Coin Shows - Early Bird Admission

[CC-Hunter]

I have attended a couple Whitman coin expo's in Baltimore and plan on attending the Spring expo. I've always used the general (free) admission. I've enjoyed the shows.

I noticed that "early bird" admission is offered for $75. Is the early admission worth spending $75? What's the benefit? Are the dealers really offering great deals on coins that go quickly or do folks just like getting in when it is less crowded?

 

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[Diver_Down]

It's not so much the "great deal" but rather first pick. I go to the FUN show and it is common practice for a lot of dealings to occur during the Early Bird either with those that pay the admission or dealings with other dealers. For example, I've been working on a classic commemorative collection. My next acquisition will be an Old Spanish Trail half. These don't come around too often graded with a high mint state. The one dealer I encountered said he sold a 65 OST the day before to a dealer that was buying for a customer back in the dealer's home state. I scoured the bourse floor and never found another that met my criteria. Perhaps, next year I'll pay the Early Bird to beat the general attendees and dealers.