What Makes an Individual a "Great Set Builder"...
OneCent
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In numismatic circles I have heard the comment that such-and-such is a "great set builder". Evidently this person has some numismatic or collecting ability that is above the average collector when assembling a set. Now, as I too would like to be a "Great Set Builder", I am curious as to what these qualities might be. Foremost, I think that having a deep pocket is very helpful when building a coin set of your choice. However, I have seen quite a few sets that were built with deep pockets that quite frankly were not all that impressive. They looked more like what some on here would call a "plastic collection"....I digress...
Finanical means aside, what qualities make one a "great set builder"?
Finanical means aside, what qualities make one a "great set builder"?
Collector of Early 20th Century U.S. Coinage.
ANA Member R-3147111
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In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
merse
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A person who knows nothing about coins is not a great set builder even if he/she hires a dealer with a good eye for coins to buy every high-grade example of his/her favorite series on the bourse over a period of 5 years. We must distinguish "great set builder" from "wealthy accumulator."
A 12-year old YN who puts together a perfectly matched set of VG Indian cents in original, uncleaned condition is closer to being a great set builder, even on a budget level.
S
<< <i>money and patience. >>
And lots of both
<< <i>
<< <i>money and patience. >>
And lots of both >>
I somewhat disagree with this statement. Patience defintely. Money certainly helps, especially if you are building a set of Barber Quarters in say 66.
Here is an example factoring money out of the equation. Take a circulated set of VF-XF Lincolns for example. One person could put the set together and the coins as a group would look like shineola. While technically in the grade range, some coins may be banged-up, spotted, verdigris, uneven color, etcetra. Otoh, another person, while keeping within the same grade range, puts together the same set. Now in this set all of the coins are a nice even brown color, the fields are clean, the strike is strong for the grade, there are no discerning and obvious marks...it is asthetically pleasing and likely more valuable even though roughly the same amount was spent (theoretically). The individual that built this set, in this scenario, is the superior set builder. You could extrapolate this example to any denomination.
My two cents.
Collector of Early 20th Century U.S. Coinage.
ANA Member R-3147111
Anyone can put together complete top-pop coins if they have money and patience, and this does not necessarily make a great 'set-builder' imho. However, if that person was to learn everything there is about the series, sometimes pass on coins of higher grade if they are not actually nicer, and have a matched set, they are a great set-builder. A couple people come to mind instantly -- TDN, sunnywood, Tahoedale, and SG.
However, at the same time, collectors like USCGCraig and his set of perfectly matched XF-45 barber halves qualifies him as a great set builder imho as well. Many others are in this category but his name was the first to mind.
I have never built a set in my life and I doubt I ever will.......my collecting interests are very deverse and I don't have a budget to match so when I pass on I will have a hodge podge collection but oh will it be a colorful group indeed
Sometimes it can't be done any other way.
I think quality numismatic counsel is #2. No matter how well you know coins or the series, you still need a pitbull dealer who knows the markets in order to flush out the best coins.
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For those collectors on a real world budget: Focus and patience.
For those collectors without budget concerns: Focus and money.
<< <i>I have no patience whatsoever. What I do have is a good eye and an aversion to compromising the quality in my set. I also have a huge acceptance of financial risk - and I feel this is a most important quality for a classic coin set builder. Since most of the great coins are one of a kind, they tend to be locked away in sets and rarely available. In order to build my seated dollar set, I had to purchase no less than 4 complete or almost complete sets! Each time I kept the coins I desired and had to sell off the rest at great peril to my pocketbook.
Sometimes it can't be done any other way. >>
I guess that falls under the heading "been there, done that".
merse
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
Market knowledge/contacts
Patience
Money
In that order
Money certainly helps, but without the first two you cannot build a great set IMO. Great sets are often built over decades so being flush with cash is not that necessary.
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