Decoding the FUN Show Sellout: 5 Critical Market Implications Every Collector Must Understand
November 20, 2025I Compared 7 Strategies for Attending Sold-Out Coin Shows – These Delivered Real Results
November 20, 2025
New to Coin Collecting? Your First FUN Show Made Simple
The FUN Show selling out eighteen months early isn’t just big news – it’s your ticket to understanding coin collecting’s most exciting event. I remember walking into my first FUN Show back in 1973, wide-eyed and clutching my coin folder. Today, I’ll share everything I wish I’d known back then. Whether you collect Lincoln cents or ancient coins, this guide prepares you for the 2026 show and beyond.
FUN Show Basics Every Beginner Should Know
What’s a Bourse Anyway?
Think of the bourse as a treasure hunter’s paradise – only instead of maps and shovels, you’ll find:
- 500+ expert dealers waiting to help you
- 700+ tables overflowing with rare coins
- Grading services to authenticate your finds
- Fellow collectors sharing their passion
Why This Sell-Out Changes Your Plans
The 2026 tables disappearing faster than silver dollars at a bake sale (see official list) tells us:
“When dealers book two years ahead, bring your A-game – and your shopping list!”
This rush means:
- Hot market for gold and silver coins
- More collectors than ever joining the fun
- Why it’s earned the “Super Bowl of Coin Shows” nickname
Your Step-by-Step FUN Show Prep Plan
Cracking the Dealer Table Code
Those confusing table numbers? Here’s how to read them:
# Real examples made simple:
Table 300/302 = Club booth (great for beginner advice!)
Table 413 = Two dealers sharing space (double the deals!)
PCGS Tables 101-105 = Grading services (get coins authenticated onsite)
Your FUN Countdown Checklist
- Today: Book your Orlando hotel (Disney-area ones vanish fastest)
- 3 Months Out: Study the floor plan like a treasure map
- 6 Months Out: Message dealers through FUN’s directory
- 9 Months Out: Pick coins you want graded
- 1 Month Out: Create your “must-find” list
Myths That Trip Up First-Timers
Myth: “Sold Out = No Room for Me”
Truth: The sell-out only affects dealer tables! Collector tickets stay available, with 15,000+ expected in 2026.
Myth: “Big Tables Have Better Coins”
Reality: Some of my best finds came from:
- Single-table experts with rare colonial coins
- Shared tables where dealers combine inventories
- Club tables with collector-to-collector deals
Myth: “Dealers Ignore New Collectors”
Pro Tip: Use this magic phrase when approaching tables:
“Hi, I’m [Your Name] building my first [Collection Type]. Do you have any [Specific Coin] in the [Price Range] range?”
Surviving (and Thriving) at Your First Show
The 3-Day Battle Plan
Day 1 (Scouting): Walk every aisle with a highlighter and map
Day 2 (Trading): Visit your top 10 dealers + catch free seminars
Day 3 (Dealmaking): Score last-day discounts
Must-Have Tech for Coin Newbies
- FUN’s Mobile App – Never get lost in the crowd
- CoinFacts – Check prices before you buy
- Table Share Map – Find dealer partnerships
Turning 2026 Into Your Collecting Launchpad
Making Dealer Friends 101
1. First Meeting: Share what you collect
2. Follow-Up: Email your “wish list”
3. Next Show: Get early access to new arrivals
When Prices Swing (And They Will!)
As my mentor once told me:
“Market changes separate casual collectors from serious ones.”
Remember:
- Gold drops? Hunt for rare dates
- Silver spikes? Focus on commemoratives
- Steady markets? Build complete sets
Your Journey Starts Here
That 2026 sellout teaches us three key things:
- Start planning NOW for 2027 (yes, really!)
- Dealer confidence = great buying opportunities
- Shared tables often hold hidden gems
Here’s the good news: every expert collector started exactly where you are now. Follow these steps, and you’ll walk into the 2026 FUN Show not as a newbie, but as a prepared collector ready to join this 50-year tradition.
Related Resources
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