Define what an "Everyman" set means to you...
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lkenefic
Posts: 8,473 ✭✭✭✭✭
The term 'Everyman' traces back to a 15th-century morality play in which the average person... an 'Everyman'... must answer for their Life. In numismatics, we often apply this term to sets that favor accessibility and wear over perfection, but what does 'Everyman' mean to you? Is it about budget? Story? Representation? Or something else entirely?
Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;
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Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
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Mainly about budget/availability. Everyman means that there is a certain range of grades or even dates covered in a series that are affordable for the average collector. Also means that people with lesser funds can still have a great time collecting and adding coins to sets. I've found the Everyman Morgan dollar sets to be helpful, as it omits some of the key dates and sets a grade cap.
That's my thinking as well. You can have a few different Morgan dates that are gems for a few hundred dollars. Buffalo nickels also come to mind. I'm sure there's many.
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
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Dantheman984 Toyz4geo SurfinxHI greencopper RWW bigjpst bretsan MWallace logger7
Yes fortunately or unfortunately, I'm thinking budget/availability as well. When I'm in this forum and seeing the coins I see and using your words "everyman and average person" reality sets in, putting me in the "way"below average category. The term poor-mans collection comes to mind. 🤣 😂
It's probably more about story for me. Building a legacy set or collection. One that might be passed down through the generations. But again, reality sets in and the odds are against us of that happening. But it was fun while it lasted! 😉
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
Agree with the budget logic.
I envision a collector with some knowledge and experience who assembles sets of mixed grades of coins where each coin was carefully considered and stands on its own merits.
What it DOESN’T mean, at least to me, are folks paying 63-64 money for coins in coveted AU 58+ holders, so they can attain the “best” Everyman collection.
"Everyman Sets" means to me that AU58 coins are now a lot more expensive than they used to be.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Yes, by budget, but "average" collectors have limited accessibility to the full range of US coinage even excluding the quality mostly discussed here.
I've guesstimated that in the vicinity of 50% of US collectors (depending upon someone's definition of "collector") have annual budgets of $500 or less. But even excluding this collector profile entirely, the remaining "average" collectors are still shut out entirely from a noticeable proportion of US coin types, and of those that still remain accessible, many still only in a quality with an unappealing financial proposition with below average marketability at resale.
I suppose ultimately it comes to an issue of price and availability.
But I also tend to think of Everyman collecting as an area that sidesteps the mad rush for top pops and the highest attainable grades in favor of showcasing lovely coins that exist in the rest of the grade spectrum.
The coins are all circulated graded coins. MS are not allowed.
An all AU 58+ set is the highest possible score and wins the prize.
Although not as expensive, but in some cases, more challenging.
Definitely affects and increases the price of 58s.
Was originally conceived to show that a nice set can be achieved with enough time and patience and that you needn't be a whale to compete.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
The higher the grade does not always equate to the more beautiful the coin. I find the highest grades to have much more toning, something distracting to me. I also find that when an MS68 is valued more than 14 times an MS67 and 26 times and MS66 there is no justification to have the highest grade. My coins are private on both NGC and myCollect. Competition is no motivator when building a set to enjoy for me. I would hope the everyman set is similar, motivating those who enjoy the hobby first and foremost, not just the competition.
I had the #3 set in the Seated Quarter registry behind Hansen and Mike. I could have had the #1 set in the everyman registry since my set had no mint state coins. I wasn't interested. It's like sitting at the kids table on Thanksgiving.
To me, an "Everyman" set refers mostly to budget. Grade is arbitrary and irrelevant. There are so many examples of sets that have cheap MS66 coins and expensive, if not "trophy", VF coins that it's not worth bringing up examples.
I think the 15th century morality play may actually adapt well to collecting. If the average collector, upon assembling a set of something, were to have to answer for it by defending not only their choice of coins to put into it, but also what they paid, what they learned, how they acquired the coins along the way, who they got to know better in the process, how they grew as a numismatist and other stories surrounding their collection, that would make judging the Everyman sets much more interesting and be much more rewarding for both the collector and others with whom the experience of assembling it is being shared. Much less sterile and more holistic when compared to adding up grade points. I grant that it would much more difficult to administer, but that's not the point of defining what it would mean to build an Everyman set.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Ah the registry and it's structure.
I have been mostly successful rejecting the pull of "I must fill this hole" just to satisfy a registry requirement. I'd rather own a coin that brings joy vs doing so out of obligation.
This also applies to what a coin's grade must be to satisfy a registry's parameters. I'm can be happy with a VF coin that has attractive attributes, even though the UNCs may have more WOW factors. Obviously, budget can be a limiting factor, yet I just want coins that are compelling to me. So, if I participate in a registry, I will have coins with wear and coins without.
Dunno if this approach qualifies as an everyman collection!
VF35 CAC
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
I like the kid's table on Thanksgiving! Its our 20 somethings. Things are new and exciting. I've been listening to the same adult stories for 40 years and you can't get a word in edgewise!
@Catbert That 1840 is STUNNING!! I totally agree with you. I'd MUCH rather do it my OWN way and have half 63/64s and half VF/XFs, that are eye appealing and technically solid, than to have all 58s. TO ME, the registry concept is competing to the BEST of my OWN ability, when compared to others, and showcasing my accomplishments. I don't need a 'handicap' to help me, so to speak.
Oh yes......One other thing--I DON'T have to be #1, either, just as long as I've done my best and it's respectable and viewers get some education and enjoyment from it. 
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Generally and personally, I prefer a coin that’s experienced a bit of light circulation, and has a hint of original patina to show for it. To me these are historical artifacts, and circulation adds to the history.
Just my preference, everyone is different and has differing preferences. For the life of me, I don’t “get” the lowball thing, but no matter, I respect those who do. No right nor wrong of it. That’s the beauty.
I agree. I have zero interest in MS coins. In fact, I could have bought MS specimens for less than I paid for some XF45's. Mint bags and sock drawers may have preserved a lot of MS coins, but I'm drawn to coins that have survived circulation in decent shape.
I'll never have the top spot in an Everyman set because AU58's are too pristine for my preference. Actually, an AU50 is the ceiling for me, and then only reserved for the rare situation where I cannot find an XF45. About the only MS coin I'd be tempted to buy would be a 1917 Type 1 SL quarter for a type set, and only because its unique feature would be best presented without wear. Lol!
I'm happy for those who collect MS coins. Everyone has their own preferences, and we should all be happy collecting what we want.
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-dollars/everyman-carson-city-morgan-dollars-circulation-strikes-1878-1893/alltimeset/342506
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/type-sets-by-mint/carson-city-basic-type-set-circulation-strikes-1870-1893/alltimeset/378275
I've learned to avoid "Everyman" coins (AU58) at auction for scarce dates if I can. They can get bid up way too high by those competing for top rated sets. I don't have the means to compete with these folks for every coin.
My set consists of coins that I think are nice for the grade (with a few exceptions). They initially consisted of raw coins purchased off of eBay to fill a Dansco. To me, a Dansco SLH set with 5 pounds of nice-looking seated Liberty halves is an awesome thing. The registry is just a means for showing my coins. It includes several "details" coins because I like them, don't wish to replace them, and don't care what they do to my registry score.
Three nice "iceberg" coins that sink my registry score.
To be submitted at FUN - perhaps the nicest, not messed with, low-grade coin I've seen
If one enjoys competing with one’s sets, but on a budget that precludes competing on most sets, the concept is great. But let’s be honest, the competition among sets is a brilliant marketing scheme at center. I have a mixture of circulated, uncirculated and proof coins in my type sets, dictated by cost and availability. The coins are the thing, the only thing.
Not sure how the AU-58 grade turned into the Everyman. For me, it's anything in nice circulated grades. I think my VF-XF 1916 thru 1933 Walker set qualifies.
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/alltimeset/140798
10-4,
My Instagram picturesErik
My registry sets
That is a great looking set, excellent work!
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
I don’t know if I like the word “Everyman” for circulated sets, I’m kind of neutral to the word Everyman and use the word “Circulated” when I name my slabbed circulated registry Type sets. For slabbed circulated coin sets, I like mainly 58s, but they don’t all have to be 58s but they should have a similar level of eye appeal so they all match. But I mainly collect circulated sets in albums, raw, where I like to have them all the same grade plus or minus a grade or 2 and all with a matching look. I have some of my circulated sets in albums where I have more than one album of the same set but in different grades, like one album is average grade of VG and another of EF and all with matching looks. Unless going for 1700’s and early 1800’s, I’m comfortable with buying raw coins for my albums in these lower grades.
Mr_Spud
To me, an ‘Everyman’ set is simple. It can be whatever anyone wants to collect and it has no greatness about it.
Unless you choose the Mint State Everyman's Sets which allow you to have coins up to grade MS-64
In these sets you get both, affordability and quality
Mike
My Indians
Dansco Set
I have a few 58+ graded coins that are total “keepers”, but for no other reason than I believe them to be fabulous coins. I do like that grade though, but only because it’s so infrequently encountered.
Oh, yeah....I forgot about those.
That's a relatively new format, IIRC.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
I've not been a fan of the "Everyman" concept, at least as it has been structured, and the name itself. I've always just looked at the "Everyman" sets as budget sets vs the standard sets that for the most part, top positions in registry are occupied by a small sliver of deep pocketed collectors, not always the case, but mostly.
I'd love to see the Registry sets evolve out further, but I don't see that on the horizon, it would require more effort, attention, manpower,... For example, and this is just my personal view, while I certainly enjoy viewing a registry of uber high grade (unobtianium for most of us) coins, in many series I find a humble circulated set assembled that matches in grade and look across the entire series (common and keys), more enjoyable and inspirational to view than the uber high grade sets. But that might be because when it comes down to it, I fall into the "Everyman" category of collectors the registries are trying to support. But I still don't like the name.
I'd love to see registry points given for matching grade across the set, and other concepts wherein something more than simply the numerical value is the exclusive basis for positioning in the registries and therefore Gold, Silver, Bronze medals issued...
No denying though, the advent of registry sets have sure done wonders for TPG submission volumes, and coin turnover in general with collectors.
It doesn't mean anything to me.
I don't do registry sets. Not everyman is alike and there are women that collect every man sets. They need to change the name to everyperson. Everyone collects differently so the phrase "every man" is a misnomer to begin with, in relation to what you collect.
Registry sets are silly to begin with. "My coins are better then your coins."
Grading even by top graders is opinion to begin with.
My guess it that over 90% or more of coin collecters are not registry set participents.
When I think of the term "Everyman" it doesn't fit for most somewhat serious Numismatists. We are not like most folks. It also seems to regulate a class system where money is more important than knowledge.
But I guess the concept is here, at least within the Registries, pitting collector against collector at different levels, so each can attempt to have and be able to show the top set for their limit (MS-64+ and below, or AU58+ and below).
Yet maybe, as that term implies, we have the Everyman within our ranks. Blue collar, hard working men (and women). No silver spoon. Tough decisions on what they can afford. Possibly never even being able to complete a matching set, whatever the definition, even at a grade limit. But still Numismatists. Still possessing the fire and the passion, and expanding their understanding, experience and knowledge continuously.
Yeah. If we look at it that way, I might be that guy too. I actually hope so.
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
I wouldn't let go of those either! Those are beauts!
I’ve been thinking about the idea of an “Everyman Set” . Yes, technically it refers to sets composed of circulated coins (AU58 and below), but I’ve always found the name kind of curious, especially given that this is a hobby that’s long been called the “Hobby of Kings.”
Even with grades capped below Mint State, many of these sets (Barber quarters with a 1901-S, or Mercs with a 1916-D) are still out of reach for a lot of collectors. It makes me wonder whether the original spirit of the term was more about approachability ...like building a set that doesn’t require deep pockets or museum-grade coins, just appreciation and effort.
In that spirit, maybe a modern interpretation of an Everyman Set is more like roll-hunting, pulling coins from circulation, or collecting affordable moderns that anyone can enjoy...
Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.