The first thing I have to say is, if you have not made it to one of these conventions recently you are wasting a great part of your membership. Not only for the great auction and all the awesome dealers, but also for the great people. I look forward to this convention every year because it really is great to see everyone. The comaraderie is really awesome. People I only see once a year, and yet, these are friendships for for over a decade! Emailing is great, but there is nothing like seeing old friends.....and this time was no different. I always make my rounds and visit first, then I look for coins.....but this time, I met my friend Jim (who kindly offered to share his table with me) and we set up and spoke a bit. Jim is a great guy and a good friend. Then I was off to make my rounds. As usual, I got to see Tony T, always a stand up a guy, as well as one of the people I blame (thank) for changing how I collect. If you have ever seen, or hear of, Tony, you will know what I mean. If not, well, let's just say that once you see his coins, it's tough to look at "lesser," pieces. I got to see Tom R., another great guy with such passion for everything he does that he is responsible for getting me started in several other collections.....this year it seems he's started me on meteor's...and almost got me started on dinosaur teeth!!!....I guess I'll start that next year.....right next door is Chris Y., dealer, auctioneer and all around good guy. Chris is a person who really loves the hobby and has really done a lot for C-4. Chris and I have so much in common that I can spend an entire day talking to him, and I really do feel bad afterwards for taking up so much of his time....especially since he has so many other things to do. Then it was off to see more good friends, Dave W. is a very good personal friend, and someone who is really tops. I was lucky enough to spend some quality time with him catching up, and he was gracious enough to place a bid for me on a coin that I thought would go for a lot, but ended up sleeping. I also got to visit with Mike W., another great guy. I have known him since he was a kid, and he really has grown into a fine young man. It's always a pleasure to see him and this was no exception. Seeing Ray W. is always a pleasure, and the sad news that he would like to step down as C-4 president. Of course I am being selfish, and the reality is that Ray (and his wife) have done so much for the club that they really do need time for themselves and time to actually enjoy the convention. Ray really is an amazing person with a heart of gold (and I must say, his wife is of equally fine character). There are so many people that I enjoy seeing and speaking with, and the four days really flies.

 

My purchases were few, but really great. Having a love for 1785 Connecticut's, I was able to add three great pieces to almost complete my set. One is a low grade, double struck piece (third known). Second is a 6.2-f.1, and finally a 6.5-M. The 6.5-M was a real surprise, and I must say I pretty much talked myself out of it. Fortunately for me, while we were walking back from dinner, I asked Dave W. to place a bid if it went cheap....well, it did and now I own it. I didn't want to spend a lot on this coin because, well, it's not very nice. However, at that price, it was impossible to pass up.

 

I drove up and back with Michael S., a great guy and we had plenty of time driving, as well as at the convention, to discuss coins, ethics, and pretty much solving the worlds problems. Robert M., a very good friend, and I must say, the person I credit most for my colonial knowledge, has been my friend and mentor for over a decade, and I cannot tell you how much I enjoy the time we spend together. His knowledge about most things colonial is amazing, as is his willingness to share information with anyone who asks. He is a numismatist in every sense of the word, and someone who deserves more thanks thank I can give.....finally I made it home (I must say that during my stay I was able to watch videos of my wife and kids, but I was still missing them a lot). I was happy to be home with the loves of my life and with some new coins and some good memories....and now I am going to plan for next year!