Why Montana’s Coin Show Scene Disappeared (And How I Made the Most of It)

I’ve been dealing with this issue for months. Here’s my honest experience and what I wish I’d known from the start.

When I moved to Montana last year, I couldn’t wait to explore the local coin scene. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered most coin shows had vanished faster than a $20 gold piece at an estate sale. But what started as frustration turned into an adventure – here’s how I learned to collect coins in a state that forgot about numismatic events.

The Vanishing Montana Coin Shows

What happened to the scene?

Billings was supposed to be my coin collecting paradise. Instead, I found more AR-15s than Morgan dollars at local events. After talking to old-timers and dealers, the picture became clear:

• Graying collectors: The guys who ran shows in the 90s are now in their 70s with no replacements
• Digital shift: Dealers told me they make more money on eBay than driving 300 miles to a show
• Economic reality: Schools and churches would rather host gun shows that draw 500 people than coin events with 50

The Glendive ghost show

I nearly drove three hours to a “coin show” that turned out to be as real as a 1913 Liberty Head nickel. That outdated online listing taught me to always call venues before hitting the road.

Creative Alternatives I Discovered

Gun shows: Not just for firearms

Here’s my survival guide for finding coins where you least expect them:

• Hit the coffee stand first – that’s where dealers gossip about who brought what
• Silver dollars move fast, so check tables before lunch rush
• Carry a small magnifier – lighting at these events is terrible for grading coins

The truth about Lincoln’s 50,000 Silver Dollar bar

Yes, it’s mostly worn-out Peace dollars nailed to the wall. But the bartender introduced me to a retired rancher with a cigar box full of territorial gold coins. Sometimes the real treasure is the connections you make.

Building a Montana Collection Against the Odds

What actually worked for me

After months of dead ends, I cracked the code for Montana collecting:

• Go hyper-local: I now specialize in pioneer tokens from Montana mining towns
• Join the right groups: Historical societies have members who remember when coins were actually used here
• Be a regular: The last shop in Billings with a good inventory saves walkers for known collectors

My best accidental find

At what looked like another junk-filled estate sale, I nearly passed over a sewing basket. Inside? An 1865 territorial gold piece mistaken for a button. The $8,500 lesson? In Montana, treasure hides in plain sight when you know what to look for.

Collecting here isn’t about shows – it’s about becoming part of the state’s numismatic story.

Key Takeaways for Collectors

• Montana rewards patience – rare coins surface if you build relationships
• The best deals happen before events officially open
• Focus on Montana-specific coins where you have home-field advantage
• Always check “junk” boxes – pioneers didn’t use coin flips

Final Thoughts

Looking back, I’m glad Montana doesn’t have easy coin shows. Hunting for coins the old-fashioned way – through word-of-mouth, dusty antique shops, and befriending old collectors – taught me more about numismatics than any convention ever could. Turns out, Big Sky Country still has plenty of treasure… if you’re willing to dig for it.

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