Low Country Coin Club Hosts Largest Coin Show in Charleston, SC History

The Low Country Coin Club of the greater Charleston area, SC,

held its largest coin show to date. Hosting the annual Winter Coin Show

on Feb 2, 3, & 4 at the Exchange Park Fairgrounds in Ladson, SC. The

new location included a 7,000 square foot showroom ( double the size of

the previous room )with larger aisles giving customers plenty of room to

browse. Billy Crawford, a member of the Low Country Coin Club and author

of 'A Detailed Analysis of Lincoln Cent Varieties' was provided a guest

table throughout the show to display many of his rare varieties and

error coins.

Randy Clark, President of the Low Country Coin Club, reported

the new location was necessary to support the expanding regional

population and number of coin collectors. Fifty-three dealers from

Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee,

Pennsylvania and New York were in attendance. Well over 1000 customers

attended the show. Nearly all dealers reported average to strong sales

and provided positive feedback to the club on the new location and

customer turnout.

The new location also provided several firsts for many

numismatic dealers, a separate dealer parking area to minimize the

probability of dealer thefts and robberies as have occurred following

other larger coin shows in recent years. Also, onsite recreational

vehicle overnight parking with full hookup. Uniformed and plain-clothed

security personnel were in attendance throughout the show in addition to

other surveillance methods. Customer and dealer security is not taken

likely at this show and is considered to be of paramount importance in

ensuring customers and dealers return for future shows.

The increased customer base was a result of expanded advertising

efforts the club has undertaken. The LCCC sent out more than 300 post

cards to customers who signed up at previous shows for notified of this

and future shows Flyers were mailed to every coin club in South

Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia a month before the show. The

addition of several local roadside advertisements placed in key traffic

areas throughout the Low Country region caught the attention of many

first time customers.

The Low Country Coin Club Winter and Summer Shows have always

been free to the public and should continue. Customers were asked to

show identification at the door and sign in to record attendance and to

obtain email or street addresses for those who requested notification of

upcoming shows. The club expects to be sending out over 500 customer

postcards and emails for the LCCC Summer 2007 Show to be held August 10

- 12. The summer show will also include an on-site Low Country style

cookout on Saturday evening for club members and dealers.

The number of numismatic dealers is limited for Low Country Coin

Club shows to help ensure dealers have a reasonably profitable weekend

and to ensure a continued reputable dealer base is maintained. Dealers

are rated individually based on club member, dealer and customer

feedback. Additionally, dealers who have been in attendance for

consecutive shows are given priority reservation privileges for upcoming

shows. For this reason, new dealers wishing to participate in upcoming

shows should request bourse applications as soon as possible by

contacting Randy Clark. New dealers may be asked to provide a summary

of their numismatic and business credentials.

Bill Latoure

Secretary