Do you think registry sets are only important for common and modern series

Dennis88

Hello Everyone,

{I've also posted this in the US coin forum, but I know there are people who don't really read that forum, so I post it here again}

When browsing trough the PCGS set registry, it can clearly be seen what the more popular series are. Morgan Dollars, Clad Kennedy Dollars, Lincoln cents etc. The competition factor is quite high there. Do you think that this is because the series overall are, with the exception of key/grade rarity issues easily to get?? It isn't too hard to find a certified morgan dollar on a show, so it looks like an easier set and more people try it...?

Let's take the following series, Liberty Seated Dollars, circulation strikes 1840-1873 (Link) . With the exception of the Legend Set of our own TDN (talking about a dream set), there are only 7 other people. Because of the immense rarity of these issues ( Did you know BTW, for every Liberty Seated dollar, there were 130 Morgan/Peace dollars minted. When looking at the currently known coins, the ratio is about 4,000 to 1), there is not much, if any competition in that set registry. So, the set registry doesn't have any influence in the price...

But, take a look at another series, Washington Statehood Quarters, Circulation Strikes 1999-Present (Link). Besides being a very modern "commemorative series" still not completed, the competition is VERY strong. 164 sets are registred, with 55 "completed" far. The differences in the ranking is just a very tiny thing. It looks like a modern and expensive game, and it sure is. Without the set registry, no one would spend hundreds or even thousends of dollars on a common and recent minted coin because it had one mark less then that other, much cheaper with just another number on the holder..

So what's your opinion about it. Classic and rare sets are sure nice to look at, but the registry doesn't have any influence in the price paid for coin X. Do they have any other influence in the coin world??

Dennis

DeepCoin

For me, the Registry is a way to share my set. I do NOT compete with anyone other than my own eye and wallet. The beauty of the registry is a means to share your set and also view it online. Those who "compete" are welcome to that aspect, but I think competition is often overstated.

For those of us on a limited budget there is more of a sense of watching our completion rather than competing with someone. However, when I was actively collecting Mercs we would cheer each other on. Mercateers still remember "Red Fridays".

If you have deep pockets and play in the Legend sandbox, then competition is more often the case. For those of us who can mostly afford only "widgets" we have a different perspective, one that I believe is more common when you take into account ALL the collectors in the hobby.

This does not make one type of collector better than another, it just makes the circumstances of their collecting different.

cladking

I read the other thread and didn't understand the question there either.

I suspect the the responders also had different understandings of what the question is.

Dennis88

<< <i>I read the other thread and didn't understand the question there either.

I suspect the the responders also had different understandings of what the question is. >>



Well actually wanted to make a poll of it, and probably should have done that

Just your opinion about this, and the set registry's influence in some things....

Dennis

weresteve

<< <i>Well actually wanted to make a poll of it, and probably should have done that

Just your opinion about this, and the set registry's influence in some things ... >>



Registry sets don't amount to a hill of beans as there are many more people working on sets at any given time than those who actually participate in the set registry. Even Laura S has mentioned this on more than one occasion.

DMWJR

I think the registry sets are reflective of the collecting community. You have far more collectors of Lincoln cents than seated halves.

Other than that, I think there are too many variables to answer your question here in one post.

Cocoinut

Registry sets are as important as one wants to make them. To those who are extremely competitive and have deep pockets, it's a very serious business. They're also important to the dealers who slab and sell such things as modern proofs in PR69DCAM and PR70DCAM (can YOU tell the difference?). These are coins that usually sell for more than the price of an entire mint sealed proof set, where most coins would grade PR69DCAM anyway. Likewise, most modern MS coins up to MS65 are basically pocket change masquerading as collectible coins. Without the registry, you couldn't GIVE them away.

For me, the registry is a way of displaying my collection, participating in some friendly competition, keeping track of what is owned (inventory, to a dealer or "wannabe"), and a valuable insurance record. I have photos of most of my coins in the registry, so they're organized, somewhat uniform in appearance, and I don't have to store them on my computer (although I do burn them to CD's anyway).

One of the benefits we all share is being able to see some fantasic coins in others' sets, things that the average collector might never otherwise see. Isn't that important?

Jim

Fairlaneman

Hi Rick and Jim.

Without registry sets I would not have been able to say hello to these two people. People miss the point and advantages that a Registry Set can provide.

Ken

mercurydimeguy

<< <i>Hi Rick and Jim.

Without registry sets I would not have been able to say hello to these two people. People miss the point and advantages that a Registry Set can provide.

Ken >>


And I wouldn't have met Fairlaneman, who first introduced me to the PCGS message boards

Fairlaneman

<< <i>

<< <i>Hi Rick and Jim.

Without registry sets I would not have been able to say hello to these two people. People miss the point and advantages that a Registry Set can provide.

Ken >>


And I wouldn't have met Fairlaneman, who first introduced me to the PCGS message boards >>



Hi Mike.

Hope you are not PO at me for doing that.....

One of these days some of the negative people will see the light.

Dennis just for your information. The three people I said hello to live on the East Coast of the USA. I live in Oregon which is on the West Coast.

Ken

Keyrock

I think the registry is only what you as a individual want to get out of it.

If you are competitive, it is a tool for attempting to be top dog.

If you love a series for any reason, it is a tool to display your beauties.

If you have a unlimited/limited budget it you can pick what series you want and proudly display them etc...

There is probably a scenario to fit every collectors collection and how relevent the registry is to it, so no I don't believe it is important only to moderns. The correlation may be more related to cost (I have a 1959 to date Linc set and state quarter set I do with the kids). I look at it as a cost effective way I can interest my kids without committing significant dollars (I can save the dollars for my other collections).

DeepCoin

The other thing the Registry and these boards have done in addition to making new friends is to provide another venue where collectors can buy, sell or trade coins among each other. I have bought and sold coins at fair market value without having to pay the dealer "overhead". Dealer need to make a profit, but when specialists can trade with each other both make out better.

If not for PCGS, these boards and the registry I would not have made many of the coin collecting friends I now have and my knowledge base would be soooo much poorer.