When is a complete set is not a complete set?
Currin
Posts: 1,520 ✭✭✭✭✭
I will not be able to attempt a complete set. Only one in history have been completed, but it has been very exciting tracking the new attempt. Is the U.S. Coins Complete Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1792-1964) listed in the registery really a complete set? It does have a couple really tough coins, but several are missing. The 1870 S half dime along with the 1973 CC Dime w/ no arrows, 1933 Double Eagle, and 1870 S $3. Also, I believe the 1876 CC 20c is also missing. There may be more. Is there a reason why a complete set is not complete?
My 20th Century Type Set, With Type Variations---started : 9/22/1997 ---- completed : 1/7/2004
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
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Comments
Yes, there is a reason. It is the PCGS Registry and PCGS makes the rules for the Registry, which includes what is in a set and what is not. It might read as a trivial answer, but it is absolutely correct in this situation.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
@Currin The #1 set held by D. L. Hansen does indeed have the 1873 CC Dime w/ no arrows. He purchased it a couple of months ago, but currently there isn't a space for it in that set.
What @TomB said...
Later, Paul.
He does not have the 1873 CC dime w/ no arrows listed in the top 100 set, or the Seated Dime Sets. Let me know if you can find it listed in the registry.
My question is why this coin (and others) are not as required in the COMPLETE set. I understand TomB response, but that don’t explain why the decision was made to exclude these key coins . Why? I discovered these few being excluded, but there could be others.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Are there 5 known examples?
Maybe that Registry Set should be renamed as The Complete * Set.
This is the PCGS description of the set: Every basic classic U.S. coin in Circulation Strike from 1792 through 1964, every date and every Mintmark, this set is the ultimate challenge. A collection of this size could take years to assemble in high grade.
Every? I don’t think so. Maybe the description should read as: Basic Classic ........, except .....
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
The problem is this: Some coins in a TRUE COMPLETE SET are unique (so far). Perhaps one day a single collector will get each of these to add to all the rest of the coins. That will actually be The Complete Set.
**Why "dumb-down" this possible yet improbable achievement by accepting less? **
This comparison should make my opinion easy to understand: That's like in going to local coin shows and four area coin shops for years in the 1960's and 1970's and seeing all the flashy silver-colored or silver-gray Barber half dollars being sold as Uncirculated and Choice Uncirculated. Then one day at ANACS a flawless Uncirculated, frosty, BLAST-White example (what would now be graded as MS-68+) came in. That was the first time I ever thought the Barber design was attractive! Back then, if that coin was a true Choice Unc (MS-65 at the time) what were all the other "Choice" Uncs I had seen all my life?
Those would be called coins I wish I had today.
Currin, if you feel so strongly about this simply email/call PCGS and ask for a justification why it is listed as it is and or suggest that is should be changed. Telling us about it isn't going to solve anything imho.
Andrew Blinkiewicz-Heritage
With the Jefferson nickel series, many of the dates in the early set, 1938 to 1970, were plagued with poor mushy strikes but yet displayed full steps. The top Registry sets are full of them and with courtesy. So....although a set can appear complete, is it complete with fully struck detailed coins? It's not that fully detailed full step Jefferson nickels for every date are not available, they are! They're in my collection for every date, why not theirs? This is proof it can be done! Click on the link below where its very likely the only place you will ever see an entire set of fully struck Jefferson nickels. See for yourself.
Leo
Update: Having closed the website, I'll need to find another way.
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
Wrong Thread
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Interesting, thanks for sharing !!!