Who are the other Classic Commem. people?

BigE

I am familiar with pop1, Higashiyama, Chippewa and Braddick. Does any of the other set owners visit the boards regularly? Thanks----BigE

blato1

I'm trying to put together a complete US (and related) Type Set from colonial times through 1964, including commems, colonials, territorials, Washington pieces and medals. As part of this, I have a 50-piece Classic Commem. Silver set and a Classic Gold Commem. set. Both are on the Registry, but are near the bottom of the pack. I am focusing more on my Complete US Type Set now.

Having set such a lofty objective, I expect it to take 30 or more years to get close (say 90% of the way) to completing this goal. I post on the Registry for fun and to have a basis for comparison. I do not expect to compete for the top five. My resources are limited, and I will have to settle for some lesser grade examples of the scarce and rare varieties.

pop1

Hoo-wie, blato. What a tremendous goal. The best of luck to you. (wow)

blato1

Thanks, pop1!

To maintain some kind of sanity in my objective, I have established the following limits: 100 different Washington pieces, 100 different Betts medals, 100 different HT tokens, 100 different CW tokens, 100 different colonials, 20 pre-defined territorials, and only 9 of the 13 gold commems. With the 50-piece silver commem set and the 135-piece complete type set (I count one Stella ), that makes a target of 714 pieces. However, I do allow pieces that qualify to be counted in more than one group. For example, I have a beautiful AU58 Washington Draped (No buttons) that I count both as a colonial and Washington piece. I do omit patterns (I'm not crazy...LOL ).

I've been focusing on this goal for about three years, and am about 11% complete. Prior to that, I had only collected raw coins in some series, and a limited raw type set. Even if I can only have a few finest graded coins (and probably no pop 1 coins), I still think it would be a great achievement for someone of my means to assemble a 90%+ set along these lines. Sort of a poor man's Garrett collection. Imagine how fascinating it will be to look at when it is 80-90% complete.

BigE

Hello blato1, nice to meet you! Which set is yours?--BigE

dbldie55

Blato, when that set is 80-90% complete, it would probably make me go blind to look at it. Always helps to have goals.

blato1

BigE,

Let's make this fun. There are only two collections that have sets listed on the Registry under Complete US Type (1792-1964), 50-piece Silver Commem AND the Gold Commem categories. One of these two is me (the less complete one ).

BigE

blato, it must be "The Minkler Deseret Collection" !-----BigE

Mark

I had what was a burning interest in commemoratives until the Mercury dime collectors captured my interest. But, every once in a while I regain my sanity and look at adding to my commemoratives. Anyway, my collection is under "Rush family" in both the silver type and complete set.

Mark

pop1

Hey, this is like a little convention. Are you guys going to enter coins into the new commem subset registries?

blato1

BigE - you got it!

BigE

WoooooooooooHooooooooooo! Good guess eh! Yes, we are going to have a drink later on Pop1, are you buying?----BigE

blato1

pop1,

I'm thinking about entering coins in some of the other type sets. I'll only ever have one Oregon, Texas, BTW, etc. (at least at any given point in time).

So far, I have not entered the same coin in two different sets. I see others doing this, and I'm tempted. I could probably get close to the current top five in the CNS Type set and the Gold Type set.

I know there's a long standing debate over whether it is legit to post the same coin twice. I have no problem with it, but not sure I want to do it yet. There seems to be something classy about showing a little restraint.

BigE

Hello Mark, or should I say, howdy neighbor--------BigE

pop1

I'll spring for a round, for sure. I tend to agree about the dupe coins. I've been trying to put together an additional set for the subsets.

BigE

Are we going to have BTW subsets or WC subsets? I think there was a mention of Oregon, Arkansas and Boone--------BigE

pop1

It is kinda scary, as the BTWs and W-Cs weren't mentioned in the last newsletter. I trust that they will be included. I see no reason to exclude any of the six: Ark., Boone, Ore., Texas, BTW and W-C.

Mark

Personally, I will enter the same coins in the sub-sets as I have in the complete sets. Why? Well, I also enter the same coins in the commemorative type set and in the commemorative complete set, which I think is not an uncommon occurrence. Indeed, Pop1 does this with his fantastic(!!) set and I expect most others do also. I see little difference between entering the same coins in the type set (which I think is completely justified) and entering them in the sub-sets. However, I could easily be wrong--am I missing something here?

Another, more pragmatic reason is that it would be nice to have two of every coin, but it also would be nice to exercise more regularly and eat leafy green vegetables. Unfortunately my budget allows me to eat leafy green vegetables to a much greater extent than it allows me to collect two of every coin...

Mark

pop1

I see nothing wrong with using a coin in two, or more catagories.

BigE

I will not be buying any "duplicate" coins either!------BigE

ArkieT

Hello,
I lurk a bit here but just joined to reply to this thread. I have the current #5 144 pc. set, but have a long ways to go. I enjoy dropping in and catching up on all the action in this forum. Along with the commem's I collect rainbow toned coins (mostly Morgans), and as high grade as I can afford Ancient Greek and Roman coins.
Gary

pop1

Welcome Gary. On the front page (top 5) ain't too shabby. I hope you fell free to drop in again from time to time.

BigE

ArkieT, thanks for dropping in, great set and nice to hear from you-------BigE

BigE

Who is that masked man CBD who just bumped me?------------BigE

MarkJude

Eric:

I have two Columbian halfs in MS62 and MS63, does that make me a collector?

I have thought a lot about this set recently, as I have tried to find something that will be not only interesting to collect, but also provide some historical lessons for the kids.

The extremely low mintages scare me a little and I wonder if you can collect these sets on a modest budget?

I would be curious to hear how others have done.

MarkJude

BTW-Eric, I got your check today, thanks!

BigE

LOL Mark! Where do you want me to start--------------BigE

PQpeace

Good luck Tree,
they are real nice looking coins,
Larry

BigE

Thanks Larry. Hey Mark, there are lots of commems. that are reasonable in the 62-3 range, this would be a great history lesson for the kids, especilly the type set!-----------BigE

Luvdawgs

I have a type set of "ships" in the early silver commems, but don't have them in a registry set. I need to get a couple of them slabbed.

Susan

wondercoin

Hey BigE: As I mentioned to you in a PM recently, I just started a gem grade 144 pc. classic Commem collection as well. I anticipate it being a 5-10 year project for me. I have decided not to pursue this like Registrycoin did and be satisfied with coins 1-2 grades lower than finest known, unless a finest known comes along at a great price or I get lucky and "make" one like my monster-toned 1953(s) Washington-Carver in PCGS-MS67. I just believe this is a beautiful set of coins and will be great fun to build.

I had purchased classic Commems, off and on, over the past 20 years, so you may see me selling off a double or two here and there. But, this will be a purely "collecting" effort. If anyone has an attractive Commem or two in less than finest known grade, just PM me with a proposal. Wondercoin.

BigE

Wondercoin, when will you be adding your set?--------BigE

wondercoin

BigE: Not sure if I will register the collection or not. When I get half way there, a year or two from now, I guess I will make that decision!! Wondercoin.

Coinguy

Hi,
I have been working on my commemorative type set for about six years now, and hanging around the registry forums since March. The Forums are a great place where people are just as passionate about coins as I am. My goal is to start on the complete 144 set when I am finished with my type set. (96% now) I need two coins- the most expense and least expensive coin to be complete. When I get them, the beer and pizza is on me.
Mike H

MarkJude

Eric:

Thanks, just let me know when you are ready to part with some of your "extras" and I will continue the history lesson with the kids.

MarkJude

MGibbs

I currently have the #3 50 pc commem set right now. Still working on upgrades, so this set will continue to be improved for the next 1-2 years. I love them bright and white, like the day they were made!

BigE

Hello Coinguy and MGibbs, fabulous sets and it is a pleasure to meet you! Mark, I will be happy to help if I can----------BigE

pop1

Great thread BigE. It looks like four of the top six set builders dropped in, and, over a third of all current finest sets registered in the 50pc. commem type catagory are represented here. Nice turnout.

BigE

Yes, now maybe we can do some trading amongst ourselves if someone upgrades or has duplicates and maybe save some fees! If any of the high-rollers have something that they see I could use I would be happy to look at it. Then I could give my coin to someone else who needs it--BigE

MastaHanky

I think I'll register my classic commem set this week, although I'm only at the 20% complete mark. But I guess you gotta start somewhere.

BigE

Nice going MastaHanky!-----------------BigE