The registries have done more harm to the hobby than good

MidLifeCrisis

Agree?

Disagree?

Discuss...

khayse

Disagree.

They are a natural growth of having coins slabbed and I think must be included in that. Any minor negatives caused (and I don't agree the registries are a net negative) would be vastly overwhelmed by the positives of slabbing in general.

-Keith

Kove

Registry sets were a brilliant innovation by the grading services to soak up some of their mistakes while adding a fun element to the hobby. Together with advances in digital photography, registry sets grew into a great way to share one's collection.

Some of the sets are wonderful, high-end collections put together by people with a great eye. However, other sets are holding places for overgraded "bargains." I've seen the liquidation of some of these "bargain" registry sets turn into financial bloodbaths for the owner.

For me, I find the online registry sets to be a great way to keep track of my collection, and an easy way to look up what holes I need to fill or upgrade when I'm at a coin show. The thought of competition is pretty far from my mind.

MrEureka

Disagree.

They're harmless if you ignore them and lots of fun if you participate. That's a net gain anyway you cut it.

RYK

Mixed blessing, but the positives outweigh the negatives.

Jcarney

<< <i>Registry sets were a brilliant innovation by the grading services to soak up some of their mistakes... >>



Please explain.

keyman64

The positives far outweigh the negatives! It is a lot of fun and gives you glimpse at what else is out there. It allows us to make connections to other like minded collectors. Tons of funnnnnnnnnnn.

Sonorandesertrat

<< <i>Disagree.

They're harmless if you ignore them and lots of fun if you participate. That's a net gain anyway you cut it. >>



I agree with MrEureka

Justacommeman

<< <i>

<< <i>Disagree.

They're harmless if you ignore them and lots of fun if you participate. That's a net gain anyway you cut it. >>



I agree with MrEureka >>



add me. m

GoldenEyeNumismatics

<< <i>Disagree.

They're harmless if you ignore them and lots of fun if you participate. That's a net gain anyway you cut it. >>



yeppers

nags

I concur. No systemic negatives for the hobby, and many potential positives.

PerryHall

They sure caused the price of AU58 coins to go up.

LindeDad

Disagree.

Have kept me playing for about ten years now. Find them great place to show what I have, and as long as one is not locked into the "have to be best" game just down right fun.

One of my sets that was just for fun.

messydesk

I see a lot of good that has come from the registries. One of the biggies for me is being able to share some of my stuff with others.

Harm? Perhaps some people are more concentrated on the number on the holder than on the coin itself than they'd be without the registry and are now a slave to point scores and such, just so they can move up in the rankings. Of course, these people were obsessively competitive already, and the registry simply reduces the overhead of competitive coin collecting.

dragon

I don't see them as either harming or helping the hobby, I only see them as clever marketing ploys by the grading services.


Actually, I suppose they could harm those who play the registry game if they simply buy coins for the high numbers on the tags with no regard to what's inside. I've seen a couple top end rated in the past where I thought the overall quality of the set was just awful and was assembled with nothing but the registry game in mind. To be fair, I've also seen much lower ranked sets where the quality was all there and then some.

NotSure

<< <i>I see a lot of good that has come from the registries. One of the biggies for me is being able to share some of my stuff with others.

Harm? Perhaps some people are more concentrated on the number on the holder than on the coin itself than they'd be without the registry and are now a slave to point scores and such, just so they can move up in the rankings. Of course, these people were obsessively competitive already, and the registry simply reduces the overhead of competitive coin collecting. >>



I concur 100%, especially with the 'harm' part...if you are an overly or naturally (or, as messydesk says, obsessively) competitive person (as I have been 'burdened' with all 3 aspects of competitiveness) to begin with, yes, you just MAY pay more attention to the number on the holder, almost having 'blinders' on, as to the coin itself, at first. It's tough to pass on that upgrade, but hopefully common sense prevails, if the coin is NOT 'on par' with that number. I'm not a fan of 'stickers', but that CAN also be a help to those that have those 'blinders' on.

roadrunner

While there are positives to the Set Registry program, it has also created distortions in some segments of the coin market, some not so beneficial.
You can't ignore the effects unless you play in an area that is completely free from Set Registry influences (ie like collecting circ wheat pennies from 1941-1958).

When did the Set Registry first hit the street?

tradedollarnut

<< <i>

When did the Set Registry first hit the street? >>



The paper version started in the late 1990's. Online must have been early 2000's

Billet7

I think it has hurt some areas, but helped overall. It has created a bubble in certain areas that I fear will crash eventually. The "BEST" of the modern common coins are ridiculously high priced, whereas coins that are every bit as good in a step lower are fractions of that price. For me the value would lie with the lower grade coin, but that's not rewarded in the registries. I also think it rewards people who don't research and fully understand their field. Jumping on a coin simply for the grade on the holder might not be the best way to play this game, even with a CAC sticker and an Eagle Eye seal of approval. I think there's more to this hobby than shelling out cash for a coin, it's more than competing.

I really love the online showcase of the registry, and that I am able to enjoy great collections that I might not otherwise ever see. I also am happy that I can know more of what's out there. The registry stimulates a lot of interest, I love it, I just think one needs to be careful. There are pitfalls associated with registry mentality, so long as one can avoid those pitfalls, I think it's a great thing.

roadrunner

<< <i>

<< <i>When did the Set Registry first hit the street? >>


The paper version started in the late 1990's. Online must have been early 2000's >>



Thanks, I just wanted to see if it coincided with the wave of gradeflation that seemed to hit the market during the 1997-1998 time period...and then ran for about 10 yrs.

Rollerman

I look at what amounts to "competitive coin collecting" as I do fishing tournments. It seems to take a nice relaxing hobby and make a competition out of it. But if they find enjoyment from it, I'd say do what you enjoy!
Pete

DIMEMAN

I strongly disagree. The Registry is fun and can be used for all types of collectors. Weather you collect like I do for fun and going for completion or if you are going after top pop and have to be the best ....it can all be done on the Registry.

BillJones

<< <i>Mixed blessing, but the positives outweigh the negatives. >>



I agree with this. It's fun to educate other collectors and see how your collection stacks up against others who participate. (Notice how that is worded; I did not say "finest known.") On the other hand the insane prices that some are willing to pay simply because something in grade X yields the most registry points are not always a good thing.

vibr0nic

Has its positives and negatives.

On one hand, it provides a forum for sharing fabulous collections and accomplishments, which is a positive.

On the other hand, it has glorified collecting as a competitive endeavor based on numbers on plastic, which is a negative.

magikbilly

I regard them as I do the number 666 and the 13th Friday or floor of a building.

Eric

edit to add - mostly

shylock

Early on I found it a plastic race.

Now that more images are attached I find it a great way to find pics of great coins online,
take it with a grain of salt, and often like some of the lower sets more.

And it pisses me off when great collections are closed for viewing!
If you decide to register your collection the coins in it should be available.
I understand why competitive collectors do this just don't think PCGS should allow it,
either lay your cards on the table or don't list your set.

amwldcoin

It is addictive!

coinsarefun

<< <i>Agree?

Disagree?

Discuss... >>






Agree........no

Disagree....yep

Discuss......later, too lazy

JBN

One of the benefits of the registry is the ability to track pedigreed coins through various collections.

For WLH, you can track the Jack Lee coins, the GBW coins, and others through some of their owners.

mozin

The Registry is the reason I completed a set that I started twenty years ago. No question I buy many more coins because of the Registry, often in series I left alone for many decades. I enjoy the Registry.

Walkerfan

I love the registry.

competition

exhibition

order and organization

It is pure marketing genius!

You certainly don't have to be number one to compete or to have fun. I like watching people build their sets and building my own, too.

LeeBone

Personally they`ve helped me....






























...spend more than I would have otherwise

Trime

I am not interested in the registry but don't think it has hurt the hobby. It can be positive for those wishing to sell high rated collections. It can be financially painful for those that chase high pops that get displaced by a better graded coin.
So: If it makes you happy and TPG rewarded, so be it.
BTW I might change my mind if and when I decide to sell a major collection.

CoinZip

One huge advantage to the Registry that I had never thought about until I read an article on Numis$ociety.com is the recovery of stolen coins........

CoinJunkie

I don't participate (yet), but have enjoyed viewing numerous monster sets over the years. I think
the only negative is that it rewards technical grade above all else, but that's minor in comparison
to the benefits. Further, I don't see a practical way around that nit.

jayman1970

<< <i>One huge advantage to the Registry that I had never thought about until I read an article on Numis$ociety.com is the recovery of stolen coins........ >>



Every coin that I own is registered for this reason!

bidask

Registries are terrific for collectors and the hobby.

The harm happens when collectors lack patience to wait to acquire the right coin.

vibr0nic

<< <i>

<< <i>One huge advantage to the Registry that I had never thought about until I read an article on Numis$ociety.com is the recovery of stolen coins........ >>



Every coin that I own is registered for this reason! >>



Took you 13 months to post something after registering?

jayman1970

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>One huge advantage to the Registry that I had never thought about until I read an article on Numis$ociety.com is the recovery of stolen coins........ >>



Every coin that I own is registered for this reason! >>



Took you 13 months to post something after registering?

>>



Just wasn't in a hurry. LOL

pocketpiececommems

Disagree---I sure have met a lot of different collectors by looking at their sets and seeing all of the great looking coins that are out there.

halfcentman

I am going to be in the minority here and say more harm.

Elcontador

<< <i>Disagree.

They're harmless if you ignore them and lots of fun if you participate. That's a net gain anyway you cut it. >>



I believe the registry sets have done more harm to the hobby than good. The premise is that you can ignore them I believe to be flawed.

They're great for higher end dealers. They're great for the people who can afford the most expensive coins to put into those sets. They bring positive attention to the TPG which slabs these coins.

But they harm the average collector. Say are trying to buy, say a gem type coin of a particular series just because you want one. Whether you like it or not, you are competing with someone who is putting together a registry set of these coins. And some of the people putting together these sets are willing to pay more, sometimes far more, for these coins than the guy / gal who wants a nice type coin. The guy paying $32K for the "finest known" MS 65 RD 1852 Large Cent comes to mind.

You're not buying coins at the registry set level? You're still affected by what the registry set people do. You want a nice MS 64 Capped Bust Half? The run up in MS 65 coins in this series means that this MS 64 is going to cost you more.

ColonelJessup

I paid $690 for a 29-D 10c in a P66FB holder, upgraded it to P67FB pop 4/0 and wholesaled it for over $8K. Pop now 20 something and the coin is $2K.

I paid $11,000 for a 1911 10c NPF68 (fatty) and upgraded it to PF69*, got $35K. Sold to an underbidder. Last traded CSNS Platinum/Greensboro for $17,000+J.

Registry sets What's not to love?

halfcentman

<< <i>I paid $690 for a 29-D 10c in a P66FB holder, upgraded it to P67FB pop 4/0 and wholesaled it for over $8K. Pop now 20 something and the coin is $2K.

I paid $11,000 for a 1911 10c NPF68 (fatty) and upgraded it to PF69*, got $35K. Sold to an underbidder. Last traded CSNS Platinum/Greensboro for $17,000+J.

Registry sets What's not to love? >>



An excellent job making ElContador's point.

lordmarcovan

<< <i>Disagree.

They're harmless if you ignore them and lots of fun if you participate. That's a net gain anyway you cut it. >>

this

magikbilly

Was this question to collectors or investors, or were the answers the point?
Some of this sounds like distortion is an effect as well.
Then there is that $90,000...

Eric

magikbilly

Perhaps I misunderstand. I thought this Registry stuff was a "manmade" construct like things you see on the Holodeck in Star Trek: TNG - it only exists within that framework - apart from that it is formless. People striving to have their set listed on an "arbitrary" list...no? Maybe I'm not confused

I would question something that has dramatic seemingly inexplicable (at least to some) effects quickly. It seems a good thing to question at least.

Eric

coinkat

Sharing coins and showing what can be accomplished is one thing...

Turning the registry sets into the Academy Awards for coins is another

I think I have made my thoughts clear on this years ago

magikbilly

"Turning the registry sets into the Academy Awards for coins is another"

Where is Brando when you need him.

Eric

coinkat

The comical thing is think about the greatest films- Citizen Kane and Casablanca to name two- Did Orson Welles win for Best Director or did the film win Best Picture?

Did Humphrey Bogart win Best Actor for Casablanca?

Well the point is simple... subjectivity has its place and that will not change

magikbilly

I agree fully, but John and Walter Huston might not, on one night at least
"I'm doing a dance on a mountain of gold!" - Treasure, obviously, is a very currency oriented film. Most everything involves money - the shave, the lottery ticket, the food, the tools, the Burroughs, the potential purchase of the gun/trade for the watch thing with Goldhat, the bit with Ann Sheridan...

Eric