Bourse, educational forums also set for show
Coin World
Monday, May 29, 2006
The spring Long Beach Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo is scheduled June 1 to 3 at the Long Beach Convention Center, located at 100 S. Pine Ave., Long Beach, Calif.
The show will be open to the public June 1 and 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on June 3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Long Beach Expo will offer a bourse with dealers in coins, paper money, stamps and other collectibles; exhibits of rare numismatic materials; and meetings and educational forums.
Among the exhibits on view will be one showcasing what the expo’s promoters say is a multimillion dollar educational display of California Gold Rush era treasures. Highlights include what is called the finest known "Horseman" 1850 Baldwin & Co. pioneer gold $10 coin, graded Mint State 65 by the Numismatic Guaranty Corp.
"Less than two dozen examples of this coin are known today, and this will be the first public display in Southern California of the finest known example," said Ronald J. Gillio, expo general chairman, in a press release.
Gold coins and bars from the 1857 shipwreck SS Central America and antique tools once used for hand-engraving coin dies will also be on display at the expo.
According to Long beach Expo officials, the finest known set of 1915-S Panama-Pacific International Exposition commemorative coins and its original documentation will also be showcased. The display, valued at $700,000, will be presented by Rare Coin Wholesalers of Dana Point, Calif.
The display will include the set’s original packaging and documentation signed by Farran Zerbe, chief of the Coin and Medal Department for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, indicating that the set was number 6 of 24.
Another exhibit will feature the two finest known sets of Mint State Eisenhower dollars, as listed in the Professional Coin Grading Service Set Registry.
Along with the exhibits, numismatic experts will present more than half a dozen educational seminars.
Troy Thoreson, eBay representative, will host a program at noon June 2 about buying and selling collectibles online.
The Kid’s Treasure Hunt is scheduled for June 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., along with other Young Numismatist activities occurring from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. the same day.
Heritage Galleries and Auctioneers of Dallas, the expo’s official auctioneer, will conduct auctions of coins and paper money during the show. George F. Kolbe Fine Numismatic Books of Crestline, Calif., plans an auction of numismatic literature.
Club meetings are scheduled by the California National Currency Club, the Cigar Label Society, Christian Coin Dealers, the Toned Coin Club of America, the National Silver Dollar Roundtable, Early American Coppers, the Society for U.S. Commemorative Coins, the Original Hobo Nickel Society and the Civil War Token Society.
More than 2,000 dealers will be buying and selling rare coins, paper money, postage stamps, post cards, autographs, historical documents, antiques and estate jewelry throughout the duration of the show. Many dealers will offer free, informal appraisals, according to expo officials. A complete schedule of events can be viewed at www.LongBeachShow.com.
General admission is $6 and is good for all three days of the show. Admission is $5 for collectors with a valid membership card for any coin or stamp club, $4 for seniors age 65 and older, and free for children ages 7 and younger. Discount coupons are available at the show’s Web site.
Convention center parking is $8 per day.
For more information, contact Expos Unlimited, 1103 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Prior to the show, call the firm at (805) 962-9939. CW
"Horseman" image courtesy of Lyle Engleson; Pan-Pac image courtesy of Rare Coin Wholesalers. AMONG THE ITEMS to be on exhibit at the Long Beach Expo are this "Horseman" 1850 Baldwin & Co. gold $10 coin, left, and this 1915-S Panama-Pacific International Exposition gold $50 coin, right, part of the finest known set.