Fall is officially here, and for numismatists, that means the busiest and most exciting time of the year has arrived. Whether you are an experienced collector hunting for a rare colonial copper, or a beginner who recently inherited a box of vintage silver dollars, the upcoming autumn circuit offers the perfect opportunity to buy, sell, and learn. From massive national events drawing international dealers to local, community-driven swap meets, the schedule is packed. In this guide, we break down the must-attend coin expos in the US and Canada, what market trends you should look out for on the bourse floor, and how to prepare so you can navigate the tables like a seasoned pro.

Major North American Coin Shows & Fall Schedules

If you are trying to find local coin shows near me or mapping out a cross-country trip, the fall calendar is packed. Here are the premier numismatic conventions schedule highlights you need to circle, all verified directly against each show's official listing:

  • PAN Fall Coin Show (Oct 22–24, Monroeville, PA): Hosted by the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists at the Monroeville Convention Center, this is billed as the largest coin show in the Northeastern United States — around 250 dealers across 350 tables, free admission and parking, and on-site PCGS and ANACS grading submissions. Perfect for finding east-coast dealers specializing in early American copper and colonial currency.
  • Edmonton Fall Coin Show (Oct 17–18, Edmonton, AB): Hosted by the Edmonton Numismatic Society at the Central Lions Recreation Centre, this is billed as Canada's largest numismatic event — Canadian, U.S., world, medieval, and ancient coins alongside paper money, medals, and bullion. Features free market evaluations of your coins and a free youth coin auction on Saturday.
  • PCGS Trade & Grade Showcase (Oct 21–23, Philadelphia, PA): Held at the Live! Casino & Hotel, this is one of only four PCGS Trade & Grade Showcases nationwide in 2026, offering on-site coin and banknote grading, an intimate bourse floor, and auction-lot viewing with Stack's Bowers Galleries as official auctioneer. General admission is $11; PCGS Collectors Club members and authorized dealers enter free. If getting a coin professionally graded in person is your goal, this is the most direct route on the fall calendar.
  • Whitman Baltimore Fall Expo (Nov 12–14, Baltimore, MD): A massive gathering at the Baltimore Convention Center that draws the nation's top rare coin auctions and high-volume dealers. If you want to see six-figure rarities up close, this is the place to be.

How to Get Free Coin Valuations & Appraisals

Many people flock to these autumn events not to buy, but to learn the true worth of their collections. If you have inherited an estate or found an old stash of silver, look for designated tables offering free coin valuations right on the convention floor — both the Edmonton Fall Coin Show and PAN Fall Coin Show explicitly offer this, and it costs nothing to ask at any show's information table.

Knowing how to sell old coins at a convention comes down to preparation. Instead of approaching a busy dealer blindly, visit the educational or club tables first to get old coins appraised at a show by an unbiased expert. This ensures you know the rough market value of your pieces before you entertain any cash offers from buyers on the bourse floor. Before you even leave home, our guide to how to tell if an old coin is valuable covers the same fundamentals — mintage, mint mark, and condition — that a table appraiser will be checking.

What to Look for When Buying Rare Coins

For hobbyists focused on expanding their personal collections, fall expos are the absolute best place for buying ancient coins and scarce US type coins. Because you are dealing face-to-face with the best coin dealers, you can negotiate prices, verify the eye appeal under a magnifying loupe, and ask questions about the coin's history.

Keep an eye out for third-party certified pieces (like PCGS or NGC graded coins). Buying certified items gives you total peace of mind regarding authenticity, which is the golden rule of the coin collecting hobby. If you want to understand exactly what those grade numbers on the certification label mean before you negotiate a price, see our breakdown in how coin grading works.

How to Prepare Before You Go

A little prep turns a chaotic bourse floor into a productive afternoon:

  • Bring a loupe or magnifier. Table lighting varies wildly between halls, and you'll want to check details yourself rather than take a dealer's word for condition.
  • Set a budget per category — one for "want" purchases, one for anything you might sell — so you're not making decisions on the spot under pressure.
  • Photograph anything you're selling beforehand so you can check an independent estimate before you walk in, rather than anchoring entirely on the first offer you hear.
  • Walk the whole floor once before buying anything. Prices for the same type of coin can vary meaningfully between tables at the same show.

This is also where a photo-based identifier earns its keep on the floor itself: pull out Coin Gauge between tables to get an instant identification and estimated value for anything you're considering, covering U.S. and world coins from more than 180 countries in under three seconds. It won't replace a certified PCGS or NGC grade for a genuinely valuable piece, but it's a fast, free gut-check before you commit to a price — see our guide on free coin identifiers and value tools for how to use a free estimate alongside professional grading. And if this is your first show, our guide to starting a coin collection covers what to focus on before you spend a dollar.

FAQ

Are coin shows free to attend?

Most regional shows are free or low-cost — PAN Fall and Edmonton Fall are free admission, while the PCGS Trade & Grade Showcase is $11 general admission. Larger national events like Whitman Baltimore typically charge a modest daily entry fee.

Can I really get a coin appraised for free at these events?

Yes. Several fall shows, including Edmonton and PAN, explicitly offer free market evaluations at designated tables — check the show's own listing or the info desk when you arrive, since offerings vary by event.

What's the difference between a coin show and a PCGS Trade & Grade Showcase?

A general coin show is a dealer bourse with tables from many independent sellers. A PCGS Trade & Grade Showcase adds on-site grading and authentication directly from PCGS, so you can submit a coin and, in some cases, have it graded before the event ends.

Should I bring coins to sell or just to get appraised?

Either is fine — most shows welcome both. If you're unsure of a coin's value, getting it appraised first (free, at a club or educational table) before entertaining a dealer's cash offer is the safer order of operations.

Whatever you find on the bourse floor, check it before you commit. Get a free identification and value estimate with Coin Gauge. Scan it now →