The Ultimate Coin Hunt

Copperindian · June 22, 2026 9:32AM

The IHC Complete Variety Registry Set consists of 185(!) coins. Right now, I’m two short. One of those two I’ve located in an estate sale. Once settled, I have a commitment to buy it. That will leave one; as of now no collector has ever completed this set. The remaining coin?

There are only three coins of this variety in the PCGS pop - the one above, a XF40 in another set & the top graded AU58 (whereabouts unknown).
I’ve researched the coin depicted above but have reached a dead end, hopefully temporary. I’m reaching out to members - if anyone either owns or knows the whereabouts of the coin above, please PM me. THANKS!

lermish · June 22, 2026 10:10AM

I wish you the best of luck. My sets don't have nearly as many slots, but I can definitely relate to being just one coin short of completion. At that point, finishing the set requires both a very steep uphill climb and a lot of luck.

Copperindian · June 22, 2026 10:46AM

@lermish: your TD Set is phenomenal! Best of luck finding that last one!

Walkerfan · June 22, 2026 1:49PM

What an amazing set and even more amazing accomplishment!! 185 Coins is A LOT and requires tons of dedication and patience!! To put it in the perspective, the full walker set is only just over 1/3 of that!! I wish you the best of luck on your historic journey!!

golden · June 22, 2026 2:22PM

The best of luck in your quest.

erwindoc · June 22, 2026 2:27PM

Good luck, if I were you, Id reach out to some of the big dealers in the series and major auction houses to help in your quest. I know Heritage used to have an option to make an offer to the winner of a previously sold coin. Id bet if GC has sold one that they would help you out too.

Survivor50 · June 22, 2026 3:11PM

I wish you the best of luck in pursuit of your goal, to be so close to completion has to be both rewarding, and in this case, daunting at the same time. Please forgive my lack of knowledge/understanding of this set, but is it possible to find this coin ungraded, and have graded to complete the set?

USSID18 · June 22, 2026 3:19PM

Best of luck. A nice little project! 👍

Copperindian · June 22, 2026 3:56PM

@Survivor50: yes, everything’s on the table. It may be even more possible as it’s such an obscure variety. The “scouts” are out looking!

Copperindian · June 22, 2026 4:00PM

@erwindoc: HA still has that “make offer” program. As you may recall, though, most either don’t respond or decline. The coin I’ve cited above is not offered under this program. But, this coin was in a SB auction in 2021; that’s the most recent one. In between the 2016 HA auction & the 2021 SB one, the coin got the EEPS & CAC.

Copperindian · June 22, 2026 4:01PM

@Walkerfan: thank you for your kind words & good wishes!

Survivor50 · June 22, 2026 4:08PM

@Copperindian said:
@Survivor50: yes, everything’s on the table. It may be even more possible as it’s such an obscure variety. The “scouts” are out looking!

Thank you! I hesitated to ask, when probably everyone else knows, but I have no knowledge of how the registry sets collections work. This cent has what appears to be a huge mintage, is there an estimate as to the percentage that fit into this variety?

Copperindian · June 22, 2026 4:14PM

@Survivor50 said:

@Copperindian said:
@Survivor50: yes, everything’s on the table. It may be even more possible as it’s such an obscure variety. The “scouts” are out looking!

Thank you! I hesitated to ask, when probably everyone else knows, but I have no knowledge of how the registry sets collections work. This cent has what appears to be a huge mintage, is there an estimate as to the percentage that fit into this variety?

You’re welcome! I’m not sure if there’s a percentage, but it has to be very small. There are only 3 showing in the PCGS pop, but as the variety is obscure, it’s my hope there may be others not discovered or designated. Whoever owns the coin I pictured does not have it in a registry set.

jfriedm56 · June 22, 2026 6:29PM

@Copperindian, Ken, getting to know you these past few years, have given me the opportunity to understand your phenomenal collecting abilities. Even though the odds of putting a collection together consisting of 185 pieces sounds insurmountable, your persistence is unwavering. While I can’t help you in acquiring your last piece of the puzzle, I can only send you my best wishes and support as you search for the completion of your current journey.
Best wishes my friend!
Zack.

Coinscratch · June 22, 2026 6:44PM

I wish you the best in finding the final piece and I’m sure you will very soon.
Once you do, have you already been thinking about of what’s next?
It would almost seem impossible to do that while hyper focused on the task at hand.
Just curious.

Copperindian · June 22, 2026 7:41PM

@jfriedm56: Zack - thanks so much for your kind words! I can assure you the feeling is mutual!
Ken

Copperindian · June 22, 2026 7:44PM

@Coinscratch: thank you! If I find that final coin, I’m going to enjoy the accomplishment, then unwind most of the set. In the meantime, I’ve been acquiring type gold & some nice CAC approved pieces.

Coinscratch · June 22, 2026 8:00PM

@Copperindian said:
@Coinscratch: thank you! If I find that final coin, I’m going to enjoy the accomplishment, then unwind most of the set. In the meantime, I’ve been acquiring type gold & some nice CAC approved pieces.

That makes sense. I could see keeping the best one, two or three as a good reminder of the endeavor while at the same time building a very nice type set.

Copperindian · June 23, 2026 7:04AM

Answer to the question posed “is it possible one could be found undesignated” (or words to that effect). I found a photo that may help:

There’s either a die chip or partial digit over the 3rd pearl in the necklace. It’s fairly obvious, but may be overlooked as the variety is obscure/somewhat minor. Just for interest, here’s the reverse:

Finally, an earlier slab pic before CAC that shows the S-20 variety ID:

Batman23 · June 23, 2026 8:55AM

@Copperindian said:
Answer to the question posed “is it possible one could be found undesignated” (or words to that effect). I found a photo that may help:

There’s either a die chip or partial digit over the 3rd pearl in the necklace. It’s fairly obvious, but may be overlooked as the variety is obscure/somewhat minor. Just for interest, here’s the reverse:

I just checked my 1863 and no chipped pearls here, unfortunately.

Half the fun is the hunt. Good luck.

Copperindian · June 23, 2026 10:19AM

@Batman23: thanks for looking!

Shurke · June 23, 2026 1:11PM

Your set is a truly impressive accomplishment. I wish you all the luck in finding that last coin.

Old_Collector · June 23, 2026 1:26PM

Thanks for the education on the 1863!

Desert Moon · June 23, 2026 1:48PM

@Copperindian said:
The IHC Complete Variety Registry Set consists of 185(!) coins. Right now, I’m two short. One of those two I’ve located in an estate sale. Once settled, I have a commitment to buy it. That will leave one; as of now no collector has ever completed this set. The remaining coin?

There are only three coins of this variety in the PCGS pop - the one above, a XF40 in another set & the top graded AU58 (whereabouts unknown).
I’ve researched the coin depicted above but have reached a dead end, hopefully temporary. I’m reaching out to members - if anyone either owns or knows the whereabouts of the coin above, please PM me. THANKS!

How many does Rick Snow estimate? Your probably best opp may come from an unattributed one, I will certainly now be looking for a pearl die chip and MPD on the 63's for now on................

The Ultimate Coin Hunt

Comments

Leave a Comment