The 2026 Florida United Numismatists (FUN) Convention in Orlando was wildly successful, with numerous dealers breaking sales records and overall attendance reaching an all-time high.
For me, and for many others, this year’s FUN Convention actually began on the Sunday before the show officially opened. In recent years, road warriors on the coin show circuit have been arriving earlier and earlier for major events. The goal is simple: get first looks at as many dealer inventories as possible before competition heats up.
Our team arrived Sunday night so we could hit the ground running early Monday morning. By the time we landed in Orlando, I had already heard reports of some dealers arriving as early as Friday. Pre-show coin dealing has become a brutally competitive business.
Precious Metals Set the Tone
In the weeks leading up to the 2026 FUN Show, most professional coin dealers were bracing for impact due to the skyrocketing precious metals market. Silver, in particular, had surged to new record highs and appeared poised for further gains. For many dealers, pricing inventory accurately amid such rapid movement was a challenge.
My biggest concern heading into the week was replacement cost, how expensive it would be to replace coins sold during the show.
Monday: First Shots and Big Numbers
Monday started early, with appointments scheduled weeks in advance to show inventory to some of our largest buyers. These “first shots” are earned based on past performance. Buyers know there’s pressure to spend, and future early opportunities depend on how much business they do.
Those who look early and buy lightly tend to drop down the list at the next show. As mentioned, it’s brutally competitive.
Likewise, when dealers give me an early look at their coins, I try to buy anything that’s even close. Sellers keep score just like buyers do. First shots are critical in the wholesale coin business, and the best deals disappear fast. There are few things more frustrating than asking to see a dealer’s inventory only to hear that another dealer just bought most of it, though I’m welcome to look anyway.
Fortunately, our Monday morning appointments delivered. The first three dealers who viewed our coins each spent well into six figures. One dealer alone spent over $1 million thanks to a special collection I had on consignment from a retail client.
I also spent part of Monday looking at other dealers’ inventory, though options were limited. Later that day, I reviewed the Heritage Auctions lots, which included incredible rarities such as an 1804 Silver Dollar, an NGC MS 63 1808 Quarter Eagle, and even a complete set of Stellas.
Dealer Day Changes the Game
Historically, the FUN Show organization resisted calls for a dedicated dealer trading day. In the past, pre-show business took place in hotel rooms, which was far from ideal. After years of encouragement, FUN management finally agreed to host an official “Dealer Day” on Tuesday and part of Wednesday before public setup.
This year, FUN offered a dedicated dealer room on a first-come, first-served basis for a small fee. Dealer Day began at 9 a.m., and the room immediately filled with 75 to 100 dealers. The energy was nonstop, and many dealers likely did more business that day than during the rest of the show combined. Several sold the majority of their inventory before the official show even opened.
Education, Setup, and a Packed Bourse
Traditional FUN Show setup begins at 2 p.m. on Wednesday. For the past several years, the Professional Numismatists Guild has hosted an educational symposium prior to setup. This year’s event focused on live-stream numismatic sales, with presentations from Whatnot and eBay Live to a standing-room-only crowd.
By early afternoon, hundreds of dealers crowded the lobby waiting for the doors to open. The 2026 FUN Show featured more than 750 dealer tables, and the massive bourse floor filled quickly as participants raced to set up. Setup continued until 8 p.m., when dealers were required to stop trading for the night.
Public Attendance Breaks Records
Thursday morning began with dealer setup at 8 a.m., followed by public entry around noon. The bourse floor was completely full, with every booth occupied and early bird badge holders already actively buying.
By midday, word spread quickly about the massive crowd attempting to enter the convention center.
Lines stretched the length of the building, and some members of the public reportedly waited more than 90 minutes to gain entry. Based on what we saw, that estimate was likely accurate.
Once inside, the bourse exploded with activity. Aisles were packed, showcases were surrounded, and every table had multiple buyers competing for attention.
In more than 50 years of attending major coin shows, I have never seen a bourse floor this active.
Calling the 2026 FUN Show “amazing” would be a massive understatement.
Rare Coins Take Center Stage
Many attendees commented that the FUN Show felt more like a sports expo or Comic-Con than a traditional coin show. Rare coins were finally having their moment in the spotlight. The momentum continued through the weekend, with coins selling straight out of the cases late Saturday afternoon.
Fortunately, we continued buying throughout the show, allowing us to keep our showcases stocked.
World and Ancient Coins Shine
In recent years, more world and ancient coin dealers have discovered the FUN Show. Previously, the New York International Numismatic Convention conflicted with FUN, forcing dealers to choose. Now that NYINC takes place a week later, many no longer have to decide.
As a result, the world and ancient section at the 2026 FUN Show was larger than ever. Dealers reported exceptional sales, and we were able to purchase some outstanding ancient coins from a German dealer.
NGC, Walmart, and the Future
The Certified Collectibles Group (NGC and PMG) created an impressive booth showcasing the wide range of collectibles they certify. Their display included comics and other non-numismatic items, which sparked some interesting ideas for future expansion. The NGC on-site grading booth was busy from start to finish.
Other major companies also made strong impressions—including an unexpected new entrant into numismatics: Walmart. Representatives were signing up dealers for their online platform, which reaches hundreds of millions of monthly visitors. It will be interesting to see how coin dealers perform in that ecosystem.
Record Attendance, Record Sales
Against the backdrop of soaring gold and silver prices, the 2026 FUN Show proved to be historic. According to FUN Show Convention Manager Katie Williams, attendance figures were as follows:
- Public: 11,595
- Early Bird: 477
- Dealers/Staff: 2,075
- Total Attendance: 14,147
This shattered all previous attendance records in the show’s more than 70-year history.
Many dealers told me it was the best show they had ever experienced. Our company also set a new single-show sales record. The FUN Show has long been considered the bellwether event of the numismatic year, and if this show is any indication, 2026 is going to be very, very special.