Flew to Pittsburgh for the American Numismatic Association convention — big annual coin show. Would have preferred to do just one full day, but the flights didn’t work, so I stayed overnight. The nearby hotel (Hilton Doubletree) was very nice; dinner in its restaurant surprisingly good. Pittsburgh is quite a pleasant city.
In fact, everything went beautifully. One glitch was that I’d brought a big package to drop with a dealer, Miller, but when I checked the show roster for his table number, he wasn’t listed. Oy! Stuck shlepping the package around. Then, the second afternoon, after I’d hit all the “must” dealers, I walked the whole show from end to end — and found Miller after all. The roster was screwed up, he said.
I bought enough to make the trip worthwhile. Good old Nick Economopoulos had an interesting Byzantine collection, but too expensive on first look. Then, one by one, he cut the prices so much that I bought almost all. Also paid him a thou for a silver stater of Kelenderis (Asia Minor, 4th century BC, with horseman & goat) — unlike the usual ill-centered coin with striking problems, a humdinger.
Then Robin Danziger of Educational Coin Company, who once called me “El Exigente” for my quality pickiness. Another big Byzantine batch. And then a hoard of little Hungarian silver denars of Bela II (1131-41 AD) in great condition, surprisingly cheap. Picking through, I took the bulk of them, over 250.
Another longtime favorite dealer friend is Georges Tambakopoulos, from Sweden. Another great human being, from whom I’ve bought tons. Notable this time was a Denarius of Julia Soaemias (mother of Roman Emperor Elagabalus, 218-22 AD). Not the most common, though not rare; but in great condition, well centered and struck, with no weakness, on good metal with a pleasing tone. Almost nonexistent in such quality. Felt like a gift at $125.
One new dealership, whose company name I didn’t recognize, had many ancient coins. I noticed my own handwriting on a few — not so unusual, I’ve sold a lot over the years. I bought several coins, and when I asked the guy what name to put on the check, turned out he’s a very good longtime (decades) customer I’d never met in person. He was also quite delighted to hear who I was.
Trips like this are so exhausting — turning 76, my stamina is diminishing, takes some days to recover. (I should stop carrying heavy reference books, that I rarely need to consult.) Yet it’s meantime so energizing. I love all the stimulus, negotiating all the challenges. And every time, I think — how many more times? But life’s finiteness makes me savor it all the more fiercely.
It also feels like it’s in a bubble, and that bubble itself is contained within a larger one. That would be my marriage to an unbelievably wonderful woman who got up at four to drive me to the airport, and would cheerfully pick me up near midnight.
Working a coin show, I don’t stop for lunch; munch a granola bar. Nothing to drink. When finally on the plane at 6 o’clock I got my Coke, I was really thirsty and had been fixedly looking forward to it for hours. I took the first sip almost reverently, and sure did enjoy that Coke. I’d once heard a radio interview with a former flight attendant venting about annoying passengers. One mentioned transgression was asking for a full can of soda. I’d already learned you could do that! But I make sure to profusely thank the always gracious flight attendant.
And I remember Abdi Nor Iftin’s book; he came here as a refugee from Somalia, and mentioned that the first time he’d had a Coke, it was the most delicious thing he’d ever tasted.
I was also looking forward to a nice dinner during my Baltimore layover. Out the Firkin & Flyer restaurant’s window I could watch planes landing and leaving. Always a thrilling sight; airports fill me with awe at the magnitude of civilization’s achievement. The fish-and-chips was delicious, especially after a long day of exertions. Even the background music was nice. Just as I was finishing my meal, and reflecting on how great everything made me feel, The Sounds of Silence came on. Gosh I love that song. I sat there tapping my feet and even actually singing along (quietly).
Then right after, another top favorite: American Pie!
And next: Up, Up and Away!
Life is good.
