FRANK ROBINSON AT THE NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL

The New York International Coin Show is the premier event. It used to be each December; until 2001 when there was a little problem with the location — the World Trade Center. Organizers managed to scramble a new venue for January, so it's been January ever since. It started in 1972, was cancelled in 2021 due to Covid, but went ahead this year — the fiftieth. I've attended every one.

It's truly international, many dealers from overseas, which is what makes it great. Though fewer than usual this time, with Covid still inhibiting travel.

I go to buy; wasn't expecting to find much. Several dealers were remarking on how, in particular, it's getting impossible to buy from auctions, someone will always outbid you. Yet I came away with a good haul of worthwhile material. Even surprisingly a coin from one of the auctions connected with the show, a lovely Lucius Verus sestertius, for $480.* Looking much better in hand than the catalog photo; from the New York Sale run by a consortium of dealers. And Goldberg's cheerful Glenn Onishi delivered it to me personally, saving the shipping fee.

I spent a couple of hours with Robin Danziger of Educational Coin Company. Another guy I've known forever. I once visited their amazing Ulster County premises — imagine a Home Depot but filled with coins. Robin is someone who really loves them and their history. He had bags and bags I searched through, typically picking out a coin here and a coin there. Yes, I'm a careful, fussy buyer, very quality conscious.

Robin remarked that it was like selling to El Exigente. Referring to an old TV coffee commercial. White-hatted, El Exigente (the demanding one) is the buying agent, coming to a Colombian village. Frowning, he carefully inspects their coffee beans. Finally, a smile — and the villagers are joyful their harvest meets his exacting approval.

Examining some of my picks, Robin also commented, You have terrific taste in coins. Well, flattering the customer never hurts. One bag was all posthumous small bronzes of Constantine I. Common — but not at all if well centered and struck, with complete legends.

When I chose just one, Robin picked out another, saying surely it too should qualify. I agreed it was lovely in all respects — save the mintmark being missing. But then he did point out one other I accepted.

I wound up with a goodly pile of purchases that pleased both of us.

To read the complete article, see:
El Exigente at the NY International Coin Show (https://rationaloptimist.wordpress.com/2022/01/22/el-exigente-at-the-ny-international-coin-show/)

To visit Frank's website and pricelist, see:
http://www.fsrcoin.com/
http://www.fsrcoin.com/139.htm

 

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