What would be a good first registry set?

JohnZ · January 1, 2004 5:24AM

I've never done it before, but I like a little healthy competition. What do think would be a good set to assemble for say, $5000? Could you make it to the top five for that amount? And in what category? What about $10,000?

jeffnpcb · January 1, 2004 5:28AM

Proof or high MS roosevelt dimes! In proofs the early 67 and higher Cameos are a little stiff, but you should be able to put one together for under 5k. The high end MS with FB designation is a little more trying as prices are climbing!
Of course all silver!

JohnZ · January 1, 2004 5:33AM

Interesting that you should say that Jeff. I was looking at the silver roosies.

Cladiator · January 1, 2004 5:41AM

Ike Dollars would be doable. So would Susan B. Anthony's....I know they're not as difficult to complete simply because of the few amount of coins but getting them in super high grade could be quite a challenge.

airplanenut · January 1, 2004 5:48AM

Registry Sets are EVIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MrEureka · January 1, 2004 5:51AM

Edward VII Sovereign Date Set, Circulation Strikes (1902-1910).

Nice short set, no stoppers in unc, but brutally tough to find gems. You can build a choice unc set for well under 3K. When and if you find some gems, they could be a bit pricey, but you will have no trouble staying under 10K. You will not believe how difficult it is to spend your money on these things. (That's a good thing, isn't it?)

JohnZ · January 1, 2004 5:54AM

Hmmmm. A darkside registry set.

Do you think the darksiders would ostracize me as a pariah?

MrEureka · January 1, 2004 5:54AM

Registry Sets are EVIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jeremy - Let's not get carried away. Most registry collectors are out to lunch (some on Mars), but there's nothing wrong the coins or the concept.

MrEureka · January 1, 2004 5:55AM

Do you think the darksiders would ostracize me as a pariah?

Blame me. They will understand.

Cladiator · January 1, 2004 5:57AM

Darkside registry sets rock! They are so much more difficult to just find the coins. I'm currantly working on 5 darkside registered sets

JohnZ · January 1, 2004 6:00AM

Say Andy, I think you're on to something here. I love my gold, and so far there's only one collection listed, and it only contains one coin.

Got any for sale?

airplanenut · January 1, 2004 6:02AM

<< Registry Sets are EVIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jeremy - Let's not get carried away. Most registry collectors are out to lunch (some on Mars), but there's nothing wrong the coins or the concept. >>

Fine, Fine... just make sure you buy the coins and not the plastic... and don't start a set that has coins you wouldn't otherwise buy...

fcloud · January 1, 2004 6:06AM

I have been thinking of making my next set 1992 Canadian Quarters. They are provences as we are with the states. I think they come in MS, SMS, and Proof. The set should be fun and easy to get in the top five.

MrEureka · January 1, 2004 6:24AM

Got any for sale?

Nope. Thirty years in this game and I've never owned a business strike gem of that type. I don't know what one would be worth. Maybe a grand? Not a bad value, eh?

MrEureka · January 1, 2004 6:31AM

Fine, Fine... just make sure you buy the coins and not the plastic... and don't start a set that has coins you wouldn't otherwise buy...

Jeremy - Since you are apparently my "Target of the Day", I'm also going to correct your last point. When you're building a set, you buy lots of coins you wouldn't otherwise need or want. The real issue, which I'm sure you already understand, is that registry collectors would be well advised to avoid coins that are priced at levels that only make sense in the context of the registry game. If I'm right about that, a 1963 cent at 40K might be a good example of a coin to avoid. And BTW, Jeremy, Happy New Year!

cosmicdebris · January 1, 2004 6:31AM

Andy what about the 1902 matte proofs?

MrEureka · January 1, 2004 6:36AM

Andy what about the 1902 matte proofs?

We've been talking about the business strikes. The 02 proofs are available in gem, but they don't count.

cosmicdebris · January 1, 2004 6:39AM

The Matte Proofs sure do count!

braddick · January 1, 2004 6:43AM

Mint State Clad Quarters- 1965 to 1998. You can still enjoy the "thrill of the hunt" and pick up wonderful coins along the way. It's a bit of a sleeper series and I truly believe that once the State Quarters program plays out these earlier Clads will do well.

Barry · January 1, 2004 7:10AM

<< Registry Sets are EVIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! >>

Jeremy has the right idea. Don't be a lemming. Don't get sucked into the overpriced, plastic-is-the-most-important-thing ego game.

Russ · January 1, 2004 7:19AM

<< Don't get sucked into the overpriced, plastic-is-the-most-important-thing ego game. >>

Funny part about that is that I could sell my favorite registry set right now for more than it cost me to build - A LOT MORE.

One does not need to get "sucked" in to anything to have a good time with the registry, nor does one need to buy "overpriced plastic".

Russ, NCNE

cladking · January 1, 2004 7:21AM

<< 
Jeremy has the right idea. Don't be a lemming. Don't get sucked into the overpriced, plastic-is-the-most-important-thing ego game. >>

I agree completely but if you actually listen to most of the
registry participants they're saying that they are having a
blast competing and are not getting sucked into a plastic
collection.

These sets are getting so much more popular simply because
they are a blast and it really is up to the individual to make a
collection of coins or the best plastic money can buy.

JohnZ · January 1, 2004 8:15AM

All points are well taken so far. Thank you.

The Soveriegns are intriguing to me, but I've done some hunting, and MrEureka is right. They're very hard to find. It would be quite a hunt to assemble a complete set. No doubt one would have to submit quite a few raw coins for grading in the process, adding to the expense.

The Clad Quarters are also appealing as a sleeper series, and the hunting would be easier, but I'm still leaning toward the Sovereigns. It seems to me that classic gold is just intrinsically more valuable than clad two bits - no offense intended to anyone.

Have to give this some thought. I was thinking of putting together a registry collection over two years at about $10,000.

mdwoods · January 1, 2004 8:19AM

A high grade proof set of your birth year might be a good way to get into the Registry for a reasonable price.

scher · January 1, 2004 10:01AM

i would do a 50 piece classic commem set..if on a budget ..in 63 or better..could be done reasonably..great coins lots of variety..not a lot of money..
bruce scher

RGL · January 1, 2004 10:21AM

Welcome! I'm a little biased, but a very underrated and affordable set that is about to become more expensive: 1938-64 Jefferson proofs ... It's particularly fun, and potentially profitable, to cherrypick raw coins and make your own. The $76 coin below went PR-67 at PCGS.