(Winter 2008)  The last few months have seen quite a few finds in change, but have also seen the MSNS fall show come and go.

That show means there have been some great finds in dealer bargain bins as well.

One of the amazing things about checking your change for a couple of months, then strolling across the MSNS show bourse floor is that if you look around a bit -- in both cases -- you can find the presidential dollars. A good friend gave me two of the new dollar coins, an Adams and a Jefferson, that someone had tipped her when she was checking coats at a black tie dinner. Not too long after, at the fall show, there were a few dealers with presidential dollars in their cases, already slabbed! I suppose it’s only natural for folks to get their hands on a roll or two and send the best looking ones in for grading. But it just seems so darn fast.

As well, the Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah quarters have made their way out to the public. Thanks to my oldest son, David, for plunking a couple of the Utah quarters onto the kitchen table after coming home from a late night working at the movie theater. What a nice surprise over breakfast. It seems though that whether it’s Idaho, Wyoming, or Utah, we are getting the P mintmarks before the D. At least, that’s what keeps coming this author’s way.

The Westward Journey nickels have made their presence felt as well. I’ve seen several of them -- all the different designs, really -- in change from the gas stations, 7-Elevens, and other stores. Plus, I keep finding them in my own change pocket in my car. That means I must not be looking at the moment I actually receive them. I guess I look a little more carefully when I’m searching for change for a parking meter. I’ll have to keep a sharper eye out, so I don’t keep surprising myself in my own car!

One place though with some truly amazing finds is the MSNS bourse floor. Oh, I know, it’s not truly a find from change, but what some dealers relegate to their bargain bins is really amazing. For example, the last show convinced me that while there is a set of reference guides for Canadian coins, not too many folks feel obligated to follow it -- and thank you for that! There was an excellent looking Newfoundland 1918 50 cent piece in one gentleman’s box for only a few dollars. That’s a handsome looking coin for an even more impressive price.

Another example, and one that really raised my eyebrows, was the gentleman who had a bargain bin of crown-sized silver. Even with the spot price of silver being rather high during the time of the show, his prices were very reasonable. He had some Canadian commemorative dollars in proof, which he had put into 3x3 flips, as well as several Maria Theresa thalers. If you’re not a huge fan of foreign coins, reconsider adding a Maria Theresa thaler to your collection. They’re all dated 1780, even though most of them now on the market have been minted by a non-Austrian mint in the last eighty years. But they are one of the earliest trade coins that saw use far outside the borders of their own country. Actually, that’s why countries like Britain chose to make them over the years -- they are well accepted in the far corners of the world. And, while the fine folks at Whitman may never make a blue book for U.S. silver dollars with one extra hole in it for a Maria Theresa thaler, the thaler really does have a place next to our own, big silver dollars. There were some other great finds on the bourse floor as well.

For those of us who never spend more than $10 on any single coin, there seemed to be a large number of dealers who had bargain bins filled with either world coins from about 1880 - 1950, or U.S. coins from the same general time frame. As I mentioned, the price of silver was high during the show, but there was one dealer on the back aisle with an impressive bargain bin that included good looking Mercury dimes, Buffalo nickels, and a smattering of Barber coinage, most in the $1 - $5 range. Thanks to him and all the other dealers who help keep our fine hobby affordable for all of us. If you missed this last show, there’s no need to panic.

Hopefully, we’ll have the same crop of dealers, with some new items in their bargain bins, when the spring show rolls around. And even if not, we’ve still got our daily change to hunt through. Enjoy! That’s about it for the moment. Remember though, if you have any neat finds to report, send them to Mark Benvenuto at: benvenma@udmercy.edu. Thanks!