New #1 Washington Variety set - thanks Bob Z

Windycity · August 26, 2003 4:13AM

After eight enjoyable years of building a world class Washington Quarter collection, it is finally complete and officially registered. It is the all-time best with varieties and the fourth best ever basic set (second best current basic set). This set has been built one coin at a time and each and every coin meeting demanding standards. I literally turned down hundreds of MS 67 coins in search for the best. I am still pursuing a couple upgrades and therefore have elected not to show the coins individually... but I will show the entire set in the future.

Those who have worked to build similar sets know how difficult it is to do and you must have trusted advisors and specialists to help locate the best. Bob Zurick (Zaps Coins) has filled that role and helped build this set. Those of you who know Bob, know how that this set is top quality. Thank you Bob for all the help!!!

MoneyLA · August 26, 2003 4:17AM

Congratulations, but how about opening the set in the registry?? cheers, alan mendelson

wondercoin · August 26, 2003 4:41AM

"It is the all-time best with varieties"

Congratulations on your fine collection! I am sure Bob has done a great job assisting you with it.

Of course, the All-Time Best Wash Quarters with varieties collection belongs to Richard Green. IMHO, PCGS should modify its rankings so that retired sets do not show "98%" complete (like RG does) after new coins are introduced which retired sets were unable to add (because they were never part of the collection).

Of course, my comment is simply to pay respect to a great pioneer of the MS Wash quarter series who built the greatest collection of MS Wash quarters ever assembled at the time the set was retired and sold.

Wondercoin

cosmicdebris · August 26, 2003 4:44AM

cladking · August 26, 2003 4:57AM

Congratulations. I know those silvers are tough.

MoneyLA · August 26, 2003 4:57AM

Wondercoin wrote: "Of course, the All-Time Best Wash Quarters with varieties collection belongs to Richard Green. IMHO, PCGS should modify its rankings so that retired sets do not show "98%" complete (like RG does) after new coins are introduced which retired sets were unable to add (because they were never part of the collection).

Of course, my comment is simply to pay respect to a great pioneer of the MS Wash quarter series who built the greatest collection of MS Wash quarters ever assembled at the time the set was retired and sold."

Gee, Mitch, I wonder if you might also vote for a "footnote" next to my first proof washington registry set -- the one that is now #4 in the all time finest list?? When I sold it, it was #1 all time finest and #1 current finest. of course, after I sold it, the rules changed making dcam coins ranked higher than my pr70 date run of 1960-1964 and that knocked it out of the #1 all time finest spot.

If Richard Green gets an asterisk, I'd like one too.

(and Im still upset about the change in the point awards for the dcams)

Cheers, (and still smiling), alan mendelson

wondercoin · August 26, 2003 5:03AM

Alan: I think you agree with me (and I agree with you) that something should be done to recognize the contributions of the pioneers of the Registry. No question.

Wondercoin

Windycity · August 26, 2003 6:07AM

Wondercoin,

As you can see with the basic set, I am within two "upgrades" to tie the Richard Green basic set. Knowing that the varieties were not recognized when the Green set was registered, my set would be tough to beat. I have all the varieties in high grade including the pop 1 37 DDO in 66. The benchmark for building my set has always been the Green set and I am proud to be in the same league.

onlyroosies · August 26, 2003 6:20AM

Wow!! What a nice set. How about opening it up for all of us to see. I always wondered why someone would
have a closed set.

MoneyLA · August 26, 2003 6:57AM

Onlyroosies wrote: " always wondered why someone would
have a closed set. "

I agree. Having closed sets is contrary to the purpose of the registry, isn't it? Having a closed set is like a horse race that only shows the finish -- you don't get to see the break from the gate, how they make the first turn, the second turn, the backstretch, etc. Open em up!! cheers, alan mendelson

wondercoin · August 26, 2003 11:59AM

Craig: At the time RG had his set active, there was no 1937 DDO quarter needed in the set, or several other coins. But, make no mistake about it, RG assembled the best registered Wash quarter collection of all time. Why do I say this?

THERE WAS ONE POINT IN TIME RIGHT BEFORE RG DECIDED TO SELL HIS PCGS COLLECTION THAT HE HAD THE ABILITY TO HAVE A 100% PERFECT SET!!!!!!! HE WAS A COIN OR TWO AWAY AND THEY WERE IN REGISTRYCOIN'S COLLECTION, WHO WOULD HAVE DONE RG THE COURTESY AND SOLD HIM THE COUPLE COINS FOR PERFECTION. Instead, RG elected to sell off the collection. I pondered for a moment buying everything to have that perfect set myself, but, decided instead to share some of the great coins with what is now the current #1 set.

Now, Craig, as wonderful as your set is, as my set is, as current #1 is regular is and as new #1 variety set is , let's at least tip our hat to a quarter collection that was virtually PERFECT at the time it was retired - an incredible accomplishment. It would be virtually impossible to even consider achieving a perfect Wash quarter collection today, just 3 years later, as the coins have been dispersed. And, the amazing thing is Registrycoin was also able to close out his collection at near perfect as well after he acquired a few crown jewels from RG such as the (still) pop 1 32(p) MS67.

What I personally like hearing about this new #1 variety set is that the coins are so "PQ" as well - way to build a collection!

Wondercoin

Colorfulcoins · August 26, 2003 12:30PM

Guys - you ALL have wonderful sets!!!!!! And I personally look forward to seeing all the sets opened at some point and perhaps, a display of these fantastic coins for all to enjoy at some future forum (ie., ANA?). As an ex-quarter collector myself and having assembled a set with an average numerial average of 66.95 in the "across the street" holders, I respect anyone and everyone that spends the time and money to assemble ANY high grade complete set - especially one where the selection of the individual coins is both an art and a science - a tribute to the many fine current, past and future washington quarter collectors!

wondercoin · August 26, 2003 12:53PM

Colorfulcoins - showoff

Wondercoin

quattrocoins · August 26, 2003 1:41PM

Well, my stay in the top ten was short-lived!

Congrats Pat, on completing one AWESOME set!

It would be nice to be able to "view" your's and Mitch's two friend's sets!

Bob Z. has helped me with my set also, as has Mitch, Craig H., and Craig N.
These boards are great for meetin' great people!

Alan brought me here, helped me with my proof Washington set, and got me started in the registry program.

Hey Alan,
Don't look now, but my set is back up right under your's - right where it started a couple of years ago!

Whoda thunk it?!?!

Got an extra '36 in '6?

Craig H.,
Ya got 'em, ya show 'em!...Right!? Gorgeous coin, Bud!!!

Craig N.,
You ALREADY have an MS67!!!

Again Pat, BIG Congrats!

Don

Typetone · August 26, 2003 3:22PM

Windycity:

Great set!! Bob is a great guy who helped me build a nice set as well! Congratulations!

Oh, why shouldn't I put up a pic as well!!

Greg

MoneyLA · August 26, 2003 5:00PM

Don, congratulations on your continued advancements. You made me very proud when you listed me as the source for some of your registry coins -- thank you again for the pleasure that brings me.

Now, regarding a "spare" 1936 in pr66... sorry, I don't have one. BUT that rainbow toned pr65 which I bought as an NGC pr66 (it crossed to pcgs pr65) might be coming to market very, very soon! If you've followed my postings, you might have seen my growing interest in selling the rainbow set. Some of our group members have commented that the coin might be worthy of an upgrade. Hmmm, an interesting thought, but I dont have the guts to crack it out and submit it raw.

By the way, I wonder if my date run of pr70s (1960-64) will ever find their way into a Registry set and if I will get credit for them as you gave me credit? That set was sold intact but I don't know what happened to it after that.

Just being listed in the all time finest list -- even for a set now sold -- still gets my heart racing a bit.

cheers, and best, alan

Windycity · August 27, 2003 4:44AM

All,

Love the 58 and the 57 D... but I obviously love all Washingtons. At some point, I will post a few pics as well.

Pat

washvarieties · August 28, 2003 2:14AM

To all above John Bimbow who got me started in high grade PCGS Washingtons is my true hero who sold his set to RG to Steve Heller to Mitch to the Washington collectors out there today A great job done by all

Still Looking for a 1943 double die Washington (11-O-I) AU or better

Bob Z

wondercoin · August 28, 2003 2:31AM

Bob: Well said

Wondercoin

oreville · August 31, 2003 8:27PM

Agreed, Bob is a great guy!

Two years ago, he supplied me with about 15 knock down gorgeous BU rolls of quarters from the mid 1940's, just about every one of them was of MS-65/66 quality. He gets all the varieties (fine with me) and I got all the wonderful graded quarters.

Windy City: Sounds like a wonderful set you are putting together!!! If Wondercoin says so, then it must be so!!!

I have been doing a quarter roll project for the last 35 years (since 1968) and let me tell you it has been a very lonely journey at times!!!!! I have nearly put together a complete unopened obw shotgun roll set of all quarters and mm's from 1938 to 2002!! I am now missing only four rolls (not too hard for you all to figure them out!!). I am the supplier of the future!!!! NOT! They will be preserved as is for as long as possible!!

As far as the years 1932 to 1938, I am indeed working on a BU roll set as well and the highlight so far of them is the 1936-S Gem BU roll I acquired late last year that looks as nice as the 1943 rolls that Bob sent me two years ago. In addition I see three MS-67 shot quarters as well.

I am finding quarter rolls supply really drying up!!!!

cladking · August 31, 2003 9:12PM

<< <i>

I am finding quarter rolls supply really drying up!!!! >>

These were always in much shorter supply than most assumed. Now with so many
collections being formed the rolls are being consumed faster than ever. There are a
couple of clad rolls that I'm surprised you found. Some of the early dates are just not
seen.

Windycity · August 31, 2003 10:26PM

Oreville,

Wow, a roll set!!! Now that's ambitious. I don't blame you for wanting to keep the set intact for many years to come... and what an investment.

Pat

DLG · August 31, 2003 11:56PM

I have only been collecting for the last 5 years. Besides the 3 sets on the Registry, I have what I believe to be one of the finest raw quarter sets in the world and over 200 unopened quarter rolls.

I have Steve and Mitch to thank for most of my early buys and Bob to thank for 90% of the coins I buy nowadays. I have considered moving to California just so I can get first pick from these guys.

Maybe this war in Afghanistan will end early so I can get to a coin show and meet you guys.

When I get home, I will post who I bought my coins from.

Bill

oreville · September 1, 2003 1:10AM

cladking: An acquaintance was probably the only one who saved three full $1000 face value bags of 1983-P quarters. One of the bags was dispersed over the last ten years. The other two bags were partially ruined in a flood (caused terrible spotting) in Louisiana so he salvaged about $900 face left of them and now they are stored properly.

I had a chance to buy one of those bags at face value in 1984 but bought one obw roll instead. Once of the worst struck coins of the 20th century!

No, I have all the clad rolls date/mm's.

WindyCity: It was not as hard as it seemed since I started in 1967. Five of the rolls actually came from the esteemed Norweb collection!!!

wondercoin · September 1, 2003 1:58AM

"have only been collecting for the last 5 years. Besides the 3 sets on the Registry, I have what I believe to be one of the finest raw quarter sets in the world and over 200 unopened quarter rolls.
I have Steve and Mitch to thank for most of my early buys and Bob to thank for 90% of the coins I buy nowadays. I have considered moving to California just so I can get first pick from these guys.
Maybe this war in Afghanistan will end early so I can get to a coin show and meet you guys. When I get home, I will post who I bought my coins from. Bill"

Bill: That sounds like an incredible collection you have built! Congratulations! While I really haven't been publicly selling many Wash Quarters in the past couple years, I will likely begin next year, as I sort out all of my coins (a process I am in the middle of).

Like you, who point out that you probably have one of the finest raw quarter sets in the world, I believe I probably have one of the finest accumulations of high grade PCGS-MS67 silver Wash quarters in the world (many hundreds). I originally set out to build a complete set of PCGS-MS67 Wash Quarters in blast white and pretty toned, other than the 32d,s and 34(d) of course. Now, with runaway prices, my more comfortable goal is to complete the collection with a combination of MS67 coins, white and toned, depending upon the specifics of the particular date. For example, a 1955(p) is a pretty tough quarter to obtain in PCGS-MS67 as you all know, but, virtually impossible to obtain in blast white MS67 (nearly all are mint set toned). So, my collection with continue to pursue the blast white MS67 1955(p) - the closest I have come is as close as RG came - a very lovely NGC-MS67 blast white coin that will not cross but is better than all the PCGS-MS66 coins I have ever seen). As I chose the neatest coin for the particular date, I will likely begin to sell off many of the dups.

Also, to me personally, a neat part of my PCGS silver quarter collection is the pedigree of the coins. For example, I recently sold a board member the coolest 37(d) MS67 color coin I had ever seen. But, my (2) blast white PCGS-MS67 coins were personally sold to me by J. Benbow and Registrycoin (Steve Heller) and I don't even know how I will ever decide which of those (2) I will sell off.

So, my fate was cast to go "blast white" in 37(d), even though under different circumstances I may have kept the monster toned 37(d). Same for a blast white 39(s) I sold the same board member recently. The quality of that coin was no worse than the one I kept (I didn't even want to put a glass to the coins for fear it may have been better), but, the one I kept was directly from RG's final retired set, as he permitted me to acquire around a dozen coins from that collection before he sold the set in tact to a private party. Similar fate to go blast white 39(s).

When everyone is ready sometime next year, I will happily agree to showcase my collection as part of an exhibition. I suspect Windycity and Manofcoins may want to join in, to name just a couple possible interested parties

Wondercoin

cladking · September 1, 2003 8:04AM

Oreville;

The '83-P quarter is hardly a common roll but its big claim to fame is that it's the only
viable source for quantities of this coin. (the souvenir set doesn't exist in quantity).

It's some of the earlier dates which just don't seem to appear as obw rolls. Particularly
the '69, '71, and '73-D but most of these are not common.

wondercoin · September 1, 2003 11:01AM

Craig: Good luck with the expenses. I will face that predicament (I mean joy) in about 4 1/2 years.

Wondercoin

oreville · September 2, 2003 11:02PM

wondercoins: As I also quickly found out, these Colleges will have their hands out ....eeer arms ready to embrace your kid when they are ready!

Aren't you from the State of California, the home of the free universities?

wondercoin · September 3, 2003 12:11AM

Oreville: Yes, I reside in CA, but, I am not sure about the "free" universities. I made the "mistake" of showing my son Georgetown Univ. on a trip back East to the Baltimore show last year

Wondercoin

washvarieties · September 3, 2003 12:47AM

Mitch
do you think PCGS would let me put my nearly complete set of Washingtons (574 all sabed) different double dies and RPMS plus my 83 basic set mosly slabed by PCGS I would be greatly honored to be with Pat Craig and you

ZAPS COINS
Bob

Wanted 1942s (1-O-V) dmr-3 mint state

wondercoin · September 3, 2003 12:54AM

Bob: PCGS' policy, which I reconfirmed yesterday, is that ONLY PCGS slabbed coins can be displayed on their table with no exceptions. Now, whether that rule ever changes is another story and feel free to contact BJ to discuss your proposal. You can get her phone number by contacting Gayle at PCGS. But, frankly, I do understand their position.

Wondercoin

PS - But, why not display your set at ICG's table during any exhibition?

washvarieties · September 3, 2003 2:01AM

Mitch
I do have ICG's ok to display my varirty set but no PCGS coins I will wait my set is a work of love and passion in progress

ZAPS COINS
Bob Z

WANTED 1942s double die (1-O-V) mint state

wondercoin · September 3, 2003 2:03AM

"I do have ICG's ok to display my varirty set but no PCGS coins"

Then, of course, there is always YOUR table

See you at Long Beach.

Wondercoin

IrishMike · September 6, 2003 12:12AM

I have come lately to the Washington varieties and have developed interest in collecting them. I am one of those weenie collectors referred to by Anaconda. I have IHC, IKE, Lincoln, an Kennedy varieties. I have two questions, what determined what varieties were included in the registry,i.e. I have a 39 DDO (ANACS MS64) which I see is not included and the last question, what book or books would you recommend for Washington varieties.

BTW I would love to see pixs of some of your coins Pat and see the set opened too.

washvarieties · September 6, 2003 12:38AM

Mike
the best books are Washington Quarter dollar books
volume 1 (1932-1941)
volume 2 (1942-1944)
volume 3 (1945-1949)
the 50 to date is in the works
by James Wiles highly recommened
Here you have a nearly complete varirty listing from the CONECA files
also there is the
Best of the Washington double dies
by Wexler and Flynn this book does not include RPM's or over mint marks
The complete guide to Washington Quarters
by John Feigenbaum
dated but a great guide
out of print Quarter double die listing
by Dan Vollmer
a basic listing of the early CONECA files

Wanted a 1942s double die (1-O-V) mint state only

ZAPS COINS
Bob Z

cladking · September 6, 2003 1:37AM

You'll find the clads tend to be underresearched and underreported but this will
likely change in the next few years with the Wiles book and a few others that are
in the works.

IrishMike · September 6, 2003 10:09PM

Wow, thanks for the references, Bob.

washvarieties · September 7, 2003 1:43AM

Cladking
just a few billion clad Washingtons to look at mostly in the early dates some awesome double dies like 65 66 67 68 69 70 the 76d's just to mention a few and the proofs should keep us bug eyed for years I am not aware of a clad book of Washington's please advise

ZAPS COINS

Bob Z

WANTED a 1942s double die obverse (1-O-V) mint state only

cladking · September 7, 2003 6:21AM

There's a little bit out there on the clads, but no books. There're are lots of articles
printed over the years by Hicks and some of the other biggies but the clads get little
more than a mention in the better reference works.

This does appear to be changing but these books are not yet even in print. There are
at least three in the works with the Wiles effort the best known. If this book is even
a tenth as good as his other work it will be spectacular!!

washvarieties · September 7, 2003 11:43AM

Wow
I hope when you find a great 1976d ddo you will let me know

WANTED A 1942s (1-O-V) only mint state

New #1 Washington Variety set - thanks Bob Z

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