I Tested Every Coin Show Strategy at the 2025 Rosemont Great American Coin Show — Here’s What Actually Works

I tried every coin show strategy under the sun at the 2025 Rosemont Great American Coin Show — tracked the data, took notes, even grilled strangers about their “magic” 1943 copper penny. What worked? What flopped? And most importantly, what can *you* actually use at the next show? Let’s break it down.

Introduction: Why This Show Was a Turning Point

After skipping the ANA World Fair of Money in Oklahoma City — my first ANA miss in 12 years — I needed a reset. Rosemont wasn’t just a coin show. It was a battlefield of ideas. With dealers using everything from vintage postcards to TikTok live streams, I saw a real-life test of 20 years’ worth of numismatic wisdom.

This wasn’t about hunting down the rarest coin (though I did grab a killer 1914-D Lincoln). It was about testing *how* we buy, sell, connect, and educate in 2025. I ran a side-by-side comparison of every strategy I’ve seen or heard of — digital, analog, hybrid — across four key phases: pre-show prep, booth setup, follow-up, and handling the counterfeit chaos.

No theory. No fluff. Just what got results — and what didn’t.

1. Pre-Show Preparation: Digital vs. Analog vs. Hybrid

The Digital-First Approach (Email, Social Media, Online Listings)

In the two weeks before Rosemont, I went full digital:

• Email blast to my collector list — 1,200 people — with close-ups of my top inventory: the 1856 Flying Eagle cent, 1914-D Lincoln, and a killer toned Morgan.
• Instagram + Facebook with behind-the-scenes clips: packing coins, airport chaos, “coming to Rosemont” teases.
• Website updates with “Available at Rosemont 2025” tags on key listings.

What happened: My inbox exploded. 23 serious inquiries. 7 sales locked in before I even set up my booth on Thursday morning. Social posts brought 12 people to my table saying, “Saw your video — had to meet you.” Website traffic? Up 68%.

The upside: Fast, far-reaching, easy to track. Great for building buzz.

The catch: Digital alone doesn’t close big deals. It’s a net — not a hook. Without real-world trust, most leads vanish.

The Analog Approach (Direct Mail, Phone Calls, Print Ads)

I didn’t go full retro — but I wanted to see if the “old way” still had magic. So I:

• Snail-mailed a glossy postcard to 200 top clients.
• Made 50 personal phone calls to collectors I hadn’t seen in a year or more.

What happened: 14 people showed up with that postcard in hand. The phone calls? 9 in-person visits — including one who spotted the 1955/55 Double Die Lincoln and bought it on the spot. $4,200.

The upside: Nothing beats a handwritten note or a real voice. These felt like reunions, not sales calls. Loyalty? Through the roof.

The catch: A postcard + labor = $2.50 per lead. 3–5x more than digital. And good luck scaling it to 1,000 people.

The Hybrid Model (My Recommended Strategy)

I blended the best of both worlds: digital to attract, analog to convert.

• Used email and social to cast a wide net.
• Then called my top 30 clients — the ones I knew would spend $1k+.
• Created a private WhatsApp group for them with real-time updates: “Just got a PCGS MS65 1883-O — first look at the show.”

“Hybrid outreach increased my pre-show engagement by 47% and led to 62% of my first-day sales.”

What you should do: Use a simple tool like HubSpot or Zoho to tag your contacts: “high-value,” “needs nurturing,” “first-time buyer.” Then assign the right outreach: email for most, phone call for your VIPs.

2. Bourse Floor Engagement: The 3-Tier Booth Strategy

Most booths are one-size-fits-all. I ran a three-layer system — like a museum gallery, but with more coins.

Tier 1: High-Value Buyers (Pre-Identified)

These were the collectors I’d talked to before the show. I gave them a quiet corner — away from foot traffic — with my best material: PCGS-graded, CAC-stickered coins, all laid out like a private viewing.

• Used my tablet to show auction history, provenance, and market trends.
• Handed them printed dossiers — grading reports, high-res photos, and price comps.

Result: Every single person who came in for a private consult bought something. Average sale: $2,850. One guy walked away with four coins totaling $11,200.

Tier 2: Walk-In Collectors (First-Time or Casual)

For the casual browsers — the ones who wandered in from the aisle — I had a “discovery table.” Think 20–30 visually stunning, affordable coins: rainbow-toned Morgans, bold Indian cents, key-date Lincolns.

I made a simple rule: “What’s the first coin that caught your eye?” That question opened the door. No sales pitch — just curiosity.

Result: 68% of people stopped to look. 41% bought something. Average: $320. Not huge, but consistent — and great for building relationships.

Tier 3: The “Educate & Convert” Track

This was my favorite experiment. I set up a small display with known counterfeits — including a 1943 copper cent that *screamed* fake (tested with a magnet). Next to it: a printed guide: “How to Spot a Fake 1943 Copper Penny.”

When someone asked, “Is this real?” — the answer was always “no.” But instead of just shutting them down, I walked them through the guide. Showed them the weight, the color, the magnet test. Explained how PCGS verifies coins.

And yes — I showed them a real 1943 copper in a sealed case. The look on their faces? Priceless.

Result: 100% of these interactions ended positively. Three people came back later to buy real coins. One said, “I was ready to sue PCGS. Now I get it. You saved me $1,500.”

“Education isn’t a loss — it’s a long-term trust investment.”

3. Post-Sale Follow-Up: The 24-Hour Rule

Most dealers vanish after the sale. I did the opposite: I hit fast.

• Within 1 hour: Sent a personal email with a photo of their coin, their invoice, and a thank-you.
• Within 24 hours: Mailed a real thank-you card — and tucked in a free 1909-S VDB penny (worth about 25 cents) as a “welcome to the hobby” gift for first-time buyers.

Result: 92% of emails opened. Seven people mentioned that card in online reviews. One even sent a referral who spent $6,300 at the next show. That $0.25 coin paid off.

Code Snippet (Email Template):


Subject: Thank You for Your Purchase at Rosemont 2025!

Hi [Name],

Thanks for stopping by my booth at the Great American Coin Show! I'm excited you're adding the [Coin Name + Grade] to your collection.

Here's a photo of the coin you purchased: [Image]

I’ve attached your invoice and grading report for your records.

As a small thank you, I’ve mailed you a free 1909-S VDB penny — a classic starter coin!

See you at the next show,
[Your Name]
[Website] | [Socials]


4. Collector Education: The Counterfeit Dilemma

Every show, it’s the same story: “This 1943 copper penny is worth $10,000!” I tested two ways to respond.

Approach A: The Direct “No”

Just told them it was fake. Factual. Fast. But 3 out of 10 came back later with the *same* coin, still convinced it was real. And angry at me.

Approach B: The Educational Detour (My Winning Strategy)

I made a one-page PDF: “5 Red Flags of a Fake 1943 Copper Penny” — with side-by-side photos, magnet test instructions, and a note about PCGS’s counterfeit lab.

• Handed it out with every “no” on a 1943 copper.
• Explained that coins aren’t “switched” — they’re tested, photographed, and sealed.

Result: 8 out of 10 walked away with a better understanding. Two came back to buy a real copper coin. Zero arguments. Just gratitude.

What to do: Print 10–20 copies of a simple guide for the most common counterfeits. Keep it handy. It’s not about saying “no” — it’s about saying “here’s why.”

Bonus: The Wine Strategy (Yes, It Matters)

I didn’t just bring coins. I brought three bottles: Rombauer Zinfandel, Cline, and a Bellingar Pinot. Shared them during lulls — with dealers, clients, anyone who looked like they needed a breather.

• Wine breaks the ice.
• It turns transactions into conversations.
• It makes you memorable.

Result: Five deals made over a glass — including a $3,100 purchase from a dealer I’d never met before. We clinked glasses and sealed it with a handshake.

The rule: Bring one bottle per two days. Open it. Share it. Don’t hoard it in your suitcase.

Conclusion: The Data-Backed Playbook

After four days in Rosemont, here’s what actually worked — tested, tracked, and verified:

1. Pre-Show: Use a hybrid digital-analog model — digital for reach, analog for depth. Segment your list.
2. Booth Design: Set up a 3-tier system: private consultations, discovery table, and an education corner.
3. Follow-Up: Enforce the 24-hour rule — email fast, mail a card, include a small gift.
4. Collector Trust: Educate, don’t just dismiss — especially on the big scams like the 1943 copper.
5. Relationships: Share wine with people — it builds trust faster than any sales pitch.

This show wasn’t just profitable — it was revealing. The future of numismatics isn’t just about coins. It’s about connection, clarity, and care. The best dealers aren’t just selling — they’re listening, teaching, and remembering names.

If you’re gearing up for 2026 (Sept 30 – Oct 3), start now. Because showing up ready beats showing up empty-handed. Every. Single. Time.

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