getting little registry bang for the buck

lava

Upgrading my 1880-cc morgan from a 61pl to a 65pl game me an additional .04 points. My set is about 60% complete. I guess the moral is at 60%, you get more credit for buying coins you don't have instead of upgrading the ones you do have.

LincolnCentMan

Yep. Same thing was true (but with less than .04 points "upgrade") when I upgraded my 1954-P cent from a 65RD to a 66RD. A 65RD is worth all of $30-$40. A 66RD would easily bring $300-$350, more for a PQ example. I'd have gotten more credit for buying a single $20 common date.

Another thing with the PCGS registry, if you want the most bang for the buck, buy the grades RIGHT BEFORE the big price jump. Until you get to 100% completion, if you're sole purpose is to climb the registry, you'll climb faster if you buy stuff you dont have, and but coins right before the price jump.

Fortunatly, I think most collectors view the registry as a type of side benifit. I think most collectors are trying to put together the nicest set they can reasonably accomplish.

David

PTVETTER

I think that the registry set should be more fun that competetion!! There was a time that I had a BAD week all around, and I purchased a dime from a board member and out of no where there he sent me a dime (at no charge) that I needed for my registry set, for free. I tell you he pick up my spirits and I will never forget that

I don't sit at my computer and respond to every thread but believe me when I tell you this. Coin collecting or registry set building should be fun shared with friends and helped by friends

Here is a place to do both, Just do it!

mdwoods

I think most collectors are trying to put together the nicest set they can reasonably accomplish.

I agree, except I would omit the word "reasonably". Reason oftens goes out the window when collecting coins, for me anyways.

DeepCoin

Pat, you are so right about the registry. I am just trying to keep on the first page, but I am having great fun.. have made a number of really good friends in the process.

I am collecting at my own pace (financial) and just admire the others collections. The Merc folks are the best!

To address the registry competition, I would rather wait and get a coin that fits the rest of my collection than fill a hole with a low grade coin. It will take a while to complete, and I will have to back down some on the grade for really high price key coins... but that is part of the fun.

I agree that buying right before the grade where the price jumps is a good strategy. I sort of do that by collecting No Bands Mercs. Lots more bang for the buck. I could never do that in Morgans, Walkers, Lincolns or the other more popular series.