I would Appreciate your thoughts on a Reg. Set. First post here!

Coin Finder

The knowledge of the members of this board is a nice advantage when one person alone cannot understand certain issues. For me it is my Early Large Cent Reg set. I started it recently and looking toward the future there are some coins I may never own, such as the 1794 starred reverse (only 4 known) etc... Given that I cannot complete this set unless I am rich, should I continue even trying?? I know also that there are some very nice copper cents out there not even in holders and may never be slabbed, so even if I manage to hold on to the number two spot, does it really mean anything?? Your thoughts would be most helpful.

Thanks,
Thebigeng.

lordmarcovan

That's a matter of personal preference, of course.

I am a dedicated Type collector, so I only had a few options there when I joined the Registry. Should I go for "the Big Set" (Complete US Type, 1792-1964, gold included), which I have no prayer of finishing, or should I go for a set that I could finish and try for a top-five score at? In the end, I decided to go for 1900-present Modern Type, as I could finish it, yet it still included gold and some of the earlier, classic coins that I prefer. This means I had to buy a lot of Kennedies and Ikes that really don't thrill me, but I wanted to play the game and I enjoyed playing it by the same set of rules as my friendly competitors, rather than making it up as I went along.

I have hit the top ten there twice and am nearly complete. Since my feet are wet now I decided it would be fun to play on the The Big Set. I might not finish it, but it will be fun to see how close I can get.

Are you in it for the long run? - Go for it!
Do you want something that is more quickly completed? - Go for something else.

Did I understand correctly that you are Number Two? Wow! Some incomplete sets are far more impressive than fully complete lesser ones...

On my budget, even top five in the 1900-present Modern Type set is looking more and more difficult, and beating High Desert and Bill Walser out of #1 and #2 is practically impossible from where I sit. I hope to get near top five when I complete it (probably by this summer). Then I might just take up my hand at an "incompletable" set myself...

keithdagen

thebigeng,

Collect the coins if you enjoy the series, and don't worry as to whether you will ever finish PCGS's idea of a "complete" set. I view the Registry as a great way to showcase coins in a set and let people all around see pics of your coins. Whether or not it is "competitive" doesn't change the fact that it is an achievement to put together even a partial set of these coins.

Keith

TomB

The way I view the entire Registry landscape is like this; would you pursue the series in the grade range that you are looking at if there were no Registry? However you answer that question would seem to be the answer to the question of if you should continue this, or any other, set.

MarkJude

I think whether or not you ever complete a set is really not important. For me and many others, the real thrill is in the chase and the fun you have once you set your mind to begin something.

If it takes the rest of your life to do it, what a nice way to spend your free time...

MarkJude

goose3

Hey Mark,

Take a look at my registry set........under flying eagles.

Though its far from many would deem registry quality, it makes me happy. My goal is to assemble a set of mid-range circulated FE's including the overdate and doubled die as well as other varieties such as the clashed 25c/50c/20.00 etc....

Even though I could afford to buy AU+++ pieces (except for the '56) I want all my pieces to somewhat go with my '56.

I consider mine more of a "collector's set".

do whatever you like!

billywls

thebigeng---

Go for it. I did (I'm currently #1). If you look further into the set composition you will find that a number of those varieties have never been graded by PCGS and have pops of zero. So even if you had LOTS of money, you wouldn't necessarily be able to finish the set.

On top of that --- if you could finish the set the available grades might not be high enough to take one of the top five ATF slots since they were never in PCGS holders.

Spooly is working with David Hall to come up with a more realistic set option.

Coin Finder

Thanks Bill!! You have one heck of a collection! I appreciate the comments and have a lot of respect for my freindly competitors. I will stick to it. After much thought I realized that this pursuit is a worthwhile endeavor with a coin series that may have started it all, way back when.

Thanks,

Mark

Spooly

I got a e-mail from David today, looks like the Large Cent Reg set is going to see some changes. If anyone would like a copy of the recommendations I would be happy to send it to you. (just PM me with your e-mail address)

I would also like say THANKS to Rich(Keyrock) and Bill(billywls) for helping put the report together.

Keyrock

You gotta go for it. Spooly has led the charge about revamping the sets. It can get out of control with the early sets and Proof and MS issues etc. If they don't revamp it people will avoid the series. Hopefully over the next few weeks it will be more realistic.

Keyrock

Meant to include this on previous post

Thanks again Spooly for taking point on this one, (and billywls too).

Rich

tjkillian

TomB is right: Collect what you want regardless of whether there is a registry. Registry is merely a showcase for your collection, and maybe some incentive to continue to work on it. Don't let the registry drive your coin collecting.

Tom