My 2 Cents On The 2012 FUN Show
My 2 Cents
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Hooray For Opening Day!
By now I'm sure you've read 101 articles and blog posts on the happenings of FUN 2012, so I'm not going to share another "convention report" with you. I'd rather reflect on the first FUN show of 2012 and share My Two Cents with all of you.
So without further ado, lets take a walk down Memory Lane and reflect on the smiles, laughter and FUN! we shared at the 57th Annual FUN Show.
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Opening Day is always exciting and hectic. This year was no different. Here's a glimpse of opening day. Join me and the FUN Board of Directors as we welcome everyone to the FUN Show!
Click to view
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FUN Board Of Directors
Photos & Video By Erin Leigh
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Copyright (c)2012 by Erin Leigh.
Now For Some Statistics
Foot traffic was very heavy during this show. Record numbers were recorded by Public Registration on opening day and that trend continued for the remainder of the week. Certainly, heavier attendance than I've seen since joining FUN's Board Of Directors in 2007. Which made all of us very happy.
Gerri Russell, Donna Moon, Membership & Dealer Registration
Working the FUN Membership desk allowed me to visit with our FUN members. Although, a picture is worth a thousand words. Just seeing the excitement on the faces of our members and convention guests as they come and go from the bourse floor made all the hard work setting up for the show worth while. Let’s face it, we are all kids at heart. And when we are doing something that we like it truly shows. I saw some very happy people!
We had five (5) clubs arrive at this show by bus. Check out the most recent Club Bus Trip post for photographs and more.
Remember that this is a service that FUN offers to our member clubs at every convention. This is a wonderful program. Your coin club should certainly take advantage of the “Get on the Bus” program! There is a criteria for participating and an application which has a deadline. It is very important to let Cindy know prior to the deadline that your club intends to take advantage of the program. C'mon! Get On The Bus! All The Cool Kids Are Doing It!!
There was so much going on at this show. We offered attendees sixteen (16) educational programs. FUN's educational seminars are always free to the public. This year we had an amazing list of topics and speakers. Always be sure to plan your day around our educational seminars.
Educational Exhibitors & Exhibits
While we are talking about all things Educational FUN was honored to have ANA Chief Exhibit Judge Joseph Boling at the show this year. Mr. Boling taught two classes preparing his students for the Exhibit Judges Certification.
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Click to Enlarge Copyright (c)2012 by Erin Leigh.
FUN Convention TV was lucky to speak to Mr. Boling about his life in numismatics and his love for exhibiting.
Thinking about Exhibiting at the 2012 Summer FUN? Learn how you can do just that here
Tribute to the Elongated Man
Ray Dillard
Tribute to the "Elongated Man" - Ray Dillard
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FUN Convention TV spoke to Mr. Dillard about Elongated Coins and what he exhibited at the 2012 FUN Show. Watch our Videos and read all about it here
Mr. Dillard's creations are always a favorite with our attendees. If you were able to get to his table on the bourse floor you may have seen the youngsters there making their own elongated coins. What a fun time!
Exhibits On The Bourse Floor
Complete Set of Carson City Coinage Second Complete Set Ever Assembled The Battle Born Collection Showcased @ 2012 FUN Show
PCGS Grading Contest @ FUN (post includes video David Hall made for FUN Forums
Morgan dollar exhibit on PCGS booth
NGC to Exhibit Spectacular Rarities at FUN Show
Abe Lincoln & FUN!
Abe Lincoln impersonator Dennis Boggs was back and available for photographs at his desk on the convention floor. It is official…Mr. Lincoln is part of the FUN family! He will be at Summer FUN too! Click to view the latest photos and videos of Mr. Lincoln on the bourse floor here
We had a well attended YN program on Saturday morning. Our young people took a tour of the bourse floor and the exhibit area. Perhaps we will have some new exhibitors at our next show. Tony Bonaro does a wonderful job educating our Young Numismatists. View the most recent Y/N blog posting for video, photographs and more.
Later in the day Tony Bonaro presided over our Boy & Girl Scout Merit Badge Clinic. This year we had 25 boys and girls take part to complete the required criteria to earn their coin collecting badges. I am happy to report that we had more Girl Scouts taking part at this convention. Take a Look! You go girls!! As my sister would say... Girl power!!
The Piedmont Gold Panners
The Piedmont Gold Panners were present with an updated gold mining exhibit. Now if you haven’t panned for gold you should give it a try. It is exciting no matter how old you are! Everyone has an opportunity to find gold and learn the technique of how to pan for the shiny stuff. Keep watching FUN Convention TV for a video interview and more photographs.
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Click To Enlarge Photo Credit Erin Leigh
Hobo Nickel Society
The Hobo Nickel Club celebrated its 20th anniversary at FUN this year with a dinner at the Sizzler. There were many carvers in the booth all throughout the show busily doing what they do best … carving hobo nickels. I scored some hobo stew when I stopped by to see what was going on. It was very good and a first for me.
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Click To Enlarge Photo Credit Erin Leigh
Adam Leech - Hobo Nickel Carver Promotes A Nickel And A Nail
Hobo nickel brings $13,750 as specialty areas thrive in coin collecting hobby
Coin Grading
All of the major Grading Companies were represented on the bourse floor. PCGS conducted a Grading Contest at the show! Most of the grading companies offered same day grading on the premises and all of them accepted submissions. Watch our video Talk To A Professional Coin Grader
Heritage Auctions
Heritage Numismatic Auctions, FUN's exclusive auction house brought some fabulous pieces to the FUN Show. I believe the auction realized $61,607,970.20. The sale of the 1793 Chain 1 cent was all over the news. That particular lot was sold for 1,398,000.00 and the coin was a beauty!
Heritage Auction postings
Heritage President Greg Rohan Shares His Personal View Of The Dr. Steven Duckor Collection
Video Highlights for January 2012 U.S. Coins (1166) & Currency (3516) Auctions
2012 January 3-8 US Coins And Platinum Night FUN Signature Auction
The Buzz In The Cyber World
Rare coins break price records at the January 2012 Florida United Numismatists (FUN) convention.
Heritage coin auctions at FUN show top $53.5 million 1793 Chain cent, 1829 half eagle each realize $1.38 million
PCGS-Certified 1793 Chain Cent Sets $1.38M Record in Heritage’s FUN Auction
1793 Chain Cent earns $1.38M at Heritage coin auction
Evaluating the FUN auctions
1793 Chain cent sets record for any U.S. cent at $1.38 million
Collector Coins in Demand at FUN
Heritage Signature Auction Delivers $56 Million at 57th Annual FUN
1944-D Steel Cent sells for $58,201.50
Talk about a lucky penny. It was actually worth $1 million.
That was the final bid by an unknown buyer for the one-cent copper coin minted in 1793, the first year the United States produced its own coins. Its sale was one of the biggest deals at the coin show and annual convention of the Florida United Numismatists at the Orange County Convention Center.
All Good Things Must End
After the show, I was surfing the net to see what everyone else was saying about the show. I was pleasantly surprised to hear the rave reviews by both dealers on our bourse floor and our convention attendees.
Many of the dealers reported excellent shows and collectors were happy with what they were able to find and purchase for their collections. So, I would say that FUN 2012 was a success! We increased foot traffic to the show. The number of convention visitors was up significantly. Let’s keep up the good work so that the next show will rival that of its predecessor!
Let's Take A Look At What Folks Were Saying Around The Web
2012 FUN Show Articles On Coin Week
Fun, Fun, Fun
Veterans Take Charge at FUN
National Currency Blog - 2012 FUN Show Report
FUN to be back in Orlando
THE 2012 FUN SHOW & Legend Numismatics Market Report
Viewpoint: Still a ‘first timer’ on third show visit
FUN Makes Most Secure Show List Again This Year
Collector coins in demand at FUN
2012 Summer FUN
The Board of Directors of Florida United Numismatists is currently preparing for Summer FUN. It will be our privilege to present to dealers and hobbyist alike the 6th Annual Summer FUN Convention in Orlando. Click the links below for more information on the event.
6th Annual Summer FUN Convention
Summer F.U.N. 2012 Schedule Of Event
2012 Summer FUN Dealer List
2012 Summer F.U.N. Educational Programs
Exhibiting At Summer FUN 2012
Community Outreach
2012 Boy Scout & Girl Scout Coin Collecting Merit Badge Clinic
2012 Summer F.U.N. Young Numismatists Meeting
In Loving Memory Of Sandra Martin FUN Show Volunteer & Exhibitor
Meet Lincoln At 2012 Summer FUN!
2011 Summer FUN Convention Photo Gallery
F.U.N. Makes The List Of Best Secured Coin Show
2013 FUN Show
58th Annual FUN Convention: January 10-13, 2013
Orange County Convention Center Orlando, Florida
I am the Show Chairman for the 2013 FUN convention. I have selected Buffalo & Hobos - A Centennial Celebration as the theme for the show. As you know, The Buffalo Nickel made its debut in 1913 and with that came the birth of the Original Hobo Nickel. I understand there were carvings made on other coins prior to 1913, but the actual birth of the hobo nickel, as we know it today started 100 years ago. So grab a derby hat or an Indian headdress and join us at the 2013 FUN convention to celebrate the Buffalo Nickel and all that it entails. It should be FUN!!
All the best to each of you,
♥ ♥
Donna
My Sincere Gratitude
My thanks and gratitude to those who participated in the decision to honor me with the Polly Abbott Service Award during this year’s general meeting. When the announcement was made I was so surprised and wrought with emotion that I failed to give proper thanks to all of those involved. Our organization is one of the best in the business. I am honored to be a part of it and truly appreciate having been selected to receive such a special award.
I should have thanked my sister at the award ceremony. I would like to rectify that now. Erin is truly my most ardent supporter and my sounding board. She has been instrumental in helping me achieve my goal to increase communication within the organization through social networking. Now our members and fellow hobbyist can receive F.U.N. updates on our blog, FUN Forums, Twitter and FUN Convention TV on You Tube.
As I have stated many times since my election to the position of Vice President; opening the lines of communication between FUN, our members and the general collecting public is imperative. Communicating and listening to the needs of our members and convention guests can only lead to the enhancement of our show and the FUN organization. It is the new millennium and social networking has become mandatory to accomplish these objectives. Erin has been an asset to me and the FUN organization in this regard. Therefore, I would like to say "thank you for all that you do" it does not go unnoticed and is truly appreciated!
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A Note Of Thanks To Our Volunteers
We are extremely grateful for our volunteers who work tirelessly to serve all FUN members and guests throughout the convention.
Tony Swicer - our F.U.N. President, presides over opening ceremonies & was a speaker during the Educational Seminars
Donna Moon, Vice President presides over The Message Center with Steve Martin, Kevin O’Donnell, Erin Leigh, and Gary Braisted and The Membership Desk with Gerry Russell
Carrie Best, F.U.N. Treasurer presides over the Photo I.D. booth with her team of volunteers Dreama Hurst, Ashton, Gary Overton, & Glendora
Nancy Casey, acting Secretary also works the Dealer Registration & Early Bird desk with Glenda, Glendora, Jim Best, Patty Willingham & Robin Ohan
Ed Abbott, Billy Willingham, & Mickey operate the Keys and Cases booth
Fran Lockwood, Exhibit Chairperson, Ray Lockwood, & Bob Russell - Chief Judge of Exhibits run the Exhibit Floor
Bob Hurst - acting Sergeant at Arms, also presides over the Fed Ex desk and assists with Dealer Move-in working with Gary Overton, Don Mix, Frank Guzman, Steve Rahinsky & Steve Hodges
FUN Show Office volunteers Jean Shepherd & Angie
Tom Palmer presided over Public Registration with volunteers from Central Florida Coin Club, Bob Dombo, Steve Valis, Steve Rahinsky, Steve Lauer, Zach Lauer, Don Mix, Jim Kuhl, Bob Hall, Janet Harris, Francis Colecio, Elizabeth Colecio, Skip Pfeiffer, Bob Dee, Bob Wollnick, Ron Fursa, David Gold, Dan Aidif, Charles Passler, Archie Cooper, Dan Knapp, Helen Knapp, Alan Gorewitz, Janice Valentine, Margaret Anderson, Harriet Storms, Frank Niedz, Bob Mosley, Harriet Herrin, David Mynchenberg, Bob Cole, BJ Neff, Jeannie Neff, James Hancock, Easter Hancock, Chuck Allen, and Barbara Palmer.
Randy Campbell - Director of Education
Fred Lake - Signage & Photographs
Tony Bonaro - Director of Youth Services is acting instructor of the YN program & merit badge event. He is assisted by Nancy Casey & Robin Ohan
Erin Leigh - FUN Convention TV/FUN Forums Blog Photographer & Videographer in addition to blogging on FUN Forums and FUN_Convention @Twitter
Cindy Wibker - Bourse Chairman
My apologies if I failed to mention someone. I didn’t have a volunteer list when I compiled this “note of thanks” and created the list from memory.
Thank you all for doing your part to make FUN 2012 a truly awesome show. We couldn't do it without you so Thank You For Being A Friend!
::cue sentimental music::
Thank you for being a friend
Traveled down the road and back again
your heart is true you're a pal and a confidant
I'm not ashamed to say
I hope it always will stay this way
My hat is off, won't you stand up and take a bow
And if you threw a party
Invited everyone you knew
You would see, the biggest gift would be from me
and the card attached would say,
Thank you for being a friend
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Mark Your Calendars
Be sure to mark your calendar and come see us at the FUN Show!
6th Annual Summer FUN Convention: July 12 - 14 2012 Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fl.
58th Annual FUN Convention: January 10-13, 2013 - Orange County Convention Center Orlando, Florida The 2013 Theme "Buffalo's And Hobo's A Centennial Celebration.
59th Annual FUN Convention: January 9-12, 2014 - Orange County Convention Center Orlando, Florida
60th Annual FUN Convention: January 8-11, 2015 - Orange County Convention Center Orlando, Florida
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