FS Jefferson's- here to stay?

Bruggs

Along with the FSB Merc's, FH Standing 25c, FBL Franklins. I know you will always have collectors of each of these series, but how much influence does the PCGS registry have on these "superlatives" assigned to each of these series? Just something I was wondering. Any thoughts?

Bruggs

kranky

Are you asking if the PCGS Registry is what's causing those designations to be popular?

mr3holesinone

I don't know if this is what you're referring to or not but it is something that shouldn't affect the grading of any individual coin. In other words, graders should not have the population reports sitting in front of them or posted on a board maybe showing the highest grades or anything like that. If a grader sees that, yes this is an awesome coin and yeah it probably is a Full Step strike but there haven't been any graded this high yet so maybe I better not recommend it as a Full Step either so I'll just give it a grade higher than what it really is to make up for that.

I believe every coin should grade on its own merits. Just because it came from somebody famous (or a high volume submitter) or the pop reports stop at a certain grade level shouldn't mean the grade reflects any influences other than whatever the coin shows.

Bruggs

Yea, I guess that's what I'm asking. Or is it the popularity of the series has spawned into PCGS starting the registry?

nwcs

I think the designations like FH, FBL, FB, etc. are good. And they were before the registry. If you have it, you know you got a full strike and not a weaker one. Can make a big difference in quality. I think the biggest effect the registry has on these attributions is that it encourages people to find the better pieces instead of a regular type filler.

Ronyahski

Twenty five years ago Adolf Weiss started a full step nickel club with newsletter and all. Bern Nagengast published an analysis of FS nickels. Armed with those, it was a fun hunt. Collectors, including me, had a blast scouring the cheapo bins for those elusive FS nickels as many dealers chuckled at our endeavor. Many have been doing it for years.

Today, you can spend thousands of dollars buying slabbed FS nickels, after consulting with your population reports, and then register your purchases on the Registry in hopes of climbing up the rankings. Or today, as a member of the new full step nickel club, armed with Bern's updated analysis of FS nickels, you can scour the cheapo bins for those elusive FS nickels, as not as many dealers chuckle at your endeavor, and still have fun with the hunt.

Sure, the Registry has had an influence, but put it in perspective.