Why do we register the same coin in multiple different sets?

mercurydimeguy · September 12, 2005 1:07AM

I thought this might be somewhat of a more controversial topic....

Some sets, Mercury Dimes, for instance, you can register in 4-5 different sets...thus making it nearly impossible for newbies to get some "props". Meaning, you might be building an FB set but you have it registered in the NB set also.

By the way, I'm not picking on Mercs because this can be said of just about any set.

Why do we do this?

Do you think it discourages prospectively new collectors from building a set because they don't feel like they can get to the top 20, for instance?

If you have multiple sets, are they truly different coins or are you reusing the same cert# for multiple sets?

Cocoinut · September 12, 2005 1:48AM

I see no problem in using a coin in multiple sets. Use a rare type coin as an example, say, a 1796 quarter, 1796/97 half, or even a 1909-S VDB cent. It doesn't make sense for one person to own more than one of these if they want to have more than one type set. It would unnecessarily drive up the price of the remaining supply of those coins. If someone has a coin in more than one set, the drawback is that when they sell it, they need to remove it from all their sets where it has been used. Seems fair enough to me.

Jim

Mercfan · September 12, 2005 12:20PM

Thanks very much for posting this question, Mercurydimeguy!

I'm rather new to the world of registry sets, and I had no idea that the PCGS registry system will permit multiple appearances of a single coin in registry sets of different types. This bit of news opens for me the the possibility of no longer having my Late Date set the haven for rejects that have been driven out of my Short Set or my Varieties set by upgrades. It also means that I can raise the rating of two of my second- and third-string sets without acquiring a single new coin.

Hmmm. I don't think that I know what I'll do about this. Creeping up in the rankings without any additional purchases is a nice thought, but I also like having no shared coins among my registry sets. After all, someday (perhaps), when I've completed the Varieties Set, Short Set, and Late Date Set, it'd be nice to actually have three sets worth of beautiful Mercs (133 coins)--not, say, 91 beautiful coins, many of which have been listed two or three times.

Hmmm. I think for the time being I'm going to play by my own "one coin, one listing" rule.

Hmmm.

Fairlaneman · September 12, 2005 12:35PM

I'm not saying squat on this issue. My stance was made years ago and I lost.

Ken

WaterSport · September 12, 2005 9:05PM

I for one have the same coins in multiple sets. And you know what? You get a heck of a lot free grades by doing so, which continues to allow me to expand into areas like varieties, proofs, etc.,only without having to pay so many slabbing fees. It has also allowed me to buy some raw coins or coins in non PCGS holders and not having to pay any premium, while still getting them graded at PCGS at no cost to me. This includes an upgrade or two as well. For the longest time I always wondered how the forum members kept getting all these free grade submissions that were not Registration compliments. Now I (and you) know why. And no, I do not feel guilty after having had to pay PCGS over $2000 to cross many coins to get them into my first registry to begin with. After all, my goal is to get every darn Lincoln cent before 2009. With 28 free submissions at PCGS at this very moment, I just might make it.

WS

Mercfan · September 12, 2005 9:58PM

How, exactly, does one get free grading?

Steve27 · September 12, 2005 10:52PM

" How, exactly, does one get free grading?"

From the "Benefits" section of the Registry:

"# Free Grading. We recognize that not every coin in every important collection has been graded by PCGS. In order to encourage participation in the PCGS Set RegistrySM program we are offering the following free grading benefits for sets that reach 90% completion:

* If the set composition is 1-9 coins you are entitled to 1 free grading.
* If the set composition is 10-24 coins you are entitled to 2 free gradings.
* If the set composition is 25-49 coins you are entitled to 3 free gradings.
* If the set composition is 50-99 coins you are entitled to 4 free gradings.
* If the set composition is 100+ coins you are entitled to 5 free gradings.

Free gradings are for coins within the set that has reached 90% completion. You should request your free gradings with the intent to either add or upgrade your set with the coins that are being graded for free. You cannot submit the same coin twice for free grades. All coins must be submitted at one time. If your set has reached 90% complete and you have not previously received free grading for this set, please contact setregistry@collectors.com with your name, address and phone number. You will be sent by U.S. mail a submission form to be used exclusively for your free gradings. It is your responsibility to pay for postage and insurance."

Steve · September 12, 2005 11:06PM

The reason people put their specific coin into multiple sets is very clear to me. PCGS ALLOWS IT, and we all have a desire to show off to the most we can. Now I am a Lincoln cent collector, and as far as I can see, all I need is two registries, the 1909 to date business strike and the 1909 to date proof. BUT, since the Lincoln series is so long, I can see breaking it up into wheats and memorials. The fact is we now have more than 15 registries. The idea is to allow people to REALLY complete sets, so there is some logic to what PCGS is doing. I am hopeful that when PCGS revises the Set Registry later this year that people will be able to list their coins the way they want to. Steve

fcloud · September 12, 2005 11:57PM

If you can't beat them, join them.

tradedollarnut · September 13, 2005 12:18AM

Why do we do this?

Because we can...

WaterSport · September 13, 2005 2:22AM

I am hopeful that when PCGS revises the Set Registry later this year that people will be able to list their coins the way they want to. Steve

I would like to see the 1909 to date Circ set with Varieties and the 1909 to date proof set with varieties sets combined..now that would be a collection!

WS

PTVETTER · September 14, 2005 11:08PM

I have multiple sets with the same dimes.

The reason is that atleast in one set I am on the top twenty whereas on th full set with out verities I am out of the top twenty and getting there will take $$$$$. At this point I just don't have.

Besides that I think it is a way for one to build from the ground up and enjoy the registry.

Using mercury dimes as an example one can start with the short set, complete that set without spending a group of $$$ and then move up the the long short set, costing more but still within most reach as far as the cost. The full set is the next step and one has more experance in that field and will usually spend thier money more wisly.

I personelly like the idea of building up with the short and long short set.

oreville · September 15, 2005 12:42AM

My reason?

I like to see different ways my sets can be arranged. It has nothing to do with being in the top 20 for each set. Every collector has a tendency to want to see different ways on how to "present" their set. Short sets, long sets, date sets, mm sets, type sets, etc. This registry set allows such collectors to do it.

Why do we register the same coin in multiple different sets?

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