Baltimore Whitman Coin Expo November 2024 recap: Apparently I like Indo-Parthian and Indo-Scythian

[Parthicus]

Today (November 15, 2024) I attended the Baltimore Whitman Coin Expo, so here is my brief recap of my experiences together with some (very hasty and poorly-shot) photos of everything I bought.  I arrived at the show a little before 11 AM (doors had opened at 10), and left around 3 PM, with just a short break in the middle for lunch.  (Ridiculously overpriced, of course.  $14 for a hot dog and a bottle of Coke Zero Sugar?  Okay, it was a Nathan's hot dog so it was fairly tasty, but come on!)  The bourse seemed to have a similar level of activity as in previous years, though of course it varied from table to table.  At some tables I had to wait my turn to get a seat and review coins.  As this is only a Thursday to Saturday show, some dealers had already packed up and left by the afternoon.  Naturally, I spent my time in the Ancients and World section, though I did end up with one (junk box) US token as well.  Short anecdote: While I was at Allen G. Berman's table, he was settling up with another customer.  The customer handed him a bunch of $20 bills.  Allen quickly counted them, said "I think I owe you change", carefully recounted them, and found that the customer had indeed accidentally given an extra $20, which was promptly returned.  This is the sort of honesty which inspires confidence in customers.  Anyway, on to the loot.

First up is the group I bought from Allen G. Berman.  This was my biggest haul (in both number of coins and price paid).  First we have an Indo-Scythian bronze with an old Seaby's ticket.  Next is an Indo-Scythian tetradrachm, followed by three small-sized Kushan bronzes.  Finally, there is a small Parthian bronze that I probably overpaid for, but the reverse (although it doesn't show up well in the photo) is as crisp and well-preserved as I've ever seen on Parthian bronze.  Interestingly, this reverse type is described in catalogues as an amphora, but on this specimen it much more closely resembles a kantharos.  Definitely worthy of some research.

Next up is my other Ancient purchases.  At top left is a Sasanian drachm of Khusro II, purchased from Glenn Schinke.  I already have may coins for this ruler (the most common Sasanian king), but Sasanian drachms are like potato chips (and not just because they're the same thickness), you can't stop with just one.  Then there are two coins from Educational Coin Company, a Turkoman figural bronze featuring a double-headed eagle, and a tiny silver of the Gupta kingdom.  The bottom row starts with two coins from Tamco Numismatics, an Indo-Parthian and a Kushan.  Finally, there is a delicate tiny bronze of Axum purchased from Cody Boushay Coins; the obverse looks much nicer in hand than in this photo.

And at the end are a few moderns that somehow came home with me.  The three large bronzes on the top were from a junk box for just $1 each: a French 10 centimes of Napoleon III, and two British pennies of Victoria.  The bottom row starts with a US Hard Times token featuring the ever-popular "Millions for defense, not one cent for tribute" design.  Finally, a Newfoundland 50 cents and a Canadian large cent round out the row.

I ended the day having spent the full amount I had set aside for the show.  While I didn't get anything truly remarkable, I did end up with some nice coins, including some that will be fun to research.  I look forward to hearing other people's impressions of the show and seeing their numismatic finds.

[Sulla80]

Looks like a nice haul and some interesting coins!

[JAZ Numismatics]

Nice haul and yes, always pack a lunch for Baltimore. More money for coins!

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Very cool.  I would have loved to attend Allen Berman's table.  I have nothing but fond memories of his coins, and I got to attend a 1990's Chicago coin show, where he was there.

[JayAg47]

Nice bunch of coins! Coincidentally, I also attended a coin show today, although the one held in my city, certainly not as big as the Baltimore's.

[AncientJoe]

I was at the Baltimore show yesterday as well, flying in for the day to pick up a coin and ended up buying another.

They were overpriced but you made the right choice going for the hotdogs as the pizza was awful! 

[Furryfrog02]

Nice haul! I particularly like that Khusro II drachm. So thin but so large. They are always cool to hold in hand. I also like the chunky large coppers from Britain. Again, I think it has to do with how large they are. And you can't beat the price.

 

I haven't been to the Baltimore Whitman show in probably a year or so which kind of sucks since it's right up the road from me maybe 20minutes or so. The parking cost was what killed me. I would go with a $100 budget and end up spending $25 on parking.

 

[JAZ Numismatics]

36 minutes ago, Furryfrog02 said:

Nice haul! I particularly like that Khusro II drachm. So thin but so large. They are always cool to hold in hand. I also like the chunky large coppers from Britain. Again, I think it has to do with how large they are. And you can't beat the price.

 

I haven't been to the Baltimore Whitman show in probably a year or so which kind of sucks since it's right up the road from me maybe 20minutes or so. The parking cost was what killed me. I would go with a $100 budget and end up spending $25 on parking.

 

I didn't mind paying for the parking, but I quit going because the area around the convention center became unsafe, and Maryland does not honor Pennsylvania's carry permits, so you can't even protect yourself. I found myself walking through streets full of unsavory characters with thousands of dollars of coins in my pockets, then having to go through a parking garage where anyone could be lurking behind a car or pillar...talk about begging to be robbed. 

Have things improved at all over the last few years?

Edited November 16, 2024 by JAZ Numismatics

[Furryfrog02]

2 minutes ago, JAZ Numismatics said:

I didn't mind paying for the parking, but I quit going because the area around the convention center became unsafe, and Maryland does not honor Pennsylvania's carry permits, so you can't even protect yourself. I found myself walking through streets full of unsavory characters with thousands of dollars of coins in my pockets, then having to go through a parking garage where anyone could be lurking behind a car or pillar...talk about begging to be robbed. 

Have things improved at all over the last few years?

Honestly, I never felt unsafe in the area but I always parked right across the street so it was a short walk. I don't think I ever saw another person in the garage or on the walk to the convention center. That being said, I never was carrying thousands of dollars worth of coins so our experiences were much different and I understand you concern haha.

I'm not sure how the safety of the area is since we haven't been to the inner harbor in a few years. We used to enjoy the occasional O's game, the aquarium and children's museum but now with a rampaging horde of 7 of us, it is too expensive.