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CoinCollecting.com recently attended The Long Beach Expo, a cornerstone event in the numismatic community, which celebrated its 60th Diamond Anniversary. Held thrice yearly, this June 2024 edition held up its legacy as the oldest and premier collectibles show on the West Coast.

The event took place at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California. Long Beach offers a picturesque setting for the expo. Known for its beautiful waterfront, vibrant arts scene, and diverse dining options, Long Beach is a fantastic destination for visitors. Highlights include The Queen Mary: A historic ocean liner turned hotel and museum, Aquarium of the Pacific: One of the largest aquariums in the U.S, and it is home to many artists and celebrities including Cameron Diaz, Gwen Stefani, and Snoop Dogg.


A unique feature of Long Beach is the 11-foot Lincoln Cent in Lincoln Park. This giant replica of a penny serves as a quirky landmark and is a favorite photo spot for visitors. It symbolizes the city's connection to numismatics and adds a fun element to your visit.

The Long Beach Convention Center is a modern and spacious facility offering Ample Exhibit Space, Convenient Amenities, and Stunning Views of the Pacific Ocean. The event attracted over 400 dealers and exhibitors offering a vast array of coins, currency, and other collectibles. Coin dealers had a diverse selection of ancient coins, modern issues, rare pieces, and bullion from all over the world. The expo also features specialized sections, such as the US Coins section, World Coins section, and Paper Money section, ensuring that every numismatic interest is catered to. In addition to coins, the event featured sports collectibles and jewelry. 


Here's some more of what the show had to offer:



Professional Grading Services

  • Top-tier grading services like PCGS and ANACS were on-site, providing valuable services including:
  • Coin Authentication: Ensured the authenticity of coins.
  • Grading: Provided an official grade that determined the coin’s condition and value.
  • Encapsulation: Sealed coins in tamper-evident holders for protection and certification.

While there were also independent expert dealers that were also grading onsite, having coins graded by professionals significantly increased their value and desirability.


Expert Seminars and Workshops

Educational sessions were a highlight of the expo, offering:

  • Workshops: Hands-on sessions where attendees learned about coin grading, authentication, and other numismatic skills.
  • Seminars: Lectures by industry experts covering a wide range of topics such as market trends, historical insights, and specific coin series.
  • Panel Discussions: Interactive discussions with panels of experts answering questions from the audience.

These sessions provided invaluable insights and enhanced the overall educational experience of the expo.


Special Exhibits

The expo featured special exhibits that showcased rare and historically significant coins. Highlights for the event included:

  • The Tyrant Collection: Featured the “Tyrants of the Thames” exhibit, showcasing an extraordinary collection of English coins. You can learn more about the most valuable private collection of English coins HERE
  • The Ship of Gold Exhibit: Displayed recovered treasures from the SS Central America, including gold coins, ingots, and artifacts. More info on this interactive exhibit HERE

These exhibits offered a unique opportunity to see extraordinary items and learn about their historical significance.


Auctions

The Long Beach Expo hosted several major auctions, providing a dynamic marketplace for both buying and selling rare coins. Auction highlights included:

  • Heritage Auctions: A leading auction house known for offering high-value and rare numismatic items. Heritage Auctions Website
  • Stack’s Bowers Auctions: Another premier auctioneer with a reputation for exceptional coin and currency sales.

Attending these auctions allowed participants to bid on unique pieces, observe market trends, and potentially acquire valuable additions to their collection.


Networking Opportunities

The expo was an excellent venue for networking, bringing together a diverse group of attendees including collectors, dealers, investors, and experts. It was an ideal setting to:

  • Meet Fellow Collectors: Share passion and experiences with others who had similar interests.
  • Talk to Experts: Gain advice and insights from seasoned collectors and industry professionals.
  • Join Clubs and Organizations: Learn about membership and benefits from numismatic clubs and organizations present at the expo.

Building these connections enhanced the collecting experience and opened up new opportunities for learning and trading.

Here are some upcoming shows for 2024:

Start End Show Description Location
6/13/2024 6/15/2024 Whitman Baltimore Summer Expo (NGC) Location
7/11/2024 7/13/2024 Summer FUN Show (NGC) Location
7/13/2024 7/13/2024 SWLA Coin Club's Annual Coin Show (ANA) 401 Arena Rd, Lake Charles, LA 70665,
8/6/2024 8/10/2024 ANA World's Fair of Money (NGC) Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Rosemont, Illinois,
11/14/2024 11/16/2024 Whitman Winter Expo (NGC) Baltimore Convention Center Baltimore, Maryland,


More show information and additional shows can be found on the ANA Website:


American Numismatic Association Website

Here are some tips on how you can make the most of your coin show experience:



  • Plan Ahead; Research the Event: Check the show’s website for schedules, maps, and dealer lists. Pre-Register: Save time and sometimes money by registering online in advance.
  • Budget Wisely; Set a Spending Limit: Know your budget for purchases, grading fees, and other expenses. Cash and Cards: Bring a mix of cash and cards; some dealers may prefer one over the other.
  • Prioritize and Schedule; Identify Must-Sees: Highlight key dealers, exhibits, and seminars you don’t want to miss. Plan Your Day: Allocate time for shopping, attending sessions, and breaks.
  • Prepare Your Collection; Clean and Organize: Ensure your coins are clean and categorized. Bring Supplies: Have tools like magnifying glasses, notebooks, and coin holders.
  • Engage with Experts; Attend Seminars: Gain insights from expert-led discussions and workshops. Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to seek advice or clarification from seasoned collectors and dealers.
  • Network; Exchange Contact Information: Bring business cards to connect with other collectors and dealers. Join Clubs: Engage with numismatic clubs and organizations present at the show.
  • Stay Updated; Follow social media: Stay informed about event updates and special announcements. Sign Up for Newsletters: Get alerts and information about future shows and events.
  • Explore the Venue and City; Check Amenities: Know where the food courts, restrooms, and lounges are located. Tour the City: Take advantage of the local attractions and landmarks.
  • Be Security Conscious; Watch Your Belongings: Keep a close eye on your purchases and personal items. Use Secure Transportation: Ensure your collectibles are safely transported to and from the event.
  • Reflect and Review; Assess Your Experience: Note what went well and what could improve for next time. Follow Up: Reach out to new contacts and continue building relationships.
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