coin dealers setting up shop. An estimated 15,000 visitors will pass through the doors during the four days of the convention.
Like most large coin shows, the FUN Show will have a large competitive exhibit area, where collectors will be showing off the best of their collections while vying for recognition from the judges.
Numerous educational presentations will be given, including the one that I will be giving with Coin World editor Beth Deisher about the Chinese counterfeiting problem. Our talk is on Friday at 2:30 pm in Room 220C. Plan to arrive early if you want a seat because word has it that this topic will be very popular. I'll be presenting an update on the Chinese threat, and attendees will learn concrete steps that they can take to protect themselves before buying a bad coin, and how they can verify the coins that they have purchased online or elsewhere.
Other key presentations include:
+ A panel moderated by well-known author Scott Travers, where PCGS founder David Hall, Fox Business Network journalist Jim Kingsland, and numismatic market analyst Maurice Rosen will discuss profiting from coins in a depressed economy.
+ Cherrypicker's Guide co-author Bill Fivaz will teach you how to avoid buying commonly counterfeited coins.
+ Market expert and former ANA president Anthony Swiatek will tell us how to avoid being ripped off when we buy coins and currency from telemarketers and newspaper advertising.
As you can see, the FUN Show offers a great deal of entertainment and education, and you can't beat the price: FREE! So if you're in the Orlando area late this week, don't miss it!
FUN in a Nutshell
Hours:
Thursday, Jan. 8th - 10:00 am to 6:30 pm
Friday, Jan. 9th - 10:00 am to 6:30 pm
Saturday, Jan 10th - 10:00 am to 6:30 pm
Sunday, Jan. 11th - 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Location:
Orange County Convention Center
Hall NB, North Concourse
9400 Universal Blvd.
Orlando, Florida 32819
Additional information is available on the FUN 2009 Web site.
Comments