Variety registry sets

EScott83

Hello all,

I'm curious if any other variety enthusiasts would like to see "variety only" registry sets? Personally I think it'd be really fun to be able to compete without having to purchase five or six or seven figures worth of standard issue coins. I think it would also be beneficial to PCGS.

Or....am I alone on this? )

Thoughts?

John

Cameonut

I don't think you are alone, but not too far from it.
I spent a ton of time collecting modern proof varieties from 1936 on. It was fun finding them raw, unattributed in holders, and even attributed in holders.

The issue I see is that varieties tend to be thinly traded compared to the standard issues. There are some exceptions like repunched dates, but it took me a long time to liquidate many of my pieces. I still have many.

One thing that could be easily done is to use a showcase in the album section. I did one nine years ago, here is a link: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase/117

1tommy

I like the idea and already suggested to pcgs awhile back and never heard a word. They do have a Variety Showcase sets for now but I too would think it would be cool to have a Registry set with all Varieties...

Enjoy Tom

https://pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/showcase/2258

keyman64

At one time, I had one of the better VARIETY ONLY sets for Mercury Dimes and would have really enjoyed that. Heck, I even talked about it with others and even suggested it to BJ but nothing ever came of it. The variety sets really take collecting to a different level. I believe the variety collectors to be more of a collector than the other guy with just deep pockets to go buy everything. Often times, the variety sets take a ton of hard work when it comes to cherrypicking and making your own. My 1941 DDO Top Pop MS65 is one that I cherrypicked after years of searching! Eventually, I sold it and just about everything else, including many other Top Pops that I cherrypicked. Where is the Top Pop 1941 DDO in MS65 right now? It sits in the Hansen Collection and I have a feeling that he will put his name on the holder before he sells everything. Should he have his name on the holder? I don't think so. All that proves is that he had the money to buy it at auction. Good for him. My name should be on that holder since I am the one that spent years looking for it, cherrypicked it, attributed it properly and then had PCGS agree with me while putting the variety on the label. But PCGS doesn't seem to be interested in giving credit where credit is due. They just want to reward those with the deep pockets and that's the way it has always been. Hansen doesn't even have a photo of the coin in his set. I didn't have PCGS take a TrueView of the coin when I had it graded since I was more than capable of taking quality photos. I have a photo and he doesn't, except for maybe the Great Collections auction photo that didn't do the coin justice. /Rant

Jimnight

They could ... but I don't think so.

WaterSport

Well, Before you think a certain collector whom I will not name but begins with H and ends in $ is not going to to be interested, I think you need to take a close look at at what varieties he does have and see if you think you will be just as competitive. I take pride in the fact that whoever builds a set that includes varieties still has to go around me, will not attain 100% and will not have all the top pop coins. Just saying...

But yeah, a set of just varieties - I am in.

WS

messydesk

Morgan and Peace dollars currently have such sets (e.g., Top 100 Morgan VAMs). You need to start with a well-established and well-accepted list of varieties for which there is ample, reliable material for their attribution, and present them to David Talk. He'll work with you further.

yosclimber

The Top 100 Liberty Seated Dimes is also a "Variety Only" set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/half-dimes/liberty-seated-dimes-specialty-sets/liberty-seated-dimes-variety-set-top-100-by-fortin-1837-1891/6199

Smudge

If you really want to pay a lot more for those “varieties”.

WaterSport

@Smudge said:
If you really want to pay a lot more for those “varieties”.

Cherry pickers do not pay more. Thats the whole sport of it. Now if you want to buy my pick and pay more to supplement my entire collection, thats fine by me.

WS

savitale

I think it is a good idea. I feel your pain that those of average means have no chance of getting near the #1 position for classic Registry Sets.

coinbuf

@savitale said:
I think it is a good idea. I feel your pain that those of average means have no chance of getting near the #1 position for classic Registry Sets.

The top spot in Registry competition has never been about or for those of average means, not meant as a slam but a simple truth speaking as one of the average joes'. And while newly added or new types of registry sets might initially be occupied by an average joe eventually if the demand for ownership of a top spot grows the big wallets will eventually prevail. And the side effect of all that is as @Smudge noted prices will rise and the current raw supply that cherrypickers love to collect will dry up as the better examples get slabbed and sold to registry players.

To the op's question I have no interest in variety collecting, minutiae stuff like that just is not for me so adding sets into the registry would not have any effect on me.

EScott83

Great to see several sharp posts, great view points and opinions. I’d like to lend a few of my own, if I may.

First and foremost when I use the word “collector” or “collecting” I’m talking directly to and about passion-based individuals that enjoy working hard at education, at the hunt, and take pride in the find. In my opinion true variety collectors fit this mold most of the time. Thoroughbred standard issue coins are certainly fantastic and there is an abundance of fine collectors that have amassed unbelievable sets. Complete respect to them! However I feel for some of us there’s a little extra to be enjoyed by seeking out hidden treasures within treasures.

Yes, top registry sets are certainly going to be hubbed around financial resources to some degree. The best is always expensive, as it should be. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the current overall situation with a particular individual (or at least leveraging of the name) is very bad for the hobby and the industry as it has nothing to do with “collecting” or “collectors”. I feel anyone that can’t see that is not looking, naive or they’re part of it. Having been on the supply side of this current situation one time, and experiencing the outcome first hand, it’s clear to me what’s going on. However, as time passes and awareness expands, this dynamic will run its course and pass, hopefully without too much permanent damage to the hobby.

So, yes, most “collectors” may not be able to compete for the #1 registry position. However “we” know who “we” are and variety registry sets may be a fun place to display our sets, honor those that invest time and effort into this sector of the hobby and have friendly competition amongst “collectors”.

Personally I don’t see any negative side to, for example, Cherrypicker’s Guide Registry Sets. They take nothing from anybody and don’t affect any other sets in any negative way. They would allow us variety enthusiasts the ability to build sets without the need for (in some cases) hundreds of standard issue coins. More so, what a truly fantastic way to honor the individuals like Mr. Fivas and Mr. Stanton and all the others that have invested so much of their hearts, souls and lives into this fun, true treasure hunting sector of numismatics. Even if you're not a fan of varieties you must respect the passion based effort and commitment by these dedicated individuals. I also feel it would be a positive for PCGS.

And yes, some prices will rise. So what? That’s how it should be! Rarity is and should be more expensive than common. This applies to every tangible thing in life. We all search out the best. The best should be recognized and harder to obtain. Even genuine Cherrypickers are going to want to acquire FMV for their finer treasured goods someday.

If others are interested in pursuing such a goal I’d be willing to invest my time and effort as required to see if we can make it happen.

Just my 2 cents (one is a Doubled Die and the other is an OMM).