Can you imagine!

Currin

If news releases prove to be correct, the two possibly finest $3 Gold Proofs sets will be sold in the upcoming months. First, the Tom Bender set that without doubt the finest PCGS set ever assembled. The set is properly in the PCGS Hall of Fame. In 2011, PCGS described the set as: Another new set, taking away both a Gold Star award as well as a Hall of Fame win in its first year! And no wonder…. With a Set Rating of 66.27 and a completion rate of 100%, it’s a mind boggling assemblage of some of the rarest U.S. coins. Containing pieces from such collections as Bass, Garrett, and Trompeter and with no fewer than fifteen absolute finest knowns (pop 1, none higher) this set leaves even the most experienced numismatists speechless. In 2011, Tom added an 1855-S to his Major Variety Set, and so that set is included as a HOFer. Well done Tom!. Currently, the Bender set has been reduced to seven PCGS POP 1/0 specimens.

I would think the finest set assembled prior to the certification era was accomplished by Harry Bass. A gold coin specialist with a keen eye for finding the best. This set of $3 Proofs was assembled prior to his death in 1998. On the Harry Bass Foundation website, his set of $3 proofs is describes as: The Core Collection consists of a complete run of proof coins from the first year of issue (1854) to the last (1889), plus circulation strikes of the branch mint issues. It will be interesting see if the set is PCGS certified, if so, just how good is this set? I wonder if the Bender Set will be sold before the Bass set is certified? I am confident the Bass coins would impact the PCGS POP reports.

Now, can you imagine?, the super set that can be assembled if a collector hand picks the 39 or so best coins from each collection. It will take deep pockets and strong bidding. It can be done, but can you imagine?

jmlanzaf

I have a camera, but I don't think they'll loan me the coins to take an image.

TurtleCat

I can image but I’ll never see the coins I’ve thought about a side gig for a coin dealer I do business with to image some coins for him partly for fun and partly for payment.

Currin

Looking for a different twist. This may work better!

Looking for some images, try these links. I should have added to OP.

https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/gold/3-gold-major-sets/3-gold-major-varieties-1855-s-proof-1854-1889/alltimeset/97475

https://hbrf.org/coin-collection/4000s/

ctf_error_coins

https://youtu.be/rAn-AWXtHv0

ricko

Should be interesting to watch.... but with the bitcoin crash, and other issues, the market may be a little tight now. Undoubtedly there are still deep pockets out there... We shall see... Cheers, RickO

Aegis3

@Currin said:
This set of $3 Proofs was assembled prior to his death in 1998.

Would it had been more impressive if he had assembled it after his death?

Paradisefound

yes yes yes

@ErrorsOnCoins said:
https://youtu.be/rAn-AWXtHv0

Paradisefound

@Currin Good luck and let’s see how far the discovery would take you 🤔

Currin

no post

JWP

@jmlanzaf said:
I have a camera, but I don't think they'll loan me the coins to take an image.

I'm not sure I can spell gold proof set at the price these will command.

winesteven

@Aegis3 said:

@Currin said:
This set of $3 Proofs was assembled prior to his death in 1998.

Would it have been more impressive if he had assembled it after his death?

You’re so funny! I still can’t stop laughing! Thanks.

Steve