Georgia state coin show in Dalton
Exhibits, special programs, 335 dealer tables ensure you’ll get your money’s worth
The largest coin and currency show not just in Georgia, but the Southeast, is taking place in Dalton, Ga, this weekend.
The Georgia Numismatic Association is hosting its 51st convention coin show Friday-Sunday, April 17- 19, at the Northwest Georgia Trade & Convention Center.
“We have 335 dealer tables with over 500 coin dealers selling and buying rare coins, paper money, medals, tokens, gold and silver coins and other related items. Close to 1,000 square feet is special event area, plus there are 46 cases of exhibits that members are bringing in on things they collect,” says Tom Youngblood, convention general manager. “We also have a fullserve supply dealer that fills another 25 tables.”
This coin show is hosting the American Numismatic Association’s ANA Road Show from Colorado Springs, which is bringing rare Georgia paper money and Georgia gold pieces, says Youngblood.
“They are going to have examples of gold coins from the Dahlonega Mint that were minted in the 1800s, and paper money that the state of Georgia issued during the Civil War,” he says.
And if that isn’t enough to ensure visitors get their money’s worth, the highlight of this weekend is a visit by the U.S. Mint with exhibits and sales of mint products.
“This is huge to get the U. S Mint,” Youngblood says. “They normally just go to the two national shows each year and maybe one regional. This is the first time in years that they have come to Georgia. The Mint is planning to do three or four regional shows this year to see how that works, and fortunately Georgia is one of them.”
Youngblood says the majority of the Mint’s exhibits will be current products for sale — such as collectible coin proof sets — as well newly minted pieces such as the Bess Truman coin, which comes out today. The Truman coin is part of a series on presidential spouses in
half-ounce gold coins.
Youngblood adds there will be three coin- grading services on- site that will give verbal opinions at no cost. Appraisals for coins or currency that visitors bring into the show may be done at any time throughout the weekend.
Two youth- oriented programs are scheduled Saturday, both with giveaways for participants. Boy Scouts attending the 10 a.m. merit badge program on beginning a collection will receive a free Red Book reference guide as well as a collector’s folder. Every person ages 18 or under attending the Young Numismatics program at 1 p.m. will take home free items such as coins, medals, tokens, paper money, coin books or folders.
The coin show is free to the public Friday through Sunday; but for hard-core collectors who want first pick over displays, there is an early-bird badge that may be purchased today, April 16, at 3 p.m. for $50.
Every visitor all weekend will be asked to register, and everyone 18 or older must show a government-issued photo ID to enter. Youngblood says this is to track the number of visitors attending as well as for security purposes.
“There is a security expert who rates the 10 best coin shows in the nation for security, and we have routinely been on that list for the last 10 years,” says Youngblood. “We take security very seriously. In addition to camera surveillance, we will have plainclothesmen and uniform security on the floor. We will have security 24/7 from setup to takedown.”