2025 Great Southwest Coin Expo is geared toward collectors of currency

Check your couch cushions for pennies, bullion and collectible coins — the 2025 Great Southwest Coin Expo is returning to Albuquerque for its annual spring show.

The event, which takes place from Friday, April 11, to Sunday, April 13, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, is open to the public and has something for everyone.

“There’ll be a little bit of baseball cards, but there’s going to be plenty of gold and silver bullion for people that want to put it away as an investment,” said Matthew Peacock, assistant show chair. “There’ll be a little bit of jewelry, but primarily this is for coins and paper money.”

Currency from different countries and different eras will all be present at the Great Southwest Coin Expo. Looking for coins and tokens from the Civil War era? A collector who specializes in them will be on site. Looking for coins that are over 3,000 years old? Don’t worry, there are multiple sellers for anybody looking for currency from an era long gone.

“Not a lot of dealers here in New Mexico have many of them, let alone specialized, so it’s a chance for collectors that are really into ancient coins, to get coins that they wouldn’t normally, and to see coins that they normally wouldn’t,” Peacock said.

For those who love historical coins or all-around coin education, the show will also feature educational displays.

Peacock said that sellers and collectors of all types make their way to the annual show. Seasoned collectors, teenagers, people in their 40s selling coins as a side hustle and grandparents who fondly remember seeing coins from their era will all be under one roof, admiring coins.

For people who are looking to sell their collectible coins for cash, appraisers will be at the show.

“People that have been going year after year are there to buy and fill holes in their collections or maybe sell some extras,” Peacock said. “We do also see plenty of people who recently received an inheritance or they see that gold is at an all-time high, so they want to bring in and cash in on some gold coins they had put away.”

Guests will be able to join the coin club on site during the show and this year, the show is asking guests to sign a petition to get sales tax removed on coins and bullion.

“Here in New Mexico, we’re one of only five states that still charges sales tax on those items, so we’re looking to get that repealed and that tax removed,” Peacock said.

When shoppers aren’t looking to sell or purchase coins, there are other things to do at the show. Veterans will notice a special table, where the coin show will honor veterans of foreign wars and other military services. The show will also host a silent auction, along with a raffle.

“This is the biggest show in the state, so it’s a great opportunity to get the best price for their gold and silver and coins. There’ll be plenty of dealers on site ... It’s a very friendly, welcoming environment to all members and all ages,” Peacock said.

2025 Great Southwest Coin Expo is geared toward collectors of currency