Record FUN Coin Show Attendance Signals Growing U.S. Interest in Physical Silver
1,000's Line Up In Florida at FUN Coin Show While Paper Silver Prices Continue to Fall
While paper silver prices moved lower again this morning, activity on the ground told a very different story. At the Florida United Numismatists (FUN) Coin Show in Orlando, Florida, thousands of attendees lined up before doors opened, creating scenes that long-time participants say they have never witnessed before.
Veteran dealers and collectors—many with decades of experience—repeated a consistent refrain throughout the opening days of the show:
“I’ve never seen anything like this in my 20+ years of attending coin shows.”
The surge in attendance comes at a time when physical silver markets are experiencing structural supply deficits, rising industrial demand, and increasing interest from U.S. retail buyers.
The FUN Coin Show as a Market Indicator
The Florida United Numismatists Coin Show is widely regarded as one of the most important annual events in the numismatic and precious metals industry. Held each January, it is the first major coin convention of the year and is often viewed as a bellwether for broader market sentiment.
The event regularly hosts:
-
Over 1,500 dealers
-
Multi-million-dollar auctions conducted by Heritage Auctions
-
A bourse floor that ranks among the largest in the United States
Market participants closely watch FUN attendance and transaction volume as early indicators of collector interest, retail participation, and pricing dynamics for the year ahead.
A 71-Year Legacy in Numismatics
Founded in 1955 in Clearwater, Florida, Florida United Numismatists was created to establish a statewide organization for collectors and dealers. What began as a modest gathering of approximately 400 visitors and 10 dealers has grown into an international convention drawing more than 10,000 attendees annually.
The 71st Annual FUN Convention, taking place in January 2026, highlights the organization’s longevity and its central role in the U.S. coin and precious metals market.
Who Attends—and Why
The FUN Coin Show attracts a wide cross-section of participants, including:
-
Collectors ranging from casual hobbyists to advanced numismatists
-
Dealers from across the country buying and selling inventory
-
Major grading services and auction houses offering professional evaluation
-
Government exhibitors such as the U.S. Mint and Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Attendees come not only to transact, but also to learn. The show features educational exhibits, expert-led seminars, and opportunities for networking within the industry.
This year, however, one notable change has been the influx of new participants—many of whom are seeking information about silver and other tangible assets rather than rare collectibles alone.
Rising Interest Amid Physical Silver Constraints
The heightened turnout at the FUN Show coincides with growing pressures in the physical silver market. Silver is currently experiencing a multi-year supply deficit, while industrial usage continues to expand across sectors such as electronics, renewable energy, and defense manufacturing.
At the same time, geopolitical tensions and ongoing currency debasement concerns have increased public interest in physical precious metals as stores of value. Despite short-term volatility in paper pricing, demand for physical silver bullion among retail buyers remains elevated.
A Signal from the Retail Market
Large-scale public participation at events like the FUN Coin Show provides real-time insight into investor behavior that cannot be captured by paper market pricing alone. The current turnout suggests that retail interest in silver and physical precious metals is strengthening, particularly among first-time buyers seeking education and direct ownership.
SD Bullion’s Perspective
As the largest independent bullion dealer in the United States, SD Bullion continues to observe growing engagement from customers who are learning about the differences between paper and physical markets. The firm remains focused on providing transparent pricing, reliable access to physical metal, and high-quality service during a period of increasing demand.
The scenes unfolding at the FUN Coin Show reinforce a broader trend: public interest in physical silver is rising, even as paper prices fluctuate. For many attendees, the motivation is clear—greater awareness of supply constraints, expanding industrial demand, and the desire for tangible assets in an uncertain global environment.
